Dittany of Crete

a glorious gift from the gods...

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Zeus & Dittany
Aphrodite & Dittany
Diktynna & Dittany
Artemis & Dittany
Magic & Dittany
Myth & Magic of Dittany of Crete...
 
Dittany is endemic only to Crete and has many myths and legends attached to it.

 

The Latin name given to Dittany of Crete is Origanum dictamnus. Origanum most likely derives from two Greek words, meaning joy and mountains. The word dictamnus is again a blending of two words – the first part refers to Dikti, the mountain where Zeus was born and thamnos translates as shrub. 

 
 
Dikti Mountains - Birthplace of Zeus
 
Zeus, ruler of the Olympian gods reputedly gave the beautiful and health giving herb to Crete as thanks for his upbringing there. He was born in the Dikteon Andron cave on Crete after his mother Rhea fled there to trick her husband Cronus and protect her son.
 
The Greek goddess of love Aphrodite is also linked to Dittany as she used it to treat her wounded son, Aeneas during the Trojan War. And because of its reputed Aphrodisiac qualities is inexorably linked with the goddess of love herself.

 

Aphrodite's sister goddess Artemis also has connections with Dittany and was often crowned with a wreath of Dittany on her statues in temples to honour her.

 

An earlier Minoan goddess Diktynna who gave her name to the herb has left many reminders of herself here in Crete. There are rivers, mountains, gorges and bays all named after her and of course the wonderful herb Diktamo.

 

Dittany has also gained a reputation throughout the centuries as a magical plant and is used even today in magic rituals and in casting spells.

 

It even gets a mention in the fictional Harry Potter books as a magical herb!