Roses

Plant Name: Rose
Botanical Name: Rosa centifolia
Common Names: Unknown
Gender: Feminine
Element: Water
Planet: Venus
Deities: Adonis, Aphrodite, Aurora, Cupid, Hulda, Freya, Eros
Magickal Properties: Love, beauty, psychic powers, divination, healing, luck, protection

Used by man throughout history, Roses have seen numerous mentions in the texts of the ancients as well as more modern scholars. Horace and Pliny write of the fable that the deep crimson rose sprang from the blood of Adonis, a venerated god of the Greek Pantheon. Later, Romans used roses lavishly, strewing them upon floors and floating them in wine. Brides and Grooms were crowned with roses, as were the religious icons of Cupid, Venus and Bacchus. And from this, perhaps, was born the long standing association of these red buds with spells and rituals of love, happiness, and plenty, for which they are used often in many traditions to this day.

Among the Romans, and in other cultures, the buds and petals were also scattered at the feet of the victors, making it a powerful symbol for overcoming obstacles and achieving one's goals. Pink rose petals are also quite commonly used within rituals of happiness, emotional balance, and love spells.

Herbalists of the modern area sometimes use rose buds to treat headache and dizziness. Other applications have seen them used in the treatment of mouth sores, as well as a tonic that is said to be soothing for the heart and the nerves. Others still claim that using rose buds can be an effective treatment for menstrual cramps as well.