Today I came upon a beach covered in wild rose petals from the neighbouring bushes.
The ocean and scent of wild rose are deeply connected to my nurturing rituals.
When the ocean and rose come together it also often reminds me of grief and release.
It felt like a gift from the universe that I happened upon this spot as I process my own layers of grief.
I slowed down here to collect already fallen rose petals for making rose water to use in ritual and in self care routines.
Bending over can amplify my chronic spinal pain, so I took breaks between picking up petals to sit on the driftwood and listen to the soft kisses of the waves lapping onto shore.
Northern Rough-winged Swallows flitted overhead while hummingbirds and swallowtail butterflies came to meet the roses.
It was the calm I needed.
I was intentional in my choosing of petals along the shore as well as the energy I carried when selecting each petal.
That slow intention of self care, love, and nourishment as well as the joy from witnessing the life around me will be carried into the rose water.
It will be my second time this season (and in life) creating rose water.
I look forward to growing in my practice and weaving my own rose water into my nurturing. ✨