Hey everyone- Today, I felt like looking up the story of Persephone. (It is actually pretty interesting!) I love these Greek myths... and hope you all enjoy! Oh... also, I have things that are *stared* like that, which is my thoughts... just so you know...!
It was a beautiful day, and the sun shone, which was not unusual... there was sunshine every day. Persephone was in the fields, picking flowers, her mother was sitting near her, and Persephone's father, Zeus, was distantly watching them from the sky. Persephone's hair flowed through the soft breeze as she bent down, collecting the best and prettiest flowers. She was picking these flowers, of all different colors, blue irises, and roses for her mother. However, all of the sudden she forgot all about the flowers for her mother. Just a few steps in front of her, there was an enchanting flower one with a glowing look. This was the one flower, that her father, had hoped she would find. As she reached down to pick the flower from its place in moist grass... everything begin to change. Right when she touched the flower, the ground started to shake. And then... the ground split.....
From the hole, came the powerful god of the Underworld, Hades. Before Persephone could say a word, she was swept off of her feet, and pulled into Hades' chariot. When Hades cracked his whip for his horses to go, Persephone was shot to her senses, and realized she was going into the dark, cavernous underworld. Terror filled her heart, but before she could do anything, she was taken away, the ground closing over her.
It was a beautiful day, and the sun shone, which was not unusual... there was sunshine every day. Persephone was in the fields, picking flowers, her mother was sitting near her, and Persephone's father, Zeus, was distantly watching them from the sky. Persephone's hair flowed through the soft breeze as she bent down, collecting the best and prettiest flowers. She was picking these flowers, of all different colors, blue irises, and roses for her mother. However, all of the sudden she forgot all about the flowers for her mother. Just a few steps in front of her, there was an enchanting flower one with a glowing look. This was the one flower, that her father, had hoped she would find. As she reached down to pick the flower from its place in moist grass... everything begin to change. Right when she touched the flower, the ground started to shake. And then... the ground split.....
From the hole, came the powerful god of the Underworld, Hades. Before Persephone could say a word, she was swept off of her feet, and pulled into Hades' chariot. When Hades cracked his whip for his horses to go, Persephone was shot to her senses, and realized she was going into the dark, cavernous underworld. Terror filled her heart, but before she could do anything, she was taken away, the ground closing over her.
Even though Persephone's cries could not be heard from above, with Demeter's heart she was able to sense Persephone's sadness. She was also depressed that she could not see her beloved daughter, and began to forget her duties as a goddess.
*ISN'T HADES MEAN!!! LOOK WHAT HE DID TO PERSEPHONE AND DEMETER!!!!*
At the exact same time Hades explained to Persephone his plan with her father (Zeus). Telling her that he loved her, he asked if she would stay. Although Persephone wanted to stay, she also wanted to go back to her mom and live in the world not underground.
Far above the Underworld, Demeter continued to wander the earth. She had no energy left, and looked very weak and very old. A few people helped her, and took her into their homes, most not knowing that she was the goddess Demeter. Later, when she received enough strength, she went up to Zeus and asked for a search to find Persephone.
While she was up there, she also questioned every god she could find and eventually uncovered Zeus' plot. In an attempt to stop Demeter's growing anger, he had a messenger to retrieve their daughter from the depths... also known as Hermes.
When Hermes arrived at the Underworld, he didn't find scared goddess like the though he would, he found a very powerful Queen. She had adjusted well to her new position, which was in charge of greeting the souls of the greeks, and had a lot of experience in doing so. While she wished to see her mother up on earth, she really wanted to stay with Hades, and be his wife.
Hades tried to comfort Persephone, and told her that it would be fine if she went up... she was still a daughter. He also gave her some pomegranate seeds which she ate gladly... not knowing what they were for. So, she got into Hermes' chariot, and traveled back to the world above.
"The flowers sang joyfully when she came, while her mother was very excited to see her. Yet, Persephone... the young child not to long ago, that she had born and raised had changed while she was gone. She had grown into a goddess, one both beautiful and wise and because of this, she came to worry that the life they knew was gone forever. However, the bright red, ruby stain upon her lips spoke of her fate. Persephone had tasted of the fruit of life. It could not be erased. This was the act of the pomegranate seeds." -Laura Strong, PhD
*Both of these are awesome quotes!!*
Zeus loved his daughter way too much to send her back to Hades without the hope of returning to her mother's side above.
"So, each spring Persephone comes back with the flowers that pave her way, to tell the story of rebirth, hope and harmony. And each fall when she leaves again for the Underworld below, her mother mourns and winter comes, while she waits for her return. Yet, for Persephone there is no remorse. She looks forward to the time she spends as Hades' Queen and wife, and to guiding those who have lost their way to the next phase of their life. " -Laura Strong, PhD
*I just like that last paragraph!*
To access the website I got this information from, click here
*ISN'T HADES MEAN!!! LOOK WHAT HE DID TO PERSEPHONE AND DEMETER!!!!*
At the exact same time Hades explained to Persephone his plan with her father (Zeus). Telling her that he loved her, he asked if she would stay. Although Persephone wanted to stay, she also wanted to go back to her mom and live in the world not underground.
Far above the Underworld, Demeter continued to wander the earth. She had no energy left, and looked very weak and very old. A few people helped her, and took her into their homes, most not knowing that she was the goddess Demeter. Later, when she received enough strength, she went up to Zeus and asked for a search to find Persephone.
While she was up there, she also questioned every god she could find and eventually uncovered Zeus' plot. In an attempt to stop Demeter's growing anger, he had a messenger to retrieve their daughter from the depths... also known as Hermes.
When Hermes arrived at the Underworld, he didn't find scared goddess like the though he would, he found a very powerful Queen. She had adjusted well to her new position, which was in charge of greeting the souls of the greeks, and had a lot of experience in doing so. While she wished to see her mother up on earth, she really wanted to stay with Hades, and be his wife.
Hades tried to comfort Persephone, and told her that it would be fine if she went up... she was still a daughter. He also gave her some pomegranate seeds which she ate gladly... not knowing what they were for. So, she got into Hermes' chariot, and traveled back to the world above.
"The flowers sang joyfully when she came, while her mother was very excited to see her. Yet, Persephone... the young child not to long ago, that she had born and raised had changed while she was gone. She had grown into a goddess, one both beautiful and wise and because of this, she came to worry that the life they knew was gone forever. However, the bright red, ruby stain upon her lips spoke of her fate. Persephone had tasted of the fruit of life. It could not be erased. This was the act of the pomegranate seeds." -Laura Strong, PhD
*Both of these are awesome quotes!!*
Zeus loved his daughter way too much to send her back to Hades without the hope of returning to her mother's side above.
"So, each spring Persephone comes back with the flowers that pave her way, to tell the story of rebirth, hope and harmony. And each fall when she leaves again for the Underworld below, her mother mourns and winter comes, while she waits for her return. Yet, for Persephone there is no remorse. She looks forward to the time she spends as Hades' Queen and wife, and to guiding those who have lost their way to the next phase of their life. " -Laura Strong, PhD
*I just like that last paragraph!*
To access the website I got this information from, click here