Rose
We need to talk about Rose, and I don’t mean in a “dozen red roses and a box of chocolates” kind of way. Rose gets reduced to romance or lust so often, but she’s actually fierce and protective. It’s about loving your best self, not just being “pretty” for someone else.
A rose blooms for no one but itself.
There’s beauty in that—the act of being for yourself first. Part of staying soft is keeping your thorns. Boundaries are what protect the bloom. It’s that balance between being open and knowing exactly where your edges are. That’s where Rose really lives: grounded self-love.
Physically, Rose is a bit of a powerhouse for the skin. It’s packed with Vitamin C, which is the go-to for repairing your skin’s barrier. If your skin—or your spirit—feels reactive, flushed, or just totally overwhelmed, Rose is the “calm down” it needs. We often pair it with Peony; they’re like two peas in a pod when it comes to soothing. Together, they firm things up and protect you without stripping you bare. It’s what you reach for when things feel raw.
Long before soap was even a thing, people were using roses in baths just to improve the smell of… well, everything. It’s been used for ages in rose water sprays, perfumes, incense, and little hand-held herb bundles people carried to ward off bad smells. Even now, rose is a staple for skin care, cosmetics and scents.
In witchcraft, Rose is a core ingredient for a reason. It’s used for everything from self-love spells to protection charms to glamour magic, acting as a bridge between the heart and the head.
Then you have the Victorian “Language of Flowers,” which was basically a whole secret dialect. A red rose was an “I love you,” sure, but a withered white rose was a nod to fleeting beauty.
There’s also the tradition of Sub Rosa—”under the rose”—which meant a secret told in absolute confidence. I love that connection to our history. It’s a quiet nod to the hidden, private lives of sapphic women and the poems of Sappho, where roses were often symbols of that intense, private devotion that had to exist in the shadows.
The Essentials:
- Gentle/Softens skin: Perfect for repairing the barrier and soothing redness.
- Fierce Love: Not just romance, but the grounded, self-focused kind.
- Floral scent: A smooth, classic aroma that settles the nervous system.
- Glamour spell special: Ideal for when you want to feel both soft and protected.
So, what do we use Rose for?
In our world, Rose is a versatile queen. You can use dried petals in teas to soothe a restless heart, or toss them into cakes and cocktails. Honestly, putting dried flowers in your drinks makes them feel so fancy and special. I’ll put a photo below, but seriously—it makes me feel incredibly fancy and it’s literally just flowers in my drink.
You’ll find Rose as the main character in our Briar Rose Bath Bomb and Coven Kiss Balm—they’re built specifically around that heart-shield energy. In things like Cleo’s Blessing, Love or Anxious Bean, Rose takes more of a supporting role, helping you soften up and lean into that self-love without it being the only thing going on.
If you’re into herbal smoking, don’t sleep on Rose. It’s a classic base for a reason. It adds a smooth, slightly sweet floral note that isn’t harsh on the throat, and it’s traditionally used to take the edge off anxiety. It doesn’t get you “high,” but it settles the chest—like a deep breath in leaf form.
(Just a heads up: if you’re smoking or eating it, ensure your roses are strictly organic and food-grade.)
Next time you make space for yourself with a rose product, don’t just rush through it. Take a second. Trace the “thorns” of your own boundaries. Check in on your inner self and what she needs right now. Visualize a golden perimeter around your space. Soft on the inside, but protected on the outside.
Not delicate. Just intentional.
With love, thoughts, and thorns,
(Tia) Sapphic Self
