Demeter

[Myth]

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Demeter is the daughter of Chronus and Rhea (Cybele), sister to Zeus and Hestia, and thus originally an Olympian. She was desired by Posiedon and to avoid his advances she fled to Arcadia, where she transformed herself into a mare. Posiedon was able to find her however and transformed himself into a stallion (the union of which produced Arion, a talking horse).

Outraged by the indignity that Posiedon had inflicted upon her, Demeter left Olympus and hid in the caverns of Arcadia. Zeus talked her into returning, after she had cleansed herself in the river Ladon. Zeus later joined with her and the result was Demeter's daughter Persephone. [Demeter]

Demeter is first and foremost a goddess of the earth, with dominion over the fruits and riches of the fields. She is especially a goddess of the corn. She presides over the harvest and the labour that attends to it. Her symbol is an ear of corn, and her temples were called Megara.

Secondly, Demeter is a mother figure and is shown as being devoted to her daughter Persephone. Hers is not obsessive but devoted motherhood. When Persephone was abducted by Hades (see the Persephone page) she stopped the cycle of the seasons so that no plant would grow, until the other Olympians were able to persuade Hades to return her daughter.

 

Prayer to Demeter

Goddess of the earth and it's plants, of fertility and harvest, mother of Persephone and sister to Hestia.

Grant that as I grow and develop my garden, husband my plants, animals and pets, that they grow, are nurtured and protected as best can be.

Give me the strength to adjust to the seasons, neither too rigid nor too pliable, and the ability to change and adapt to life.

Assist me in respecting and communing with nature.

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