Mystic Plants and Aegean Nature Goddesses

“Mystic Plants and Aegean Nature Goddesses” examines the artistically and symbolically dense rituals of the ancient Minoans which often focused on nature goddesses and sacred trees and flowers. Ring seals and frescoes, including sacred tree frescoes, portray priestesses leading ceremonies, indicating the importance of women as spiritual leaders. The ritual importance of flowers is attested by psi-like patterns representing saffron crocus stigmas on the skirt of the priestess of Ayia Triada, and by frescoes from Knossos, Akrotiri, and Mycenae. Flower ritual frescoes, together with the Table Dancers of Phaistos and the Bowl of Phaistos, suggest that the long-sought origin of the Persephone myth may be based on saffron crocus symbolism. The Myceneans, before and after taking over Crete, adopted Minoan iconography associating women with sacred plants and healing as evidenced by numerous images, including goddess-with-up-raised-arms figurines. The Poppy Goddess exemplifies the use of psychoactive drugs in religious ritual and/or healing.