About this episode
From Persian nightingales and Greek goddesses to Cleopatra’s chambers and Tudor England, the rose has always been more than just a flower—it is a story, a spell, and a medicine chest in bloom. In this episode, we wander through centuries of rose lore: myths of Aphrodite and Venus, the wars of roses in England, and the secretive phrase sub rosa. We’ll explore the rose in art and literature, the language of flowers, and its deep connections to love, passion, and protection in magical practice. You’ll also learn the rose’s gifts as an herbal ally—from soothing the skin and calming the heart to the nourishing power of rosehips. And, as always, we’ll end with a Living the Spell segment, where I’ll guide you through making your own rose water, a simple divination ritual with rose petals, and a refreshing rose & hibiscus lemonade potion. The rose teaches us that beauty is both delicate and thorned, that love can heal and wound, and that magic can be found in the petals we hold close.