Someone on the internet once said, “If Persephone can be both the goddess of Spring and Queen of the Underworld, then so can you.” If ever there was an affirmation that speaks to my soul, this is it. Thanks, Tumblr! And with the recent turn to autumn and slowing down of life in the garden, I’ve been thinking about how to honor the changing seasons in a way that acknowledges this all-important shift and my goddess girl gang right hand lady, Persephone (also known as Kore). But first, let’s recap the Persephone myth so it’s fresh in your mind.
Persephone’s Story
As it goes, Kore (meaning “maiden”) was minding her own business on a beautiful day out in a meadow when Hades decided to kidnap her so that she could live as his wife and queen in the Underworld as “Persephone.” Rude.
Understandably distraught, Persephone’s mother Demeter wandered the land in search of her daughter. But as Demeter was the goddess of agriculture, the land suffered while her attention was elsewhere. The people in turn began to suffer and starve, so Zeus allowed mother and daughter to reunite. But there’s always a catch, is’t there?
In this case, Persephone was now bound to the Underworld because she had eaten seeds from a pomegranate that Hades gave to her. And once you eat in the Underworld, there you shall stay. However, they brokered a deal wherein Persephone could spend two-thirds of the year with her mother, returning to Hades and the Underworld for the remaining third.
As you can probably guess, this became the explanation for the changing seasons and the slow descent into winter for a portion of the year. But while Persephone is most known for being the Queen of the Underworld, her return to Earth ushers in the new growing season, and she is simultaneously honored as the goddess of spring.
The Persephone/Demeter relationship was a huge deal in Ancient Greece, spawning one of the best-known religious rites of the time, the Eleusinian Mysteries. And while Persephone may have started out as a victim, part of the allure of the story is her decision to take charge and embrace both roles — both goddess of Spring and Queen of the Underworld. It’s an appealing dichotomy, and it feels real.
It’s heartening to see that over the years folks have taken the mythology into their own hands, offering a different twist on the story. Mythology is just that — myth. Oral stories passed down and bastardized like a thousand-year-old game of telephone. So why not change it up?
Pomegranate Symbolism
There’s no denying that pomegranates are stunning to behold. But they also have a rich mythological, religious, and folkloric history across many cultures, which makes the fall season extra meaningful for those us in the Northern hemisphere with witchy inclinations. Each seed is a jewel, bursting with ruby red juice that’s both sweet and tart. Basically, pomegranates are sensual AF.
Pomegranates have been cultivated in the Middle East for thousands of years, and they feature heavily in various dishes and traditions originating from the region. They’re often incorporated into Judaica as decoration, and there’s quite a story in the Talmud where a woman tests her husband by disguising herself as a sex worker, requiring he pay her with a fresh pomegranate. But while I’m most familiar with the myriad ways pomegranates are valued in the Jewish tradition, the fruit’s spiritual and symbolic significance goes back even further.
When it comes to the ancient Greeks, pomegranates were considered to be the fruit of the dead, and it was told that they sprung from the blood of Adonis. Because Persephone at the seeds of a pomegranate in the Underworld, they’re also associated with her and the two are frequently depicted together.
Kitchen Witchin’ for Fall
I love this time of year not only for the symbolic significance of the pomegranate, but because they’re also so damn delicious. It’s definitely work to crack one open and remove all those seeds, but it’s worth it. And while I often stash them in a Tupperware and snack on the seeds as an indulgent treat over the course of a few days, I want to try some new recipes this year that are more intentional. Why not try…
Pomegranate Pistachio Chocolate Bark
Zeytoon Parvardeh – Persian Pomegranate, Olive, and Walnut Dip
My favorite necklace, the sigil of Lilith with a moonstone.
Hangin’ with Persephone
Keeping pomegranate charms, or asking Persephone if she wants to hang when I’m working in the kitchen or garden, are little things that help me feel more connected to this badass goddess in early May and throughout the fall, in particular. I was never really into deities, but over the last couple years I’ve connected with a few that I now hold near and dear to my heart. They’re like effortlessly cool friends to hang with out in my bunker in the woods. It’s a little goddess girl gang, and all are welcome to join.