Kathleen Petrides

Rose: Rosa damanscena obtained by steam distillation or with the use of chemicals thereby becoming an "absolute."  I don’t use Absolutes, because of the minute chemical residues left behind after the process.

Okay.  Get your Q-tips out.  This is a fun oil to sniff.  If you get a really GOOD rose oil, you should be able to peel it like an onion and discover new layers with each passing moment.  (The BEST Rose I’ve ever gotten is from Appalachian Valley Natural Products www.av-at.com ).  So sniff and get happy and decide for yourselves whether this is a top note, middle note or bottom note.  In other words, where does it smell it’s fullest, it’s richest, it’s happiest and most seductive.  At which point does it ring your inner bell.

Rose, of course, is known as an oil for women, but is gentle enough to use on babies.  This is the oil that has in the past and is still in the present is offered to the Gods.  It is used by those who have come into their own power and know themselves.  Rose’s main chemical components are terpene alcohols and paraffins.

Spiritual and Magical uses for Rose Oil: grief, sorrow, depression, joy, self love (which includes spells for weight loss and quitting smoking, drinking, drugs, etc.), for healing and protection from all sorts of abuse - from sexual, to physical, to psychic and emotional abuse.  For croning rituals, expressing our joy, to help with psychic visions, for balancing our emotions.

Practical uses for Rose Oil:  This oil is used for all skin types because it is so balancing, but in particular, this oil is used for mature and dry skin.  It is used for acne, wrinkles, broken capillaries, eczema, depression, migraines, nervous tension, stabilizing the central Nervous system, balances hormones and regulates the menstrual cycle and therefore has been mistakenly referred to as an emmenegogue and not to be used during pregnancy, which is patently untrue.  (Although, being rather conservative, I still caution the use of ANY Essential Oil during the first trimester, especially if there has been a history of miscarriage.)  It is also used for frigidity, hangovers, nausea, an immune stimulant and asthma.

Rose’s uses and actions: analgesic, anti-depressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, chologugue, cicatrizant, emmengogue, hepatic, laxative, nervous sedative, stomachic, sexual, liver and heart tonic.

Amount used in any potion, lotion or spell: 1 drop. True, rose oil is very expensive but will last for years if treated right.  Any more than one drop in the tub, in a potion or lotion of a tablespoon, or being diffused, is not only a waste, but can be too much to tolerate.

Rose, fortunately, is one of those oils that gets better and not worse with age. You can keep Rose forEVER.  Unlike your citrus Oils which have a very SHORT shelf live (9 months to a year usually), Rose keeps trucking on.

One thing that some people have noticed with their Rose that they have kept for a while, is that it seems to solidify at the top.  I have known of people who have carefully scraped this off and thrown it away. >cringe<

One of the main chemical constituents of this oil is paraffin, which means it CAN get a waxy layer at the top.  This is common, I’ve has some of my rose do this to me as well.  Just warm it in the palm of your hand for a while and your oil will be fine.  Don’t chuck your oil OR this layer.

Some Suggestions for the use of Rose oil:

This is my own weight loss spell I wrote some time back. Change it to fit your style, it’s a bit long.

Weight Loss Charm
 

You will need some pink cloth, such as cotton or silk
Green Thread
One Tablespoon of dried Lavender
One Tablespoon of Pine needles
Dried Rose petals or 1 drop of Rose oil. (this can be substituted with 6 drops of grapefruit oil)
Rose quartz or Moonstone (optional)

Make a small bag by sewing three sides of the cloth together with the green thread. Make sure that you leave the top of the bag opened. While sewing the bag, visualized how much weight you want to lose and what you will look like at the end of this journey.

Once you have finished sewing the three sides, place into the bag, the Lavender, Pine needles and rose petals. At this point you can place a cleansed and charged Moonstone for added power. Now drop into the bag, your one drop of Rose oil (or grapefruit). Sew it closed.

Place the charm on your altar (preferably outside and during the New Moon), ask for the blessings of the Lord and Lady and the four elementals and leave it on the altar for an hour. (leave overnight if desired)

When your charm has been charged, that the Lord, Lady and elementals and place the charm either around your neck or into your pocket. Any time you feel your resolve weakening, just crush the charm and smell it focusing on your goal.

You can refresh and recharge the charm on every full moon with a drop of rose oil.  When you have lost the weight desired, bury in the ground and give thanks.

One last suggestion for the use of Rose oil: Grief, shock and sorrow. This past week has seen the most horrific act of terrorism anywhere. To help ease the anger, and grief, put one drop in a diffuser with 4 drops of frankincense.

Before ritual, spray the circle area, with a cup of water, 1 drop of Rose and 6 drops of Frankincense, to help banish negativity, and to bring spiritual calm and harmony.

That’s it for this week.

Bright Blessings

Kathleen Petrides
GreenLady
 

© 2001 Kathleen E. Petrides, SmeLLeNNium
 
 

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