The Olive’s Many Blessings

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​Olea europaea

Olea europaea means European Olive, and is associated with peace. 

Gender: Masculine
Element: Fire
Planet: Sun
​

​The olive, the fourth in our series, is an evergreen, like the other three. It is the genus of about 40 species, native to the Mediterranean. 

Olives and olive oil are associated with Mediterranean cuisine. Greeks use the most olive oil per capita followed by Spain, Italy, Tunisia, Portugal, Syria, Joran and Lebanon. I’m fairly confident my  annual  consumption is equivalent to the Greeks per capita at 24 liters (6.3 U.S. gallons). 

​Recipe for Tapenade

In addition to its culinary contributions,  the olive has powers to protect, heal, increase fertility, hope and peace. 

Hanging an olive branch over your doorway will prevent evil  spirits from entering and provide protection. Volumes have been written about the health benefits of olive oil. Brides in Greece wore wreaths of olive leaves to ensure fertility and eating the olives was also  said to be helpful.  

Noah  released a dove  after the flood  and  it returned to the ark, carrying a freshly plucked olive branch, which  symbolized hope, an indication of dry land after a flood. 
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​Ancient Greek and Roman civilizations used the olive branch to represent peace following battles. When the losing side admitted defeat, they presented the olive branch to indicate their readiness to surrender. Eirene (Irene), the goddess of peace in Ancient Greece, was fond of the olive.

In 1949, Picasso created a dove carrying an olive branch for the World  Peace Congress, and the combination of the  dove and the olive branch strengthened their associations with  peace. 

​The  Dove of Peace
by  Pable Picasso

Created for the  
World Peace Congress  
in  Paris
in 1949

The olive reminds us to have  hope, healing and to embrace peace.
May 2021 be abundant with these blessings.