Today, I'm here to talk about Idun, wife to Bragi & goddess of apples. Specifically, the apples that grant eternal beauty and immortality, as they are the food of the Gods in Norse mythology. She's rather sparsely known these days, as her role seems to have been largely downplayed in what lore we still have access to, but she's also one of those quiet deities who doesn't have much to say. Idun is subtle, but quite important from what we know.
You see, there's a story about how Loki tricked her into leaving Asgard to find fruits that were supposedly well beyond the measure of what was present within the castle's walls. When she left, the lack of her presence was deeply felt, and the Aesir began to feel their age creep up to them. Their skin crinkled and wrinkled, growing gray as their hairs, and weakness began to set in, for the one who created for them a life-preserving bounty was no longer present.
This was, of course, rather noticeable, and made each of these beings feel most inclined to rescue her from Thjazi, he who swept her away via Loki's trickery. Idun was ultimately rescued, and at the journey's end Thjazi's eagle form was consumed by fire (its a very cool story), bringing back to Asgard the divine boon that was the fruits of Idun's labors.
I mention this here to convey the subtle, substantial importance of such a goddess in life. As with apples, prosperity can go unnoticed by those who possess it until that good fortune is gone. This is a lesson and reminder that one should be careful with their boons & honor those responsible for maintaining them.
Likewise, if prosperity is something you seek to create, call on Idun. Ask her to grace the opportunities you're looking to cultivate with plenty of fertilizer, and request that she help you to know, instinctively, when its time to harvest. That might not seem like much of a boon, but boy howdy, it very much is.
So much of gardening relates itself to timing, and the same can be said for creating a career and making the most of it. To invoke Idun's aid, set out for her a bounteous offering of nuts (almonds and cashews in particular), figs, apples, pears, and licorice root, say a short prayer to her that's from the heart, and then reflect upon your feelings and insights over the course of the day.
Idun takes some time to get used to hearing, as she is quite soft spoken. "Listen", internally, for things that seem a bit glossy and gilded around the edges, as I find those thoughts and insights are most often from her. ;)
Blessings,
SE