Fruits of abundance and beauty

As the leaves fall all around us and we head into the Winter, it can be easy to mourn the end of Summer. Now, more than ever, we need to notice and become aware of the Beauty and Abundance that surrounds us at this magical time of year. It is the time of the year when we can truly take stock of all the beautiful gifts in our lives, and also take stock of all that we need to let go of before our Winter hibernation.

As the leaves begin fall, it may seem that Nature has gone into hibernation much before us, but there is one gem who still shows her abundance, and that is Apple. Even as her leaves fall, she still holds on to her fruit, reminding us of her nourishing gifts, of which she has many. 

Apple is one of the oldest cultivated trees in Europe. It is ruled by Venus, and strongly linked to the element of water. For these reasons it is associated with Healing, Love, Magic, Abundance, Fertility and the Goddess. 

Apple holds so much Beauty and Heart it can nearly be overwhelming; from her heart shaped glossy leaves, to her delicate five petal flowers, to her luscious juicy fruit. By just sitting with the Apple Tree, or eating one of her Apples mindfully, we can receive that Beauty and take it into all of our cells. 

By truly focusing on the Apple as we eat it, it is not only Beauty we receive, but Magic too. Apple is strongly linked to Magic and has been revered as a magical Tree in folklore from around the world. In Celtic tradition Avalon was also known as the Isle of Apples, ruled by the Fairy Queen, Morgan le Fey. Morgan le Fey is a magical priestess who leads us through the mists into the land of Mysteries and the unknown. It is said if you eat one of her apples, you are nourished by her wisdom and knowledge. She is a Celtic Triple Goddess, representing the Maiden, Mother and Crone and helpful at all stages of Life and Death. She is the Lady of the Barge who takes us to the Otherworld, either at Death or for a temporary visit. 

Apple has a strong link to Death and Rebirth. In Norse Folklore, Apple is the Tree of Immortality, and the Celts also attributed the power of healing and youth to apples. In the Ogham alphabet, Apple is Quert and is associated with wholeness. Through the Apple we receive healing, renewal, regeneration and wholeness. Apple also represents the spiritual warrior who is not afraid of travelling beyond the mortal realm to face death, sacrifice and hardship, in order to benefit his or her tribe. Apple represents protection for these journeys. The centre of the apple is a talisman of protection.