Rose

Rosa

Cancer (white rose), Gemini

 

Uniqueness, Richness and Variety

 

The rose has deep significant meanings throughout history. Native to North America and Northern Africa, roses have been cultivated for more than 5,000 years and were planted in gardens and for medicine by the Romans. During the fifteenth century, meanings were assigned to the rose and that practice has continued with ever changing symbolism to the present day meaning of romance assigned to red roses. 

First and foremost, these perennial flowers symbolize the uniqueness of each of us. As no two roses are alike, no two people or animals are alike.  We all have unique physical bodies and all have our own outlooks on life as filtered through our own life experiences. If rose flowers are given as a gift, the meaning assigned from nature is to celebrate the perfection of who we are.

Rose flowers consist of many petals symbolizing the many layers of our lives. Young rose blooms have fewer petals and are more compact showing us the beauty of youth - of youthful or new ideas, of fresh perspectives on existing topics, of new approaches to existing issues or tensions.

Roses are grown as shrubs, climbing or trailing. Shrub roses grow from 5 to 15 feet in all directions. Climbing roses can be trained to grow on a trellis or wall and usually bloom twice per growing season. Trailing roses grow on 8 to 20 foot canes that require support. Plants enjoy being pruned in early spring, with as much as half of the new growth from the previous year removed. This process teaches us to respect the need to remove some of our old thoughts and beliefs to let new ones that bloom grow within us. Roses require well drained soil - another reminder not to hold on to beliefs or patterns that no longer serve us or become stagnant in the way we think. 

Many rose varieties are edible. Rose leaves and buds (unopened flowers) can be dried and used in tea, rose petals can be added to salad and rose hips can be used in many recipes. 

Rose shrubs have thorny branches.  If you are drawn to roses as your symbolic flower, contemplate whether you are using these thorns as a form of healthy boundaries or whether you use "sharp points" to keep others at a distance. Consider the level of intimacy you allow in your life - are you comfortable or do you feel you could expand connections with other people?  If so, you may want to draw in the thorns and take a few risks with deeper friendships or intimate relationships.  

Roses love full sun and require at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Rose is for those who like to bring beauty into the light from creativity within. Roses are also grown in many colors, showing us the richness and variety of ways we can bring soul-level thoughts into the light --through painting and writing, and all areas of business where people are motivated from a vision of doing something in a new, better or creative way. 

Dianthus

Dianthus

Sagittarius

Diversity, Variety

The sun-loving flower Dianthus can be found as an annual, biennial or perennial. Many of the more than 300 species of Dianthus, as well as hundreds of hybrids, have flowers with a fragrant scent and notched petals. Flowers bloom in spring or summer through to autumn and can be many shades of pink, red, white, rose or lavender. Plants have blue-green foliage and range from small ground cover to plants 30 inches tall. Common names are Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus), Pinks or Sweet William.

Dianthus are native to Europe or Asia, and are now also grown elsewhere. Dianthus comes from Greek words for the Greek mythological god Zeus and flower, roughly translated as "flower of Zeus" or  “flower of the gods”.

Dianthus bursts with color, which blooms repeatedly through the summer. Working or planting Dianthus will bring bursts of color in our lives; color brings joy to our spirits. 

Dianthus can also produce multiple colors on one bloom, showing us many lessons on diversity and variety and how they can support us joyfully. Dianthus is an example that we have the choice of many paths and each one, or a few, may be right for us.  Feel free to explore a path that calls to you, and later, if another calls, know the new path is right at that time.  

Different varieties of Dianthus have fairly flat surfaces, and others have layers of petals similar to carnations, giving us the idea that many flavors can belong to the same family or group and thrive together. We all bring the unique aspects of ourselves and each of these strengthen, enhance or highlight unique aspects of others.

Dianthus shows us the variety of personal choices, including those right for you. For example, your family may be of people you've chosen instead of those related by blood.