Carpe Diem #997 apple

Dear Haijin, visitors and travelers,

Welcome at our new episode of Carpe Diem Haiku Kai. This month we are exploring the beauty of our mysterious and mystical nature around us. Using the knowledge of the ancient druids we are discovering the deeper meaning of trees and bushes. This is what we need as haiku poets ... we are one with nature and it would be awesome to know more about the secret wisdom of nature. Mother Nature for sure is a very wise woman and we owe a lot to her.

The Celtic meaning of the apple tree deals with many things, including wholeness, purity and goodwill. For obvious reasons the ancient Celts consider the apple tree a treasure among the Ogham tree clan.

Apple Blossoms

It’s brilliant flowers burst forth in the spring, usually ranging from pink to white. These flowers have a light aroma that lifts the spirit of all who pass by them. Ancient Celts would decorate bedchambers with the apple blossoms as a fertility gesture and to tribute the beauty and bounty life provides.

After the glory of the blossoms, come the fruit of the apple. Druids recognized the powerful transformative qualities experienced when consuming the apple. It was thought the fruit could transport the eater to other worlds, typically of a paradise-like ilk. Further altered states could be induced by pressing the apples and allowing them to ferment over time, thus producing a “hard cider.”

Apples were highly valued by the ancient Celts because of their ability to keep over a long period of time when stored in a cool dry place. This was symbolic of the presence of love, even long past the time of peak ripeness. In other words, when the waves of passion subside, love lingers even afterwards when simple companionship is the prime comfort.

These are the features which belong to the apple from a Celtic view:

Love

Truth

Peace

Beauty

Honesty

Romance

Fertility

Remembrance

Celts recognized all of the features of the apple tree and viewed it as pleasing in every way. It was even a symbol of creativity (as well as creation) and was an emblem of art and poetry. The meaning of apple trees is also associated with virtue, and the tree (as well as the fruit) is a symbol of purity and motherhood. 

sweet perfume
fragile apple blossoms bloom

a child and its mom

© Chèvrefeuille

together as one
she ... the one I cherish ... the moon
apple blossoms so fragile

© Chèvrefeuille

This episode is NOW OPEN for your submissions and will remain open until July 18th at noon. I will (try to) publish our new episode, Vine, later on.