Apples ~ The magical fruit of healing, love and prosperity

In ancient times apples are considered the fruit of the dead, and are also burried so that the souls that will be reborn in the Spring will have something to eat during the long Winter months.

The Apple is the symbol of immortality and a branch carried with the fruit, buds or flowers will gain you access into the land of the Gods. The buds can be used in sachets and incenses to attract love. Put the juice in pink wax to make candles and then burn the candles to attract love. Unicorns are known to reside near apple trees. Cutting an apple in half and giving the other half to a loved one to eat insures that the two of you will stay happy. Cutting the apple in 3 pieces and rubbing on ailing parts of your body, near the place if inside your body, and burying the three pieces when finished will help aid in the healing of the ailment. All of these uses of apples were once a belief in ancient times or possibly folklore. Either way, it's kind of fun to think that all these could possibly happen if you create it yourself with your own intent. It's like that saying from the movie Field of Dreams...."If you build it he will come". Well, in this case, if you believe in it, it will happen.

Here is a simple craft made from a common household fruit that can both create wonderful magic in your life and yet make your home smell wonderfully yummy! Who wouldn't like the smell of fresh baked apples in their home? :) Ahhhh....the aroma alone makes my tummy yearn for a fresh baked apple pie.

For each apple craft, you will need

Juice of approximately 8-10 lemons
2 teaspoons salt
8 - 10 large firm apples
8 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons allspice
1 teaspoon cloves
8" - 10" sturdy, heavy gauge wire (for a wreath)
Jute (for garland or apple stacker)
1 - 1 1/2 yards of ribbon or fabric scraps

To prepare and dry your apples

Place lemon juice in a large bowl, and stir in salt.

Peel, core, and slice apples horizontally into 1/4" thick circles. Soak slices in lemon juice bowl for approximately 6-10 minutes, making sure each side of the slices has a chance to absorb some of the lemon juice.

Meanwhile, mix spices in a bowl and blend well.

Remove the slices from the bowl and place them on paper towels. Pat tops of apple slices with paper towels.

Dust apples slices with spice mixture. Turn slices over and repeat on opposite side.

Place apples slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 150-200 degrees F for 6 hours or until completely dried. Apple slices should be slightly pliable.

APPLE WREATH CRAFT:

1) Fold each apple slice in half, and then into quarters and thread the apples slices onto the wire. Continue to pack on the folded apples until the wire is completely filled.

2) When the wire is completely covered, use pliers to bend ends into hooks so that they can connect and close. Carefully shape wire into desired shape. I recommend either a circle or heart shape.

3) Using your ribbon or fabric scraps, create a hanger for your wreath.

4) Hang on your wall, or package as a gift for someone special.

Enjoy!

Your Magical Space

What would you consider the heart of your home? I'm sure there are many answers to this question but for me it would have to be the kitchen and dining room where I do most of my crafting whether it be cooking, baking, sewing, gluing or anything having to do with creating something! Even so, when you have a gathering in your home where do most of your guests hang out? Around the food, of course! Food is a magnet for gatherings. Moreover, with the economy these days people are finding economical and creative ways of making food at home rather than going out. Since the kitchen is one of the larger places where creation is inherent I think we need to enhance our kitchens with a little magic! Here are some items that can help create that positive energy!

1. Herb Garden - It's often important to have an herb garden at hand. Many herbs correspond to magical intent. Once they are dry, display them in decorative jars! I will get into that a little later and feature it on its own post!

2. Feng Shui - Decorate and rearrange your kitchen according to Feng Shui. Again, I will have a separate post on this a little later.

3. Color - Paint the walls around your kitchen and dining room with happy, comforting colors. Colors are very important when it comes to our mood. Ask any psychologist. ;)

4. Recipes/Cookbooks - Have on hand or start a binder of your special recipes for eating, cleaning and beauty.

5. Spices/Vinegars/Oils - Try to keep a shelf stocked full of these! These always come in handy whether your cooking up a comforting meal or crafting a sachet of spices infused in oils!

6. Decorations! - Decorate your kitchen so it's comforting and homey while you're in the kitchen stirring up your concoctions! A well decorated kitchen or even home lends for a happy home. :)

7. Create the kitchen Goddess in you! - Pretty yourself up with a beautiful vintage apron, leopard print rubber gloves, a broom with a boa wrapped around it. When you look pretty doing housework, you can't help but to create beautiful energy around you!

Now these are just a few things you can do to create your cozy hearth. It just takes a little creativity, a little whimsy and a lot of love. In coming posts I'll address more of these individually with some fun facts, pictures and, perhaps recipes of my own!

What is a Kitchen Sage?

The kitchen sage respects and honors what she cooks, preparing meals with loving intent and positive energy. Using fresh ingredients, often from her own garden, she makes magic in the kitchen by creating delicious, seasonal food, herbal remedies, and spells that are sure to entice your spirit!