The
Roebuck hides in the thicket and the cuckoo utters, “where” ? The
Roebuck hides at the apple tree – the noblest tree of all, it is the
tree of immortality through wisdom, the wild apple tree of the Sacred
Thicket, the tree that hides the Roebuck.
The
Muses promise to the poet is …
“Seek
patiently, and you shall find.”
The clue to the secret of the apple is to be found hidden within the
apple. When the apple was cut cross-wise by Cuchulain’s sword,
”night fell”.
For when the apple is cut cross-wise each half shows a five
pointed star in the center, emblem of immortality, which represents the
Goddess in Her five stations from birth to death and back to birth
again.
“I am
a lure from paradise”
The
popular conception of a grove is a collection of exceptionally
well-formed trees set in a place of outstanding natural beauty. Under
the friendly sheltering boughs of these arboreal sanctuaries our
forebears were inspired to contemplate the wonders of the universe,
particularly the countryside in which they themselves lived, and perhaps
were prompted to first ask the question, "who created such
beauty?"
As a High Priestess,
ordained by Z Budapest, "From the Branch" is the outreach program
I have developed for those who wish to study Dianic Witchcraft on-line
in a correspondence program, as well as in person in an Austin, Texas
based Coven. We use the Sacred Tree Alphabet as a model of continuity of the
energies of both the lunar and solar year combined with a great deal of
practical experience in all areas of service to The Goddess.
Our
approach to our magic is to remove the focus from the cerebral ~ to bring the energy
down into the body ~ thereby removing barriers and limits to personal
ecstasy and fulfillment. This
is not always an easy approach, but in the long run becomes a full
experience of the whole self, embodying all of our personal magic into
an ecstatic experience.
Like
the honey apple turning red on the high branch,
High on the highest, but the apple pickers missed it.
Oh no, they did not miss it, they could not reach it. - Sappho
The quest for wisdom was realized by pursuing the white doe (also blue roebuck) under a wild Apple tree
In the Welsh Câd Goddeu (The Battle of the Trees), the Apple is described as the noblest tree of them all, the tree that symbolized poetic immortality.
The Apple Tree is closely linked to Druids, in their aspect as magicians and shamans.
"In Druid lore, the essence of three sacred apples growing on the Tree of Knowledge came from three drops that fell from Cerridwen's cauldron, which correspond with the Druid's most holy symbol, the Three Rays of Light."
Bards (poets) and Ovates (shamans) carried apple branches, (with bronze, silver, or gold bells), called the Craobh Ciuil (Branch of Reason) as symbols of their
office.
Pulling the Ogham stave Quert is a mandate to rest and heal yourself from strife, illness, fatigue, or injury. It is an invitation to regain your sense of wholeness and connection with nature. Associated with the holy isle of Avalon, the apple represents rest and healing, recovery, and a peaceful relaxing Otherworld journey to the magical isle.
Within the Apple Branch you are invited to work with "the divine madness of the shaman." It calls you to journey to the Otherworld by its many names - Avalon, Avallach, Tir na Og, Eamhain Abhlach. Apple also represents the spiritual warrior who fears not to travel beyond the mortal realm to face death,
sacrifce, and hardship, in order to benefit his or her tribe. The apple branch represents shelter and protection on these intense shamanic journeys. Apple invites you to dare to be different in order to discover your own truth. The apple offers protection, strength, comfort, and respite for your ordeal.
For
more information about what we study see
The Blue Roebuck
