30. Roses

Divine love, lasting relationships, support

The soft petal felt upon your flesh is ready to release her thorns.

Few symbols represent love more than the rose. Its delicate petals in pretty shades meet prickly thorns and sturdy stems, much like love in the real sense. A rose is beauty intertwining with the occasional pain, all in an enduring dance of sharing your life with another.

Roses in your spread symbolize an eternal love that has the potential to stand the test of time. It may not be fast or especially passionate but it is solid and supportive, affectionate and endearing. It’s the kind of love that reinvents itself, like a rose turning into a dried flower and expressing its beauty in a completely new way. If you are in a relationship your partner is reliable and prefers to express themselves in practical ways rather than grand romantic gestures. They’re more likely to fill your car with gas or take out the trash than to whisk you away to Paris, but you’ll never have to question their loyalty. If you’re seeking love this card reminds you to consider someone who may not be the most attractive or interesting but will be a soft place for you to land and rest your head through the good times and bad.

If your reading is about someone outside of a romantic relationship, receiving this card is confirmation of their devotion to you or a sign that they are okay and you don’t have to worry about them. They will find the help and support they need. The same can be said for you if you’re experiencing difficult times: help is on the way in the form of a supportive friend, mentor or family member.

Rose is a powerful nurturer, and a simple rose bath to help you release what is no longer serving you while gently embracing you is perfect when you draw this card. You’ll need a red candle, a handful of rose petals and one tablespoon of honey.

Fill the bath and light the candle. While doing so, think of the scent of roses. Sprinkle the rose petals slowly over the bath water then get into the bath and take a moment to ground into the warmth of the water spirit embracing you, the rose kissing your flesh and the scent of the roses filling your spirit. When you are ready, pour the honey into the bath water and ask honey to bring sweetness into your bath experience. Allow rose to gently travel with you into the emotions, thoughts or spaces you wish for her to guide you with.