Rose under the rulership of Venus

I had the good fortune to find an abundance of both red and white roses along the little road from Polgigga towards Porthgwarra. I so love these Cornish names, coming as they do from the ancient Celtic language native to these parts.

When we think of roses we think of love, and beauty, all qualities of the energy of Venus. But we must not forget they have thorns, and they remind us we must approach with sensitivity and respect.

Roses were originally white, but one day, Aphrodite was running towards her lover (Adonis) and scratched herself upon a thorn, drawing blood, which caused it to turn red.

While fermenting the rose petals one of the containers literally exploded in my airing cupboard, graphically reminding me of the firey aspect of the Goddess of Love.

"that which we call a rose, by any other name, would smell as sweet" 
William Shakespeare [Romeo and Juliet]