As immortalized by Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet ....
Inspired my my visit to the Rose Gardens last week, I decided to focus this blog on ways to invite the secrets of the Rose into our lives.
Let's talk about how to make your life a bed of roses at https://www.dreamlifenz.com
joann@dreamlifenz.com
According to J.E. Cirlot's A Dictionary of Symbols:
The “rose is, in essence, a symbol of completion, of consummate achievement and perfection. Hence, accruing to it are all those ideas associated with these qualities: the mystic Centre, the heart, the garden of Eros, the paradise of Dante, the Beloved, the emblem of Venus….”
Gabriele Tergit's book, “Flowers Through the Ages” says, “The rose was dedicated to the goddess of love, that is, to the eternal mystery of the continuity of life. As such it was the symbol of mystery and secrecy. 'Mystery glows in the rose bed, the secret is hidden in the rose,' sang the Persian poet and perfumer, Farid ud-din Attar, in the twelfth century.”
The folded structure of the rose, by its nature, conceals a secret inner core.
So since the Middle Ages, what is said “sub rosa”, under the Rose, is to remain secret.
The Rose Garden Early gardens in the Middle East were modeled on the earthly paradise, the Garden of Eden, with four streams flowing out to the four directions, and a Tree of Life in the center. Persian gardens are traditionally laid out like mandalas, with a fountain in the centre. Tree and fountain are symbols of the creative source of life that emerges from the unseen world, continually renewing.
Rose Quartz
Rose quartz is a member of the Quartz family, its name is derived from its color, which ranges from pale pink to deep reddish pink.
Rose Quartz is the quintessential stone of love - whether for ourselves, our partners, friends and family, extending out to nature.
In these times, which can be stressful, meditating with one of these stones provides love energy around us and activates the heart chakra for the emanation of love. The soothing vibrations of Rose quartz helps dissolve one’s boundaries of isolation and mistrust. Healing the heart of wounds and awakening trust is one of its gifts.
Rose Quartz is one of the most important stones to wear, use in meditation, sleep and body grids, and to keep around us in a room.
It assists with the resolution of old emotional programs. It helps us to move into a paradigm where our energetic centre is.
Book a crystal healing session with me to see what crystals can do for you
Rose Petal Syrup
Pour a little of this rose petal syrup into a champagne glass and top up with Prosecco to make a gorgeous perfumed aperitif.
Stir and float a rose petal on top.
MAKES 800ML (1 1/3 Pints)
225g (8oz) fragrant rose petals from an old variety of scented unsprayed roses
700 g (1 .5 lb) granulated sugar, warmed
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
Put the petals into a stainless-steel saucepan with hoc water. Bring to the boil and simmer gently for 20-30 mins. Strain the petals through a sieve, pressing to get out as much liquid as possible. Add the sugar and lemon juice.
Bring back to the boil and simmer, until thick and syrupy.
Bottle and seal.
(From “Forgotten Skills of Cooking”, by Darina Allen. I had the great pleasure of meeting Darina and some other members of the Allen family, when I was studying baking at the Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland, early 2019.)
Rose essential oil
Whether you just started a blossoming romance with oils or have deep roots, you should know that Rose oil is the crown jewel of the bunch! This breathtaking floral oil is the height of class and sophistication.
Our Rose essential oil is made from the petals of Rosa damascena, which is where the common name of damask rose stems from. Rose essential oil is extracted from the pressed petals of these fabulous flowers—it takes 22 pounds of petals to make just one 5 ml bottle of Rose!
This painstaking process means every drop of Rose essential oil is truly precious. As such, it isn’t for every day, but it can be used to add splendor to an ordinary day or make an extraordinary day unforgettable.
In a small glass, combine 1 ounce of V-6™ or other carrier oil of your choice, 1 drop of Rose essential oil, 3 drops of Lavender essential oil, and 3 drops of Frankincense essential oil. Pour the mix into warm bathwater and feel like royalty as you enjoy the benefits of Rose oil.
Romantic perfume
Add some luxe to a special day like a wedding, anniversary, or romantic date with a few drops of Rose oil on your wrist or neck!
Pair with Ylang Ylang or Jasmine for an extra-romantic scent.
Rose and other essential oils can be purchased at my website https://www.myyl.com/dreamlifenz
Transurfing tips
Filtering the information that comes to us from our reality gives us the nature of our reality. “The pessimist looks at the world though black tinted glasses and the optimist through rose-tinted glasses. Either way, you shift to different life lines according to the quality of your thoughts.” Vadim Zeland.
Rose quartz and fine rose oil can help us to shift ourselves into a rosier reality.
(Images thanks to Pexels, except for the rose garden and rose quartz photos, which are mine.)