Telling fortunes with apple seeds.
Asking the apples for a glimpse of the future is a playful pastime in Esk, practised by children and adults alike. The custom is thought to have originated in an ancient ritual, though the modern form is treated more as a game.
How to find your fortune.
Pick a fresh apple. Choose whether you will seek your fortune in the top half (mountain) or bottom half (valley) of the apple. The game is usually played with a partner to take the other half, but fortunes can be read alone, too.
Cut the apple crosswise around the middle. One half should have the stalk, the other the base, and the core should form a star or ‘crown’ shape.
Count all seeds. If a cut seed has at least half remaining, consider it as a whole seed for this count. Smaller fragments can be disregarded.
Note the pattern of the seeds, and the clarity of the crown (core) shape.
Count cut/damaged seed pieces, of any size.
Interpret your fortune using the chart.
Example
Five seeds in an uneven distribution with a faint crown. Two are damaged. One spoke of the crown is empty.
Large changes are ahead, full of unpredictability, and you are facing them with uncertainty in your heart. This is wise. Be careful with your decisions—the wrong one will bring trouble—and be wary of strangers.
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Number of seeds
One - a single, clear path or choice is ahead.
Two - A choice between two opposing fortunes.
Three - Muse blessings. Creativity, inspiration, harmony.
Four - Stability, security, and intention. Time for growth.
Five - A shifting tide. Adventure or change ahead.
Six or more - Abundance and complexity. You will face many challenges or choices.
Pattern
Even/balanced: A steady pattern to things ahead
Clustered together on one side: Focus and intensity.
Scattered: Surprise and unpredictability
Cuts & Crowns
Seeds cut by the knife - a reversal or twist of the fortune.
If one seed is cut, then caution is needed for danger is ahead. If two, then a coming decision may bring disaster. Three, a lack of creativity, a block. Four, upheaval and loss. Five, stagnations. More than six, grim times ahead.
There are some small oddities that bring further meaning.
No seeds - There are unknown or hidden influences on your life. Tread carefully.
If all spokes have seeds but one - be wary of strangers
If only one spoke has seeds - be wary of a loved one
The shape of the crown reveals your heart.
Clear ‘crown’ - You are clear-sighted
Faint crown - You are unsure
Absent crown - You are unseeing