Nutmeg.

The scent of some spices, like cinnamon and cloves, can invoke strong memories of a time gone by.  As a child I can remember sprinkling nutmeg on my eggnog and toasting the members of my family seated around the Christmas table, imagining myself so very adult and wicked.  Today, when I think of Christmas I remember that eggnog, and nutmeg that made it special.  I started to wonder where nutmeg came from and I found that  the garden of good intentions is sometimes strewn with the residue of avarice and greed.

The history of nutmeg provides a glimpse into human nature and our propensity to seek power, influence and control.  The nutmeg tree was originally only found in the Banda Islands of Indonesia, sometimes referred to the Spice Islands.  It was believed to be quite rare and thus something of great value, like a first edition Superman comic.  The wealthy classes of Europe sought out nutmeg and attempted to corner the market, a little like some folks have periodically tried to do with silver and gold and yes, oil.   Wars were fought over this seemingly precious, yet innocent, spice.  People died in its name.  It wasn’t until someone realized that the nutmeg tree would grow quite well in other locales that the supply increased, the conflicts diminished and the Spice Wars ended.

If it could speak to us, I think the nutmeg tree would be the first of many living things to tell Homo sapiens to chill out; take some time to smell the roses, gaze upon the distant stars, and drink the eggnog.  Not necessarily at the same time though; don’t want to overdo it.