An Apple a Day...Good Plan!!
In my last post I looked into the iconic chrysanthemum as a flower associated with the Autumn season. APPLE TREES offer a fruit that also moves to the forefront during this time of year, particularly in the USA. You'll find the many varieties of Apples year round in your local grocery store, but as temperatures cool they are pressed into ciders, coated with caramel, and featured in dunking competitions among other things.
However, when you take a deep dive into the history and folklore of this tree it's surprising how much there is to consider that goes beyond enjoying the fruit that makes a healthy snack or a popular dessert! I say "this tree," but there are countless types of Apple trees from the ones that yield those sweet, crispy edibles to the sour tasting ornamental versions. Animist druid Dana O'Driscoll has much to say of the wild (as opposed to the more familiar cultivated) species and how they "offer us much in terms of ancestral traditions" as well as holding their place in folk and plant medicine history.
For instance, I don't recall hearing that the Buddha gained enlightenment under an Apple tree as did Merlin in some versions of Arthurian lore.
And most interesting to me is the concept of the Apple as a gateway to the other world in Celtic fairy tales and Native American legends.
In addition to the fruit, O'Driscoll also includes references to the delicate pink and white flowers of this tree-- heralds of spring who eventually produce the fruits of a fall harvest.
Dr Edward Bach was intuitively drawn to a species of this tree and the emotionally healing potential of the attractive blossoms. Clusters from Malus pumila was and still continues to be the source of one of his 38 flower remedies. Bach determined that the vibrational essence of Crab Apple helps those who suffer with a fanatical obsession to purify themselves or their environment of real or exaggerated contaminants, wounds or poisons. Working with this energetic remedy allows these individuals to be more at peace with themselves or the imperfect environment around them.
Aside from offering such vibrational healing powers, the Apple Tree and the fruit she bears has a positive reputation worldwide for being both nurturing and fortuitous. Here in the US, we have the story of Johnny Appleseed, a barefoot wanderer who spread the seeds of these trees throughout the countryside. Even more intriguing is the UK's legend of the Apple Tree Man who is said to be the spirit of the oldest tree in the orchard. There are several versions but all seem to describe this spirit as a benevolent caretaker and protector of the farm or orchard. Some stories advise farmers to leave the last Apple of the year's crop for Apple Tree Man to stay in his good graces. This offers the spirit of the tree both gratitude and reciprocity, helping to ensure continued fertility of the orchard and bountiful future harvests.
On a more pragmatic level, when you think about it, Apples have been embedded in our speech as well as our culture. Young children commonly learn that "A is for apple" and so the familiarity with this fruit begins. We speak of "upsetting the apple cart" and how "one bad apple can spoil the rest." An endearing person is referred to as the "Apple of one's eye," while overly solicitous individuals are called "Apple polishers." And according to The Farmer's Almanac, "A good woman can't make bad applesauce," an uncommon saying to wrap your brain around!
I could end by quoting the familiar phrase "so, how do you like them apples?" but that would be far too corny. Instead I'll let Dana O'Driscoll's words sum it up by saying that the Apple "offers us a connection to our ancestors and our future through her nurturing spirit, blessings, and wisdom."
Would you like to learn about some user friendly Apple "magick in under a minute"? Check out this simple practice in the following youtube short:
As always, thanks for letting me share my thoughts and journey with you. I welcome your input, so if you want to submit a comment, scroll down to the bottom of this post. If you are interested in booking a personal session, you can do this here:
You can also contact me via email at: my.plant.allies@gmail.com
For now, here's wishing you wellness, wisdom and bloomin' vibes!
Comments