A Temple Wild: Greek Mythology and the Mediterranean Landscape

Mira Karakitsou
A Temple Wild: Greek Mythology and the Mediterranean Landscape

Rediscover the myths of the ancient Greeks through the plants and landscapes that shaped them. Meet the wildflowers, herbs, and trees of the Mediterranean and discover the ancient Greek myths that honor them. Wander ancient Greek temples, groves, and wild sanctuaries that have been celebrated for thousands of years. And come to understand Greek myth and culture not just as stories created by humans, but as traditions growing from the landscape itself: rooted in Mediterranean soil and nourished by the sun, sea, and mountains. For more about the show, visit https://atemplewild.com

  1. Invoking the Muse

    10/10/2024

    Invoking the Muse

    Were there really nine muses in ancient Greece? Where were they worshiped? And what do their stories tell us about artistic inspiration and the Greek landscape? In this episode, meet the ancient Greek Muses and learn more about their special relationship with music, winged messengers, springs, and the Greek gods of prophecy and sleep.

    32 min
  2. Plants of the Greek Moon Goddesses

    07/04/2024

    Plants of the Greek Moon Goddesses

    What are the trees and herbs sacred to the Moon in ancient Greece? The answer might surprise you! In today’s episode, we meet the three moon goddesses of the ancient Greek world — Selene, Artemis, and Hekate — and discuss the plants, stones, and other entities to invite into a Moon Garden in honor of ancient Greek lunar power. DETAILED SHOW NOTES https://atemplewild.com/atemplewild/greek-moon-goddesses NEVER MISS AN EPISODE Subscribe to the newsletter: https://atemplewild.com/subscribe SUPPORT THE SHOW Leave a Tip: https://atemplewild.com/tip-jar or Become a Monthly Patron: https://atemplewild.com/patron

    18 min
  3. Tears of the Sun: Helios, the Heliades, and Other Ancient Greek Solar Myths

    22/12/2023

    Tears of the Sun: Helios, the Heliades, and Other Ancient Greek Solar Myths

    Today, on the Winter Solstice, I introduce you to the Greek gods of the Sun — the Titans who gave birth to the radiance of the celestial bodies and the prophetic wisdom that the Greeks believed came from their light. We also learn about the Sun’s connection to the Underworld, grief, and mourning, and meet the plants sacred to the Sun god Helios. DETAILED SHOW NOTES https://atemplewild.com/atemplewild/greek-sun-mythology NEVER MISS AN EPISODE Subscribe to the newsletter: https://atemplewild.com/subscribe SUPPORT THE SHOW Leave a Tip: https://atemplewild.com/tip-jar or Become a Monthly Patron: https://atemplewild.com/patron

    29 min
  4. Meet Linda Pappa: Greek Multi-Disciplinary Artist, Designer, and Ritualist

    12/12/2023

    Meet Linda Pappa: Greek Multi-Disciplinary Artist, Designer, and Ritualist

    In today’s special episode, we meet Greek multi-disciplinary artist, designer, and ritualist Linda Pappa. Linda is based on the ancient island of Crete, where she has a home and studio in the mountains. She shares with us her artistic process: how she co-creates with the land, crafting ceramic vessels from wild clay she harvests herself and painting with pigments she makes from local plants and soil. Our conversation wanders into some really interesting places, including her reflections on village life, as well as the dark sides of living in modern Greek culture. In her own words, Linda is pulled by a desire to explore the primordial energy residing in all living things. She crafts ceramic vessels from the wild clay she collects in the wilderness, paints images and talismans of visions received in meditation, crafts medicine in communion with plant allies, and enjoys writing about these processes, sharing what comes through in this sacred path of remembering. Learn more and connect with her at www.lindapappa.com and on Instagram @linda___pappa. DETAILED SHOW NOTES https://atemplewild.com/atemplewild/meet-linda-pappa SUPPORT THE SHOW Leave a Tip: https://atemplewild.com/tipjar Become a Patron: https://atemplewild.com/patron NEVER MISS AN EPISODE https://atemplewild.com/subscribe

    58 min
  5. Hypnos and The Poppy: Ancient Greek Dream Incubation

    05/12/2023

    Hypnos and The Poppy: Ancient Greek Dream Incubation

    In this episode, we’ll be meeting the Greek gods of Night, Sleep, and Dreams — Nyx, Hypnos, the Oneiroi, Mnemosyne, and more. We’ll explore dream rituals in ancient Greece, in particular dream incubation as a means for healing and divination as occurred at the temple of Asclepius in Epidaurus and at the Oracle of Trophonios. We’ll learn about how the Greeks understood their dreams and how they are connected to the Underworld. And we’ll meet one of my favorite flowers of the Greek landscape, the often controversial — and even illegal in some countries — Poppy. DETAILED SHOW NOTES https://atemplewild.com/atemplewild/ancient-greek-dream-incubation NEVER MISS AN EPISODE Subscribe to the newsletter: https://atemplewild.com/subscribe SUPPORT THE SHOW Leave a Tip: https://atemplewild.com/tip-jar or Become a Monthly Patron: https://atemplewild.com/patron

    43 min
  6. Meet the Greek Herbalist: Greek Herbal Tours with Maria Christodoulou

    20/11/2023

    Meet the Greek Herbalist: Greek Herbal Tours with Maria Christodoulou

    In today’s special episode, we meet The Greek Herbalist, Maria Christodoulou. We discuss her experiences as a first generation Greek-American, what it was like encountering the Greek landscape for the first time, how she went from a classics major to studying herbalism to now living in Greece and, among many things, leading the way in herbal immersion tours all over the country. In her own words, Maria is a clinical herbalist exploring the wisdom and whimsy of ancient Greek herbal medicine. In a previous lifetime she lived on a farm in ancient Greece and found the cure for plagues. Maria teaches and writes about medicinal plants featured in fantastical myths, ancient medical texts, and surviving artwork. She offers educational herbal tours throughout Greece and is the author of "The Greek Herbalist's Guide to the National Garden" and "The Greek Herbalist's Guide to the Mountain." For more adventures through antiquity, visit www.thegreekherbalist.com. DETAILED SHOW NOTES https://atemplewild.com/atemplewild/greek-herbal-tours-with-the-greek-herbalist SUPPORT THE SHOW https://atemplewild.com/patron NEVER MISS AN EPISODE https://atemplewild.com/subscribe

    38 min
  7. Coming Home to Greece: Connect to Your Greek Ancestry Through Landscape

    13/11/2023

    Coming Home to Greece: Connect to Your Greek Ancestry Through Landscape

    For those living abroad or without any living relatives in Greece, it can be difficult to find ways to connect with your Greek roots. So in this episode, I share some unique ideas to connect with your Greek ancestry that do not involve genealogy. Instead, I’m going to suggest some other practices for coming home to Greece, even if you are unable to visit in person. If you’re not of Greek heritage, but you feel a deep affinity to Greek culture or mythology, these techniques can also deepen your connection with the mythic Greek landscape. DETAILED SHOW NOTES https://atemplewild.com/atemplewild/connect-to-greek-ancestry SUPPORT THE SHOW https://atemplewild.com/patron NEVER MISS AN EPISODE https://atemplewild.com/subscribe

    14 min
  8. Plants of the Underworld

    02/11/2023

    Plants of the Underworld

    Journey down, into the depths of the earth, to meet the plants of the Greek Underworld — the trees, flowers, herbs, and shrubs that ancient Greek mythology associates with the Realm of the Dead. Along the way, meet the Underworld rivers and entrances to Hades; learn about the sacred kykeon of the Eleusinian Mysteries; discover a shocking truth about Persephone's connection with the seasons; and meet the botanical allies for navigating through death, grief, and the Unseen Realm. DETAILED SHOW NOTES https://atemplewild.com/atemplewild/plants-of-the-underworld SUPPORT THE SHOW Become a Patron: https://atemplewild.com/patron NEVER MISS AN EPISODE Subscribe to the newsletter: https://atemplewild.com/subscribe

    1h 1m
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About

Rediscover the myths of the ancient Greeks through the plants and landscapes that shaped them. Meet the wildflowers, herbs, and trees of the Mediterranean and discover the ancient Greek myths that honor them. Wander ancient Greek temples, groves, and wild sanctuaries that have been celebrated for thousands of years. And come to understand Greek myth and culture not just as stories created by humans, but as traditions growing from the landscape itself: rooted in Mediterranean soil and nourished by the sun, sea, and mountains. For more about the show, visit https://atemplewild.com

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