Also called Kore, the Maiden, Despoina, Persephoneia.
Their story
While gathering flowers, the maiden Kore reached for a narcissus and the earth opened; Hades rose and carried her below to be his queen. Zeus at last ordered her return, but because she had eaten pomegranate seeds in the underworld she must spend part of every year there. Her going and coming mark the seasons.
Their day
Saturday. In modern practice, some honour Persephone on Saturday, a day tied to endings, the dead and the turning of seasons.
Best times to give to them
- early spring, when she returns
- autumn, when she goes below
- the Eleusinian Mysteries in September
- the Thesmophoria in autumn
What they like being given
- pomegranate seeds
- spring flowers such as narcissus
- honey
- bread or grain
- water poured into the earth
How to honour them
- Plant bulbs in autumn and dedicate their spring flowers to Persephone.
- Share a pomegranate with her at the changing of the seasons.
- Remember your dead kindly, since she is their queen.
- Reflect honestly on what in your life needs to end so something new can grow.
How they can help you
- major life changes
- grief and remembering the dead
- finding strength after loss
- new beginnings
- growing up
Symbols
- pomegranate
- narcissus
- torch
- wheat ears
- crown
Festivals
- Ostara Spring equinox, around 20 March
- Mabon Autumn equinox, around 22 September
- Thesmophoria The 11th to 13th of the Athenian month Pyanepsion, usually late October or early November
Herbs linked with them
- Peppermint Mentha x piperita
- Poppy Papaver rhoeas
More Greek goddesses
- Hera Queen of heaven and guardian of marriage
- Athena Grey-eyed goddess of wisdom and craft
- Artemis Lady of wild things and the hunt
- Aphrodite Foam-born goddess of love and beauty
- Hestia Goddess of the hearth and the home fire
- Demeter Mother of the grain and the harvest
- Hecate Keeper of crossroads and keys
- Selene The moon herself, driving her silver chariot