Ritual: Rose Blessings
This ritual is designed to help you embrace your most intimate romance–the one you have with yourself. Roses have been cherished for centuries for their sensual nature; they evoke the spirit of love and uplift your mood. Please note: this ritual requires a bit of planning over 1 to 2 days, but I promise it’s worth it!
What you’ll need:
Step 1:
Fresh or dried roses that have no toxic sprays or pesticides
Hot water
Container (a large glass mason jar works great!)
8-12 hours to prepare your rose water
Step 2:
10-15 minutes of uninterrupted time in a quiet place
Journal and pen
Step 3:
20-25 minutes if drawing a full bath or 10-15 minutes if using a basin
Step 1: Make rose water
Hold your roses while you set your intentions to fully accept and love yourself
Infuse rose petals in very hot distilled water (approx. 1-part petals to 2-part water)
Steep several hours or overnight for more fragrant potency
Step 2: Reflective journaling
Bring your journal and a pen and find a quiet place where you can be fully present. Find a comfortable position and begin taking some deep breaths.
When you are ready, ask yourself the following questions:
What aspects of myself do I not fully love or accept?
Be honest, tender, and compassionate as you name them.
Why is that?
Notice what stories, voices, or beliefs arise.
When did I begin feeling this way?
Was it a moment? A relationship? A pattern? Trace the roots gently.
What would full self-acceptance feel like in my body?
Imagine it: warmth, lightness, expansion. What images, colors, or sensations come?
Journal what comes up for you, especially what emotions arise. Barriers to love and intimacy may be rooted in distant or recent experiences. Your emotions can be a roadmap to unlocking what needs to be released and rewritten.
Step 3: Rose Blessing Ritual
There are two options for this ritual. You may draw a bath and fully soak in your rose water and petals, or you may use a basin to cleanse parts of your body with the rose water. Select that option that best fits your needs.
Add both the steeped roses + rose water to a hot bath or a beautiful basin
Soak and scrub your face/body/feet/hands to nourish your skin and spirit
Welcome self-acceptance, love, and intimacy as you visualize flowers blooming in your heart center
As you close the ritual, gently pat dry and offer gratitude for showing up with care and intention. You might choose to speak one of the following affirmations (now and in the weeks ahead) to honor what surfaced during this practice.
Affirmations:
My heart is open to love, intimacy, and the beauty of being seen.
I honor every part of who I am, even the ones I’m still learning to love.
My worth is not conditional—it's woven into the essence of who I am.
I release shame and embrace my story with compassion and grace.
I am safe to bloom in my fullness, just as I am.
I forgive myself and others for the ways love was withheld or misunderstood.
Optional add-on:
If you make a second batch of rose water, you could strain all plant-matter out and store it in a large mason jar in the fridge. Drink as a tea throughout the week, or create a spray by adding a touch of witch hazel as a preservative or jojoba oil as a moisturizer.
