Persephone
Mythology
Persephone is the Greek Goddess fertility and the spring as well as Queen of the Underworld. She is the daughter of Demeter, the Greek goddess of agriculture and nature.
Persephone is probably most famous for her marriage to Hades, God of the Underworld, but their myth is not one full of romance and courtship. The original myth is filled with abduction and abuse of power, however romanticized it is today.
According to the myth, Hades fell in love with Persephone at first sight, and decided right then and there that he would have her as his wife. Knowing that his brother wouldn’t try to sway his mind to a less selfish endeavor, Hades informed Zeus of his obsession and together they devised a plan to capture Persephone.
While Persephone was wandering outdoors, Hades and Zeus caused the ground to split beneath her and she plummeted to the Underworld where Hades made her his wife. The myth states that initially Persephone was heartbroken but eventually grew to love Hades.
Demeter, fearing for the well-being of her daughter, searched high and low but to no avail. Due to her lack of success, she enlisted the help of Hekate, the goddess of witchcraft, spirits, and crossroads. Hekate sought out Helios, the sun god who is all-seeing to find out what happened to Persephone. He informed them of her abduction and they took to the Underworld, refusing to give up on the innocent maiden.
Demeter begged Hades to allow Persephone to return, imploring him to understand that the Underworld was no place for her daughter to reside. It was agreed that Persephone would be allowed to live with her mother for six months out of the year but would be required to return to the Underworld with Hades for the remaining six months. Persephone ate pomegranate seeds from the Underworld and thus sealed her fate to have to return to Hades for half the year.
The Greeks would throw massive festivals honoring her return and mourning her absence, while honoring the changing of the seasons simultaneously. When she returned to the Underworld, it was a harsh and barren cold, mirroring the emotions of Demeter. The warm season represented Demeter’s joy as plants and wildlife flourish.
Persephone is still honored by some modern-day pagans, reminding us that we can encompass the duality of nature.
Some people reinterpret the myth to mean that Persephone ate the pomegranate seeds as an act of rebellion, knowing the consequence was to be confined to the Underworld for half the year. One could argue that she was ready to live her own life and give in to her affinity for darkness. She might have felt more at home in the Underworld than having to live up to the expectations of the gods and goddesses.
To work with Persephone, you can honor the duality within yourself. Some people invite her to communicate with them in meditation and others create an altar or shrine for her.
Associations For Persephone
Crystals
Peridot
Green Tourmaline
Dioptase
Herbs/Oils/Incense
Flowers
Almond
Vanilla
Floral Incense
Bergamot
Orange
Colors
Green
Black
Indigo
Magenta
Purple
Lavender
Food/Drink
Wine
Dark Chocolate
Floral Tea
Pomegranate
Grains/Bread
Cakes/Pastries
Honey
