History of the Apple ~ A Symbol of Love

It is often forgotten that the apple is a symbol of love. With so many other symbols of love that come to mind first, it gets lost in the dusty recesses of our minds. However, the apple has a rich history of symbolism in love, sexual desires and abundance. From ancient times to popular culture the apple thrives.

The Apple and the Ancient Greeks

The ancient Greeks revered the apple as a symbol of love and sexual desires. A symbol associated with the Greek Goddess Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love. It was believed that if a gentleman threw or tossed an apple to a maiden, he was confessing his love to her. If she in turn caught the apple, or at least attempted to, she was reciprocating her love to him.

The apple was also considered to bring abundance and fertility. It was customary on the wedding night for the bride to eat an apple, ensuring sexual desire, fertility to birth children and abundance within the marriage.

One the most well known mythological story about the apple is the story of how the Trojan War started. It was believed that the Goddess of Discord, Eris, was angered for not being invited to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, a sea-goddess. In her anger she wished to create what she was known for, discord, among the Gods. She threw upon the banquet table a golden apple, claiming whomever was the possessor of this beautiful, rare apple would be considered the fairest of all. The most beautiful Goddess.

Three Goddesses quickly moved to claim it: Hera, Athena and Aphrodite. However, Zeus intervened and appointed Paris, the man considered most handsome among mortal men to decide. The Goddesses in their quest to be picked each offered Paris something in return for the apple. Hera promised him power, Athena promised him riches and Aphrodite promised him the most beautiful mortal woman in the world to have as his wife.

Paris choose Aphrodite and in return she promised him Helen from Sparta. However, Helen was already wife to Menelaus; against the warnings from prophets, Paris sent sail anyway to claim his new bride. When he arrived in Sparta he was warmly welcomed by Menelaus, that quickly diminished when he abducted his wife Helen ( although it is widely believed that Helen in fact chose to leave with Paris), thus igniting the Trojan War. Not only to the Golden Apple start a war it became a symbol of the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite.

Apple Lore 

Few of our Mother's gifts are so celebrated in lore as the apple. Often associated with fertility goddesses, apple is, for many peoples, a Tree of Knowledge.

Apples may be incorporated into any ritual in which one desires to give honor to a god or goddess of fertility. The seeds may be planted in establishing a shrine of trees to Aphrodite or other fertility goddesses. Dried seeds and bark may be powdered to be used as incense. Apples may be eaten, the juice shared in the ritual cup, or incense offered when seeking knowledge through the Tree of Life, an act requesting wisdom from the dieties. The apple may also be used as a symbol of security.

Apples are often associated with good luck. Many enjoy cutting the apple in half horizontally, where the seed cavity produces a five-pointed star. The apple is believed to improve one's spirits and elevate one's happiness.

White Magick Alchemy carries an array of beautifully hand carved and polished gemstone apples which make beautiful adornments and charms. Available is Rose Quartz (pictured), Crystal Quartz, Hematite, Aventurine and Black Onyx. Wearing gemstones upon the body aid in power, healing and spiritual enlightenment.

Because gemstones come from deep within the earth, they encompass powerful energies that can be harnessed and focused to assist your intentions during your workings. They possess power, magic and healing properties and are a must for any witch who wishes to conjure, heal, empower and invoke. 

Visit White Magick Alchemys link below to see our beautiful Gemstone Apples Pendants and charms as well as our other magickal offerings ~ http://www.whitemagickalchemy.com/crystal-gemstone-witches-apples/