Thursday, July 21, 2016

1884 - Divination by Apple Seed



In many places Apples are believed to be capable of telling love-fortunes.


I had to share this with you.  I didn't know any of this.  I grew up in New Jersey near Newark and the daisy "Loves you, loves you not" lore was as far as we got!  Next time I eat an apple I'll stick a seed on my head.

The customs of throwing the peel of an Apple over the head, and judging whether single blessedness or the married state awaits the person in the future is very old, and still well known in England. Some read in the shape of the peel, as it falls on the ground, the initial letter of the future sweetheart's name. 
[graphic]
APPLE (Pyrus Malus). a, blossom ; J, section of same; c, d, sections of fruit
The German peasantry shoot an Apple-pip from the fingers on New Year's night, at the same time uttering a prayer, and watching the direction taken by the seed. The sweetheart may be looked for from the same direction. 

In Austria, we are told that on St. Thomas's night an Apple is cut in two, and the seeds in each half carefully counted. If they are even, a marriage will soon follow; if one of the seeds should have been cut in two, the course of love will not be smooth. 
Perhaps, however, this is not to be altogether regretted, if the old adage that "true love never runs smoothly" be true. If two be cut it indicates coming widowhood. 

Something similar to this is found in the custom, common still among our young people, of counting the seeds of the same fruit, or sticking them on the forehead, to see which will remain longest in position.

On the Continent this fruit is very largely employed for these purposes by the superstitious, although, as among ourselves, the customs are now rapidly dying out.
The above is an excerpt from: Flowers and Flower Lore By Hilderic Friend



Malus seeds - Wikipedia 

I'm going to ask my elementary students if anyone in their family sticks apple seeds to their forehead. :-)  Then I'll teach them apple seed lore!




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