Aphrodisiacs and Neo-paganism

Aphrodisiacs

My first encounter with aphrodisiacs was about twelve years ago after reading "Afrodita" by Isabel Allende. At the time I was still newly married to a charming Scotsman, so the idea of using aphrodisiacs never crossed my mind and the book just meant a very good read with delicious recipes. It is only now that I realize that maybe all these delicious recipes have had something to do with our very active sexual life during all these years!

Two years ago we moved to France, to a small town where life runs slowly around the seasons. Life in the French countryside discovered to me an unimaginable richness of plants, herbs, recipes and ways of life destined to commune with nature and fill the senses. Around here there is not much to do apart from domestic work. The families are usually big and is not rare for a mom to stay at home taken care of the children and the household. There are lots of land in here, so most people have at the very least a little "potager" or planting plot for vegetables. Most women are masters at using every single vegetable and herb growing in their plot. Fathers and grandfathers are also enthusiasts in the kitchen. So, these households produce the most delicious jams, compotes, pies, soups and even liqueurs!! Nothing is wasted, the plums are used for tarts and the stones of the plums are used for flavouring liqueurs. Even the thorns of a certain type of rose are used to flavour a most exquisite beverage made with wine and "eau de vie".

As I started to be accepted in the French circle, new neighbours and friends started to show me the curative and aphrodisiatic powers or certain products. I must emphasize that most of my neighbours are retired already, so I take it very seriously when with a naughty smile they reveal to me a "new" aphrodisiac.

Neo-Paganism

In moving to France almost by accident I also discovered a form of Neo-Paganism. A religion very appropriate for this place, where cult to nature seems more authentic than cult to saints in any church. As my interest in Neo-paganism grew, also did my knowledge of nature and sexuality and the link between the two of them. I found fascinating the search for harmony and balance with nature and understood sexuality not only linked to pleasure but also as a source of energy.

I like the ideas championed by the ancient Celts, Bretons and Irish traditions. I like to combine them with meditation, yoga, alternative therapies and natural aphrodisiacs. I love to think that the big pine tree in my garden has a deeper meaning than just a tree, I like to think of it as a source of energy a protecting entity to my home. It was revealing the last Beltane, when at dawn I went out to dance naked around my decorated pine tree. I felt myself full of energy in communion with the universe; and for what I heard a few days later... it was an aphrodisiatic experience for my sixty year old neighbour who was walking his dog that morning on the hill overlooking my garden !!!!