When summer winds down, and the temperatures start to chill, that’s when I crave fresh, crisp apples!
While apples are available year-round, I only eat them when they are in season. That’s when they are at their best!
Apples have a number of health benefits. They can also support your mental and spiritual health.
Apples are steeped in folkore, and you can incorporate them into your self-care and nature-focused spiritual practice in a variety of ways.
Health Benefits of Apples
Apples are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
Studies suggest that apples may protect against osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and several types of cancer.
Apples have been shown to lower cholesterol, support healthy lungs, and help with weight loss.
Spiritual & Magickal Properties of Apples
Apples symbolize love, and have been used in divination practices to predict marriage.
Apples are associated with health and well-being (see health benefits above.)
Apples also symbolize gratitude, generosity, harvest, and abundance.
Apples ripen at the time of harvest, and so they serve as a reminder to enjoy the fruits of our labors and to be grateful for the bounty of the Earth.
Apples have become associated with self-knowledge, stemming from their connection with the story of The Garden of Eden in Christian mythology (although the biblical account does not specifically reference the apple as the fruit of knowledge.)
Apple invites us to enjoy the fruits of the Earth, and to be grateful.
It helps us promote self-care and physical health.
Apple allows us to explore our true selves, without judgement.
Apple Correspondences
Sabbats/Seasons: Apples are associated with autumn, and particularly with the Mabon and Samhain festivals.
Element: Water
Crystals/Stones: Rose quartz, red jasper, pyrite.
Candle Colors: Red, pink.
Using Apples In Rituals & Recipes
You can use apples in so many ways to enhance a nature-focused spiritual practice.
- Cut an apple width-wise to reveal a perfect pentagram for use in rituals and altar decor.
- Set your intentions for love or abundance into an apple. Eat half and bury the other half outside your home to attract what you want in your life.
- Offer up an apple as an offering. Simply place it outside under your favorite tree as a token of your gratitude for the abundance of Nature.
Apple Recipes
My absolute favorite apple ritual is to blend a delicious green smoothie using apples.
I don’t just make green smoothies for the health benefits. I incorporate green smoothies into my spiritual self-care routine every morning. This way, apples not only support body health, but mind and spiritual health as well.
I blend apples in my green smoothie when I want to feel a deeper connection to Earth, and to gain higher knowledge and insight.
Apples are also nurturing, and a perfect self-care fruit.
Here are a few of my favorite apple smoothie recipes:
1) Apple-Blueberry Smoothie
- 1 apple *
- 1 cup blueberries
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
- 1/2 cup water
2) Apple Green Smoothie
- 2 apples
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
- 1 celery stalk (optional)
- 1/2 cup water
3) Apple Cider Smoothie Recipe
- 1 large, organic Gala apple, cored. Do not peel!
- 1 large, organic Red Delicious apple, cored. Do not peel!
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* I always buy organic apples, since apples are notorious for holding pesticide residues.