Kore-Persephone

Blessing: As Kore, she is the Spring Maiden, who delights in new growth and bursting blooms. As Persephone, she is the Queen of the Underworld, who remains below the earth six months out of year. Haides is a distant and frightening God, but Persephone is approachable, since there is still something of the upper world about her. She offers comfort and solace to those who have died, or lost a loved one, and she aids in the transition from life to death. Her Mysteries offer the hope of a better fate in the afterlife. She also protects us against magic and violence.

Epithets: Agne (Pure), Auxesia, Averna, Azesia, Brimo, Calligeneia, Carpophores, Deione, Despoina (Mistress), Eleusina, Epaine (Awesome), Hermione, Kore (Maiden), Meliboea, Melitodes, Soteira, Thesmia

Alternate Forms of Her Name: Persephassa, Persephatta, Proserpina

Equated with: Libera, Ariadne, Aphrodite, Hekate, Nyx, Nephthys, Hathor

Associations: torch, crown, stalks of grain, mint, pomegranate, narcissus, poplars, willow, pigs

Festivals:
Eleusinia (Gorpiaios 15)
Epiphany of Aion (10 Tybi)
Thesmophoria (11-13 Dios)
Festival of the Valley (7 Payni)

Ways to honor: Plant flowers. Nurture new plant life. Support heritage seeds cultivators. Give comfort to those who have lost a loved one. Appreciate the gift of life, and how fragile and precious it is. Donate money or time to rape crisis centers.

See also Queen of the Sacred Way, a devotional anthology in honor of Persephone from Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

Ancient Texts:

Excerpt from Concerning Images by Porphyry

Excerpt from Epiphanios of Eleutheroupolis

Fragment from Supplementum Magicum

Orphic Hymn XXIX (To Persephone)

Two Greek Lyrics

Medieval, Renaissance and Early Modern Texts: Forthcoming

Modern Texts:

The Ascent by Melia Suez

Hymn to Persephone by Satiah

Hymn to Persephone IV by Rebecca Buchanan