Rose & Rose Hips For Support During This Current Astro-Weather
Before you read…
I just published a really info-dense blog post called The Introductory Post to the Holographic Herbal. I totally suggest heading on over there first before reading this post, especially if you are new to astrology. On the Introductory Post, you will find what is essentially a reference guide to Anatomy & Astrology, the Zodiac Color Wheel [ as taught by Judith Hill ], and some Astrological Archetypes. Going forward, this is how I’d like to express the work I am doing, and the wisdom I am learning from my powerhouse of a teacher.
The Introductory Post was the preface to this post before it got too long, and I dedicated an entire blog post to it on its own. I used the Zodiac Color Wheel that is explained on the Introductory Post paired with “Intuitive-Intuitive Eating”, and intuitively chose rose and rose hips to add into my daily dietary rituals. Learn more about Intuitive Eating here. I will be discussing the practice of Intuitive-Intuitive Eating sometime soon on Instagram or the blog, and hopefully I will have found a better name for it by then.
However, this post goes further into the energetic and chemical properties of rose and rose hips, my experience with working with them, and why they could be beneficial to utilize for supporting us through this current Astro-Weather. We are going to dive into what past and modern herbalists say about rose hips, and I will tie it all together by threading it with the lessons I have been learning at school from my incredible teacher.
Of note: I am not a certified Medical Astrologer, doctor, or licensed professional. Astrology is meant to be used only for entertainment. Do not diagnose yourself without speaking to a licensed professional. Do not diagnose yourself according to the material found on this page, any other page on this website, or affiliated links. You can cause serious harm to yourself without the proper information and support from professionals in the medical industry. For more information, please see my Terms & Conditions page.
This is what we go over in this post:
How it Started [ how I was introduced to rose & rose hips ]
The Axes in Astrology
Anatomy & Astrology: A Short Synopsis
Rose & Rose Hips for Support Through This Astro-Weather
The Astrology This Year
A Rose & Rose Hip Monograph
How it started
As Jupiter shifted into Taurus, I found myself drinking a lot of rose hip tea. I have a curious mind, and in practicing Intuitive-Intuitive Eating [ a term I playfully coined to accentuate the intuitive part of Intuitive Eating which is touched on in The Introductory Post if you are interested in learning more ], I started researching rose hips. As of a couple months ago, I finished my Materia Medica for a huge assignment for my natural medicine school, where I researched more than 100 herbs. A file for rose hips is included in this Materia Medica, but I was disappointed in myself when I re-opened this file to find the research I had done paled in comparison to some of the files for my favorite herbs like Vervain. When I started my Herbal Medicine courses, I wanted to get to know more about herbs that help heal my PCOS and adenomyosis like beloved chaste berry, dong quai, and black cohosh. It never occurred to me to get acquainted with rose to begin with, let alone to seek out its medicinal properties for the issues I was having. The annoying synchronicity of it all is that I am a Taurus Rising, which is ruled by Venus in Astrology, and Venus loves roses. Lastly, my first name is Samantha, and there is literally a hybrid rose named Samantha.
Once I decided to meet the spirit and medicinal properties of the rose, I had a hard time going a day without them. Rosehips refer to the fruit that grows on the plant after the petals fall off in the fall. It is said they should be picked after the first frost, as they are the sweetest then. So how can this plant help us through this current astrology? I used the chart found below to intuitively pick an herb to implement into my daily routines. We will get into in more detail shortly, but rose hips have pigments called lycopenes and carotenes, which give the berries their red/orange color. Red is associated with Aries, and red/orange is associated with Taurus.
Let’s look at the axes [ opposing energies ] in astrology, and we will begin to weave a bigger [ holistic ] picture.
The Axes in Astrology:
According to whichever source you prefer, Rose is ruled by different astrological energies. To 17th century herbalist Nicholas Culpeper, Rose is ruled by The Moon. For many others, Rose is associated with Venus with some Mars qualities because of the thorns present on the stems of the rose. Personally, I have found that the planetary energies that rule the Rose can be found on the Taurus/Scorpio Axis, Aries/Libra Axis, and maybe even a little bit on the Leo/Aquarius Axis. However, when looking at all of these rulerships together, there is some interesting synchronicity and cross-over. To further explain this, and to describe the axes and the Zodiac Color Wheel, I am going to pull this next bit directly from my Introductory to The Holographic Herbal post:
Above is the Artist’s Color Wheel layered on top of the Zodiac Wheel as taught by Medical Astrologer Judith Hill. If you are an artist or creative, this is such an amazing tool to have in your Healing Tool Kit. This chart is also really helpful for Intuitive-Intuitive Eating, which is expressed in the Intro Post.
So, how do we use this Zodiac Color Wheel? I guess it is up to each individual to take away what they feel best resonates, especially if you are a creative that works closely with color, or if you are studying Color Psychology [ one of my favorite subjects to learn ]. Hill describes it by saying that we “burn through” the color that correlates to our Sun + Moon signs. For instance, I am a Capricorn Sun and Aquarius Moon, therefore I burn through indigo and violet. Now, find Capricorn on the wheel, and scan your eye across to find Cancer. This opposing dynamic between Capricorn and Cancer is called an axis. Every sign has an opposite sign, which creates an axis. It is my belief, and the belief of many other astrologers, that there is a lesson, archetype, and theme found on the axis between the two signs.
For the purpose of this post, I am only going to take you through the Aries/Libra axis, Taurus/Scorpio axis, and Leo/Aquarius axis.
Aries-Libra Axis: This axis is the embodiment of “Love and War”, but it also represents the balance of how much we show up for ourselves, rather than give energy out to others [ and vice-versa ]. Aries represents the soldier, warrior, champion, and victor. Libra represents the unifier, the collaborator, the balancer, the negotiator, and the lover. Between these two signs, there is a lesson about how there is, and will always be, a constant push and pull between what we need vs what others need from us. It will never be a truly enduring balance, as everything needs re-tuning and shifting. Sometimes in war, negotiations are made to bring peace and harmony. What exists on this axis are two sides committing to make peace despite their differences. Sometimes, however, we need to know when it’s time to discontinue a relationship, burn a bridge, or sever a tie. We must know when to fight for what is right, and make peace when harmony is necessary- sometimes all at once.
Aries is ruled by Mars, the planet of war, aggression, energy, will, passion, and astrologer and fellow-nerd Austin Coppock calls Mars “The Blood-God”. Mars is also Ares in Greek Mythology.
Libra is ruled by Venus, the planet of love, beauty, art, commerce, unity, partnership, sensuality, and lush and fertile lands. Venus is also Aphrodite in Greek Mythology.
Taurus-Scorpio Axis: Taurus is associated with our Earth, forests, material treasures, our pleasures, our relationship to wealth, food, spiritual beliefs, produce, and beauty. What happens to the food after we digest? What happens to our possessions after we leave this Earth? What happens to the land that once grew fields of grains, vegetables, or beautiful flowers? Look across to Scorpio who teaches us that everything has an end and a rebirth: decomposing and decay happens, our bodies take in the minerals it needs and then the excess leaves our bodies, and after we pass on, we pass on inheritance to younger generations. Do we recycle, upcycle, or create more waste from our consuming and consumerism? Most importantly, Scorpio is heavily associated with the underworld, the afterlife, and ancestors. Sometimes I think maybe reincarnation itself lives on this axis. Other times, I think of how Venus, the ruler of Taurus is the adornment, or adorner, of rituals. Ancestral worship sort of relies on adorning ancestral altars with the belongings of those loved ones we are trying to honor or remember. Moreover, anything passed on to us comes in the form of inheritance: possessions, money, or land- all of these things are associated with Taurus. Also, disease, generational trauma, names, and personality traits can be inherited. Taurus has association with money and possessions, and therefore there is a beautiful image here of someone who resides between the gates of Hades and the land of the living. Here, on this axis, is Hades and Persephone.
Taurus is ruled by Venus, which is explained in the Aries/Libra axis above.
Scorpio is ruled by Mars, which is explained in the Aries/Libra axis above. However, it is also ruled by Pluto who is also Hades, the Death-God, and Ruler of the Underworld. Pluto represents sex, taboo, anything occulted or The Occult, poisons, toxins, wastes, riches found under the Earth [ inheritance ], and transformation.
Leo-Aquarius Axis: Leo represents the expression of self, the King, and the leader. Drama, flair, theatrics, creativity, courage, fierceness, boldness, valiance, and strength are themes that can be brought up with Leo. On the opposite side sits Aquarius who represents the authenticity of the self, the community, and the audience. Aquarius themes are innovation, the mad genius, progression, humanitarianism, being a part of a community, sometimes the advancement of technology, uniqueness, and individuality. Whereas Leo is the King, Aquarius is the collective. It is about the expression of futuristic themes, and how we use technology and new ideas to progress our expression of self and creativity. Sometimes when I think of this axis, I see a court jester. Not only does the jester need to know how to tell stories with drama, but they need to know how to appease the King and Queen, as well as their people. It takes an extremely talented performance artist to make everyone happy, while also telling their truth, expressing their art, and being an artist as their life’s work [ or lot in life ]. One must be careful to have a bit of pride and sincerity in their art, as to not come off like a charlatan. However, not only is there a certain seriousness that one must take in their theatrics, but also to remind themselves not to take themselves too seriously. Think of it like this: back in those days, if you thought yourself above the King, you may be committing treason. The authentic, fearless, and eccentric artist lives on this axis.
Leo is ruled by The Sun, who has had many epithets since the beginning of time, one of them being Helios. The Sun represents exaltation, perception, sovereignty, expression, awareness, vitality, and ego. It can also represent our relationship with our father, Kings, people in leadership, and Royalty.
Aquarius is ruled by Saturn and co-ruled by Uranus, which represents electricity, sudden changes, tornados, innovation, geniuses, progressive thought, awakenings, revelations, and disruption. I am of the mind that Uranus might represent our personal daimon or genius. Uranus is associated with all primordial Sky-Gods.
The Basics, if you are new to astrology:
Taurus and Libra are both ruled by Venus.
Taurus represents riches found on the Earth, grounding, nature, wealth, earthly possessions, and sometimes spirituality.
However, The Moon, which represents our body, emotions, nostalgia, and memory exalts in Taurus. An exaltation in astrology essentially means that even though a planet does not rule a particular sign, it likes to be in/does well in a different sign. In this case, The Moon enjoys being in Taurus because the body [ Moon ] likes to feel safe [ stability; Taurus ]. Both Cancer and Taurus, as well as The Moon and Venus, agree that stability and safety are crucial for living a truly ideal and pleasurable life.
Libra represents beauty, love, equality, unity, connection, balance, and peace.
Venus is the planet of beauty, luxury, pleasure, and love.
Aries and Scorpio are both ruled by Mars, but Scorpio is co-ruled by Pluto. Mars is the planet of power, energy, war, anger, and blood. Pluto represents death, rebirth, poison, toxic waste, transformation, the occult, the underworld, and riches found under the Earth.
Aries represents our will, drive, warrior spirit, and bravery.
Scorpio represents our intense desires, sexuality, transformation, and the way we connect with the afterlife.
Leo is ruled by the Sun.
Leo represents drama, expression, performance, sovereignty, and creativity.
Aquarius represents The Collective, the audience, innovation, the future, technology, and unique authenticity.
Aquarius is ruled by Saturn, and co-ruled by Uranus. Saturn is the planet of karma, obstacles, mastery, and determination. Uranus is about innovation, sudden changes, disruption, and futuristic technology and themes.
The Taurus/Scorpio axis is about how we utilize waste to make a better impact on our world. Think: recycling, upcycling, and fertilizer.
The Aries/Libra axis is the embodiment of “love and war”, but it also represents the balance of how much we show up for ourselves, rather than give energy out to others [ and vice-versa ].
The Leo/Aquarius axis is about the expression of futuristic themes, and how we use technology and new ideas to progress our expression of self and creativity.
For more about how I view the axes and their energetic archetypes, please read this post.
Anatomy & Astrology: A Short Synopsis
For the purpose of this post, we are going to focus only on the signs Aries, Taurus, Leo, Libra, Scorpio, Capricorn, some Cancer, and Aquarius. Each sign correlates to a body system, body part, or an organ. This practice and system is called Medical Astrology that has been practiced for centuries in different cultures until about 1700 when its popularity and importance fell out of favor [1]. However, before then, physicians needed to learn astrology, astronomy, and math before healing others.
Let’s quickly go through the signs and what they correspond to:
Taurus rules our throat, ears, nose, neck, lower jaw, and taste buds.
Venus rules Taurus
The Moon exalts in Taurus, and The Moon rules our stomach, fluids, pituitary, bone marrow, and cycles. Check out The Introductory Post for more information.
The Moon rules Cancer, who is associated with the womb, fluids, breasts, stomach, and digestion.
Scorpio rules our pelvis, large intestine, reproductive system, and excretory system.
Mars and Pluto rule Scorpio
Leo rules our heart, spine, back, wrists, forearm, and cardiovascular systems.
The Sun rules Leo
Aquarius rules the nervous system, circulatory systems, and achilles.
Saturn and Uranus rules Aquarius
Aries rules our head, brain, upper teeth, eyes, and muscles.
Mars rules Aries
Libra rules our endocrine system, hormone balancing, and kidneys.
Venus rules Libra
So, how do we thread this all together?
Rose & Rose Hips for Support Through This Astro-Weather
So many cultures across time have used Rose as a remedy, as a symbol, as a love language, and as protection. As noted in the beginning of the post, the fruits of the rose plant are called the rosehips. These fruits are filled with rich red and orange pigments called lycopene and carotene, with lycopene being a red pigment, and carotene being the orange pigment. Both of these constituents can be beneficial for our overall well-being. Medicinally, rosehips are amazing for blood circulation due to their rich red pigments. Because they help with circulation of the blood, rosehips are great for hormones, which are transported through the blood. Recall from The Introductory Post that Aries is associated with the blood in our body, and Libra is associated with hormone balance. This “energetic medicine” will be helpful as the Nodes move into Aries and Libra. The heart pumps our blood throughout our body. Scroll back up to the chart and find Aquarius and Leo. Aquarius rules the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and overall circulation of fluids throughout the body. Recall that Leo rules the heart. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems can directly affect the health of the heart, like causing the heart beat to accelerate, for instance. Roses are amazing to help calm the emotional heart, and can tend to a nervous nature in anxious people. Rose hips can help lower blood pressure, which supports heart health as well as kidney health.
Ruled by Venus, the kidneys help to remove excess fluid from the body. The genitourinary system is ruled by Libra, and Scorpio rules over excretions of the body. Rosehips are a diuretic, which means they help the kidneys to produce bile, which then helps to rid the body of excess fluid through the urinary system. Rosehips have been used for urinary tract infections, and have been loved for their ability to be gentle on the kidneys.
Rosehips offer amazing support for the liver, which is the organ that Jupiter rules. In order to balance hormones, heal the body’s digestion process, detoxify the body, and store vitamins and minerals, the liver is the organ you want to bolster. In order for the body to release excess estrogen, the liver must be working efficiently. Our liver is responsible for breaking down estrogen so that estrogen can leave our bodies through the excretory system, which is ruled by Scorpio. Moreover, it helps break down fats, and it stores glycogen, which can be converted back to glucose for energy [ or Chi, which is discussed shortly ].
Rosehips and roses are a gentle support for libido, as well as helping the user to be present within their body. Our libidos and sexual desires are ruled by Scorpio and Venus. Blood circulation is needed for libido support, as blood needs to flow to the genitals which brings on that exciting feeling. Both Mars and Pluto rule Scorpio, with blood being associated with Mars, and the genitals with Scorpio. Rose has been known to be an aphrodisiac. Here is what my favorite Herbalist, Olivia Amitrano, says about roses on her blog:
“Rose is aphrodisiac, warming and moving our blood as it activates, heightens sensation, and opens us up to the sweet sensuality of the spectrum of pleasure us humans can tap into. However, it’s important to understand what an herbal “aphrodisiac” truly is and how it functions as it is a deeply nuanced topic and they’re far from magic bullets. Aphrodisiacs are not sexual tonics, but rather, they are what one of my herbalism teachers calls “wonder tonics” – they increase interest and the desire to experience your human body and all that is possible.”
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there is something called Chi stagnation. Chi refers to the vital life force that exists in everything, and is our energy. The thought is that Chi must move with ease throughout the body to transport energy to parts of the body, and especially the organs. Since the liver, stomach, spleen, and lungs are the organs that transport this flow of Chi, when these organs are not working optimally, they may create Chi Stagnation, which is the stasis of blood, fluids, and overall movement throughout the body. Here is another quote from my hero Olivia Amitrano:
“This Chi moving action of rose also stimulates the circulation of blood flow to the pelvis, since the Liver is responsible for that smooth flow of blood and hormones […] (especially menstrual blood during our cycle – the Liver “stores” our menstrual blood). This is part of why rose is so widely traditionally used for addressing menstrual difficulties. Rose’s affinity for nourishing the Liver and moving Chi also contributes to rose’s aphrodisiac properties, by way of heightening blood flow to the genitals and even pleasure centers in the brain, thus supporting increased sensation, connection and desire.”
During World War II, rosehips were gathered in masses to create syrup for the troops. This is because rosehips are rich in vitamin C content, and vitamin C prevents diseases, especially scurvy. Vitamin C is necessary for the regulation of the hormone progesterone. This hormone tends to be out of balance when there is an estrogen or androgen dominance. The Moon rules progesterone, and as stated at the beginning of this post, Culpeper attributes the rose to The Moon, and vitamin C is ruled by Saturn according to Medical Astrologer Judith Hill. Also, vitamin C is crucial for the assimilation of collagen, which helps grow healthy hair and nails. I’ve seen both Saturn and Venus have rulership of collagen due to its beautifying [ Venus ] properties for the skin [ Saturn ], while also strengthening bones, hair, and nails [ Saturn ]. Progesterone is linked to hypnagogic experiences and the quality of your sleep. It is also the hormone that pregnant people produce. When pregnant, the body produces progesterone so that the uterine lining is not signaled to shed, which protects the fetus. The womb, especially the pregnant womb, is associated with The Moon. So, there is an interesting dance here with Saturn and The Moon, and it’s no wonder why Capricorn [ ruled by Saturn ] is the opposing sign of Cancer [ ruled by The Moon ]. Interestingly, in order to assimilate calcium, it is said that vitamin C helps the absorption of calcium, which is ruled by both Saturn and The Moon, depending on which source you refer to.
To learn more about progesterone, click here where I talk about the Astrological and Tarot archetypes of Progesterone.
Lastly, if we consider rose’s Doctrine of Signatures, practiced by anyone using plant medicine across time, we learn a lesson in the power of simply being. The Doctrine of Signatures is a theory that basically goes like this: we can learn the plant’s medicinal properties, their wisdom they hand down through generations, and their personalities just by looking at the characteristics and appearance of the plant. I’m not the first person to point this out, but:
Rose bushes grow beautiful flowers that have held symbolic meaning of love and beauty for many, many centuries.
They also grow their berries [ rosehips ] in the fall after the petals have fallen off, and these berries have been so useful in times of scarcity and illness.
Thorns grow on their stems which protect the plant from being over-picked.
This lesson in boundaries is valuable for anyone who has a hard time knowing their boundaries, or simply acknowledging them. Other times, we know where our boundaries are, but to “keep peace”, we often stay silent when someone is pushing our boundary line. The rose’s lesson in The “power of being” is simply that we can be steadfast and unwavering. My experience with drinking rosehip tea and rosehip smoothies is that I’ve been clearer about my boundaries, instead of continuing to be docile to keep the peace. Alternatively, this lesson is akin to my favorite Aesop’s folktale [ I have a tattoo of it on my back ] of The North Wind and The Sun. In this story, the North Wind and The Sun have a bet to see who can get a traveler to take off his coat first. The North Wind violently blew its wind at the traveler in an effort to blow his coat off, but this only made the traveler clutch at his coat tighter. When The North Wind finally gave up, all that The Sun had to do was shine brightly and warmly, and the traveler took off his coat. The traveler even took a break from his journey to sit under the sun, and feel its radiance. The lesson here is widely accepted as “gentle persuasion is superior to forceful opposition”. However, my takeaway was, and has always been, all you have to do is just be, and people will come to notice and respect your unique power and gifts. Simply be. Lean into your power and gifts, and others will come to understand you as a person fully. Be the beautiful rose with the nutritive berries, as well as the prominent protective thorns. It’s certainly not that easy, but it’s a motto I’ve tried to live by.
Putting it All Together: The Astrology This Year
Finally, we’ve come to the astrology of the year. This year, we will have/already have had astrology that shifts the general “vibe”. Jupiter, the planet of abundance, wish fulfillment, and wisdom is moving into Taurus. It has been in Aries for about a year. Since 2022, reflect back on the ways you’ve become more bold, courageous, and stepped into leadership roles. Now that Jupiter is in Taurus, we are going to start shifting our mindset into more the gentle, verdant, and lush fields of our mind and soul. So here are some questions to ask yourself: In what ways are you learning about giving yourself what you desire? In what ways are you learning about sustainability? Are you leaning more towards local, fresh produce and/or using food as medicine to heal your body? In what ways are you getting curious about what pleasure means to you? Because Jupiter and Taurus agree on having an individual belief system, in what ways are you honoring your spiritual self? Some bodily changes that may occur include: migraines, circulation issues, anger, and cortisol overload. As Jupiter settles into Taurus, we may feel digestion issues, insatiable hunger, throat pressure, and blood sugar drops. A positive manifestation is that maybe our hair will become thicker, we will be called to voice our needs clearly, and gravitate towards needing to regulate ourselves through self-care acts. Of note, self-care isn’t just about shopping, baths, and candle-lit meditations. As Olivia Amitrano of What’s the Juice Podcast puts it: “self-care can be about discipline.” Maybe cleaning the house, organizing your desk or office, or getting on top of chores that have been piling up is an act of self-care for you right now. Continue to ask yourself what your body needs vs what the ego-self desires. As noted before, rose & rosehips can help us regulate our stress, circulation, and voice our boundaries.
The North and South Nodes, which are imaginary points in the sky calculated by The Moon, have been sitting in the Taurus and Scorpio Axis. The Nodes have been thought to be a dragon in the sky. The North Node, or Rahu, is the “hungry” head of the dragon, and the South Node, or Ketu, is the tail of the dragon. For about a year we have been getting a pretty heavy lesson on the art of consuming and/or letting go, especially because Taurus enjoys luxury and material wealth [ consuming ], and Scorpio will just keep composting, recycling, upcycling, and excreting toxic waste. So, if the hungry head of the dragon is in a sign that enjoys pleasure [ Taurus ], and the tail of the dragon is in a sign that represents waste matter [ Scorpio ], a mindful reflection could be: in what ways am I learning to let go of things I have an insatiable appetite for? Am I consuming too much without giving my body, mind, and emotional heart the proper time to digest and assimilate? How am I leaving a better footprint on the Earth for future generations? Am I acting more like Godzilla or Captain Planet? In what ways am I healing from disease, illness, and patterns in behavior that I’ve inherited from my family or ancestors?
The Nodes will be shifting from the Taurus/Scorpio axis into the Aries/Libra axis. The head of the dragon will sit in Aries, and the tail will sit in Libra. Themes for the North Node in Aries that may come up are: how do I navigate bravery? What even is bravery to me? What is my relationship to my temper? What boils my blood? How do I approach new ventures? How do I put myself first to make sure I have what I need? For the South Node in Libra, it will most likely be: how do I hold space for others? How do I maintain balance in my life and within my body? How do I approach keeping the peace in relationships? How do I endure stressful situations while preserving my inner-serenity? We may feel this within our body as a hormonal imbalance and re-balancing as the Nodes settle into their new signs of Aries/Libra. However, the South Node shifting from Scorpio [ rules the reproductive system ] into Libra [ rules the endocrine system ] may have an effect on how the body has been responding to hormones. This is a great time to set aside even just five minutes of your day to meditate to release any held anger or stress within the body. Chronic stress leads to cortisol overload. Healthy blood circulation is absolutely necessary for the balance of hormones. Rosehips can help us be steadfast, help us determine and know where our boundaries are, and they are so medicinal for hormone balance.
Venus is also transiting Leo, with a retrograde in July, making this transit last for a whopping four months. Retrogrades mean the planet looks like it is shifting backwards in the sky from our point of view. Typically, in astrology, this means the planet is “reviewing” something, which then projects onto us or our lives. Venus will “go back over” something it had picked up by July-time, and then leave Leo during the month of September. Leo is about drama, expression, flair, sovereignty, leadership, and valiance. Venus loves to create beauty and art, so in the sign of expression and drama, this can look theatrical. This can play out like visual and performing arts, dance, music videos, broadway plays, acting, singing, drawing, painting, etc. So, when Venus retrogrades in July, there might be an editing process, revision, or repetition in your art or expression of self. Think of it like this: maybe if you’re a singer-songwriter, you might announce you are going on tour, and then during the retrograde, you are on that tour performing your songs for different cities and states “over and over” again. This is just an impromptu example. It won’t play out like this for every singer-songwriter. Leo rules the heart and spine. With Venus in this sign, it’s best to listen to our intuition and our emotional heart, and make sure our art is aligned with our authentic expression. Now, recall that this sign is the opposite sign of Aquarius. If you’re having a hard time visualizing, scroll back up to the color wheel, look for Leo, and scan your eyes across to the opposing side and find Aquarius.
Pluto is also moving in and out of Aquarius and Capricorn, both ruled by Saturn. Recall that Pluto is the planet of transformation, rebirth, and the afterlife. Capricorn represents determination, the hard work that must be put in to achieve a higher calling, mastery, respect, and recognition. Remember that Aquarius is associated with the collective, the audience, the masses, but it also represents technology and innovation. This shift will maybe resonate in the ways in which we are composting/recycling/rebirthing/or all together letting go of our public image, our social status, and relationship to our communities. We may discover that we might encounter new social spheres. We could even transition into new careers. In what ways will technology further our career advances and shifts? Dental work has been coming up a lot in my little corner of the world, and within my friend groups as well. Because of the pandemic, most people could not see a dentist. This means that dentists are catching up with their workload currently, ensuring that everyone is getting seen. However, the people who were waiting will have more work to tend to. Pluto’s back-and-forth into Aquarius and Capricorn seems to me like a general flush of toxicity and decay from the body. Take some time to do stretches everyday to keep yourself nimble. Stretching and movement helps circulate fluid throughout the body. Aquarius rules over our musculoskeletal system and Capricorn rules over our skeletal system. If you’ve been feeling achy, make sure to move your body! Rosehips have a high content of vitamin C which helps to strengthen the bones. This leads into the last astro-shift.
Saturn moved into Pisces earlier this year. Saturn is the planet of obstacles, boundaries, and karma. Pisces is the the sign of fantasies, dreaming, imagination, and empathy. I wrote a blog post about some significations of this shift, but briefly: this will most likely be a lesson in boundaries. We aren’t just talking about social boundaries exclusively. We might see themes like: where does reality stop and fantasy begin? What are the boundaries I give myself? Are they there for a good reason, or is this the chapter in my life that I must dissolve those boundaries and blockages? Which structures in my life are diffusing and changing? Good thing we have the wisdom of the rose to help us perceive our boundaries, and maybe the boundaries of other people. The lymphatic system, ruled by Pisces, runs parallel to the circulatory system. In order to properly help move lymph throughout the system, remember that exercise and movement is required. Because Saturn represents obstacles, and Pisces rules the lymphatic system, Chi stagnation may be present. Keep the body moving so it can properly drain lymph fluid. Dry-brushing is so helpful during this transit, and I have been dry-brushing virtually every day. Highly recommend. Oddly, rosehip powder is a deep, dark red, which is the color that Pisces represents on the Zodiac Color Wheel. Because of the nutritive qualities of rosehips, using rose hips to bolster the immune system is a great way to help support the lymphatic system!
A Rosehip Monograph
Rose Hips
ROSA CANINA
FAMILY:
Rosa canina L., Rosaceae, Rose family
COMMON NAMES:
Brier hip, brier rose, dogberry, dogbrier, dog rose, eglantine gall, hep tree, hip fruit, hip rose, hog seed, Satapatri [ Sanskrit name ], sweet brier, wild brier, witch’s brier, Yeu-ji-hua [ Chinese name ]. Rose Flower [ Rosa Centifolia ] : mei gui hua, 玫瑰花 [ Chinese name ]
NATIVE REGION:
Europe, Asia Minor, Northwest Africa
Around the edges of woods, hedges, and garden fences
PARTS USED:
Rose hips [ the fruit ]
Leaves
Flowers
CAUTION
Do not forage roses that have been treated with pesticides.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS/NUTRIENTS & PLANETARY RULERSHIP
Citric acid, Flavonoids, Fructose: a sugar, and therefore ruled by Venus, Sucrose: a sugar, and therefore ruled by Venus, Tannins, Calcium: ruled by Saturn, and supports the skeletal system, Phosphorus, Iron: ruled by Mars, Zinc, Sulphur, Silica, Niacin, Potassium: ruled by the Moon, Sodium
Vitamins:
A
B3
C : very high content, between 1 - 1.7%. Vitamin C is ruled by Saturn
D: ruled by The Sun
E: ruled by Venus-Moon
BODY SYSTEM & PLANETARY RULERSHIP
Urinary: ruled by Libra-Scorpio
Circulatory: ruled by Aquarius, but blood is attributed to Aries/Mars
Nervous: Mercury, Gemini, Uranus, Aquarius
Digestive
Lymphatic: ruled by Pisces
Kidney
Bladder
THERAPEUTIC ACTION
ASTRINGENT
Influences vital contractibility of cell walls; condensing and firming tissues, as well as arresting discharges
CARMINATIVE
Excites peristalsis, causing expulsion of gas
DIURETIC
Increases secretion + flow of urine
LAXATIVE
Stimulates bowel movement
LITHONTRIPTIC
Destroys kidney stones
NUTRITIVE
Rich in nutrients
REFRIGERANT
Lowers body temp + relieves thirst
STIMULANT
Increases functional ability + energy in the body
TONIC
Stimulates nutrition + permanently increases systemic tone, energy, vigor, + strength
INFORMATION ON ITS ACTIVITY:
Has been used for bladder issues, UTIs
Has been used for its diuretic effect, as it does not irritate the kidneys
Has been used to treat kidney stones
The powdered achenes can be used for a fever
Has been used for bronchitis and respiratory ailments
Can reduce heavy menstrual flow
Has been used for hypertension
Can be used to combat stress and inflammation
One rose hip has as much Vitamin C content in one large lemon. Because of its high Vitamin C content, it is used to combat and alleviate flu and cold symptoms. Vitamin C is so important for the body to function optimally in order to be able to fight infections and sickness.
Vitamin C is needed for the healthy production and balance of Progesterone, which is usually imbalanced in those with PCOS, adenomyosis, and endometriosis.
Because of its astringent [ tightening, drying up ] qualities, rose water/hydrosol can be used for the skin to tighten pores.
The astringent quality of rose hips and its leaves are said to treat diarrhea
The flowers of this plant are laxative, and have been said to alleviate constipation
Can be used for digestive ailments, and to aid digestion
Has been used for support of the gut microbiome, as well as gastroenteric conditions.
Rosehips can be used to relieve inflammation and rheumatic symptoms, as it may have the ability to remove uric acid stagnation. Uric acid is a natural waste product produced by the body, and found in the blood. When high in uric acid, crystals can form causing gout.
Rosehips are analgesic, and can offer pain relief, especially during menstruation.
“In TCM, Rose Flower falls under the category of ‘Herbs that regulate Chi’. Such herbs help to treat Chi Stagnation, where Chi is blocked in the body’s Organs and Meridians, most typically the stomach, Liver and Lungs. Chi Stagnation often translates into psychological consequences such as depression, irritability or mood swings. It is also often associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopausal symptoms, breast swellings and various digestive disorders. Warm in nature, Rose Flower can help individuals who have too much Cold in their body, such as those who are experiencing a Yin Excess or a Yang Deficiency. Bitter and sweet in taste, the herb can also cleanse the body by clearing Heat, drying Dampness, and promoting elimination via urination or bowel movements. It can also slow down acute reactions, detoxify the body, and tonify the body by replenishing Chi and blood. In particular, Rose Flower targets the Liver and the Spleen. ” [2]
“Rosehips […] are rich in red pigments that help your veins and vasculature, gut microbiome, inflammation in the body, and aches and pains and fatigue.” [3]
- Olivia Amitrano, What’s The Juice Podcast
FOLKLORE/FOLK MAGIC/HISTORY:
“Rodon” is the Greek word meaning red, and “Rosa” is derived from “rodon”
Rose was used as the main ingredient for many ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Persian perfumes and cosmetics
Rosewater/rose oil has been used in the preparation of burials
Rose oil has also been utilized during times of plague
Rose flower is known as Queen of Flowers
Ancient Greek and Romans would decorate their baths with rose flowers to beautify the area and create an enticing aroma
Ancient Romans and Egyptians would use rose flowers for cosmetic purposes: Romans used a poultice to combat wrinkles, and Egyptians would create a healing beauty balm
Roses have long-standing association with love and beauty
“As an emblem of Dionysus, the thorns of the rose as well as its alluring scent suggest the potential danger of the subterranean aspect of the psyche. [ … ] For the alchemists, the entire process of psychic transformation takes place sub rosa [ under the rose ]. Denoting silence, the phrase purportedly originated in the story of Eros’ gift of a rose of Harpocrates, the God of Silence, in grateful recognition of his discretion regarding the illicit amours of Eros’ mother Aphrodite. In alchemy, however, the crossed branches of the white and red rose not only allude to the “love affair” and “marriage” of opposite natures, and the albedo and rubedo as understanding and realization of psychic processes, but also to the silence necessary to the interior nature of the work and to the womb or ”rose” within whole petalled folds the Self is secretly conceived.”
-TASCHEN
“The Rose has been with us from ancient time as a symbol of love and peace and spirituality; petals and rose hips used widely in ancient times for jams and jellies, and petals for perfume and rose water; in cupboards, pillows and beds for fragrance; mentioned consistently in literature.”
- Bonny Casel, ND
PLANETARY / ASTROLOGICAL RULER:
“Government and Virtues.—It is under the dominion of the Moon. The flowers of the Wild Briar are accounted rather more restringent than the Garden Roses, and by some are reckoned as a specific for the excess of the cata- menia [ menstrual cycle ]. The pulp of the hips has a pleasant grateful acidity, strengthens the stomach, cools the heat of fevers, is pectoral, good for coughs and spitting of blood, and scurvy. The seed has been known to do great things against the stone and gravel ; and the same virtues are attributed to the spongy excrescence which grows upon the stalk. The best way of preserving its virtues is by keeping it conserved.”
-Nicholas Culpeper, Culpeper’s Complete Herbal
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE:
Liver and Spleen meridians
Deficient Kidney Chi
CHAKRAS:
Related to the Heart chakra to help heal from trauma or grief
AYURVEDA:
Reduces Vata [Ether + Air ]
Increases Kapha [ Water + Earth ]
Increases Pitta [ Fire + Water ]
ENERGIES/TASTES:
Sweet and bitter [ Rose ]
Sour [ Rosehips ]
RESOURCES:
Culpeper’s Complete Herbal, by Nicholas Culpeper
Bonny Casel, ND, mAMH, mANP mGNC mBFVEA mBSLM fBRI
[3] - What’s the Juice Podcast, Hosted by Olivia Amitrano
Organic Olivia Blog - Year of the Rose
Organic Olivia Blog - Rose and TCM
The Macdonald Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
100 Plants That Heal, by Gerard Debuigne & Francois Couplan
The Book of Symbols, Reflections on Archetypal Images, TASCHEN
Astrology of Vitamins and Minerals, Judith Hill
[1] - Harrison, M. (2000). From Medical Astrology to Medical Astronomy: Sol-Lunar and Planetary Theories of Disease in British Medicine, c. 1700-1850. The British Journal for the History of Science, 33(1), 25–48. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4028064
[2] - Rose Flower - All Things Health
Ayati Z, Amiri MS, Ramezani M, Delshad E, Sahebkar A, Emami SA. Phytochemistry, Traditional Uses and Pharmacological Profile of Rose Hip: A Review. Curr Pharm Des. 2018;24(35):4101-4124. doi: 10.2174/1381612824666181010151849. PMID: 30317989.
Pekacar S, Bulut S, Özüpek B, Orhan DD. Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Rosehip in Inflammatory Musculoskeletal Disorders and Its Active Molecules. Curr Mol Pharmacol. 2021;14(5):731-745. doi: 10.2174/1874467214666210804154604. PMID: 34348637.
Kim MH, Lee HJ. Osteoporosis, vitamin C intake, and physical activity in Korean adults aged 50 years and over. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016 Mar;28(3):725-30. doi: 10.1589/jpts.28.725. Epub 2016 Mar 31. PMID: 27134348; PMCID: PMC4842429.
Liver Anatomy & Functions: Hopkins Medicine
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