Demeter, the goddess of the harvest- the fourth Olympian
Demeter; the goddess of the harvest; who rules over grains and the fertility of the Earth. In Greek mythology, Demeter is said to have gifted mankind with agriculture and the Elysian Mysteries. The Elysian mysteries were a process of acts that the initiates did for a better after-life.
One famous story that Demeter participates in is in the story of the abduction of her daughter, Persephone. Zeus and Hades made a deal that Hades would have Persephone’s hand in marriage. After Hades abducted Persephone, Demeter went out to search for her. She had no idea that Hades would be the one who kidnapped her daughter. Why should she? As she searched for her daughter, she started to lax on her duties as a god. Famine and drought wrought the land, and people started to get angry with the gods. To save their reputation, Zeus sent Hermes to get back Persephone. Persephone, who had begun to like the Underworld, decided to eat the pomegranate seeds. Each pomegranate seed that you ate would bind you to the Underworld for a month, she ate four. It’s during her absence that winter sets in on Earth. This satisfied both her mother, Demeter, and her husband,Hades.
One famous story that Demeter participates in is in the story of the abduction of her daughter, Persephone. Zeus and Hades made a deal that Hades would have Persephone’s hand in marriage. After Hades abducted Persephone, Demeter went out to search for her. She had no idea that Hades would be the one who kidnapped her daughter. Why should she? As she searched for her daughter, she started to lax on her duties as a god. Famine and drought wrought the land, and people started to get angry with the gods. To save their reputation, Zeus sent Hermes to get back Persephone. Persephone, who had begun to like the Underworld, decided to eat the pomegranate seeds. Each pomegranate seed that you ate would bind you to the Underworld for a month, she ate four. It’s during her absence that winter sets in on Earth. This satisfied both her mother, Demeter, and her husband,Hades.