Have you ever wondered why roses are such a big deal for lovers on Valentine's Day? Well, I have a theory and it has to do with a certain Mr. William Shakespeare — perhaps you're familiar with his work — and his kooky play, A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Let me try to summarize the plot. Hermia and Lysander are in love with each other but Hermia's father would rather she get together with Demetrius who has a thing going with Helena. So Hermia's father gets none other than the Duke of Athens to make Hermia change her mind and according to Athenian law, Hermia's options are: life with Demetrius; life as a nun; or no life at all, otherwise known as death. Which would you choose? Well, Hermia takes option #4 — take off into the forest with cute boyfriend, Lysander.
Meanwhile in the same forest, Oberon and Titania, King and Queen of the Fairies are not seeing eye to eye on some household matters. So Oberon concludes a magic love potion should turn the tides in his favour. And the magic potion comes from, according to my theory, roses.
So Oberon gets his servant Puck to bring him the magic essence which, by the way, has Cupid written all over it.
Obe. That very time I saw, but thou couldst not,
Flying between the cold moon and the earth,
Cupid all arm'd: a certain aim he took
At a fair vestal throned by the west,
And loosíd his love-shaft smartly from his bow,
As it should pierce a hundred thousand hearts;
But I might see young Cupid's fiery shaft
Quench'd in the chaste beams of the wat'ry moon,
And the imperial votaress passed on,
In maiden meditation, fancy-free.
Yet mark'd I where the bolt of Cupid fell:
It fell upon a little western flower,
Before milk-white, now purple with love's wound,
And maidens call it, Love-in-idleness.
Fetch me that flower; the herb I show'd thee once:
The juice of it on sleeping eyelids laid
Will make or man or woman madly dote
Upon the next live creature that it sees.
Act II, Scene I (161-178)
And the plan was to sprinkle these drops into Queen Titania's eyes while she sleeps midst "the sweet musk-roses" so that she will fall back in love with Oberon.
In the meantime, Demetrius and Helena follow Hermia and Lysander into the forest but Demetrius pulls a 180 in terms of his feelings for Helena, which of course leaves her feeling stunned and heartbroken. Oberon eavesdrops on the whole messy break up scene and figures, since he has the potion anyway, he might as well put the drops in Demetrius' eyes to make him love Helena again.
But Puck accidentally puts the drops in Lysander's eyes who happens to see Helena first (because she tripped over him). Now it's Hermia's turn to be stunned. Now all of the couples are all mixed up and we can blame meddling for some of it and flower potions for the rest of it.
So the next time you give or receive roses, don't underestimate their power to shake up your love life. Have a happy Valentine's Day.
Spotlight on Roses & Rose Essential Oil
What many consider the brightest stars of the flower family, Roses soothe the mind and reduce inhibitions. Packed with Vitamin C, they also make beneficial treatments for all skin types.
Suggestions for use
- Blend in relaxing tea for sleeplessness, depression, romance, flavour, colds & flu.
- Infuse into facial treatments to clean pores; reduce stress; scent. Use esp. on DRY, MATURE skin.
- Infuse petals into hair rinse to clean hair; add fragrance.
- Place warm tea bags on eyes to soothe & cool tired eyes; reduce puffiness.
- Mix in baths, sleep pillows, pot pourri, sachets or linen sprays for fragrance.
Suggestions for use
- Infuse into facial treatments to clean pores; balance pH; reduce stress.
- Add to massage oil or burner to relax; lift depression; inspire romance; strengthen breathing; aid digestion; address female issues; scent.
- Middle note in perfumery; blends well with: benzoin, bergamot, cedarwood, chamomile, clary sage, frankincense, geranium, jasmine, lavender, patchouli, sandalwood, ylang ylang.
- Pour drops into atomizer to scent linen; brighten-deodorize room.
Valentineís Day Spa Caddy
Homespunspa is offering a special Spa Caddy Gift Box for Valentineís Day. Order today and you will receive:
- rose & tea clay mask
- chocolate bath salts
- 1 bottle massage oil
- 2 kinds of lip balm
- 2 decorative vanilla-scented candles
- 2 Bernard Callebaut pillow chocolates
All for $50 CAD plus taxes & shipping — we ship anywhere. Or ask us about more Spa Caddy items and we'll create a customized Gift Box just for you and your sweetheart.
