Persephone
Goddess of Vegetation, Spring and the Underworld.
Introducing my favourite Goddess Persephone. (if you don’t already know her) We can all relate to different gods and goddesses at different times in our lives, They support us through many challenges we face in our lifetimes. I have always felt close to Persephone and she has a special place in my heart and will always be apart of me and all of us!
Persephone was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, and was known as the Goddess of Spring as she represented growth.
Persephone as a young girl or maiden was known as Kore, however after hades kidnapped her she took on the name of Persephone which literally means to destroy or to bring death. Eventually Persephone adjusted and excepted her life with Hades in the underworld and became the true queen of the underworld!
Although she still remains and will always remain the Goddess of Spring.
Persephone gave her whole heart to the role of internal Goddess of death! She was often more respected and sometimes feared than Hades himself, who is the original god of the dead.
Persephone made the underworld her own and she spent part of the year with Demeter, her mother and the other part with her husband Hades in the underworld.
When Persephone was spending time with her mother Demeter, the earth seemed to thrive, plants grew, flowers bloomed, Birds sang their song, Animals explored and new life was created. Perfume filled the air, there was warm, bright sunshine that reflected off the clear, pure and still waters.
However when Persephone was with her husband Hades in the Underworld, plants began to stop growing and flowering, the crops withered away, the sun hid behind the clouds, the Birds stopped singing, other Animals went into hibernation and everything was covered with frost!
This is how Persephone came to be associated with Spring, new life and growth and also with the earth and Animals retreating through the winter.
However brutal it seems, the story of Hades and Persephone is often thought of and told as quite a romantic love story! This is a bit about how it all started…
Persephone was out picking flowers with her elemental friends of nature, when in an instant the earth began to open up and Hades appeared before her. Hades, known as the king of the underworld, dragged Persephone into his black horse driven chariot, and just like that they were both beneath the earth and heading to his home the Underworld! Persephone tried to put up a fight, but in the end all she could do was cry. Her cry was heard by Hecate Who took the message to Demeter, Persephone’s mother. Hades felt he had the right to take Persephone as his brother Zeus, father of Persephone had given Hades his permission. They never mentioned it to Persephone’s mother Demeter as they both knew she would stand firmly against the idea and never allow it to happen!
When Persephone’s mother Demeter heard about Hades taking her daughter, She wreaked havoc upon the earth, whilst searching for Persephone.
She begged and pleaded with her husband and Persephone’s father Zeus to order Hades to release Persephone. Zeus did as she asked, however Persephone had already eaten some pomegranate in the underworld and as a result she was unable to leave the underworld for good, part of her would always remain in the underworld with Hades.
She was however able to spend two-thirds of the year with her mother Demeter and she did, making them all a bit happier about the situation!
This situation represents the duality of Persephone’s life and personality. Existing both above and below and this is why they believed the harvest seasons existed.
Persephone to me represents, strength, sacrifice, wisdom, knowledge and adaptability. She is strong, fierce and loving, Both wise and vulnerable. Both independent and needy! And above all a true Goddess!!!
