Daughter of Darkness

A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future.’ Author Unknown

This quote can be applied to both genders really as parents would say sons and daughters give joy, hope and wonderful memories. Parents want the best for their children, boy or girl, and do what they can to ensure a good life for their progeny. Though it doesn’t always happen, life throws a spanner in the works and it causes havoc. Sometimes the path diverges and one is able to get back on track, however in some instances, it doesn’t. That’s what happened to Demeter when her daughter Persephone was taken from her.

Persephone was known as goddess queen of the underworld and of spring growth—death and life. Her title Kore (the Maiden) was attributed to the bounty during spring-time. This reflected the reunion with her mother.

Persephone was the daughter of Demeter and Zeus. She was beautiful and young, though age was never disclosed in Greek mythology. One day, Persephone was out playing in a meadow with friends when Hades kidnapped her. In some mythologies, they say he raped her. In any case, he takes her to the underworld and makes her his wife. While held captive, her mother Demeter spends months looking for her. She later learns Zeus had collaborated with Hades and allowed the god of the underworld take her. Demeter was furious and refused the Earth to bear fruit.

Zeus, eating a bit of humble pie, convinced Hades to let her go. Before Persephone left, Hades tricked her into eating pomegranate seeds, hence forcing her to return to the underworld in winter. Every spring when Persephone ventured back to Earth, life blossomed with new growth and baby animals. This was the premise for the Eleusinian Mysteries.

Many artefacts depict Persephone holding sheafs of grain and holding a flaming torch usually alongside her mother, Demeter and Triptolemos. In others, she is enthroned beside Hades. As point of interest, Triptolemos was a prince from Eleusis who took in Demeter during her search for Persephone. He later became associated with the goddesses as the teacher of agriculture.

Further information on Persephone http://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/Persephone.html

As always, I look forward to your comments.