Persephone (rituals, Earth, tradition, hell, myth)

[Mike182]

Feathers, Nutshell and I got distracted in a different thread, and started talking about Persephone and Hades, and the mythology surrounding them.

this thread is to continue the discussion, without getting in the way of another thread's progress

so, where shall we begin? im gonna do some searching on their stories, but the one i was brought up with was that persephone wonderd into the underworld as an act of rebellion against her mothers over protection, and when she was down there, saw something in Hades that others could not see. she saw his true passion, and fell in love with him!

Demeter is Persephone's mother, and Zeus is her Father. Demeter is the goddess of Earth, and she was over protective of Persephone. when her daughter ran away from her, Demeter cast a bitter winter over all the Earth, to last until her daughter returns to her.

Persephone was then torn between Hades, the man she loved, and her love for the people of the earth who would suffer her mothers eternal wrath! she chose to split the year into two halfs, and the first half she would spend with her mother, spring and summer, and then she would decend into the underworld to be with her lover, and her mothers cold would decend upon the earth for autumn and winter.

but of course, this is not the only variation of that story, but i like this one, i just find it so much more romantic

[Feathers in Hair]

While I like that version, I also find the other, more traditional one, rewarding- that Persephone was taken to the underworld against her will and that eating the seeds wasn't so much an act of rebellion, but one of either ignorance (she didn't know what they would do), mercy (she wanted to tend to the souls) or love (to stay with Hades).

Kore, in her aspect as someone who visited the underworld involuntarily but chooses to go back to help others, seems to be the perfect patron or example for those who have survived a horrific situation but is then willing to help others because of the experience she's been through. Perhaps because I see her in this manner, I prefer this version of the story, but I accept whatever version that people enjoy finding wisdom in.

[Mike182]

Originally Posted by FeathersinHair

While I like that version, I also find the other, more traditional one, rewarding- that Persephone was taken to the underworld against her will and that eating the seeds wasn't so much an act of rebellion, but one of either ignorance (she didn't know what they would do), mercy (she wanted to tend to the souls) or love (to stay with Hades).

Kore, in her aspect as someone who visited the underworld involuntarily but chooses to go back to help others, seems to be the perfect patron or example for those who have survived a horrific situation but is then willing to help others because of the experience she's been through. Perhaps because I see her in this manner, I prefer this version of the story, but I accept whatever version that people enjoy finding wisdom in.

are their any other versions that you know of? ive only really known the one i posted, and it aint got no seeds in it

[Feathers in Hair]

Hehee, you'd think, what with her being one of my favorite goddesses, that I'd know more versions! I find myself lacking!

Most versions I've been told or read have Persephone picking flowers with her fellow maidens on a beautiful day, when either her beauty, her laughter, or simply her light attracts the attention of Hades.

The seeds mentioned in 'my' version are pomegrante seeds, which Kore's sometimes given when she arrives at the underworld, sometimes toward the end of her stay. In a lot of traditions, even if you're alive, when you eat the food of the underworld, one has to stay there. I think the amount she ate was a deciding factor in Zeus' ruling of how long she would have to stay in the underworld out of each year. For example, she ate 6 or 4 seeds out of 12, so she would stay down that many months of the year.

Because of the love between Kore and her mom, though, I always got the impression that she was nearly as sad as her mother at her being taken away as her mom was.

Another topic worth bringing up is the Elusian (sp?) Mysteries.

[Mike182]

Originally Posted by FeathersinHair

Another topic worth bringing up is the Elusian (sp?) Mysteries.

can i get a witness please someone? it's post number 4 and she's already changing topic

[Feathers in Hair]

Heheee, I swear it's not changing the topic! Witness, take note! (I'd think it more noteworthy if my scatterbrained self reached post 4 and had not veered off topic!)

From this helpful site:

The youthful Persephone was gathering roses and lilies, violets and crocuses, hyacinths and narcissuses, when the earth sundered and Pluto, ruler of the Underworld, arose from the ground. The god seized the maiden and carried her off to the lower realms for his bride. Deep in grief, her mother Demeter traveled the land until Apollo, the sun god, related the fate of her daughter. The Earth Mother retired to Eleusis and in her sorrow withheld the blessing of growth from all the seeds of the earth.

- From traditional Greek lore.


Demeter and her daughter Persephone were associated with fertility and harvest. They were also representative of the feminine call to men of the wonders of domestic bliss. To farmers, the favor of the pair was crucial. Pre-season sacrifices and offerings of first fruits were widespread. The harvest festivals were celebrated only by women, and much of it remained secretive.

This sense of true mystery surrounding the rites of Demeter and Persephone has been long debated. Yet, it seems natural considering the great mystery contained in the processes of birth, growth, death and regeneration. These are the primary aspects of life which the pair govern.

Demeter and Persephone
Eleusinian Mystery Initiation
Image: Rhey Cedron
The rites of Eleusis were the most influential of the Mystery religions. These ceremonies were accessible to both sexes. What initiates came away with was a sense of security in the afterlife, and a sense of bounty guaranteed in this world. Above all, Demeter was a provider, a premier mother. Through the rituals, regeneration of growth on earth was secured by mortal union with the goddess. Less of a secretive mystery, than intimate participation in the cycles of life.


"In all ages of which we have any literary records, we find a tradition of a recondite knowledge which could not be disclosed to any save to those who had undergone the severest tests as to their worthiness to receive it. This knowledge was very generally known under the term of theMysteries..."

- William Kingsland

[nutshell]

I'll be your witness regarding her changing topics. hehe

As for Persephone, the version I've heard was the one Feather's first posted.

I'm curious. Do the Elusian Mysteries have anything to do with the Elusian Fields of the afterlife or am I confusing things??? And now that I think about it, what's the differences between the underworld ruled by Hades and the Elusian Fields?