Myths & Lore of the Apple

 

Apples appear in myths across various cultures, often symbolizing love, temptation, knowledge, and immortality. In Celtic myth, they are associated with the Otherworld and divine gifts, while in Greek myth, they represent discord and the consequences of temptation. The apple also appears in Norse myth, where they are the source of the gods' youth.

A closer look...

Celtic Mythology:

Apples are often depicted as divine gifts from the gods, offering a connection to the Otherworld and providing sustenance and eternal life. In Irish mythology, the island of Emain Ablach is a mythical place where apple trees flower and fruit simultaneously.

 

Allantide, meaning first day of winter, is a Cornish festival that was traditionally celebrated on the night of October 31. One of the most important parts of this festival was the giving of Allan apples, large glossy red apples that were highly polished, to family and friends as tokens of good luck. Allan apple markets used to be held throughout West Cornwall in the run up to the celebration, and in the town of St Just it surpassed Christmas as a time for giving gifts until the late 20th century. A game was also recorded in which two pieces of wood were nailed together in the shape of a cross. It was then suspended, with 4 lit candles on each arm and Allan apples suspended underneath. The aim being to catch the apples with your mouth without getting molten wax on your face. For unmarried recipients the apples would be placed under their pillows in the hope that they would bring dreams of their future wife or husband.

The acquisition of the Silver Branch, a silver apple branch with white blossoms, is the incident which sends the eponymous hero Bran mac Febail on a journey to the Otherworld.

A magical silver branch with three golden apples belonged to the sea deity Manannán mac Lir and was given to the high king Cormac mac Airt. The branch created magical relaxation music that assuaged those afflicted with injury or illness to sleep. In the Irish tale Echtra Condla, Conle the son of Conn is fed an apple by a fairy lover, which sustains him in terms of food and drink for a month without diminishing; but it also makes him long for the woman and the beautiful country of women to which his lover is enticing him.

In the Arthurian legends, the island of Avalon is considered the Isle of Apples, and its very name, originally Welsh, refers to the fruit. Geoffrey of Monmouth's Vita Merlini describes the enchanted isle as being populated by many apple trees. Avalon from its first inception was considered the home of the magical Morgan le Fay, her sisters, and their mystical practices.

After being killed by brigands, the Breton pseudo-saint Konorin was transformed into a mysterious apple which, when eaten by a young virgin, causes her impregnation and his rebirth as the "son of the apple, the fruit of wisdom".

Greek Mythology:

The Golden Apple of Discord, thrown by Eris, the goddess of discord, ignited a dispute among the goddesses, ultimately leading to the Trojan War. The huntress Atalanta was defeated in a foot race by dropping golden apples, illustrating the allure and consequences of temptation.

The Garden of the Hesperides is Hera's orchard in the west, where either a single apple plant or a grove grows, producing golden apples. According to legend, when the marriage of Zeus and Hera took place, the different deities came with nuptial presents, and among them Gaia, with branches bearing golden apples upon them as a wedding gift. The Hesperides were given the task of tending to the grove, but occasionally picked apples from it themselves. Not trusting them, Hera also placed in the garden an immortal, never-sleeping, hundred-headed dragon named Ladon as an additional safeguard.

In the myth of the Judgement of Paris, it was from the Garden that Eris, the goddess of discord, obtained the Apple of Discord. Eris became disgruntled after she was excluded from the wedding of Peleus and Thetis. In retaliation, she tossed a golden apple inscribed "Kallisti" -- for the most beautiful one, into the wedding party. Three goddesses claimed the apple: Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. Paris of Troy was appointed to select the recipient. After being bribed by both Hera and Athena, Aphrodite tempted him with the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Sparta. He awarded the apple to Aphrodite, thus indirectly causing the Trojan War.

The Greek hero Heracles, as a part of his Twelve Labours, was required to travel to the Garden of the Hesperides and pick the golden apples off the Tree of Life growing at its center.

Atalanta, also of Greek mythology, raced all her suitors in an attempt to avoid marriage. She outran all but Hippomenes, who defeated her by cunning, not speed. Hippomenes knew that he could not win in a fair race, so he used three golden apples (gifts of Aphrodite, the goddess of love) to distract Atalanta. It took all three apples and all of his speed, but Hippomenes was finally successful, winning the race and Atalanta's hand.

Norse Mythology:

The goddess Idun is the guardian of golden apples that keep the gods young. These apples are a symbol of eternal youth and fertility.

In Norse mythology, Iðunn, the goddess of eternal youth, is the keeper of an eski (a wooden box made of ash wood) full of apples eaten by the gods when they begin to grow old, rendering them young again.

Gangleri (King Gylfi in disguise) states that it seems to him that the gods depend greatly upon Iðunn's good faith and care. Iðunn was once abducted by Þjazi the giant, who used Loki to lure Iðunn and her apples out of Ásgarðr. After borrowing Freyja's falcon skin, Loki liberated Iðunn from Þjazi by transforming her into a nut for the flight back. Þjazi gave chase in the form of an eagle, whereupon reaching Ásgarðr he was set aflame by a bonfire lit by the Æsir.

English scholar Hilda Ellis Davidson notes a connection between apples and the Vanir, a group of gods associated with fertility in Norse mythology, citing an instance of eleven golden apples being given to woo the beautiful Gerðr by Skírnir, who was acting as messenger for the god Freyr.  There is further connection between fertility and apples in Norse mythology when the goddess Frigg sends King Rerir an apple after he prays to Odin for a child, Frigg's messenger (in the guise of a crow) drops the apple in his lap as he sits atop a mound.

Christian Mythology:

The forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden is often depicted as an apple, symbolizing knowledge, temptation, and the fall of humanity.

Though the forbidden fruit in the Book of Genesis is not identified, popular Christian tradition holds that Adam and Eve ate an apple from the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden. The unnamed fruit of Eden thus became an apple under the influence of the story of the golden apples in the Garden of Hesperides. As a result, the apple became a symbol for knowledge, immortality, temptation, the fall of man, and sin. There is nothing in the Bible to show the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge was necessarily an apple.

The larynx in the human throat has been called Adam's apple because of the folk tale, recorded in the 17th century, that the bulge was caused by the forbidden fruit sticking in the throat of Adam.

 

The Apple Tree Man:

In English folklore, the Apple Tree Man is the name given to the spirit of the oldest apple tree in an orchard, and in whom the fertility of the orchard is thought to reside. Tales about the Apple Tree Man were collected by the folklorist Ruth Tongue in the cider-producing county of Somerset. In one story a man offers his last mug of mulled cider to the trees in his orchard on Christmas Eve (a reflection of the custom and ritual of apple wassailing). He is rewarded by the Apple Tree Man who reveals to him the location of buried gold, more than enough to pay his rent.

In another tale, a farm cat was curious to explore some fields that people avoided working because they were haunted by ghosts and witches. She set out one day and got as far as the orchard when the Apple Tree Man cautioned her to go back home, because folks were coming to pour cider for his roots and shoot guns to drive away the witches. He persuaded her not to go wandering around at night until St. Tibb's Eve, and she never did because she did not know when St. Tibb's Eve was, nor did anyone else.

Superstitions & Folklore about the apple:

Apples are widely tied to superstitions and folklore across various cultures. They are often associated with love, fertility, and immortality, with beliefs about their ability to influence relationships, harvests, and even lifespan. Apples have also been linked to divination, magic, and even the afterlife.

A closer look...

Love and Relationships

Confessing Love: 

Throwing an apple at someone was a traditional way of expressing love in some cultures. If the recipient caught it, it implied a mutual affection.

Promoting Friendship: 

Sharing an apple was believed to strengthen bonds of friendship.

Health and Well-being

Health and Immortality:

In Greek and Norse mythology, golden apples were sought after for their ability to grant health, eternal youth, and immortality.

Protection Against Lightning:

Planting an apple tree near a home was believed to offer protection from lightning strikes.

Removing Plaque:

In some folklore, apples were thought to remove plaque between teeth, though this was later attributed to the acidity of the apple.

Forbidden Fruit and Sin

Knowledge and Sin:.

The apple is strongly associated with the "forbidden fruit" in the story of Adam and Eve, representing knowledge, temptation, and sin.

Withered Apple:

Danish folklore suggests that a withered apple indicates the presence of an adulterer.

Other Superstitions

Apples have been associated with various superstitions and folklore. For example, some beliefs suggest that an apple tree can protect a house from lightning, or that cutting down an apple tree brings bad luck.

In North America a Native American is called an "apple", a slur that stands for someone who is red on the outside, white on the inside,  primarily by other Native Americans to indicate someone who has lost touch with their cultural identity. 

First used in the 1980s. During the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, it is customary to eat apples dipped in honey to evoke a "sweet new year". 

In the United States, teachers used to commonly receive gifts of apples, as the community was expected to both provide housing and food for them, because teachers were often unmarried women. The symbol of an apple is still strongly associated with teachers to this day, with apples being a popular theme for gifts and awards given to exemplary teachers. 

Apple Blossoms:

In some cultures, bringing apple blossoms indoors was believed to bring sickness.

Protection  Against Lightning:

Lighting never splits an apple tree trunk, as it is believed to be protected by love.

Dreams:

Dreaming about apples was thought to foretell a long life.

Ozark Apple Folklore:

A bad woman can’t make good applesauce.

A goiter can be removed or reduced by rubbing it with half an apple, burying it in the cemetery, then eating the other half.

Two apple seeds, named for a boy and a girl, dropped onto a hot shovel can predict love. If they move closer together, they will marry; if they move apart, the love will not last.

Apples which fall in moonlight get soft-rot, while apples falling during a dark moon get dry-rot.

If you want your next calf to be a female, bury the placenta from the most recent calf birth under an apple tree.

Girls eat the first apple of June and count the seeds to see how many children they will have.

Eating "twinned" apples is said to cause twin births.

Rubbing a piece of apple over a newborn’s tongue ensures that they will have a beautiful singing voice.

Apple peels, especially those in June, can be rubbed on the face to improve your complexion.

Eating an apple on an empty stomach on Easter ensures good health.

Menstrual flow can be regulated by boiling the inner bark (or cambium) of an apple tree.

If you always burn your apple peelings you will never have cancer

 

The Apple Tree & the Peahens

An emperor's golden apple tree was robbed every night, and his sons set themselves to watch it. The older two slept, but the youngest stayed awake. Nine peahens arrived. Eight rifled the tree, while the ninth came down beside the emperor's youngest son and became a beautiful maiden.

Sources:

Growing Orchard Communities

Wikipedia

New World Witchery

Nellie Cole

Hydes Cyder

The Druid's Garden

Recommended reading:

Appalachian Folklore:
Omens, Signs & Superstitions

by Nancy Richmond
at Amazon

Ozark Magic & Folklore

by Vance Randolf

at Amazon

Work-in-Progress @ The Tarot Parlour

 

Learning Tarot

The Deck

Major Arcana Correspondences

Major Arcana in a Nutshell

Major Arcana I...  0 -- 4

Major Arcana II... 5 -- 9

Major Arcana III... 10 -- 14

Major Arcana IV... 15 -- 21

Major Arcana Deep Dive I... 0 -- 4

Major Arcana Deep Dive II... 5 -- 9

Major Arcana Deep Dive III... 10 -- 14

Major Arcana Deep Dive IV... 15 -- 21

Court Cards/The Kings

Court Cards/The Queens

Court Cards/The Knights

Court Cards/The Pages

The Suits

Minor Arcana in a Nutshell

Minor Arcana/The Aces

Minor Arcana/The Twos

Minor Arcana/The Threes

Minor Arcana/The Fours

Minor Arcana/The Fives

Minor Arcana/The Sixes

Minor Arcana/The Sevens

Minor Arcana/The Eights

Minor Arcana/The Nines

Minor Arcana/The Tens

Tarot Spreads

Romance Spreads:

Which suitor for me?

Will he marry me?

Will I find true love?

Is he cheating?

Money Spreads:

Should I change jobs?

Is now the right time to start my own business?

Is someone stealing from me?

Popular Questions:

Should I move?

My spirit guide: how do I connect?

My dream: what does it mean?

Finding lost objects

Esoteric Connections/12 Houses of the Zodiac

Esoteric Connections/Major Arcana Astrological Correspondences

Esoteric Connections/Major Arcana & The Runes


Ambivalent Cards
*naughty tarot trigger warning

A Lethal Combination
*naughty tarot trigger warning

Major Arcana in a Shot Glass
*naughty tarot trigger warning

    more to come...

I don't care if you lived in Alaska

 

I have a favorite YouTube channel that I watch when the creator drops a new video every Sunday.  She lives on Svalbaard, an island near the north pole, and they're having a whopping April blizzard right now.  As I'm watching the snow blow and the snow banks build, it brings to mind my own memories of snow storms in Nebraska.  During the last two years that I lived up there, I commuted 40 miles to work in Omaha, one way, so an 80 mile round trip five or six days a week.  For two years.  

I very rarely missed a day of work.  When my car wouldn't start one day, I spent several hundred dollars to rent a car to drive that day, not thinking logically about the fact that I'm paying way more to drive that rental car one day than I would actually be making in wages on that day.  It was a ridiculous thing to do, and no, I wouldn't do it again.  Not only that, but while I was at the gas station filling the tank to return the car at the end of the day, a lady hit me.  No kidding, what a mess.

So, comes winter.

Actual photo from my living room window

I lived just outside of city limits in a housing division called Sunset Addition.  When we got snow storms, we were not on the top of the list to receive a visit from the snow plow.  My huge driveway required a lot of digging out, which was doubled once the snow plow finally did come through, because it would replug the driveway.

And then I had a 40 mile stretch of highway to manipulate after that.

There were a handful of times during those two years that I called in when road conditions just did not warrant an old lady starting off on an icy highway across country.

I dreaded making those calls.  I dreaded them most because the lady that I was technically working with, but not under -- the owners liked us all to think that we were working together, no one person over another, but we know that this isn't really true, is it, come on -- she would give a weary sigh and say, "I lived in Alaska, this is nothing."

Every time, she said that.

And everytime I could feel her angst and irritation, and although I tried feebly, I admit, to explain that yes, the streets may be treated and decent in Omaha, but I had a good 30+ miles to go before I got to Omaha, and I had to be able to get out of the housing division first.

Every time, I would try to explain that to her.

So, I would like to say now what I should have said then:

I don't care if you use to live in Alaska.  That fact has nothing to do with me, or the present situation now.  And the reality now is that you live just a handful of blocks straight down the street from work, just a handful of blocks, literally.

I don't appreciate your audible huff and weary sigh, as though you feel burdened upon and put out, or as though you don't believe me when I tell you I can't get to the main highway because the snow plow has not come through Sunset Addition yet.

I don't care.  I just don't care.

And I don't think you had any right to make an already stressful and physically taxing situation even more stressful with your shitty attitude.  

It made me realize that working in a small private business with only a handful of employees is a disadvantage, because when you have an issue with a fellow employee, there's really no one you can go to for help with the situation.  There's no protocol set in place.  You are at this individual's mercy, and so is your job.

the back porch

Spirit Guides ~ Are they real? Plus FAQ & Recommended Books

 

In spiritual contexts, spirit guides are believed to be non-physical beings, often deceased loved ones, angels, or other spiritual entities, who offer guidance, support, and protection to individuals on their life's journey.

     What are Spirit Guides & how do they work?

• Non-physical beings:

Spirit guides are not seen as physical entities, but rather as spiritual entities or energies that exist beyond the physical realm.

• Guiding and supporting:

They are believed to offer guidance, support, and protection to individuals, helping them navigate life's challenges and make decisions.

• Diverse forms:

Spirit guides can take many forms, including deceased loved ones, angels, ascended masters, or even spirit animals.

• Personalized guidance:

They are often seen as providing personalized guidance tailored to an individual's needs and circumstances.

• Communication:

Spirit guides are believed to communicate through intuition, dreams, synchronicities, and other subtle cues.

     How can your Spirit Guides help you?

• Offer guidance:

They can offer guidance on life's path, helping individuals make decisions and find their purpose.

• Provide support:

They can offer comfort and support during difficult times, helping individuals cope with challenges and overcome obstacles.

• Offer protection:

They are believed to offer protection from harm and danger, both physically and spiritually.

• Promote spiritual growth:

They can help individuals deepen their spiritual understanding and connection to the universe.

     How do you connect with your Spirit Guides?

• Meditation and prayer:

Engaging in meditation or prayer can help individuals connect with their spirit guides and receive guidance.

• Intuition and discernment:

Paying attention to intuition, and learning to discern subtle signs and messages, can help individuals recognize their spirit guides' presence and messages.

• Openness and receptivity:

Being open to receiving guidance and messages from spirit guides is essential for establishing a connection.

• Spiritual practices:

Engaging in spiritual practices like yoga, mindfulness, religious rituals, or even nature walks can help individuals deepen their connection to their spirit guides.

     How Spirit Guides are viewed from different perspectives...

• Spiritualism:

In Spiritualism, spirit guides are seen as discarnate spirits who act as mediators between the living and the dead.

• Western theosophy:

Western theosophical doctrine suggests that spirit guides are not always of human descent.  They may be angels, or other etheric beings.

• Shamanism:

In shamanic traditions, spirit guides can take the form of animals, ancestors, or elemental spirits.

• Christianity:

Some Christians believe that the Holy Spirit acts as a spirit guide, guiding believers into truth and helping them live a life pleasing to God.

     How can you experience your Spirit Guides, and how do we know when they are present?

Once you begin inviting in your spirit guides, there are different ways you might experience their presence.

• inner knowing

You can experience a spirit guide as an inner knowing. You may feel or sense your guide’s presence, or hear a voice within, like a strong intuition or realization. Some people audibly hear (or see) their guides.  Many people report feeling a sense of guidance or intuition, like a gentle nudge in the right direction, or a feeling of knowing when something is "off".  Some individuals experience a surge of energy, or a feeling of warmth and comfort, when their spirit guides are present.

• sparks of light

Sparks of light are another indicator of a spirit guide’s presence.  While less common, some individuals report seeing or sensing the presence of their spirit guides, often as light beings, as flickering lights, or figures.

• free-writing after meditation

Another way you can experience the presence of a spirit guide is through writing, as a form of automatic writing. You can call on your spirit guides through meditation, and following your meditation you can free-write and allow the voice of your guides to work through you.

• Audible Voices:

Occasionally, people report hearing voices or receiving messages directly from their spirit guides, sometimes in a way that feels almost like an inner voice.

• Physical Sensations:

Some people report physical sensations, such as a tickling or tingling sensation, or a feeling of being pushed in a certain direction.

• Signs and Symbols:

Spirit guides may communicate through signs and symbols, such as seeing a specific number repeatedly, or finding a particular object at a certain time, or finding it repeatedly and often in unexplainable places.

• Unexpected Encounters:

Some people report having unexpected encounters with their spirit guides, such as a sudden feeling of knowing someone you just met, a familiarity that should be impossible, or having a conversation with a person who seems to know them intimately, but that would be impossible.

• Personal Relationships:

Some people develop a strong personal relationship with their spirit guides, viewing them as mentors, friends, or even family.

• Learning and Growth:

Spirit guides can help individuals learn and grow by offering insights into their lives and helping them to overcome challenges.      

During part of my journey on this pagan path, I was introduced to two of my spirit guides, in dreams.

The dark-haired cat lady:

She resided in some sort of large helter-skelter kitchen, her countertops filled with bowls and cutlery and herbs and small bottles and jars and open cupboards and pots and pans all over the place… and cats. Cats of all colors sitting calmly on the countertops, stretched out on the floor under the table and lounging in a patch of sun by the window. All colors and sizes, wherever you looked. Cats, cats, cats. 

She was small but thick, almost elfin, and her black and gray streaked hair was a wild untamed tangled frizzy mess, her 136 nose was large, her features coarse but pleasing, her shoulders slightly hunched, with a hint of a widow’s hump. She wore a long boldly colored shiny silk house dress, with lots of pink and geometric shapes and greens and yellows and blues. 

As she busily tottered about her messy kitchen, seeing to the cats and the pot of steaming soup on the stove, she was talking to me, she was telling me wonderous and great things that would change my life. With her back to me, a large wooden spoon in her hand, slowly stirring her cauldron of soup, her words flowed. I was silent, and I listened. 

The white haired goddess: 

A woman was sitting on the floor a short distance from me, cross-legged, sitting so straight and tall, her back to me. I stood watching her, fascinated by a strange glow of light shining on her, illuminating her silhouette, casting a shimmer to her very long mane of silver hair.

I was in the presence of something very powerful and very sacred, and I knew that she had something important to tell me, possibly the most important thing I would ever hear. I leaned in, cocking my head to listen intently. Her soft voice rose then, sounding calm and smooth, gentle and clear. 

She said: “Learn to control your mind.” 

Source: "The Divine Me: Embracing Your Inner Goddess" @Amazon

Audio Version for this excerpt: click  HERE

SOURCES
& Recommended Reading:

medium.com

by Steven North

"Demystifying Spirit Guides:
The Truth About Their Role & Origin

mindbodygreen.com

by Tanya Carrol Richardson

"6 Types of Spirit Guides 
& How to Communicate with Them"

gabbybernstein.com

by Gabby Berbstein

"How We Experience
Our Spirit Guides"

Spirit Guides for Beginners
by Layla Moon
@Amazon

How to Talk to Your Spirit Guides
by Will Almando

@Amazon

Ask Your Guides
by Sonia Choquette
@Amazon

Expect the Unexpected

 

A new reading is up at The Mystic Crone.  I've used the Motherpeace Tarot for today's readings, and I pulled five cards.  Each card today tells its own little story -- but for some of you, there may be a larger picture here, because that's the way tarot rolls.  Enjoy, and take heed.

Today's Reading

Audio Version

Oh, boy... after publishing the written version of this reading, I was hit with an unexpected bombshell from the universe. For someone out there, this is very specific. The firestorm that's going to take you for surprise -- EXpect the unEXpected -- it's an EX, and this person is going to do or say something to blow your present world apart. For the rest of you, carry on and take it one card at a time.

With Love Meghan Inflames the Haters

 

So, I just finished watching the first season of Meghan Markle's new Netflix life style show: With love, Meghan.  

I loved it.  And I left a comment on the YouTube trailer of this show saying just that and more -- how relaxing it was to watch, that it has an almost ASMR quality about it, that it's very calm and filled with beautiful images, and colors, and decor.  I said that I also loved her soft quiet voice throughout the show, that it just added to the calm and relaxing ambiance.

To my comment was added two positive replies mirroring my own opinions, only two people who had something positive and constructive to say about a delightful, beautifully filmed, fun show.  Only two people.  As I scrolled through the rest of the comments, I actually became alarmed at the amount of snide, vulgar, ugly, hatefilled rhetoric.  What is the matter with these people?  I'm thinking something must be wrong here, because these anonymous individuals are expending so much time and energy voicing their hatred towards one little woman, and for no good reason, to be honest.  Hating Meghan Markle has become big business.  Podcasters and gossip shows are making money and ratings off verbally attacking and eviserating this woman.

So I decided to persue this further, and I found an interesting explanation for all this hate at, of all places:  Psychology Today.

The following illuminating information and unabashed explantion for the attitude of the multitudes towards this one little woman is attributed to Chamin Ajjan, reviewed by Margaret Foley. You can find the original article at this LINK.

Meghan Markle has once again found herself at the center of a cultural firestorm, this time over her new lifestyle series. The level of vitriol aimed at her is striking but, unfortunately, not surprising. The reaction to her show highlights deeper psychological and societal issues: our obsession with placing celebrities on a pedestal only to revel in their downfall, the dark side of online trolling, the insidious influence of racial biases, and the ever-present sting of envy.

The Pedestal Effect and the Dark Side of Online Anonymity

Our culture loves to elevate public figures, only to take pleasure in their downfall. Meghan Markle’s journey from actress to duchess to one of the most scrutinized women in modern history is a prime example. This shift, sometimes called the pedestal effect, occurs when admiration turns to resentment the moment a public figure stops conforming to expectations.

This phenomenon is often rooted in our insecurities. Seeing someone seemingly have it all can trigger feelings of inadequacy or envy. When they stumble or defy expectations, tearing them down becomes a way to reclaim a sense of control. But does it make us feel better? It may provide a momentary high, but it reinforces negative thought patterns and deepens social divisions.

Social media has amplified this cycle, providing a platform where people feel emboldened to say things they would never say in person. The anonymity of the internet fosters a false sense of power and detachment from consequences, fueling a culture of relentless online bullying, particularly against high-profile women. You might hesitate to call it bullying, but let’s be clear, trolling is cyberbullying. Hate-fueled comment sections and targeted harassment are not just unpleasant; they have real psychological consequences -- increasing anxiety, depression, and even PTSD-like symptoms.

And for those engaging in the bullying? Research suggests it is often a projection of their own insecurities. They may be able to hide behind a screen when making harsh comments, but they cannot hide from their own inner critic.

The Racism Factor: The Narrow Expectations of Blackness

An insidious layer of the backlash against Meghan Markle is racism. Many have been conditioned to believe there is only one acceptable way to exist as a person of Black ancestry, and those who do not fit that mold, whether in speech, choices, relationships, or lifestyle, often face suspicion or hostility.

This form of racial gatekeeping is not new, but in Meghan’s case, it is particularly jarring. Her biracial identity, wealth, and proximity to royalty make her an easy target for those who, consciously or unconsciously, see success and privilege as belonging to a select few. The discomfort surrounding her presence in these spaces is not just personal. It is cultural conditioning at work.

This thinking also fuels internalized racism. Janeé Steele, a scholar and leader in multicultural mental health, describes two sides of this: "A sense of racial superiority upholds white-centered values as the gold standard for success and behavior, while reactions against mainstream expectations lead some Black individuals to harshly judge themselves and others for not conforming to Black stereotypes."

This creates a no-win situation for Black people or those of mixed Black heritage. Too polished, and they are accused of assimilating. Too authentic, and they are labeled as reinforcing stereotypes. Meghan Markle, like many others, challenges the rigid definitions of Blackness imposed by both white and Black communities. This reality continues to fuel much of the hostility toward her.

Your Envy Is Showing: Criticism or Reflection?

At its core, much of the backlash against Meghan Markle seems rooted in envy. Not necessarily the obvious "I want to be a princess" kind, but a deeper envy of someone who appears to have crafted a life on her own terms. Many of the loudest critics likely do not even realize that their disdain is a reflection of their own unfulfilled desires.

That is the thing about envy -- it rarely shows up as admiration. Instead, it often disguises itself as judgment. She’s fake. She’s self-absorbed. She’s unrelatable. These are easy criticisms to hurl at someone who seems happy, successful, and unapologetic in her choices. But here is the truth: your envy is showing.

No one is above this emotion. I felt a tinge of envy myself. She has my estate and my garden in my dream town. But instead of letting that feeling curdle into resentment, I let it teach me something about my own desires -- and budget. Envy can be a guide if we allow it. It can reveal what we truly want, rather than becoming a reason to tear others down.

When we feel triggered by someone else’s success, lifestyle, or confidence, it is worth pausing to ask why. Tearing others down will not bring us any closer to what we truly want. It only deepens our dissatisfaction.

Instead of letting envy turn into resentment, we can use it as a tool for self-reflection. What if, instead of criticizing, we allowed ourselves to be inspired? After all, I actually like Meghan’s new show. I find it refreshing. I appreciate how she presents simple, engaging lifestyle ideas in a beautifully shot, visually relaxing format. Watching it feels like a mini vacation -- something we could all use in an often overwhelming world.

And if that is not your thing? That is fine. The beauty of media is that we can choose what we consume. But tearing something or someone down just because we do not like it? That says more about us than it does about her.

Critique Without Cruelty

Not every piece of entertainment is for everyone, and thoughtful criticism is valuable. But there is a difference between constructive critique and the gleeful destruction of someone else’s work and character.

At the end of the day, we do not have to like everything. But we do not have to tear it down to build ourselves up.

Three Degrees of Witch & the Ritual

 

First Degree

You felt the calling. Something intangible and unnamable whispered in your ear, tugged at your dreams. It eventually became louder, more insistent, and it began to appear in your everyday life as a series of uniquely synchronistic experiences…a book title leaped out at you when browsing a bookstore; the trees seemed, for an instant, to be speaking to you as the wind passed through their leaves; an animal appeared to you, not once, but several times in several forms-- the living raven sitting on your back porch rail, intently staring at you through the windows; the image of the raven, a logo on the side of a vehicle, passing you on the freeway; a statuary image of the raven, inexplicably showing up on a receptionist’s desk in the dentist or doctor’s office.

Every individual’s experience is unique, and at the same time, I’ve noticed a similarity.

When the pull becomes strong enough and the calling can no longer be ignored, you begin your first year of study, of enlightenment, of growth and development. During this time, unknown planes of existence and new concepts unroll themselves before you. The world, as you know it, disappears and takes on new dimensions, colors, spirit, forms, and infinite possibilities.

At the end of the first year, doors to the universe have been flung open. Armed with this new knowledge, you stand at the threshold of a new life. You realize that you will never be able to retreat to your previous existence, because once you “know”, you can never “unknow”.

You have reached the first degree.

Second Degree

The second year of study plunges ahead, in an almost frenzied manic attempt to put into action the newly revealed knowledge you have acquired. You are not only going to put into practice all of the information you’ve absorbed, you’re going to manifest it into your everyday life and the physical world.

You’re going to cast circles in space that you yourself have cleansed and prepared. You will cast these circles at first in quivering voices with trembling hands, marveling at the energy you feel and struck by the stark reality of it all.

You are going to cast spells in the same way, with heightened senses and a rush of adrenalin that adds its natural power to your work. Never again will you feel this rush of energy as you do during this time, the rush of magic enveloped with ethereal intensity. For it is at this time that it finally dawns on you what you are and what you’re capable of doing.

When this realization hits you, you will know that you have reached the second degree.

Third Degree

With the third year comes a sense of peace, both from within yourself and from the natural world around you. The second degree was framed so explicitly within physical experiences that it left you with raw pulsating nerve endings throbbing from over-stimulation. But the third year is going to abandon the physical world all together, leaving it behind, taking you by the hand into a new and profound awareness of the spiritual side of witchcraft.

This is when many of you will discover your personal path, your patron gods or goddesses, your core beliefs, your strengths and your weaknesses. For the first time in your life perhaps, the true meaning of “Spirit” becomes a concrete reality.

It’s at this time that your gifts may begin to surface. For some, psychic ability will awaken and leave you in a state of astounded amazement, eager to strengthen this new occult muscle and put it to good use. For others the miraculous world of herbs may unfold before you in a panorama of colored blossoms, green leaves, dried stems, and dormant magic lying within each gently gathered plant. Whatever your gift or gifts may be, you will recognize your potential once it has been revealed to you.

For each witch this will be an extremely personal journey. And when you feel the power of the universe touching you gently on the shoulder, and you know where your life’s work lay…

You have reached the third degree.

Although I belong to a coven now, I began my journey on the witches’ path alone, and I stayed upon a solitary course for many years. I have also experienced a formal solitary initiation through ritual; and I found it to be one of the most memorable and moving experiences of my life. And to the surprise and wonder of many, I experienced self-initiation-- complete with formal rituals, to the third degree. I chose to mark my personal solitary journey through the Craft with a formal ritual at each point. I encourage others to do the same.

Although I am a member of a coven now and cherish my sisters, I have always-- and will always-- describe myself as a third degree, self-initiated, solitary witch, a rebel on this path of the wild woman.

Understand that you will experience the three degrees of inward initiation, whether you choose to formally recognize it, or to outwardly celebrate and acknowledge it. I chose to wholeheartedly celebrate and honor these initiations with ritual.

Before your self-initiation ritual, read the following blog post:

From The Witch's Desk ~

CHOOSING YOUR CRAFT NAME

The Ritual

Self-Initiation

Note: Read the entire initiation ritual through and become familiar with it before you perform it. Make sure you have gathered all of the required items; the oil, and candles, and such, and that you feel prepared to step across the threshold of this mundane world.

Items needed:

1. Loose fitting robe
2. Silver pendent, usually a pentacle
3. White pillar initiation candle
4. Witches’ oil
5. Incense

The time has come, the day is here, to cement your devotion and commitment to the path of witch. You will have prepared the area of your sacred space for this ritual the day before, not only cleansing it mundanely, but reiving it of negative energy. You will decorate the altar and this space with those flowers, herbs, stones, statuary, and articles that ring with your vibrations and your personal inspirations.

The morning of your special day you will bathe with intent, cleansing not only your body, but your mind and your spirit as well, paving the way for purity of intent and application of personal power.

You will wear a long loose robe, one that can be easily shifted aside to expose those areas of the body to be anointed, or you will perform this ritual skyclad (naked). You will have purchased a silver pendent necklace as a symbol of your new position in life. This pendent may be a pentacle, or it may be a symbol that resonates more closely with your own energy.

When you have bathed and dressed yourself, and after you have taken some time to ground and center yourself, you will begin.

1. Cast your circle.

2. Call the Quarters.

3. Light the tall white pillar candle upon your altar. This candle is representative of the Goddess, often called ‘The Mother Candle’. Light your incense as well, representing the God. Your initiation pendent will lay upon the altar until you’re ready for it.

4. Light the special candle that you’ve chosen as your initiation candle, saying:

“I, (name), have entered this circle in perfect love and perfect trust. I am ready to commit myself to the way of witch. I place myself now before the altar of the Goddess and the God, before the altar of the Ancient Ones, before the altar of the Powers that Be.”

5. Stand before the altar now and prepare to anoint yourself. Taking the bottle of oil from the altar, put some oil on your fingers and touch them to the tops of your feet, saying:

“Bless these feet,

created to walk the way of witch.”

Apply the oil to your knees, saying:

“Bless these knees,

created to kneel before the altar of the Goddess.”

Apply the oil to your genitals, saying:

“Bless this womb, the gateway to life.”

Note: If the initiate is a male, say:

 

“Bless this phallus, Creator of life.”

Apply the oil to your breasts, saying:

“Bless these breasts and the heart beneath,

that my motives be pure

and my will be strong.”

Touch the oil to your forehead, tracing a pentagram upon it, and set the bottle of oil back upon your altar.

6. Take up your initiation pendent, holding it aloft, stand before the altar, saying:

“I, (name), do solemnly swear upon the blood of my ancestors to devote the rest of my days to living the way of witch.

I swear loyalty to the Ancient Ones, the gods and goddesses who always were, are now, and shall forever be.

I swear loyalty to my fellow witches; my sister-witches of the past, as well as those who touch my life today, and those I have yet to meet. I vow to keep their secrets, to learn from them as well as teach, to respect our differences, and to celebrate our journey together upon this sacred path.

I freely take upon myself the life of witch. As I turn the corner to live my destiny, I declare to the Powers present here that my magical name is (craft name).”

7. With your pendent in your hands, go now and stand before the gate of Earth, north gate. Raise your pendent aloft, saying:

“By the powers of Earth,

May I flourish in the physical realm.

Guardians of the Gateway of Earth,

know me,

I am (craft name)!”

Go now and stand before the gate of Air, east gate. Raise your pendent aloft, saying:

“By the powers of Air,

May I grow in knowledge and wisdom.

Guardians of the Gateway of Air,

know me,

I am (craft name)!”

Go now and stand before the gate of Fire, south gate. Raise your pendent aloft, saying:

“By the powers of Fire,

May I grow in passion and strength of will.

Guardians of the Gateway of Fire,

know me,

I am (craft name)!”

Go now and stand before the gate of Water, west gate. Raise your pendent aloft, saying:

“By the powers of Water,

May I grow in intuition and second sight.

Guardians of the Gateway of Water,

know me,

I am (craft name)!”

8. Return now to the altar. Hold aloft your pendent, saying:

”By Earth and Air, Fire and Water,

Rejoice!

Upon this day, a witch is born--

(craft name)!

So Mote It Be.”

9. Put on your pendent necklace.

10. The ritual is finished. Take your time within the circle to ground and center, to reflect, to absorb the experience. When you are ready, dismiss the quarters, dismantle the circle. Go and eat something to replenish your energy. And celebrate.

SOURCE:

The Gray Witch's Grimoire
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