The island of Crete feels like home-away-from home. The true hospitality of the people makes me feel like they are distant relatives glad to see me. My interest in the people I met and their culture connects us.
Archaeological evidence and ongoing interpretations acknowledge that the ancient woman-honoring culture of Crete (about 4,000 years ago), and the rest of “Old Europe/Old Anatolia” (in earlier times) was peaceful, highly artistic, and widespread stretching from Turkey to all sections of Europe from the Balkans to Scandinavia. These ancestors lived in harmony with nature and each other.
We can see thousands of examples of the beauty the people created and highly valued. Architecture, weaving, pottery, metalsmithing, shipbuilding, horticulture, and painting (as seen in the frescoes and on pottery) tell us a vivid story of thriving groups of people. The Bronze Age peoples living on Crete 4,000 years ago are often referred to as Minoan since their name for themselves is unknown.
I now understand more about my own people. The historical reality is that my own ancestors, who came from Denmark, Ireland and Britain, probably lived as Goddess-honoring peoples until the recent past. Renowned Lithuanian-American archaeologist Marija Gimbutas, wrote, “The Goddess-centered religion existed for a very long time, much longer than the Indo-European and finally the Christian (which represent a relatively short period of human history), leaving an indelible imprint on the human psyche.”
I know, in my bones, that “it has not always been like this”. Patriarchy, which is a recent historical construct, is a form of social organization based on domination. The values of Old Europe/Old Anatolia (like many other indigenous cultures) centered on kindness, cooperation and protection of the vulnerable. This cooperation and concern extended to caring for the Earth.
Last December I wrote here about my strong desire to return to Crete. Ten months later I began my third Goddess Pilgrimage to Crete! Remember that on my 2022 trip with Jeanne, I broke my shoulder on the first day of the Pilgrimage. Dear friends of ours gave me money to “redo” the Pilgrimage. Their gift, in addition to the proceeds from my quilt sales, funded my trip. The Goddess Pilgrimage, as envisioned by the leaders Carol, Mika and by Laura (the new leader), is a great gift, and may have helped keep me alive for the last eight years.
When friends ask about the highlights of my recent Pilgrimage I often answer, “It was everything I wanted it to be. The trip was full of gifts! Some were gifts I took to share. Over the weeks, I received many gifts of time, energy, recognition and often welcoming smiles. Sometimes it was a gift of a special textile. Once it was a brilliant blue ceramic pomegranate. You might wonder, “Why a pomegranate?”
We were a lively group of twenty-one women, two from the UK, one from Canada, four from Germany and the rest from the US. My new friend from Germany had noticed my passion for the fruit in any form. I’d even joked that “I wanted to come back as a pomegranate”. Friendships develop when we take notice of someone else’s interests and desires.
While traveling in Crete, I always have my eyes open for any interesting compositions. Bountiful fruit grabs my attention. Pomegranates are ripe and ready to burst open in October on the island. I’m pleased and delighted every time I see a tree full of those dangling rosy fruits.
Early on this trip while shopping in the capitol city, Heraklion, I met a shop owner selling a body oil made with grape seed oil and pomegranate seeds. During the visit with her, I noticed a dried pomegranate placed as part of a display. When I admired the dried fruit she gave it to me as a gift. That body oil was so effective (and it carries the distinctive pomegranate smell), I returned the next day for a second bottle. I shared samples of the oil with other women who agreed it’s a fabulous find. You can try it yourself! https://natans.gr/product/pure-herbs-grape-pomegranate-hair-body-serum-100-ml/?srsltid=AfmBOorpe1MO73JSUr2zqeqx0O2aDwMaZ8sqMoglcUYkaMsPVLXAtYwX
Traveling for two weeks with like-minded women and a full itinerary still allows space and time for me to be both attentive to my surroundigs and spontaneous. Who (or what) will cross my path today? What can I gain from all I see? What can I share with those I meet? What will make me smile or laugh in delight? What new food will be a taste sensation for me? What does the sunrise look like as I roam a small fishing village at dawn? All this reminds me of the wonders of every day life. Returning to my well-rooted life, I bring new perspectives, and will again relish all I know and love at home.
Since the first Goddess Pilgrimage (2017, after my third cancer diagnosis), I’ve spent time getting to know more about the island learning about the history, the natural environment, religion, culture, folklore and especially the textile arts. The more we understand about our hosts’ lives, the more likely we can fully appreciate the places we explore and the people we meet.
This tiny triple-aisled church, Pangia Kera Krista shelters Crete’s best-preserved Byzantine frescoes. The oldest of the three sections of the building is the central nave built in the 13th century.
Here is glimpse of the interior as Laura (in black) talks about the details of a fresco to our group of pilgrims. Very near this church is a delightful cafe and shop that has become a favorite stop for me.
I was drawn to the cafe and shop in 2017 by a “still life” arrangement that included this vivid green chair (below). This year, to encourage a visit, that same entrance area featured a bowl of artfully arranged fruit including a pomegranate.
In October, 2024 when I picked up the pomegranate, I discovered it had long thorns on the branch! I was surprised. Upon inquiry, I learned that pomegranates are part of the rose family—so thorns would not be unexpected. Later, at home, one of my local quilter friends observed that perhaps we should see a pomegranate as an enlarged rose hip–they do bear a strong resemblance. Next time I’ll share where the winding path in this photo took me to explore.
Flying across the ocean to Crete once again to immerse myself in the ancient and the everyday–what a dream!
Thanks to each of you who have supported my dream and now have an interest in learning about the adventure.
Postscript: If you are curious about my fascination with the Mediterranean island of Crete, you might be interested in reading my earlier blogs about time spent on the island: http://paulamariedaughter.com/?cat=25
What wonderful photos!
Those golden/apricot colored pomegranates! I love seeing the seeds inside through the slash too! (And how the red bleeds into the gold, perfect for a watercolor sketch!)
I looked closely for the thorns! Found some!
That green chair is eye catching! I love quaint country chairs!
Reading what all of this meant/means to you was a gift.
Thank-you Paula!
So happy to think of all this when I enjoy a pomegranate!
Lila, your rich and varied response to my post is both high compliment and a gift. I’m glad you were able to discover elements about the pomegranate that delighted you! Your color-sense inspired me to look closer at that pomegranate photo this morning. Discovering your wonderous shop, Quilt Your Heart Out, in 1994 began a new chapter in my life. Our ongoing friendship has been an ongoing present for decades.
You were the first blogger I knew. Your example encouraged me to consider sharing my thoughts, photos, and activities via a blog. I’ve learned from Jeanne that the word blog means “web log”. But it can be so much more…..