Demeter Profile

                Demeter is the goddess of corn, grain, and the harvest. She is one of Cronus and Rhea’s many children. Her siblings include Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, and Hestia. Her grandparents are Uranus and Gaea. Zeus gave her the responsibility of being the goddess of fertility of the earth and grain harvest after the Olympian win over the cruel Titan leader, Cronus.

 She has one daughter named Persephone, who was the goddess of springtime. Her daughter was yet another of Zeus’s children. She was abducted by Hades and forced to become his wife. Hades inducted Persephone as the queen of the underworld. Her daughter meant a lot to her, and Demeter fought to have her daughter returned to her. When Hades wouldn’t return her daughter, she became angry and set a curse in which all of the plants died. Because of this dilemma, Zeus pled to Hades about returning Persephone. Hades convinced her to eat pomegranate seeds, and because of this, Hades had a claim on her. Demeter somewhat got what she wanted. She was able to have her daughter returned to her for six months out of the year. With her daughter in the underworld, Demeter withdraws from the world and because of this winter occurs. The seasons are explained in this myth. When Persephone is believed to return, springtime occurs. This is brought on by Demeter’s happiness.

Demeter never got married, but her lovers include her own brothers, Zeus and Poseidon.  Both of her brothers were married at the time. Demeter is responsible for growing crops each year. The first loaf of bread is “sacrificed” in her honor.

                Demeter is also known for founding the Eleusinian mysteries. These were the most sacred of the rituals in Ancient Greece. These celebrated Demeter and her daughter, Persephone. Without Demeter there wouldn’t be any explanation for the seasons.