"I am the beauteous daughter of Demeter, She who is the giver of Life, known to all as Persephone. I have kissed the face of Depression and Despair, through my compassion for others, I have created the Mysteries, so all may realize and grow.”

On her wanderings, Persephone came upon the spirits of the dead, hovering around their earthly homes, restless and hungering.

"While I walk along the sandy shores, or chance to pick wildflowers near the mountains, I hear the saddest of sounds!" she cried out to her mother, Demeter.

"How I hoped I could be spare you this one sound", exclaimed Demeter. "Yes, tis true, my compassionate child. Those in the Underworld cry out for loving care and attention, on their way to the Cauldron of Rebirth. But with all the living to nurture, I simply don’t have the time.”

Persephone became haunted by the suffering of these spirits. She could no longer enjoy the beauty of the earth, thinking of their misery. She resolved to go into the Underworld herself and nurture these spirits.

“I have collected three poppies, three sheaves of wheat, and pomegrante seeds, and am eager to go and tend to those in need.”

“My love shall be your torch, my dearest daughter", said Demeter.

And so, slowly, alone, she descended into the Underworld. Hearing the moans of the dead, she found an enormous cavern filled with tormented spirits, the dead wandering about in despair. She prepared a bowel of pomegranate seeds, since many call it the “food of the dead”. As each of the spirits approached her, she fed them with the seeds and said:

“You have waxed into the fullness of life, and waned into the darkness; May you be renewed in tranquility and wisdom. So nurtured, you may enter Great Hecate’s Gates.” *

Inspired by Charlene Spretnak's story of Persephone. © 1996 Paulette Reynolds. All rights reserved. Please contact Lady Paulette for permission to reprint: Sanctaluna@hotmail.com

* Spretnak, Charlene. Lost Goddesses of Early Greece: A Collection of Pre-Hellenic Myths. Boston: Beacon, 1978. (111-117)