“The rose is a rose from the time it is a seed to the time it dies. Within it, at all times, it contains its whole potential. It seems to be constantly in the process of change: Yet at each state, at each moment, it is perfectly all right as it is.”
– Paulo Coelho
Rest is a precious gift that we must give ourselves. It is a radical act in a world that constantly bombards us with messages that our worth is measured by our productivity. The truth is, rest is essential for our physical and mental well-being. Without it, we risk becoming burnt out, unable to function at our best and engage with the world.
I understand the importance of rest on a personal level. I, too, have experienced the debilitating effects of adrenal fatigue. As I journey towards recovery, I am learning to prioritize self-care and incorporate small moments of pleasure and relaxation into my daily routine. Whether it’s a walk outdoors or a cup of tea, these moments are essential for my overall health and well-being. I am slowly learning to embrace ‘dolce far niente: the sweetness of doing nothing. No pressure or expectations, no need to perform anything or entertain myself. It is a deep reset for my nervous system.
I am learning to ‘be’. It is a simple yet profound practice.
This springtime, as the world awakens from its winter slumber, I find myself captivated by the beauty of my garden. Every day, I am reminded of the wonders of Creation as I bask in the glorious colours and fragrances of blooming flowers. I ask my body, cells, organs and nervous system to open up, absorbing smells and sounds. The rose, in particular, holds a special place in my heart, as it has been a constant source of comfort, joy, and relief during my darkest moments. As I take in its sweet scent, I am grateful for the healing properties of this magical flower.
I am reminded that beauty heals and restores us. Each flower in the garden has a different and unique smell that makes me feel more present, alive, connected to the life around me and grounded in my body.
So dear ones, let us take a moment to honour the natural rhythms of life. As the world around us undergoes a renewal process, let us also take this opportunity to recharge and reconnect with our inner selves. Studies have shown that spending time in connection with the land can have numerous health benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood and cognitive function, and boosting immune function.
In this season of renewal, rebirth and growth, I invite you to rest and recharge. Find a place or a park where you can smell the flowers to connect to their medicine and healing properties.
Spring is also a time to honour the natural rhythms of life. Taking the time to slow down and appreciate the miracle of the natural world can help us connect with our inner rhythms and find a sense of balance and harmony in our lives. This time of the year reminds us to truly appreciate the beauty around us. We need to learn to listen and observe. We can only do that by paying attention and being present and quiet.
And, of course, I am not inviting us here to ‘use’ flowers and plants to enhance our well-being without paying attention to how we relate.
Culturally, we are used to taking and having little awareness of reciprocity’s importance.
We need to connect to the living world using kindness and reverence. This is a more receptive, open, magical, and ‘yin’ way of relating.
Remember, we are an expression of the Earth. Let us take care of Her just as she takes care of us. Let us connect with the living world respectfully. Let us listen to the messages of the plants and flowers, for they are our teachers and healers.
“Flowers are the music of the ground. From earth’s lips spoken without sound.”
– Edwin Curran
As a token of my appreciation, I offer you a simple recipe for making rose flower essence. This essence, filled with natural oils and antioxidants, is a powerful tool for supporting the immune system, reducing inflammation and connecting to the Self.
Red roses primarily represent self-love, compassion, and feminine energy.
They remind us of our capacity to open up, blossom, and hold firm boundaries (thank you, thorns!)
Roses with different colours may hold a slightly different quality and vibration.
Most importantly, I invite you to follow your intuition and listen to your guidance and the rose’s subtle messages.
Ingredients:
- A handful of fresh, organic rose petals
- Spring water
- A clear glass bowl or jar
- A dark glass bottle for storage
- Smaller bottles for storing the essence
- Brandy, vodka, or food-grade alcohol (minimum 40%)
So, dear friends, welcome to the enchanting world of creating your rose flower essence!
Instructions:
Begin by waking up early when the sun rises, and the world is still quiet. As you walk through your garden, neighbourhood or park, breathe in the crisp morning air and look for fresh, organic roses still adorned with dew drops. These are the roses that are said to be the most vibrant and potent.
Once you’ve found your roses, it’s time to begin the process of making your flower essence. Fill a clear glass bowl or jar with spring water, leaving a few inches of space at the top. Gently place the rose petals on top of the water, ensuring they are fully submerged.
Cover the bowl or jar with a clean cloth or lid, and place it in a sunny spot where it can soak up the sun’s energy. As the roses infuse their healing power into the water, take a moment to connect with them. You may sing to the roses, whisper sweet nothings or play a Himalayan bowl nearby. The vibrations from sound can enhance the energetic qualities of the essence.
After a few hours, the rose petals will have imparted their essence into the water. Carefully remove the petals using a leaf or clean spoon and transfer the rose flower essence to a dark bottle for storage. You can then use the petals to make tea.
To preserve the essence for longer, add half the quantity of alcohol to the dark bottle. This will give you a 50% rose water and 50% alcohol ‘mother essence’.
Remember to add a label to the bottle, giving it a name that resonates with you. For example, I called the last ones I made with various flowers love and light, women’s harmony and pure rose’s essence.
When preparing the ‘final’ essence, use a small bottle with a dropper. Add half the quantity of spring water, half brandy or vodka, and 7-21 drops from the mother essence. Rose flower essence is said to have various healing properties, including helping to ease anxiety, lifting the mood, promoting feelings of love and compassion, and supporting emotional healing. Most importantly, it holds feminine energy.
Creating a flower’s essence is a simple, nourishing, yet powerful ritual to connect with the land around us and support our overall well-being.
As you create the essence, set an intention.
Take a moment to express gratitude for the healing power of the roses, or say a prayer for the people you love. Adding your personal touch and intention to the process infuses the essence with more love and positive energy. This can amplify its healing properties.
It is also essential to notice your moods, thoughts and overall vibe. This alchemical process can become a meditation and a tool to deepen your self-knowledge and inquiry.
I usually avoid using plastic in this process to prevent contaminating the mother essence.
If you don’t want to use alcohol, you can try apple cider vinegar instead. However, remember that it will have a shorter shelf life, and you’ll need to store it in the fridge.
The alcohol will preserve the rose essence for longer and carries its vibration and medicine.
Once you’ve created your rose flower essence, take a couple of drops under your tongue and feel its magic.
Congratulations on making your medicine!
Let me know if you do it or if you have questions. And remember, you can use the same basic recipe with other flowers you are intuitively drawn to. I have done this while connecting to the flowers in my garden and sensing their vibration and medicine.