Full Moon Greetings – July 3, 2023
Ancient Fava Beans
Fava beans (Vicia faba) have been cultivated around the Mediterranean for a very long time – since at least 6,000 BCE. So you can imagine in that long history that a range of stories, myths, and opinions might arise about this plant. Some of the beliefs are positive and others are decidedly negative.
For example, Pythagoras, the Greek philosopher and mathematician, believed it was dangerous to eat favas. Interestingly, Pythagoras and his followers were vegetarians, and the beans could have provided them with a great protein source. But he was adamant that they were not edible. They were considered omens of death. Plus, the shape of the beans and their hollow stems could be home to evil spirits.
Positive Associations
In other times and places, the beans still held a relationship to the spirit world, but in a positive way. Fave dei morti, literally “Beans of the Dead”, are cookies eaten in parts of Italy on All Saints Day. The original recipes contained fava beans mixed with sugar. They were given to attendees at wakes and were also symbolic gifts for the dead. In most modern recipes the fava beans have been replaced with almonds, but they are still called fave dei morti. (For more on this tradition see Beans of the Dead: the Sweet Venetian Tradition of November 2).
In ancient Egypt, the beans were buried with the dead to sustain them in the afterlife. They also had the very positive reputation of promoting fertility.
And in Sicily and parts of Italy, the Vicia faba is considered good luck and plays a role in celebrating St. Joseph’s day. Carrying a bean in one’s wallet brings good fortune and prosperity. And placing a bean in the panty will ensure the panty stays full.
Differing Perspectives
It is fascinating to consider what helps shape opinions, stories and myths. In the case of Vicia faba, the beans are nutrient dense. They are high in protein, minerals and vitamins. And they are easy to grow and could be a great choice for people to include in their diets.
So where did the negative associations originate? One possibility is from the genetic disorder, favism. Favism is rare, but for individuals affected by it, eating fava beans causes a type of anemia and can result in death. Although ancient people would not have known the exact cause, if someone close to them had died from favism they might have suspected fava beans. And we will never know for sure, but perhaps Pythagoras intuitively knew he had favism and so avoided the beans.
Positive Perspectives & Why You Should Plant Favas
Evil spirits aside, my perspective of favas is very positive. They are beautiful, nutritious, and a great garden plant.
In the Garden
One of the best reasons to plant fava beans is that they give back to the garden in a big way. Like other beans, they make nitrogen available in the soil for other plants, through a process called nitrogen fixing. Together with bacteria in the soil, they convert nitrogen into a usable form. Additionally, Vicia faba is a tall plant that creates a lot of green mass. Even if you don’t eat favas, you can grow them as a kind of green manure. Once the plants are mature you simply cut them down and let them decompose.
Favas are easy to grow. They are a cool weather crop and can be planted as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring. In fact, if you wait until later, the plants will not be happy. In some places, favas can be planted in the fall and will germinate the next spring. I could make that happen in my Pennsylvania garden but have not been able to duplicate it here in Denver, so I stick to early spring planting.
Beauty
Another reason to consider fava beans is that the plants and the flowers are beautiful. The plants are sturdy and erect, and the white flowers tinged with black are distinctive and fragrant. They resemble tiny butterflies. Once the soft fuzzy bean pods form, they stand out from the stem giving the plant a unique look.
Edible (for most)
Fava beans have a hearty creamy flavor and can be used green or dried. They are often substituted for garbanzo beans in falafels and other dishes. An easy recipe is to sauté the green fava beans with garlic and dandelion or other greens. Leaves of Vicia faba are also edible so you can make this dish entirely from the fava bean plant.
Energetic Properties and Reminders
Fava beans are nutritious and a boon to the garden. And they have many energetic properties including strength, beauty, and mystery. But I think one of their most important traits is the reminder about differing perspectives. Millions of people all over the world eat fava beans, but for a tiny part of the population the beans can be deadly. One’s perspective about the plant would of course be influenced by this fact.
Even if we don’t completely understand another’s perspective or opinion, taking a moment to consider how and why it originated can help us get past differences. So, in addition to all the other gifts Vicia faba provides, it can serve as a reminder that we each have a unique relationship with the world around us. And differing perspectives may be rooted in different life experiences. Even if we don’t agree, the reminder can help us cultivate respect.
Lunar Blog Post Series
This post is part of my lunar blog series. Each full moon I write about one plant, many of them are plants featured in my book, Growing Mindful. Each new moon I write about a topic related to gardens, mindfulness, and spirituality. For more details and a list of past lunar blog posts, click here.
