As the end of summer approaches, it is important to acknowledge the history that can be associated with it. One of the historical beliefs that relates back to ancient Greek mythology. The ancient Greeks had a firm belief in multiple gods and goddesses who were responsible for all of the weather, emotions, and happenings on earth. There are a couple of gods and goddesses held accountable for the change in seasons, and when looking at autumn it is impossible to understand the goddesses Demeter and Persephone. Demeter was the goddess of the harvest, which aligns with the autumn plethora of farming that happens all over the world. Persephone is her younger daughter, responsible for growth and vegetation, and would always be right by her mothers side.
Persephone and Demeter are continuing to shine their light upon the world again as time continues to move towards Autumn, and with their return comes many beneficial aspects of life. The first and foremost thing associated with these goddesses were the growing and thriving of crops and plants, something that would allow millions of people to stay alive every year. They would supply vegetation and bring good luck to the crops. Persephone was known to bring love and thrive to the animals of fall, specifically deer. She would bless the flowers within crops, which typically led to apple trees blooming. These goddesses had many symbols aligned with them in order to represent themselves correctly to other Deities and the people of the world. One of the biggest symbols associated with Demeter was the cornucopia, which represented the plethora of food and opportunity she would bring with her. Although Persephone was originally symbolized with seeds of grain and a bouquet of flowers, she is now syblozed with pomegranates. Though there is a cautionary tale regarding these Goddesses and their interaction with the God Hades, it ultimately leads to the deciding of when Persephone and Demeter will replenish and help the crops and make the earth a more warm and vibrant earth. Persephone was tricked by the God of the underworld, Hades, into staying in the underworld for the six months for the season that would be now determined as winter. Once she is allowed back into the above ground, the normal earth, she can spread her gifts and replenish the earth with her mother’s help. Some of these symbols and stories can be shown in the present day within multiple different places. In America, many Native Americans” celebrate Thanksgiving with the Cornucopia” (blogs.gov) When looking at Autumn within China, they have the highest number of apple trees anywhere in the world. (wikipedia.com) which leads back to the plentiful thrivation of crops thanks to Demeter and Persephone’s gifts. Another symbol of these goddesses can be seen with the animals within fall, how the deer seem to be flourishing and mating to grow the species. (a-z animals.com)
The ancient Greek Goddesses, Persephone and Demeter, are some of the most important Goddesses when it comes to the weather and how it affects the people on earth. Although there can be many different beliefs and reasonings to explain the change in seasons, the moral and insistence that the Ancient Greeks had upheld were the norm for a large time period. Many people would pray and worship these two Greek Goddesses, and in return would see the nice weather and their bountiful crops thriving, and would then continue to pray and worship. Regardless of beliefs, it is important to acknowledge the role that Persephone and Demeter have and continue to play within the changing of seasons. One can see that whenever these goddesses show themselves, the crops are bountiful, the animals are lively, and Autumn is approaching.