Apple in Witchcraft Apples have a long and fascinating history in witchcraft traditions. They are often associated with love, fertility, immortality, and divination. In many European folk traditions, apples were seen as sacred and were even used in various magical rituals. One of the most well-known myths surrounding apples in witchcraft is the story of the "forbidden fruit" in the Garden of Eden. The serpent tempting Eve with an apple is often interpreted as a symbol of knowledge and a turning point in human history. This story has influenced the perception of apples in witchcraft as a fruit of temptation and enlightenment.
This story has influenced the perception of apples in witchcraft as a fruit of temptation and enlightenment. In love spells and charms, apples are frequently used to attract and enhance romantic relationships. They can be carved with symbols of love or placed under a pillow to bring dreams of one's future soulmate.
Apple Folklore, Fairy Tales, Myth, and Magic
T ake a bite into the flesh of a rosy-cheeked apple. Will you be gifted with divine knowledge and life everlasting or given imminent death and eternal sleep? That depends on the story. The apple infamously started the Trojan war, while in Arabian Nights (tales told by ancient travelers and merchants along the Chinese silk route), a magic apple from Samarkand was said to cure all human disease.
The apple has been steeped in rich symbolism throughout history, portrayed in myths, fairy tales, and proverbs as having magical, life-giving powers. In rituals both of the ancient past and present, this fruit is considered to be a gift of the otherworld that supports life as we explore the inevitable deeper, darker realms of being, including death. Apple trees have long been associated with safe havens and sustenance for practitioners of magic, medicine workers, witches, and shamans. It’s linked to truth seeking and divine knowledge and wisdom.
In an Irish folktale, the red-haired Connla, son of King Connaught and Aife, the famed warrior queen, becomes infatuated with a fairy maiden who gives him an apple that becomes whole again once eaten. Connla dines on this magical apple for one month and longs for the fairy maiden
to return, which she does and takes him on her crystal boat to the otherworld, where trees bear an endless supply of these mysterious apples that give him everlasting youth. The price to pay is that he cannot return to the earthly realm. A similar myth is found in Druid folklore, where Bran is enticed to the otherworld by an enchanting fairy maiden who carries a musical apple branch.
In Greek mythology, the apple tree is at the center of the garden of the Hesperides, a tree belonging to Hera that bore magical golden fruit and gave immortality to those who ate
it. In Norse mythology, the apple tree is also seen as a tree of immortality. Goddess Idunn, keeper of apples, fed the fruit to all the gods and goddesses, ensuring they would have eternal youth.
There are countless other appearances of the apple in stories of old. There is Avalon, meaning Isle of Apples, from Arthurian legend, the land of the fairies and the dead that’s ruled over by Morgan le Fay. There is Merlin the magician, who lived and worked in a grove of apple trees, ingesting fruit from his orchard that gave him sight and the power of prophecy.
The apple has also been depicted in ancient stories and fairy tales as being quite the opposite of life-giving, instead seen as ominous, dangerous, and even poisonous. The Latin word for apple is malum, which also means evil, thus the probable connection to the belief that the apple is a forbidden fruit or even a poisonous one. Think of the Garden of Eden, or the story of Snow White by the Brothers Grimm. As an aside, I invite you to read Snowdrop, a lesser-known version of Snow White from Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm (and later artfully illustrated by Arthur Rackham). The poisonous apple in this story is “beautiful to look upon, pale with rosy cheeks, and everyone who saw it longed for it, but whoever ate of it was certain to die.”
When it comes to witchcraft and magic, the apple historically has strong associations with love, healing, longevity, immortality, divination, life after death, knowledge and wisdom, and magic involving the elements. Witches, as well as the pagan Celts and Druids, knew the secret that the apple holds—that within it, the seeds form a perfect pentagram resembling earth, air, fire, and water bound by spirit. The apple has a strong connection to the pagan sabbat Samhain (October 31 to November 1) and is considered the food of the dead. Samhain is also called the
“Feast of Apples.”
Many Halloween legends and magical practices are associated with the apple. Some say that if you bury an apple in the ground beneath the light of a Halloween moon, it will provide nourishment and healing for the souls of the dead who wander the earth on this mystical night. Apple growers would bury thirteen leaves from an apple tree in their orchard on Halloween, in complete silence and in secret, to ensure a hardy future crop. Unicorns are said to live beneath apple trees and can be spotted gallivanting in orchards on silvery, foggy mornings.
Not only are apples revered for their magical properties, but also as healing food and natural medicine, so the ancient idea that they promoted longevity and immortality makes sense. Apples are rich in vitamins and minerals. They improve circulation, support the functions of the nervous system and brain, are high in fiber, beneficial to the liver, good for easing heartburn and an upset stomach, and make an ideal healthy snack that releases its sugars slowly, keeping blood sugar stable.
Some witches even used apple seeds in love divination, where the seeds are named after potential suitors and thrown into water. The seed that floats to the surface is believed to be the person the witch will marry. Apples also have connections to fertility rituals. In some traditions, a woman hoping to conceive a child would cut an apple in half and bury the seeds beneath the full moon. This act was thought to appease fertility deities and invite the energies of creation and abundance. Furthermore, apples are frequently used in divination practices. By slicing an apple horizontally, the seeds form a star-shaped pattern inside. Witches would interpret this pattern to reveal insights into the future and receive guidance. Additionally, apple peels were thrown over the left shoulder, and the shape they formed on the ground was believed to reveal the initials or representations of one's future lover. Interestingly, the apple's association with witchcraft has also been reinforced through popular culture. From the wicked queen's poisoned apple in Snow White to the apple tree in The Wizard of Oz, apples have often been used in folklore and literature to convey mystical and magical themes. In conclusion, apples have a deep-rooted history in witchcraft practices. They symbolize love, fertility, and divination, and are often used in spells, charms, and rituals. Whether in the form of a forbidden fruit or a tool for seeking knowledge, the apple remains an enduring and potent symbol in the world of witchcraft..
Reviews for "Apple's Witchcraft-inspired Education Initiatives: Casting Spells in the Classroom"
1. John Doe - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really excited to read "Apple in Witchcraft", but I found it to be quite disappointing. The plot was shallow and predictable, and the characters were one-dimensional. The writing style lacked depth and failed to engage me. I expected a gripping tale of magic and adventure, but instead, I got a mediocre and forgettable read. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating witchcraft story.
2. Sarah Johnson - 1 out of 5 stars - "Apple in Witchcraft" was a complete waste of my time. The story was unoriginal and lacked any semblance of creativity. The protagonist was incredibly unlikable, and I couldn't connect with her at all. The pacing was incredibly slow, and nothing significant seemed to happen until the very end. This book failed to live up to its potential and left me feeling utterly disappointed. Save your money and find a more engaging witchcraft novel.
3. Alex Thompson - 2 out of 5 stars - I found "Apple in Witchcraft" to be a tedious read. The writing was overly descriptive, which made it difficult to follow the storyline. The world-building was underdeveloped, and the magical elements felt forced and cliché. The book lacked originality and failed to offer anything new to the genre. Despite my hopes for a captivating witchcraft tale, this book fell flat for me. I would suggest looking elsewhere for a more immersive and engaging read.
4. Emily Carter - 2.5 out of 5 stars - While "Apple in Witchcraft" had its moments, I ultimately found it to be quite underwhelming. The characters lacked depth, and their actions often felt inconsistent. The pacing was uneven, with parts of the story dragging on while others were rushed. The plot twists were predictable, and the overall resolution felt unsatisfying. While the idea behind the book showed potential, the execution fell short. I wouldn't necessarily discourage others from reading it, but be prepared for a mediocre witchcraft story.