Walk on the Wild Side and ExploreMore of the mystical, mountainous island of Crete, where myths and legends abound - Mount Ida, the island's highest summit, sacred to the Goddess Rhea, with the legendary cave in which Zeus was reared and Pnevma, the mountain of the universal spirit. The mountains and gorges of Crete are home to the dittany or origanum dictamnus, which is highly sought after for its healing, therapeutic and aphrodisiac qualities. It is frequently used in magical rituals and spell-casting.

The ancient spirit lives within us
Unwillingly concealed;
The Great Pan did not die,
No; Pan does not die!

Pan was unarguably pagan and primitive. Originally a deity of the Arcadian mountains, evidence can be found of Pan's cult in shrines, caves and altars. It has been said that the paganism of many Greek songs shows that the Greeks have in some ways always remained crypto-pagans.

Ancient sites of worship scattered in remote areas, perched on the mountainsides, often have their own water sources and offer peace and tranquillity as well as panoramic views to soothe and refresh body and spirit. Legend has it that spirits haunt the mountains; if there is a smell of incense in the air, it is said to be a sign that they are good spirits and not demons or vampires.

The Sfakians, on the south coast, always had a reputation for divination; being able to foretell future events by marks on a sheep's shoulder-blade. The abbot of Arkadi maintained that the 1866 rebellion or Great Cretan Revolution - a three year uprising against Ottoman rule - was foretold by these means. The remains of the fourteenth century castle of Frangokastello in Sfakia is reputed to be haunted by supernatural beings. In 1828, 385 men led by Hadzimichalis were decimated by Mustapha Pasha's army. Every year, on May 17th, a phantom army of wraiths can be seen to appear in the dewy hour before sunrise - hence their name of drossoulites or "dew-shades".

"Crete's mystery is extremely deep. Whoever sets foot on this island senses a mysterious force branching warmly and beneficently through his veins, senses his soul and begins to grow."

Nikos Kazantzakis