Cook, Arthur B.: Zeus: a study in ancient religion (Band 3,1): Zeus god of the dark sky (earthquake, clouds, wind, dew, rain, meteorits): Text and notes (Cambridge, 1940)

292 Rain-magic in modern Greece

to get any detailed information as the girls, especially the older ones, are shy,
and only the smaller girls go through their observances in the light of day. The
others prefer the screen of night, which shelters them from the prying eyes of
the boys.'

G. F. Abbott1 points out that this picturesque custom, which is now
little more than a pastime, had once a serious purpose. Behind the
water-jar with its sprigs of basil and talk of sweethearts lies the
old-world endeavour to bring about fertility. The hydromancy pre-
supposes rain-magic; and the little girl in her bridal veil, who goes
the round of the conduits, is—if I am not much mistaken—the
playful and unconscious representative of Mother Earth herself.

Another group of festivals that imply rain-magic is characterised
by much mutual drenching of the celebrants with water, salt or
fresh. For instance, off the coast of Lykia lies Megiste (Kastellorizo)*
an island destitute of springs and exposed to serious droughts.
Miss M. Hamilton2 (Mrs G. Dickins) has given a graphic account
of the way in which its inhabitants keep the festival of Saint
Elias (July 20):

'St Elias is considered lord of rain, and at the time of his festival in July a
great amount of reciprocal drenching takes place. For many days before the
feast the children throw each other clothed into the sea, and get drenched head
to foot: they go round the roads calling aloud r a" 'A/a, making the saint's narne
their cry, and drag along everyone whom they find dry. This they do with the
impunity which comes from ecclesiastical support. On the feast-day no one cai
go dry through the streets, and sponge-fishers even drag people from their
houses to the sea. The whole village is drenched as if with rain.'

Miss Hamilton3 justly compares the chief celebration in Kypros:

'At Pentecost the seaports, such as Larnaka and Lemesso, are frequented
by large assemblies of country people. Every one bathes in the sea, where they
call it the Holy Shore ("Atos FuiXos). Then they take little boats and sail near to
the shore all day long, amusing themselves with music and such pleasantries as
mutual drenchings. It is unlucky not to get wet on this day, and they have the
custom of sprinkling water all over their houses also. In inland districts the)
go to rivers and springs, and bathe and splash each other. The festival 1
officially called the Deluge (KaranXvo-fios), but in common talk the islander
speak of it as the festival of Aphrodite, for they cherish the memory of the g°
dess of Paphos.'

1 G. F. Abbott Macedonian Folklore Cambridge 1903 p. 53. nIo

2 M. Hamilton Creek Saints and Their Festivals Edinburgh and London '9 .
p. 123, cp. p. 20. Fad. in the Ann. Brit. ScA. Ath. 1906—1907 xiii. 354 (cited stl*
182 f.). ,nlO

3 M. Hamilton Greek Saints and Their Festivals Edinburgh and London
p. 153 f. (after A. Sakellarios Ta Kvirpiana Alliens 1868 i. 702), cp. p'. '-4-