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We're exploring the healing, magical, and spiritual properties of apples this month in the herbs in witchcraft series. This fruit is just as mythical as it is ubiquitous. Let's get into it.
Apples are so deeply entrenched in our Western mythology, it's almost hard to keep track. From Adam and Eve to Johnny Appleseed to Snow White, this fruit is everywhere. Apple picking is a common Autumn past time, and apple pies are practically the symbol of the American nation. The layers of meaning go deep.
There are more than 7,000 different types of apples, making them the most common fruit worldwide. So how can you use apples to make your life more awesome?
Healing Properties of Apples
They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but are they really that good for you? Apples are nutrient dense, especialy when eaten with the skin on. They're loaded with vitamins and minerals like vitamins C and E and antioxidants called polyphenols.
Apples are also high in fiber and water, which makes them really filling. Reaching for an apple might keep you from snacking on so many biscuits or cookies later in the day which will ultimately support a more balanced diet.
They may also lower your risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. The pectin in apples helps to promote good gut health by keeping you regular. So it seems like the old adage is true. They have lots of health benefits.
Unsurprisingly, apples also have uses in folk medicine. The high pectin levels make them helpful in healing wounds. Place a thin slice of apple on a tender cut such as a split lip. Apple cider vinegar is also a popular remedy for restoring the body's pH balance and revitalizing the immune system.
Magical & Spiritual Properties of Apples
Apples are closely tied to witchcraft because of the five pointed star they hide at their core. If you cut an apple horizontally rather than along the stem, you'll see it. The pattern of the seeds reveals a hidden pentagram providing protection and connecting you to the elements.
The fruit and tree are linked to abundance, love, longevety, creativity, and fertility. This fruit has appeared in myths and folk legends across many cultures, and it's often linked to fairies and the afterlife.
It's possible that their early association with love and lust is how they later became tied to those evil witches. How dare they be interested in pleasure. They must be evil, and their apples, too. This association may also be the reason why the apple is often seen as the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.
Goddesses associated with apples include Freya, Hera, Idunn, and Aphrodite. The goddess of apples in Roman mythology was Pomona.
Witchcraft Uses
An apple given with a specific intention can be a spell all its own. Apples are commonly used in spells for love, lust, and luck.
Cook with apples, calling on the energy that most closely matches your intention. Share your recipe with the target of your spell, preferably with their consent.
Add apple seeds to charm bags or spell jars.
Carve sigils into apples.
Add dried apples to magical tea blends.
Add peels and cores to a simmer pot.
Recipes for the Kitchen Witch
There are countless ways to use apple energy in your kitchen witchcraft. A nice tart Granny Smith is one of the few fruits I enjoy, but I don't particularly love baked apples. I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding awesome apple pie and crumble recipes. Here are a few of my favorites.
- Pork & Apple Hot Pot
- Apple Butter
- Caramel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies
- Apple Butter & Sharp Cheddar Grilled Cheese
- Sausage Egg & Cheese Biscuits with Apple Butter
- Green Apple Martini
- Apple Margarita
- Apple Brandy Frozen Punch
I hope you've been inspired to work with apples in your spiritual or witchcraft practice. They're almost so common, we forget that they can be deeply magical. Turn your apple a day into a spell, and see how your life shifts. It's gonna be awesome.
Sources:
- Healthline
- The Practical Herbalist
- The Modern Guide to Witchcraft by Skye Alexander
- The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft by Judika Illes
Jake says
I am new at this but I look forward to learning new things in my cooking skills
Renee says
We're all learning every day. Enjoy the process.