May: Fertility Rites and Workers’ Rights

Rethymnon Coffee Morning Bugle - May 2008 - Fertility Rites and Workers' Rights Throughout Europe and in many other countries across the globe, May 1st is celebrated as International Worker’s Day. In Greece this is an important public holiday and many of the major towns will be hosting political rallies. May 1st is also celebrated as the Festival of Flowers. This celebration has its roots in pre-Christian fertility rites associated with the beginning of spring—traditionally a day when families head to the countryside to collect wild flowers, which are then formed into wreaths. The wreaths are then placed round householders’ front doors. In Rethymnon, custom dictates that these wreaths should stay in place until the Feast of Klidonas on the 21st June.

Up the Garden Path

Crete is a herbalist’s paradise, and at this time of year wild herbs grow in abundance all across the island. As one might expect, in addition to their culinary and medicinal uses, many Cretan herbs are also associated with ancient myths. Here we focus on just a few of our favourites.

Cretan Dittany

This herb, indigenous to Crete is mainly used in infusions and to flavour drinks, though recently cooks have started to use the herb in sweet making and in sauces.. According to legend, dittany is associated with Eleuthia, goddess of midwifery. Dittany is also known as the herb of love and is considered to have aphrodisiac properties!

Sage

Valued here for its medicinal properties, sage is used in the treatment of a variety of disorders. On Crete, it used to be made into an infusion with honey as a ‘sleeping draught’ for infants. Great with pork of course, but also good in sauces to go with chicken.

Thyme

You’ll find wild thyme growing everywhere on Crete, so it seems strange that there is no associated Greek myth. A sprig was found in Tutankhamen’s tomb, apparently. Great with meat and salads, and let’s not forget the legendary Cretan honey!

Bay

Daphne (Greek for Bay) was a beautiful nymph who was transformed into a tree by her father in order to protect her from the lecherous advances of the god Apollo. Used to make victory wreaths for sporting competitors at the ancient games, laurel remains a symbol of victory today. Nowadays bay is mainly used to flavour casseroles such as stifado, and is also good in soups.

Basil

The King of herbs, with deep religious significance in Greek culture. Basil is associated with Agios Vasilis, and also with Agia Eleni, who is said to have found the ‘True Cross’ in Palestine under a patch of basil. Many of the older guides will tell you that basil is rarely used in Greek cooking. This may have been case 30 years ago, not so today. You’ll find basil freely available in shops and markets. It is particularly good in tomato sauces and of course, essential for pesto!

Mint

The myth associated with mint is a bit of tongue twister. According to legend, Minthe was a nymph who was the object of Pluto’s desire. Persephone, Pluto’s wife, found out about this, became enraged, and started to trample on Minthe. Pluto tried in vain to come to the rescue, but only succeeded in turning Minthe into an aromatic plant. Very good in herbal teas.

Oregano

Hard to imagine life of Crete without oregano. According to some, the name comes from ‘oros’, meaning mountain, and ‘ganos’ meaning joy. Used in pretty much everything here, except ice cream!

Marjoram

Used in much the same way as oregano, though the mystical associations are rather different. Aphrodite is supposed to have smelled like sweet marjoram, and in ancient times, newly weds were crowned with a wreath made from marjoram sprigs.

Rosemary

This herb, the perfect foil for lamb, used to be burnt on the altars as a supplication to ancient Gods. It was often placed in the tombs of the Pharoahs to perfume the world of the dead. It is now used to flavour grilled meat and also in bread making.

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