Persephone Dreams of Spring

Added 1608572015 by Roy Whiddon.

In Greek mythology, Persephone was the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Demeter, goddess of fertility and the harvest. Hades kidnapped Persephone and took her to the underworld to be his queen. Mourning the loss of her daughter, Demeter neglected her duties—crops withered, and the earth became barren. Zeus located Persephone, demanded her return, and sent Hermes to retrieve her. But Hades tricked Persephone into eating six pomegranate seeds, which, by divine law, required her to return to the underworld for six months every year.

Whenever Persephone returned to earth, Demeter rejoiced, the world blossomed, and crops were bounteous. When Persephone was in the underworld, Demeter became depressed, crops died off and the world became cold and barren. The cycle of the seasons was born.