In the realm of witchcraft, the apple tree holds a special place of reverence and significance. From the delicate beauty of its blossoms to the nourishing fruit it bears, the apple tree is steeped in symbolism, folklore, and magical properties that have captivated practitioners for centuries.
In astrology, the apple is associated with the planet Venus and the element of Water. Venus is the planet of love, beauty, and harmony, making it a fitting association for the apple with its symbolism of love and fertility. The element of water represents emotions, intuition, and healing, reflecting the nourishing and healing properties of the apple in witchcraft. By aligning with the energies of Venus and Water, practitioners can enhance the magical properties of the apple in their spells and rituals.
Celtic folklore
In Celtic folklore, the apple tree is often associated with love, fertility, and immortality. The apple blossom, with its delicate white petals and sweet fragrance, symbolises purity, beauty, and new beginnings. It is believed to attract love and bring harmony to relationships. The apple fruit, with its round shape and juicy flesh, represents abundance, nourishment, and the cycle of life and death.
Apples are also considered a sacred fruit in Celtic mythology, often associated with the Otherworld and the realm of the faeries. In Celtic tradition, the apple tree is known as the Tree of Avalon, a mystical place of healing and transformation. The apple is seen as a symbol of wisdom and spiritual insight, offering guidance and protection to those who seek its blessings.
In Celtic folklore, apples are often associated with Samhain. One popular tradition is apple bobbing, where apples are placed in a large basin of water, and participants try to catch them with their teeth without using their hands. This game is said to have originated from ancient Celtic beliefs about the magical properties of apples and their connection to the Otherworld.
Additionally, in some traditions, apples are used in divination practices during Samhain. For example, young people would peel an apple in one long strip and then throw the peel over their shoulder. The shape that the peel formed on the ground was believed to reveal the initials of their future spouse.
The start of the Trojan War
In Greek mythology, the Trojan War is said to have been sparked by the “Apple of Discord” thrown by the goddess Eris (also known as Discord) into the midst of a gathering of goddesses. The apple was inscribed with the words “For the Fairest” and led to a dispute among the goddesses Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite, each claiming to be the fairest and deserving of the apple.
To settle the dispute, Zeus, the king of the gods, appointed Paris, a prince of Troy, to judge which goddess was the fairest. Each goddess offered Paris a bribe in exchange for being chosen as the most beautiful. Ultimately, Paris chose Aphrodite as the fairest because she promised him the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Sparta, as his wife.
This act of choosing Aphrodite over Hera and Athena led to the abduction of Helen by Paris and the subsequent Trojan War. So, while the apple itself did not directly cause the war, it was the catalyst that set in motion the events that eventually led to the fall of Troy.
Spells and Remedies
In witchcraft, apple blossoms and apples are used in a variety of spells and remedies to harness their magical properties. Here are a few examples of how you can incorporate apple blossoms and apples into your practice.
1. Love Spell with Apple Blossoms: To attract love into your life, gather fresh apple blossoms and place them in a vase on your altar. Light a pink candle and focus on your intention for love to enter your life. Visualise yourself surrounded by love and happiness as you meditate on the blossoms. You could also add apple blossom to spell jars or sachets.
2. Protection Charm with Apples: When you cut an apple in half, the apple seeds form a pentagram shape. Therefore, the apple is often known as the witch’s fruit. Place the apple on your altar or carry it with you as a talisman for protection against negative energies and harm. Gather fresh apple blossoms and tie them together with a red ribbon or thread. Visualise a protective shield forming around you as you do this. Carry the charm with you or place it in your home to ward off negative energies.
3. Healing Remedy with Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is known for its healing properties. Mix apple cider vinegar with honey and warm water to create a soothing drink that can help boost your immune system and promote overall health and well-being.
4. Divination: Apple blossoms can be used in divination practices to enhance intuition and psychic abilities. They are believed to help connect with the spiritual realm and receive messages from the divine. Dried blossom, seeds, and bark can also be used to make a natural incense.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
In folklore magic, the practice of cutting an apple into three pieces and placing them on wounds or affected areas of the body is believed to have powerful healing properties. This ritual is thought to draw out illness or negative energy from the body and transfer it into the apple. By burying the apple under a waning moon, practitioners believe that the apple absorbs and neutralises the ailment, allowing the individual to experience relief and healing. The waning moon phase is associated with banishing and releasing energy, making it an ideal time for this type of healing ritual. This practice symbolises the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, as the buried apple decomposes and transforms, carrying away the illness or negativity with it.
Pagan Portals: Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft meets Celtic Ways
by Mabh Savage