The Tale of the Witch of Pelion

Once upon a time, they said, high in the mountains of Pelion — where the chestnut trees whisper lullabies to the wind and the shadows of circling hawks fall on the bright surface of the Aegean — there lived a Witch. In a house wrapped in the scent of sage, lavender and rosemary.

She was not a wicked witch, though, like the ones in the old stories. Her magic was born of her love for nature.

She knew every plant and every herb that grew on the slopes of the mountain. She understood the song of the birds, waited patiently for the rock roses to bloom and gathered the first chestnuts of autumn. She believed in the strength that trees keep hidden, and knew how to draw on their wisdom.

From the herbs she made fragrant soaps, healing balms, natural bath salts and sweet-smelling blends. Their fruit she turned into traditional spoon sweets, while wood, stones and the small treasures of the forest became little works of art.

She knew that true magic hides in the simplest moments.

• ♥  In bread baked with patience.
• ♥  In the morning song of the birds.
• ♥  In the smell of the earth after rain.
• ♥  And in a house that makes you feel you have returned to a place you always carried in your heart. A tender, welcoming house, like a warm embrace.

One day she opened her house to travellers. Not to enchant them, but to remind them how beautiful a simple life can be. How large and generous people can be. And how wonderful it is to live in the here and now.

She took care that no one should ever feel like a chance visitor. For she believed that every person appears in our life for a reason: some to teach us something, some to inspire us, and some to give us a little rest or a little strength.

And you have come all the way here. To the mythical land of the Centaurs, where wise Chiron lived, the healer and teacher. To the place where, according to the ancient myths, the gods rested — and where, the legends say, the Witches live still.

Walk the stone paths of Tsagarada, listen to the song of the forest, admire the fairy-tale houses and take a deep breath of air that carries centuries of history.

And perhaps, without even noticing, you will take a little of the magic of Pelion with you. And then you will understand that you too have become part of it.