The Ritual Master The Magus is not a sunny happy book, the subjects debated are deep and the mystery is sometimes heavy. But the beautiful thing about John Fowles’ writing is that he manages to describe a general scenery that is quite pleasant. After all these years, I still think of it as a greek infused summer moment. So let’s get into the atmosphere with some well picked rituals.
The perfume of summer
Every woman has a scent that reminds her of summer. Even the classic, faithful to one fragrance for lifetime, type of woman, likes to indulge in a summer treat for the senses. And it is well known that a classic perfume with a high acohol content can cause pigmentation under heavy sunlight. So my choice for an instant moment on a Greek island, is the Karma body mist by Rituals. It has the freshness of white tea and the depth of holy lotus, to transport you into crystal clear waters, and give you a moment of summer, all year long. The alcohol free formula is safe for your hair as well, so you can have a whiff of that island every time you move. This is not a perfume I would wear all year round, but it certainly is the scent that transports me instantly to a sunny beach.
A Greek salad with a twist
One of the most memorable sensation that the novel imprinted in my mind, is the constant, suffocating heat. So you cannot dream of anything better than a fresh salad to munch on in the shade, and enjoy the crisp delight. And who can say greek salad without feta cheese. Today, I decided to mix sweet and savoury, and pair the strong-headed feta, with some watermelon.On a bed of peppery roquette, treated with the respect of some olive oil and cream of balsamic vinegar, I place the watermelon cubes, fresh from the fridge. Then, the moment of tactile pleasure arrives, as I crumble the feta cheese with my fingers, straight onto the salad. It falls in heavy white lumps, the essence of the Greek spirit, a condiment, a full meal, a cheese from the Greek Gods, the perfect companion of rich black olives, fruit of the burning sun. The combination is simply exquisite, a salad to satisfy your appetite, to quench your thirst and to bring Greece a little closer to home. Once you finish eating, you are ready to get back to the novel and find out more of the thrilling plot.
The beauty ritual of a Greek Goddess
When it comes to skincare, I have tested many trends and brands. And while I find home-made cosmetics to be an instantly gratifying project, not all products are equal to their store-bought equivalents. So while I keep getting my serums and creams in French pharmacies, I like to play around with home made face masks every once in a while, because nothing says at-home-spa better than a face mask.
The yoghurt mask has been around for centuries, so we tend to lose sight of its benefits with time. But what better opportunity than reading a novel set in Greece, to test out a greek yoghurt face mask. The lactic acid naturally present in yoghurt helps to gently exfoliate the skin, and to better hold on to moisture afterwards. I mix in some colloidal oatmeal, but you can simply grind some oat flakes in your food processor. It is one of the most soothing ingredients for an type of skin. Add a teaspoon of honey for extra hydration and antibacterial properties, and you’re set. Spread it generously over your face and neck (the greek yoghurt is thicker so it will not drip as much), and lie down for 15 minutes, with your eyes closed, while you listen to the cicadas outside, and the distant music of an island tavern…
For some, Greece is familiar territory, last year’s holiday and the best calamari they ever had. For others, it is a mirage, constructed from books, pictures and sounds, some culinary discoveries made in distant lands, and the idea they have of Greek culture from music, mythology and an innate curiosity. It is more research than experience, but a tribute nontheless to this ancient culture. I hope you have enjoyed these few greek inspired rituals, and that they will make your summer evenings more pleasant.
Until next time, enjoy your reading and your rituals !
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