The Star Inside an Apple: Magic, Charmed, & Crafts
We all know that apples are good for us. Filled with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, apples are a beloved treasure.
But did you know that each and every apple has the potential to contain a star? Think of it, every autumn branch bedecked with apples is filled with stars.
Apples and the star within have a long history of symbolism with ties to different cultures and religions. Often apples themselves were linked to love, while the star inside was linked to nature, protection, or even Christ depending on the tradition (Carvaly, n.d.; Realy, M. R., 2016).
And for some, the star is a reminder of our own light within and how we are all connected to nature. Let it shine!
“Amulets that carried apple seeds were made in the evenings as they sat out in the yard, meant to bring the wearer love, for apples signify the heart.”
— Alice Hoffman, The Rules of Magic
Charmed Apples
If you are a fan of the TV show Charmed like me, you may remember the episode, All Halliwell’s Eve, where the sisters travel back in time to save an ancestor from death on Halloween. But time travel has rendered them powerless. For the Prue, Piper, and Phoebe, the apple helps to keep them safe. In the absence of their magic, a witch from the time teaches the sisters about using apples for protection.
The apple holds a pentacle in its heart, add a laurel leaf, and you will block the path of evil… remember, there is magic all around you.
— Charmed, All Halliwell’s Eve
Apples are also used in Charmed for a simple future spell of sorts when an apple is peeled and Phoebe blows on the peel before tossing the peel into water. The intention is to find her true love. The shape the peel takes shows the initial of her true love's name. Guess who?
This use of the apple peel does appear to be a tradition that was popular in the past! Though the details can differ. In another variation the apple must be peeled all in one piece and then the peel tossed over the shoulder to reveal the first letter of the future love’s name (Richards, 2013).
The Botany of an Apple Star
The star within the apple represents the apple flower itself. Flowers in the rose family (of which apple is a member) have flower parts in sets of five. If you look closely at an apple flower, you will see this represented in the petals. The flower also has stigmas where pollen lands, eventually leading to seed formation within the fruit. This happens deep in the fruit within an ovary that has five separate chambers for seed formation, all spaced within the fruit in the shape of a five pointed star (Michigan State University, n.d.).
Crafting With Apple Stars
Apple stars can easily be used to make beautiful, natural crafts. Here are two simple ideas to get you started. These activities are fun for adults and kids alike!
Stamped Apple Prints
This is a fun and very simple craft to do with children. It could also be used to make fun invitations to a Halloween party!
Materials:
Fresh, unblemished apples
Knife
Paint
Paint brush
Paper or cloth
To Make:
Cut the apples in half to reveal the star within. To find the star within the apple: place the apple on its side, grasping the apple firmly, cut the apple horizontally all the way through.
Using your paint brush, paint the cut side of the apple to cover it with a thin layer of paint. This will be your stamp.
Carefully press the prepared apple onto the paper or cloth. Remove the apple and repeat until your desired effect is achieved!
Dried apple rings
These are simple and beautiful. You can string them up with dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks for a decorative effect that will last the entire holiday season!
Materials:
Fresh, unblemished apples
Knife
Dehydrator or oven
String, ribbon, or twine
To Make:
Carefully cut very thin slices of apple to reveal the star within. To find the star within the apple: place the apple on its side, grasping the apple firmly, cut the apple horizontally all the way through.
Lay the apple slices out in a dehydrator or on a cookie sheet in an oven.
Dehydrate the apple slices until they are fully dried. They should feel leathery and will bend but not be sticky or moist.
If dehydrating in the oven, place the temperature at the lowest setting with the door cracked ajar and flip the apples often. This may take several days to complete.
Once the apples are dried you can thread them through the star onto your string, ribbon, or twine, and then hang and enjoy!
Want to know more about apples?
For a wonderful repository of apple stories visit Apples & People.
Here is a fascinating look at a traditional recipe for All Hallow’s cakes from Enchanted Living Magazine.
Find information about the health benefits of apples with plenty of DIY Harvest Time Apple Recipes at the Herbal Academy.
What other common food or plant have you seen used for magic in fiction?
Let us know in the comments!
References
Carvaly, A. (n.d.). The Bewitching Bond: Unraveling the Mystical Connection between Witchcraft and Apples. Retrieved on 10/14/2025 from https://www.morticianinthekitchen.com/recipe-blog/wiccans-witchcraft-and-apples
Michigan State University. (n.d.). Apples. Retrieved on 10/13/2025 from https://www.canr.msu.edu/apples/horticulture/pollination
Realy, M. R. (2016). Seeing Stars and the Holy Trinity. Retrieved on 10/13/2025 from https://www.patheos.com/blogs/prayergardens/2013/10/seeing-stars-and-the-holy-trinity/
Richards, A. (2013). The Secret, Steamy History Of Halloween Apples. Retrieved on 10/13/2025 from https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2013/10/30/241924745/the-secret-steamy-history-of-halloween-apples