The rose is a flower that has been revered for its beauty and fragrance for thousands of years, appearing in art, literature, and mythology to represent love, passion, and beauty. In the Tarot, the rose symbolizes all of these things and more. The Tarot is a divination tool used for centuries to gain insight into the past, present, and future, and the symbolism within it is vast and varied. One of the most commonly used symbols in the Tarot is the rose, which holds a profound and evocative power. Delving into its meanings reveals a rich tapestry of spiritual and symbolic significance, connecting the querent to innermost truths and universal mysteries. The rose is a powerful and multifaceted symbol, representing purity, innocence, love, passion, growth, transformation, secrecy, and confidentiality. As a Rose Priestess, looking at the Tarot through the lens of the mystical symbology of the rose reveals deep connections. The rose symbolises the divine feminine and connects deeply with Venus, the Planet of the Goddess. Venus cuts a pattern through space that forms the five petals of the briar rose. The scent of roses can appear out of nowhere to signify the presence of the Divine Feminine or one of her angels/emissaries. This exploration examines where the rose appears in the Tarot and what it signifies for those seeking guidance.
The Rose and the Major Arcana
The rose is most commonly associated with the Major Arcana card, The Fool. In the Rider Waite Tarot, The Fool, ready to start a new Life Journey, carries a white rose. This white rose represents purity and innocence. It also symbolises the soul’s innocence and the quest for wisdom. As the Fool is at the beginning of his journey, the rose represents the potential for growth and development, signifying his potential to learn and grow as he moves forward. The Fool is standing near the edge of a cliff, holding a white rose in his left hand. The rose symbolises innocence, purity, and the beginning of a new journey. It represents the Fool’s openness to new experiences and the potential for growth and transformation.
The rose also appears in other cards throughout the Tarot deck, with its symbolism adding layers of meaning. In the Lovers card, it represents passion and desire, as well as the potential for love and romance. In the Death card, it represents rebirth and transformation. The rose is often depicted growing from the skull in this card, symbolizing the potential for new life and growth even in the face of death. The rose’s life cycle, from a bud to full bloom and eventual decay, reflects the concept of transformation inherent in the Tarot. Cards like XIII Death or The Tower depict moments of change and upheaval, reminding us that even in times of difficulty, there is potential for growth and rebirth, just like the rose emerges once more in the spring even after the harshest of winters.
The rose can also symbolise the Fool’s journey through the Major Arcana. Just as the rose blossoms and evolves, the Fool progresses through different stages of growth and transformation as represented by the Tarot cards. The mystical symbolism of the rose aligns with the spiritual nature of the Tarot. The rose’s association with the divine presence features in cards like the Hierophant representing spiritual guidance, intuition, and connection with higher realms. In Kabbalah, the divine feminine is represented by the Pillar of Severity. This is the pillar that keeps us on the correct path and that balances the masculine Pillar of Mercy.
Rose Symbolism in the Rider Waite Tarot
In the artwork of the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, the rose symbolism is prevalent. It is not accidental but adds layers of meaning to the cards. On the table before the Magician, there are red and white flowers symbolising the duality and balance of masculine and feminine energies. The masculine white lily represents purity and compassion, while the feminine red rose represents desire and wisdom. The roses and lilies appear together again in the Hierophant card. When the Hierophant is fulfilling his function as a teacher of both exoteric religion and the mysteries of the divine feminine, we receive the full bouquet. He can then act as an officiant in the Hieros Gamos.
The Empress card does not feature roses. There are pomegranates, a symbol of fertility, on her dress rather than roses. However, the shield leaning against her throne has the symbol of Venus on it. Venus is the Planet of the rose and the Rosa Mystica. Hence, we can view The Empress as the earthly embodiment of the Rosa Mystica. The Church Fathers regarded roses as damnable, because of their association with Venus, and even banned them from graveyards.
The Rose in the Minor Arcana
The symbolism of the rose extends to the Minor Arcana, where it signifies various aspects of human experience. In the Ace of Cups, the rose is a symbol of new beginnings and emotional fulfillment. The rose is also a symbol of secrecy and confidentiality. In the Five of Swords, a man is shown holding a rose in his mouth, indicating that he has a secret that he is keeping from others. Similarly, in the Seven of Swords, a man is shown sneaking away with a handful of roses, indicating that he is stealing something valuable or secret.
Thematic Connections and the Rose Chart
Beyond specific cards, the rose connects thematically with the Tarot in several ways. The Fool’s Journey is mirrored by the rose’s evolution, representing the soul’s progression. The rose also signifies Divine Feminine Wisdom, connecting the querent to intuitive and receptive energies. Spirituality and Mysticism are inherent in the rose’s association with the divine presence, enhancing the connection with higher realms. Transformation and Balance are core themes, reflecting the rose’s life cycle and its appearance in cards depicting change.
In the mystical world of tarot, symbols hold a profound and evocative power. Among the pantheon of tarot imagery, the rose chart, also known as the rose cross, is an oft-overlooked but profound emblem of spiritual and symbolic significance. This enigmatic icon appears in various interpretations and decks, embodying a rich tapestry of meaning. The root of the rose chart can be traced to an ancient hermetic tradition known as the Rose Cross or Rosa Crucis. As a foundational symbol of alchemy and Gnosticism, the rose cross represents the transformative process of spiritual awakening and the integration of the self. The image consists of a rose cradled in the cross, offering an allegorical portrayal of the path to enlightenment. In tarot readings, the rose chart is a potent tool for deciphering life’s messages. It represents the delicate balance between the divine and the mundane, symbolizing the connection between the higher self and the material world. Through its intricate symbolism, the rose chart invites an exploration into one’s spiritual journey, suggesting a potential transformation through embracing one’s innermost truth. Let’s dissect the various components of the rose chart to understand its deep symbolism. The rose, a symbol rich in symbolism throughout many cultures, represents beauty, love, and divinity.
The Sacred Rose Tarot Deck
The Sacred Rose Tarot is “inspired by the artistry of medieval stained glass windows” and Byzantine artwork with the symbolism in the cards being nature oriented. The book says that the masculine attributes are physical and linked to the Sun and the feminine are spiritual and linked to the Moon. As the name suggests, this deck revolves around the attributes given to the various rose colours. This is an interesting approach that opens up new ways of viewing certain cards. The Aces encapsulate the ideas associated with each rose colour. White roses suggest purity, blue roses are said to align with the impossible, gold with absolute achievement, and the red rose she attributes with sacrifice and endurance. At first, one might baulk at the red rose because that’s not generally how one sees the Wands suit. But when considering that any decision we make, or action we take, has an element of sacrifice, the relevance becomes clear. It represents endurance. The Sacred Rose Tarot is visually different to most, originally published in 1982, and is not a new deck.
Conclusion
The rose is a powerful and multifaceted symbol in the Tarot, appearing throughout the Major and Minor Arcana and in specific decks like the Sacred Rose Tarot. It represents a wide spectrum of meanings, from purity and innocence in The Fool to passion and desire in The Lovers, and rebirth in Death. Its connection to the divine feminine, Venus, and the mystical rose chart enhances its spiritual significance, offering insights into the balance between the mundane and the divine. Whether symbolising new beginnings, secrets, or the transformative journey of the soul, the rose invites a deeper exploration of the cards and the situations they represent. Its presence is a reminder of the potential for growth, the importance of wisdom, and the enduring power of love and beauty in the human experience.