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?"
Members of the Apple Branch identify as
both witches as well as feeling connected to Druidism in a modern sense, following in the steps of those long ago. We use the Sacred Tree Alphabet in all three programs 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.We consider our work to be shamanic.
We recognize that men and women bring many talents and abilities to their practice and that some will wish to have a certain "specialty" that they brings to their practice that is uniquely their own. We honor this diversity by allowing students to create "specialties" in their training with us.
Specialties may include, but are not limited to: Ritual Priestess, Green Man, Guardian Priestess, Healer Priestess, Temple Priestess, Creative Priestess (writing and the arts), Eco-Spiritual Priestsess (environmental), etc.
All students will follow the prescribed course for Apple Branch Mentoring as well as chose a specialty for focus studies. They may have more than one focus area if they choose.
Students being mentored in the Apple Branch may also apply for admission to Ocean Seminary College where they will take their Ogham studies for the first year as well as other recommended and optional courses recommended by their mentor. A special portal for admittance will be provided.
"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 (as the 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, sacrifice, 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 my website below, The Blue Roebuck.
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