Apples are one of those fruits that feel both ordinary and enchanted at the same time. They sit in the fruit bowl all year, get tucked into lunchboxes and get baked into crumbles, yet they have been woven into myth and folklore for thousands of years. They are sweet and savoury, equally at home in a pie, on a cheeseboard or served with a slice of pork. For the kitchen witch they have so many uses.
At the heart of kitchen witchery is the use of specific ingredients to add intention or invoke feelings while cooking. Many of these associations come from the history of the ingredient or its healing properties. As with all magic, these definitions are open to interpretation, so I will share my personal take and the associations I hold with apples.
A Brief History of Apples
Apples are among the oldest cultivated fruit and they are included in many stories. In Norse legend, the goddess Idunn guarded the golden apples that kept the gods young. In Greek myth, golden apples grew in the garden of the Hesperides and were linked to love, beauty and desire.
In Celtic tradition, the apple was a fruit of the Otherworld. The legendary Isle of Avalon, where King Arthur was taken to rest, is often translated as the “Isle of Apples”, and the Welsh name, Ynys Afallon, carries the same meaning. Apple trees were treasured as a bridge between this world and the next.
Apples also hold a special place in the wheel of the year. They are harvested in autumn, which makes them a natural companion for Samhain, Mabon and the season of gratitude. Old Halloween traditions included peeling an apple in one long strip and tossing the peel over your shoulder to see what initial it formed, said to reveal the name of your future love. And we can’t forget apple bobbing. The old English and Welsh custom of wassailing, where orchards were blessed with song and cider to encourage a good harvest, is still celebrated in some places today.
Cut an apple in half across the middle and you will find a perfect five-pointed star around the core. Witches have long seen this as a pentagram, a quiet reminder that magic is hiding inside the everyday.
The Magical Properties of Apples
- Love & Relationships
- Health & Vitality
- Abundance & Gratitude
- Wisdom & Knowledge
- Divination
- Ancestors & the Otherworld
Mindful Ways to Use Apples
Apples bring a sense of comfort and warmth, especially as the evenings draw in. Here are some simple ways to invite their qualities into your day:
- Bake an apple crumble or pie with the intention of sweetness and togethernes and share it with someone you love.
- Simmer apple slices with cinnamon and cloves on the hob to fill your home with a warm & welcoming scent.
- Cut an apple across the middle to find the star inside before you eat it, as a small moment of wonder.
- Slice an apple and share it with a friend or partner as a simple act of connection.
- Make a batch of apple sauce or chutney in autumn as a way of capturing and storing the abundance of the harvest.
- Try the peel divination: peel an apple in one long strip, toss it over your shoulder, and see what shape it makes. It is just for fun, but it makes a lovely autumn ritual.
An Autumn Gratitude Ritual
Choose an apple and hold it in your hands for a moment. Think of three things from the past season that you are grateful for. Slice it across the middle to reveal the star, and eat it slowly, one piece for each thing you are thankful for.
If you have an apple tree or can find some windfalls, you could leave one outside as an offering for the wildlife and for those who came before you. It is a lovely way to mark a seasonal turning point, and a gentle excuse to slow down and appreciate what the year has given you.
Practical Tips
Different apples suit different purposes. Sharp cooking apples like Bramleys are perfect for pies and sauces, while sweeter eating apples are lovely sliced into salads or enjoyed on their own. If you can, buy locally grown apples in season, as they taste better and carry more of that sense of place. Windfalls are fine for cooking, just cut away any bruised or damaged parts.
Apples keep well in a cool, dark spot, so a small crate in the pantry can last you well into winter. It is best not to eat the seeds in any quantity, so pop them in the compost, or plant a few and see what happens.
Closing Reflection
Apples remind us that magic doesn’t have to be dramatic. Sometimes it’s simply the act of slicing a piece of fruit, sharing something sweet with someone you love, or pausing to give thanks for the season.
