Demeter

Blessing: Demeter is a Goddess of the earth, especially the cycles of growth and decay. But unlike Gaia, who is concerned with all life — plant, animal, human, etc — Demeter’s focus is the tilled and cultivated soil of an agricultural community. She is also the Mother, intensely devoted to her daughter. When her daughter was stolen from her, she was prepared to stamp out all life in return. Instead of death, however, her grief gave rise to Mysteries of transformation and hope.

Epithets: Erinus (Raging), Kabeiria (Mother of the Kabeiroi), Karpophoros (Bringing Fruit), Khloe (Verdant), Khthonia (Earthly One), Kidaria, Kourotrophos (Protector of Youth), Lousia (Mild), Melaina (Black), Meter (Mother)

Equated with: Ceres, Isis, Rhea

Associations: torch, crown, stalks of grain, horse, snake, grain, poppy, sunflower, cypress, storax, myrrh, civet, olibanum

Festivals:
Eleusinia (Gorpiaios 15)
Thesmophoria (11-13 Dios)
Festival of the Valley (7 Payni)

Ways to honor: Plant and care for a garden. Even a small plant in a pot will help you connect with her, as you watch it grow and nourish it. Plant or purchase heirloom fruits, vegetables and grains. Support the rights of farmers and migrant agricultural workers. Theirs is not an easy life, and yet without their toil, our society would grind to a halt. Donate money or time to rape crisis counseling. Give of your time and gifts to children. Support single mothers.

Ancient Texts:

Excerpt from Concerning Images by Porphyry

Excerpt from Geographia by Strabo

Excerpt from Greek Lyric V

Excerpts from The Histories by Herodotus

Excerpt from Homeric Hymn XIII (To Demeter)

Hymn VI (To Demeter) by Callimachus

Orphic Hymn XL (To Demeter)

Orphic Hymn XLI (To Demeter)

Medieval, Renaissance and Early Modern Texts: Forthcoming

Modern Texts:

Awaken by Melia Suez