Magickal Medicinal : Apple
History
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.
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.
Occult Botany
Element : Earth, Water
Gender : Feminine
Astrology : Jupiter, Venus
Zodiacal Signature : Virgo
Medicinal internal and external
Antibilious – prevent or cure bilious disorders, caused by an excessive secretion of bile, such as indigestion, stomach pains, constipation, or excessive flatulence
Aperient – relieves constipation
Carminative — reduce or expel, flatulence and alleviate pain in the stomach and bowels
Depurative – purify and detoxify the human organism especially the blood
Tonic – preserve increase, or restore the tone and health of the body, or an organ of the body and promote general health and well-being
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.
Skincare
Supports healthy, aging brightening complexion, acting as a natural exfoliants, potentially reducing acne hydrating skin
Apple extract is packed with phenolic acids and flavonoids, two components often found in fruits. Phenolic acids are an essential part of a balanced diet because they’re filled with antioxidants that offer a wide range of health benefits. Flavonoids are also essential for their antioxidant anti-inflammatory anti-mutagenic, and anti-carcinogenic properties. They help to protect the skin from damage caused by air pollution
Apple cider vinegar has been known to improve skin dullness. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid and citric acid which both have antioxidant properties that help protect the skin from infection. Citric acid is an alpha hydroxy acid, which works as an exfoliating agent. Citric acid may also help slough off your skin, doll outer layer, revealing a fresh, do we complexion underneath.
Apples are Rich in vitamins A C, and zinc that help promote healthy, clear skin
Apples also contain a significant amount of vitamin E, having water binding properties that help keep the skin nourished and hydrated.
Magickal Correspondences
Love, healing, garden magic, immortality, prosperity, offering, longevity, immortality, divination, life after death, knowledge and wisdom, and magic involving the elements.
sacred fruit to the Goddess and the Isle of Avalon. Cut an apple horizontally through it’s center, the five pointed star is made up of its seeds. A witchcraft food used in love, healing, divination, and immortality.
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.