YouTube Videos ~ How to play them on this blog

 

If you all haven't noticed, you can no longer play YouTube videos on most other platforms except YouTube, including this blog.  When you click on a video, a strange gray screen comes up and it tells you that you have to log in to continue, but I've found that there's no link included to log in.  It might just be me.  However, when you bring up a blog post containing a video, you'll see the video sitting there in all it's glory, as though waiting to be clicked on so it can play.  Do this instead...

1.  Look in the upper right hand corner of the video, see those three vertical dots?  Click on them.

2.  The word "Share", with a rounded arrow will appear.  Click on that.

3.  A blue highlighted link will come up -- Click on that.  The video should play.

Thank you for watching, subscribing, and liking my videos.  You'll find over 800 videos at my channel, Phoenix Rising, as well as other videos at my newest YouTube channels, The Mystic Crone and Spirits n' Stuff.  

Doppelgangers ~ Have you seen yours?

 

Well, I have seen mine. It was in sixth grade at Longfellow Elementary School, and we had a man who was a bit older than average as a student teacher. He was very thin and tall.  He had a receding hairline with black hair and a small thin black mustache, and he looked like he came from another era.  He resembled the actor David Niven.  

He liked me. I liked him. So, as we were walking together on the play ground during a recess and chatting, he told me about this amazing coincidence. He said that in the previous school he'd been student teaching at, there was a girl who looked exactly like me, and he showed me her school picture, one of those tiny little photos that come with your school pictures package, the ones you hand out to classmates.

I was stunned.  It was like looking at a photo of me, and I'm not kidding you when I tell you that even I could not say that the image was not me.  I've never seen anything like it.  It was spooky, eerie, and all those other adjectives of this nature.

So, have you seen your doppelganger?  And what exactly is a doppelganger?  I had always thought that it was simply a living double of yourself, like the girl who looked like me.  But there are other more supernatural and nuanced meanings behind doppelgangers...

In a paranormal context, a doppelganger (German for "double-walker") is a ghostly or spectral double of a living person, often considered an omen of misfortune or death. It's a wraith or apparition that appears to be a replica of the person, sometimes seen as a harbinger of bad luck or even impending death.

Let's dive deeper...

The Original Meaning:

The term doppelganger originated in German folklore, referring to a spirit double of a living person. It was believed that seeing one's doppelganger was a sign of something bad about to happen, possibly even a portent of impending death.

The Evil Twin

Doppelgangers are sometimes depicted as evil twins, or sinister shadow selves, linked to malevolent intentions and death.

Omen of Bad Luck

Seeing a doppelganger is often seen as a warning or omen of misfortune. If a relative or friend sees a doppelganger of someone, it was said to signify that person would experience illness or danger.

In Fiction

Doppelgangers have been used in literature to explore themes of identity, mortality, and the dark side of human nature.

Modern Usage

While the original paranormal meaning is still recognized, the term doppelganger is also used more broadly to describe someone who looks remarkably similar to another person, sometimes even to the point of being mistaken for a twin.

Is there a purpose behind Doppelgangers?

Doppelgängers have been portrayed in various ways:  as benevolent beings warning of danger or guiding lost souls, or as sinister shadow selves, often linked to malevolent intentions and death. In literature, doppelgängers have been used to explore themes of identity, mortality, and the dark side of human nature.

Are doppelgangers demonic?

No, doppelgangers are not typically considered demons. A doppelganger is a look-alike or double of a living person, often associated with folklore and superstitions, while demons are supernatural beings typically associated with evil according to various resources.

What is the myth behind the doppelganger?

In German folklore, a doppelganger is a wraith or apparition of a living person, as distinguished from a ghost. The concept of the existence of a spirit double, an exact but usually invisible replica of every man, bird, or beast, is an ancient and widespread belief.

The scientific low-down on doppelgangers:

Science has revealed that doppelgängers, individuals who share an uncanny resemblance to someone else but are not related, may also share DNA and behavioral traits. Research suggests that the more similar two individuals are in appearance, the more likely they are to share genetic variants and exhibit similar lifestyle traits.

Genetic Similarity

Studies have shown that unrelated look-alikes share more genetic variants than less similar pairs. This suggests that genes influencing facial features may also contribute to shared behavioral traits.

Behavioral Similarities

Researchers have observed that doppelgangers are more likely to share lifestyle traits like smoking habits, weight, height, and educational attainment.

Role of DNA

While shared DNA can explain some of the resemblance between doppelgangers, other factors like epigenetics (chemical modifications to DNA) and microbiome (microbial community in the gut) also play a role in shaping individuals. 

 

*I could've looked further on "microbial community in the gut", but I didn't, I don't feel like diving any deeper into this aspect of doppelgangers, but feel free to explore on your own.

Facial Recognition

The human brain's ability to recognize faces can be influenced by the overall arrangement of features rather than individual details. This can make it challenging to differentiate between individuals with similar facial features, potentially contributing to the doppelganger phenomenon.

  

Personal Experiences

Personal accounts of encountering doppelgangers, or people who strikingly resemble oneself, range from uncanny coincidences to more unsettling experiences. These encounters often involve physical similarities, but can also include shared interests, professions, or even life events, creating a sense of being a twin stranger. Some individuals have described feeling a strange sense of familiarity or kinship with their doppelganger.

Let's look at some personal experiences.

Bob Brody and Allan Ripp...

They met through work and have become friends despite a brief separation. They share numerous physical similarities, including height, weight, baldness, and age. Their professions are also similar, leading them to consider each other "doubles".

A Reddit user...

Saw a doppelganger on a Twister game box as a child, which they later confirmed through image search. This person also described seeing a doppelganger walking a dog, and another instance where their brother saw a "shinier" version of himself.

A family's experience

A doppelganger of the family's mother was seen by the children while the mother was away, and a doppelganger of the father was seen by the uncle.

A user on Reddit...

Found their doppelganger on Facebook, and this doppelganger also shares similar traits and has a matching life path, including marriage to someone with the same name and naming a son the same name.

Possible Explanations

While some suggest paranormal or supernatural explanations for doppelganger encounters, more practical explanations can be considered:

Shared DNA

Doppelgangers may share DNA, leading to physical similarities, even between unrelated individuals.

Chance Encounters

The probability of finding someone with a striking resemblance is higher than one might think, especially in a large population.

Psychological Factors

Our brains are wired to recognize patterns, and seeing someone who looks like us can trigger a sense of familiarity, or even a perceived "glitch in the matrix".

Note: Doppelganger experiences can be subjective and vary greatly. Some people find them unsettling, while others view them as intriguing, or even comical.

Sources &
Recommended Reading:

Doppelganger
by Femi Oyebode

@Amazon

The concept of doppelgänger, or 'double' – a conceived exact but sometimes invisible replica of a living person – has fascinated and intrigued people for centuries. This notion has a long history and is a widespread belief among cultural groups around the world. Doppelgängers have influenced literature and cinema, with writers such as Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Robert Louis Stevenson, and directors like Alfred Hitchcock exploring the phenomenon to great effect. This book brings together the literary and cinematic with empirical scientific literature to raise fundamental questions about the nature of the self and the human mind. It aims to establish the experience of the self and unravel the brain processes that determine bodily representation and the errors that make possible the experience of the doppelgänger phenomenon. This book will appeal to psychiatrists, neurologists, and neuroscientists, as well as interested general readers.

Doppelganger Phenomenon

by Wilhelm Scheel

@Amazon

Uncover the secrets of the Doppelgänger Phenomenon, a realm where the lines between reality and illusion blur. This captivating book delves into the enigma of doppelgangers, exploring the uncanny encounters that have fascinated humanity for centuries. With expert insights and real-life accounts, you'll question the boundaries of perception and identity. Embark on a journey of intrigue and introspection as you uncover the psychological, cultural, and spiritual significance of doppelgangers. This comprehensive work unravels the mystery, leaving you pondering the depths of our own human existence. Secure your copy today and immerse yourself in the Doppelgänger Phenomenon, an extraordinary exploration of the duality that resides within us. Let the pages guide you towards a deeper understanding of the enigmatic connections that weave the fabric of our world.

It's time to find your voice...

 

Link: click HERE

For my tarot people, there's a new post up at The Mystic Crone...

Sometimes you've tried as long as you can try, and it's time to find your voice and your courage.

How are you being haunted?

 

Let us count the ways...

Residual

Residual hauntings refer to the phenomenon where a ghostly apparition or other supernatural event repeats the same actions, events, or sounds over and over, as if it were a recording playing on loop.  Residual hauntings are believed to be imprints of past events, often linked to traumatic or significant occurrences.

The thing about residual hauntings:

•   Repetitive nature
  

Residual hauntings often involve repeating the same actions or scenes, such as apparitions appearing in the same location, walking down the same hallway, or repeating a specific event.

• No interaction

The spirits involved in residual hauntings are generally unaware of their surroundings and do not interact with living people.

• Even imprints

Residual hauntings are thought to be imprints of past events, often traumatic or significant, that have left a lingering energy or "residue" at a particular location.

• The "stone tape" theory

The concept of residual hauntings is related to the "Stone Tape" theory, which suggests that buildings or objects can store records of past events, which can be later played back.

• Examples

This could include hearing the echoes of a party, seeing a spectral figure walking down a hallway, or hearing the sounds of an event that occurred at a specific location.

Interactive/intelligent

Intelligent hauntings refer to paranormal events where spirits or entities are believed to be aware of the living and able to interact with them in a conscious and interactive manner.  Intelligent hauntings are characterized by the entity's ability to react to the environment, communicate, and potentially interact with individuals.

The thing about intelligent hauntings:

• Awareness and Interaction

The entity is believed to be aware of the living and can react to their presence or actions.

• Communication

Entities may communicate through various means, such as moving objects, making sounds, or even appearing as apparitions.

• Unfinished Business

Intelligent hauntings may be linked to an entity that has unfinished business, such as a traumatic death, or a desire to interact with specific individuals.

• Intelligent Behavior

The entity may demonstrate behaviors that suggest intelligence, such as responding to questions, reacting to emotional states, or even exhibiting a degree of control over their environment.

• Potential for Harm

While some hauntings may be benevolent, others can be mischievous or even malicious, potentially causing harm or distress.

Crisis Apparitions

Crisis apparitions, also known as "deathbed apparitions," are visions or sensations experienced by a person that seem to coincide with a loved one's death or a significant life event.  These encounters can manifest as visual hallucinations, auditory experiences, or physical sensations like a touch or pain.

The thing about crisis apparitions:

• Definition

Crisis apparitions are described as a vision or sense of a loved one around the time of their death, often experienced by the bereaved.

• Nature of Experiences

These experiences can be visual (seeing the deceased), auditory (hearing voices), or involve physical sensations like a touch or pain that corresponds to a loved one's injury.

• Potential Explanations:

While some paranormal researchers suggest they might be a form of telepathy, others explore psychological and cultural factors, such as grief and family dynamics, that could influence their interpretation and reporting.

• Historical Significance

The concept of crisis apparitions has been explored by researchers like Edmund Gurney, Frank Podmore, and Frederic William Henry Myers in the 19th century, who found value in these experiences as potential evidence for paranormal phenomena.

• Examples

Stories often involve a dying person appearing to loved ones, sometimes communicating or bidding farewell, or a loved one's pain being felt by someone nearby.

• Verification

Crisis apparitions are often accompanied by notes about the time and details of the visitation, which can be later corroborated with the date and time of the death.

• Cultural and Religious Beliefs

Some cultures and religions interpret these experiences as evidence of the soul's existence beyond death, or as a way for the dead to communicate with the living.

 

Spontaneous Apparitions

Spontaneous apparitions refer to the unbidden appearance of a figure, often described as ghostly, that occurs without warning or prior indication. These experiences can involve various senses, but are most commonly visual, with the apparition appearing solid and realistic. While some may interpret these events as a manifestation of a deceased person's spirit, others view them through a religious or psychological lens.

The thing about spontaneous apparitions:

• Definition

An apparition is a visible non-physical phenomenon that resembles a human being, sometimes described as a ghost or spirit.

• Spontaneous Nature

These occurrences are unexpected and not predictable, happening in everyday settings and under low arousal conditions.

• Sensory Experiences

While primarily visual, apparitions may also involve auditory or olfactory sensations, such as smelling flowers or hearing voices.

• Interpretation

The meaning attributed to an apparition can vary greatly, depending on individual beliefs and cultural context.

• Psychological Factors

Apparitions have been linked to states of stress, grief, and altered states of consciousness, suggesting a potential psychological component.

• Religious Context

In some religious traditions apparitions are seen as divine manifestations or theophanies, with the Virgin Mary or other figures appearing to communicate messages.

• Haunted Locations

While some apparitions may occur in reputedly haunted locations, they are more likely to happen in familiar and mundane environments.

• Examples

Marian apparitions (appearances of the Virgin Mary), crisis apparitions (appearances of deceased individuals), and poltergeist phenomena (noisy spirits) are all examples of apparitions.

Thoughtforms

In Theosophy, a thoughtform is a tangible manifestation of thoughts, ideas, and emotions, often perceived as a form or shape. These thoughtforms are believed to be energetic structures that can be sensed, or even projected, by individuals. They are essentially a kind of energetic imprint of thoughts, feelings, and even music, according to theosophical sources.

The thing about thoughtforms:

• Manifestation of Thoughts

Thoughtforms are seen as physicalizations of our mental and emotional states, acting as energetic blueprints for reality.

• Energies and Aura

They are believed to emanate from the auras of individuals, potentially taking on the form of the person, objects, or even representing inherent qualities from the astral or mental planes, according to occultists like William Walker Atkinson..

• Clairvoyant Perception

In Theosophy, thoughtforms are primarily described as being perceivable by individuals with clairvoyant abilities.

• Influential Forces

Theosophists believe that the quality of our thoughts, and the thoughtforms they generate, can significantly impact our lives and the lives of those around us.

• Types of Thoughtforms

Annie Besant categorized thoughtforms into three classes: forms resembling the creator, forms representing objects or people, and forms representing astral or mental qualities.

• Examples:

Examples of thoughtforms include the energetic imprint of a room after a tense argument, or the lingering emotions after a concert.

Spirit Guides

In a haunting context, "spirit guides" might refer to entities, often perceived as spirits, that are causing or contributing to a haunting. These entities could be misunderstood or misrepresented guides, negative entities, or even lingering souls with unresolved issues.

The thing about spirit guides:

• Misunderstood or Misrepresented Guides

Some individuals believe in spirit guides as benevolent mentors and allies, but these guides could be misconstrued as negative entities if not properly identified, or if the individual has a poor understanding of their nature.

• Negative Entities

Some believe that negative entities, potentially including demons or beings with a bad attitude, can cause or contribute to hauntings by manipulating and scaring individuals.

• Lingering Souls with Unresolved Issues

It's also possible that spirits, or even ghosts, that are stuck between worlds due to unresolved issues or a lack of a proper afterlife transition, might be the source of a haunting.

• Differentiation from Angels and Ghosts

Distinguishing between angels, spirit guides, and ghosts can be challenging, but generally, angels are considered positive and helpful, while ghosts are more likely to be associated with lingering emotions or unresolved issues.

Poltergeist

A poltergeist haunting is a type of haunting characterized by disruptive physical phenomena, rather than the presence of a visible spirit. These disturbances, often involving moving objects, loud noises, and sometimes violent acts, are thought to be linked to a person or a location.

The thing about poltergeists:

• Physical Manifestations

Poltergeists are known for causing things to be moved around, knocking to be heard, objects to fly through the air, and even sounds, like growling . Some accounts mention more violent acts like pinching, biting, or tripping people.

• Focus on a Person or Location

Unlike traditional hauntings where a spirit is tied to a specific location, poltergeist activity can be linked to a person, even if they move to a new place.

• Emotional Connection

There's a belief that poltergeist activity is often linked to emotional turmoil, especially in adolescents or pregnant women, though it can also occur in seemingly stable individuals.

• Examples

The famous Enfield poltergeist, involving the Hodgson family in London, is a well-known case where the activity centered around the teenage girls. Other examples include cases where furniture moves, objects are thrown, or strange smells are detected.

SOURCES &
RECOMMENDED READING:

Theosophy
& the Theosophical Society
by Annie Besant

@ Amazon

Theosophy, an Introduction

by Rudolf Steiner

@ Amazon

Hauntings & Poltergeists

by James Houran & Rense Lange

@ Amazon

Thought Forms
by Annie Besant & CW Leadbeater

@ Amazon

The Ghost Studies

by Brandon Massullo

@ Amazon

An Unexpected Door Will Open (no, really)

 

I've used Green Witch Tarot for today's reading at The Mystic Crone.  Lot's going on here, and also a warning... most of us would be so better off not being tempted to do something that goes against our basic nature, yes, we would.  Read on, and enjoy.  I hope you make a tarot connection today.

Today's Reading

Audio Version

Bilocation: what is it & can you learn to do it

 

Bilocation, the ability to be in two places at once, is a concept explored within both pagan and other spiritual traditions, often seen as a manifestation of heightened psychic abilities or spiritual connection. While bilocation is sometimes attributed to saints or other figures within specific religious contexts, it also finds a place in pagan spirituality, particularly within practices like shamanism and traditions emphasizing spiritual travel and expanded consciousness.

Q&A

What is bilocation?

Bilocation, or sometimes multilocation, is an alleged psychic or miraculous ability wherein an individual or object is located (or appears to be located) in two distinct places at the same time.

What is spiritual bilocation?

Bilocation, a phenomenon often deemed supernatural, which defies the laws of physics by suggesting that an individual can manifest in two separate places simultaneously. This extraordinary concept has been chronicled throughout history, weaving its way through various cultures and belief systems.

Is bilocation possible?

While the phenomenon of bilocation, being in two places at once, is often discussed in religious and spiritual contexts, it's important to note that there is no scientific evidence to support its physical reality. However, cognitive neuroscience suggests that the human mind can experience a sense of being present in multiple locations simultaneously, often through mental processes or sensory experiences.

• Scientific Perspective:

Skeptical investigators, like Joe Nickell, argue that bilocation cases are usually anecdotal and lack verifiable evidence. While some researchers explore the possibility of mental bilocation, there's no scientific consensus on its physical occurrence.

• Mental Bilocation:

Studies suggest that the human mind can experience a sense of being present in two places simultaneously, often through vivid mental imagery, emotional connections, or sensory experiences.

• Religious Context:

Bilocation is a concept found in religious traditions, particularly Catholicism, where it's linked to the miraculous abilities of saints or figures with strong spiritual connections. There are suggestions that bilocation stems from the belief in God's omnipresence.

Who was the female saint who bilocated?

Born in 1602, Sor María de Ágreda, is said to have experienced bilocation starting in 1620. While in a trance at her convent in Ágreda, Spain, she claimed to be spiritually present in areas of what is now the American Southwest and Mexico.

What causes bilocation?

When bilocation occurs, the true and physical body is present in one place and is only apparently present in the other by means of a representation of some kind. This representation could be caused supernaturally, diabolically, or by means of a natural power or energy as yet unknown.

What is an example of bilocation?

Bilocation refers to the simultaneous presence of the same person in two different locations. While often attributed to religious figures, reports of bilocation have also been documented among ordinary individuals. Examples include Padre Pio appearing in the air over San Giovanni Rotondo during World War II, and accounts of St. Alphonsus Liguori attending pastoral duties in multiple places simultaneously. There are suggestions that these abilities were seen as a testament to their spiritual connection with God.

The Shaman talks about how to learn the art of bilocation:

Bilocation is often traditionlly thought of as a shaman's work.  I recommend that you do it wide awake, not during sleep or meditation. Doing bilocation work while you are fully awake will begin rocking you off those comfortable foundations upon which your existence sits in this mundane predictable world.  Some, but certainly not all, of the side effects of doing bilocation work include: spatial lapses, involuntary movements to places, depression, euphoria, etc.

The mechanics of what we are as energetic creatures is nowhere more evident than when doing this sort of work. We exist, of course, as a duality. We are here in this world, and yet, we sense and sometimes catch glimpses of other worlds. The simple reason is that we are not whole in this consciousness. Casteneda refers to this as the dreaming body, or the double. In my tradition, it was simply referred to as "the other". This concept underlies all shamanic practice, and yet, it is one of the most over looked aspects of the practice. The mechanical reason for this oversight is simple. We live inside our heads. Real bilocation is only possible when we can get outside our heads, i.e., this world consciousness, and move along with and use the other. Shamans must reclaim the other and so become whole again in their natures.  Bilocation is one way to start that journey, to make overtures to that other energetic body.

Practical bilocation is achieved with the small things. First, you must learn to "see" with your eyes closed. Get a little basket, a paper bag, it doesn't really matter, just a small container of some sort and in it place maybe four small items, your choice. Now sit at a table, close your eyes, and dump the contents of your container out in front of you. With your eyes still closed, look at the table. Look at the table until you visualize the exact pattern in which the objects fell. Once you have that image, open your eyes and see if you are correct. Keep at it. This is important to gain accuracy. 

Helpful hint: don't stare too long, we don't want your brain interfering with your visualization. It will try its best to take over. Don't fight it, just work around it.

Once you are doing pretty well with the objects, move on to whole rooms. After people have been in the bathroom in the morning, before you go in, close your eyes and visualize exactly what it looks like, where what has been placed, etc. Or take a pair of socks, make them into a ball, open a door, reach your arm around and toss, then close the door and visualize the socks. And while you are "in there", visualize the rest of the room as well. 

Once you have all this down, start working with people. You can do this at work, visualizing what someone is wearing before you see them in the morning. All this trains your other self to be aware, and to trust your instincts. Once you have accomplished this art and you become more proficient at it, then start working outward towards bigger and more distant targets. 

Sources:

 Shamans Cave

Wikipedia

The Divine Mercy

Aleteia

Recommended reading:

Dark Eyes, Lady Blue

by Marilyn H Fedewa

@ Amazon

Padre Pio:

The Stigmatist

by Charles Mortimer Carty

@ Amazon

Bilocation & Objects Appearing
from Nowhere

by Martin K Ettington

@ Amazon

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