Blessed Full Moon Yall!
Tonight is a full moon, also known as an esbat in some spiritual/practitioner circles. This day is also a holy day for some people who work with the Greek Goddess Persephone. Some folks believe that on September’s full moon, Persephone returns to the Underworld for Her winter stay with Hades, returning to the surface in March. Others may see Her Descent occurring on the Fall Equinox (September 20-22) or on the Dark Moon (September 25). I invite you to also look into the Eleusinian Mysteries, which was/is a week long festival honoring Demeter and Persephone. I believe there are other festivals honoring Demeter and Persephone around this time, but all of my Hellenic Polytheistic binders are packed away.
Persephone's Descent, September 2021
Most people are familiar with the story of Persephone and Hades—the Flower Maiden named Kore (“maiden”) who was viciously kidnapped by the evil Death God, and tricked with 6 pomegranates to remain in Hades. A torn Nature Mother bringing about harsh barren winter until Her Kore is returned. A deal struck—6 months below, 6 months above. Hekate’s guiding torches to and from.
Thus another story of the Light and Dark halves of the year. Another well-known story being the fights between the Oak and Holly Kings, which take place on the solstices—whereas this story typically takes place around the equinoxes.
There are many different versions of the events—some quite dark and others very empowering; ancient and modern. I was taught by the Gods that myths are just stories—fanfiction of the Gods if you will, written by humans with their own agendas—to teach lessons, to interpret natural events, to control, to entertain, etc. The surviving stories are not the end-all, be all—modern stories are just as important. It’s also important to acknowledge that sometimes one victorious culture would take the deities and stories of other cultures and absorb them, change them, often demoting deities or change their genders and names. I’d suggest yall taking a look at the Minoan Ariadne—who’s story is similar to Persephone’s, minus some elements. There are other Death Queens with similar stories, too. Typically entities of the same domains have similar stories.
No one story or interpretation is right or wrong, despite what Gate Keepers and sticklers may say. Choose what resonates with you. Write something that does using dreams, visions, journeys, your imagination--write your own myths. I've been working on a zombie story featuring Persephone and Hades, thanks to a dream that I had many years ago! I have a new story too, due to visions from the reading at the end of this post. No rules! Despite what the stories say, most Deities aren't easily offended--just humans. Many different versions exist for the many different life experiences and perspectives since people stated talking about the supernatural and natural. Before stories were recorded on pots, stone, and paper, I assure you their oral versions were different, and those oral versions were different than earlier story tellers. We just have what survived time and victories.
Anyway, I tend to prefer the more modern stories about Hades and Persephone--the ones that tend to reflect life as I know it. I don't see how being stuck with your abuser is empowering--but many people are trapped in abusive relationships, and if that version helps them to survive and maybe eventually escape, then it's empowering for them. My life experiences are different and to me it tells victims to stay for the perks--like being Queen, and I'm not down with that. That's toxic. Too similar to the outdated belief of staying with abusive family because they're blood.
There are many different versions of the events—some quite dark and others very empowering; ancient and modern. I was taught by the Gods that myths are just stories—fanfiction of the Gods if you will, written by humans with their own agendas—to teach lessons, to interpret natural events, to control, to entertain, etc. The surviving stories are not the end-all, be all—modern stories are just as important. It’s also important to acknowledge that sometimes one victorious culture would take the deities and stories of other cultures and absorb them, change them, often demoting deities or change their genders and names. I’d suggest yall taking a look at the Minoan Ariadne—who’s story is similar to Persephone’s, minus some elements. There are other Death Queens with similar stories, too. Typically entities of the same domains have similar stories.
No one story or interpretation is right or wrong, despite what Gate Keepers and sticklers may say. Choose what resonates with you. Write something that does using dreams, visions, journeys, your imagination--write your own myths. I've been working on a zombie story featuring Persephone and Hades, thanks to a dream that I had many years ago! I have a new story too, due to visions from the reading at the end of this post. No rules! Despite what the stories say, most Deities aren't easily offended--just humans. Many different versions exist for the many different life experiences and perspectives since people stated talking about the supernatural and natural. Before stories were recorded on pots, stone, and paper, I assure you their oral versions were different, and those oral versions were different than earlier story tellers. We just have what survived time and victories.
Anyway, I tend to prefer the more modern stories about Hades and Persephone--the ones that tend to reflect life as I know it. I don't see how being stuck with your abuser is empowering--but many people are trapped in abusive relationships, and if that version helps them to survive and maybe eventually escape, then it's empowering for them. My life experiences are different and to me it tells victims to stay for the perks--like being Queen, and I'm not down with that. That's toxic. Too similar to the outdated belief of staying with abusive family because they're blood.
Others may see it as dealing with the uncontrollable or this is the lot I'm stuck with, how to use it as best as I can?
Another perspective is simply death and life. One is often painted as a scary evil thing and the other as innocent and good. Many hate and fear death, just as Hades is demonized in most versions. The stealer, taker of life. As someone who's lost a child, yeah, I can sympathize with Demeter, and see my own journey of grief and mourning, of compromise and healing. My son was taken from my womb--I struggled, felt trapped in that grief. It took years for me to heal from that loss. Even though I know my son thrives on the other side of that veil, and gives me signs that he's still around from time to time, it's not the same. I absolutely understand the Abduction of Persephone from that angle. And there are so many more than that. Different perspectives, different experiences, different focuses, different lessons...and different tellings...
At this point in my life, I prefer the stories of smothering mothers who refuse to accept all of their children, a nymph who could’ve been lost in an ocean of many other nameless nymphs, and great love--it reflects of my life, too. There’s also a few poems by Nikita Gill that explores the idea that Hades saw Persephone’s darker side—a side that Demeter didn’t want to acknowledge—and that He accepted Persephone, who became both a Spring Goddess and a Queen of the Dead. She became unforgettable.
A couple of years ago, I started having visions and trance journeys with Persephone, about entering a cave filled with bioluminescent plants and mushrooms, and following these to an entrance to the Underworld. Sometimes I would be looking through the eyes of the Goddess, other times I’d be watching Her, or walking with Her. It was a long journey that took many weeks from start to finish, and it was a deeply symbolic and healing time.
I’ve taken others on shorter journeys to meet Persephone via guided meditations, and often with the aid of honeybees. Bees have connections to the Spirit Worlds, since wild bees often build their hives in the cracks of stone or cave openings, or even in the ground. Some cultures believe that bees carry the souls to the Spirit World—they are psychopomps—a Greek world roughly meaning "guide of the dead". Sometimes called The Melissae. If you were at the Honeysweet Ritual in August, I honored Them—the Bee Goddesses, Spirits, Priestex, and Dancers—Entities who’re strongly associated with the Liminal and trance journeys.
When I write guided meditations, I enter a trance and write whatever I am shown—it is The Melissae who guided me/attendees to and through the cave to meet with Persephone to hear a message or receive a gift.
A couple of years ago, I started having visions and trance journeys with Persephone, about entering a cave filled with bioluminescent plants and mushrooms, and following these to an entrance to the Underworld. Sometimes I would be looking through the eyes of the Goddess, other times I’d be watching Her, or walking with Her. It was a long journey that took many weeks from start to finish, and it was a deeply symbolic and healing time.
I’ve taken others on shorter journeys to meet Persephone via guided meditations, and often with the aid of honeybees. Bees have connections to the Spirit Worlds, since wild bees often build their hives in the cracks of stone or cave openings, or even in the ground. Some cultures believe that bees carry the souls to the Spirit World—they are psychopomps—a Greek world roughly meaning "guide of the dead". Sometimes called The Melissae. If you were at the Honeysweet Ritual in August, I honored Them—the Bee Goddesses, Spirits, Priestex, and Dancers—Entities who’re strongly associated with the Liminal and trance journeys.
When I write guided meditations, I enter a trance and write whatever I am shown—it is The Melissae who guided me/attendees to and through the cave to meet with Persephone to hear a message or receive a gift.
When I observe Persephone's Descent, I set up an altar with a tarot deck that She prefers to use, offerings, and other correspondences. If I celebrate with others, I may guide them through a meditation or perform Oracle work—meaning that I allow Persephone to possess me—and answer questions and deliver messages. If it’s just me, then I trance on my own, with or without a drum or rattle, and do some divination for clarification afterwards.
Some Correspondences and Offerings for the Underworld side of Persephone. Some of these are traditional symbols of Hers, and some are from my experiences from working with Her:
What version of the story is your favorite? How do you interpret the Abduction? How do you work with Persephone? You don't have to comment, but journal if you feel like it.
Some Correspondences and Offerings for the Underworld side of Persephone. Some of these are traditional symbols of Hers, and some are from my experiences from working with Her:
- Parents: Demeter and Zeus
- Spouse: Hades
- Children: Melione and Zagreus (sometimes Dionysus is/connected with this God)
- Similar Goddesses: Proserpina (Roman), Ariadne (Minoan)
- Energies: Life, Death, Rebirth, Sovereignty, Healing Modalities (therapy, shadow work, energy, sound, art, etc.), Preparation for Hibernation/Brumation/Rest/Detox.
- Instruments: Drum, Rattle
- Foods: Pomegranate Fruit, Juice, or Wine; Red Wine, Mead, Honey, Blood Orange, Squash, Gourds, Root foods like carrots and potatoes; Meat
- Music: Persephone by Wendy Rule, Persephone by Kellianna, Pomegranate Roots by Marya Stark, Persephone by Mama Gina...
- Animals: Honeybees, Snakes, Moths, Pigs, Bats...
- Colors: Black, Purples, Deep Reds, Silver, Dark Greens, Browns, Bone.
- Flowers/Plants: Red Rose, White Iris, Blue Larkspur, Asphodels, Lily of the Valley, Calla Lily, Maidenhair Fern, Willow leaves, Rosemary. Really any other plant associated with death and fall, like yew, gourds, or mums. Mint is also either associated with Her or Hades. In one story, Persephone turned a nymph that Hades had a relationship with into mint.
- 6 beads to represent the pomegranate seeds
- A Dying Flower
- Blood
- Snake Skin
- Bones
- Caves
Persephone's Descent, September 2021
What version of the story is your favorite? How do you interpret the Abduction? How do you work with Persephone? You don't have to comment, but journal if you feel like it.
I also recently came upon a tarot spread on the FB Page The Minoan Tarot by Laura Perry, called Persephone Tarot Spread. Here's a reading for the Collective. I will be using the Biddy Tarot, as I've dedicated to Persephone. This reading will resonate with some and not others, and that's normal, as it's a general reading. Feel free to perform your own reading using this spread if you feel called.
Things in quotations are direct messages from Persephone.
"The Work"
Three Jumpers:
2 of Wands - You know what you want, now work for it. Plan, make outlines, rough drafts, do the necessary research, let go of those who aren't helpful--find those who are. Trust yourself to make the right decisions.
Temperance - Sometimes known as the Bartender Card. Learning how to mix to create balance in your life.
6 of Cups - Work with that Inner Child energy, instead of against them. Inner Child work is more than shadow work. Healing comes from light and play, too. "Innocent Fawn"
Success doesn't often just drop into our lives. We have to plan and try and fail and learn from mistakes. Keep trying. Not everything has to be serious and deep either. Have fun with this venture. Be gentle with yourselves. Hard work is hard, but it doesn't have to be painful.
2) How can we take back our power despite the things we can't change?
"Perspective. Expectations. You may not be able to change certain things, but you can change how you perceive them. Self discipline. Self control. Emotional Intelligence. Take back your power by taking back yourselves. Self Discipline. Self Control. Emotional Intelligence. Responsibility."
Knight of Pentacles Reversed - Need self discipline. If old ways no longer work, change gears and try another method.
Knight of Pentacles Reversed - Need self discipline. If old ways no longer work, change gears and try another method.
3) How can we use the challenges in our lives to our advantage?
"Discipline" "Wanting and DOING."
5 of Pentacles - "Be Generous! For others and yourself--Self Care = Generosity. As it is said, you can't pour from an empty vessel. It's hard to be kind when you are stressed, drained, and triggered. Listen to your body."
5 of Pentacles - "Be Generous! For others and yourself--Self Care = Generosity. As it is said, you can't pour from an empty vessel. It's hard to be kind when you are stressed, drained, and triggered. Listen to your body."
The Chariot - "Use the momentum!"
4) What must we give up in order to gain something else in return?
"Complaints. Woe is me. Blame games. You're grown. It's time to take responsibility for your actions and inactions. No matter your pain it's time to make a choice and follow through. You want success and change...prove it. Work for it. Create it. Community. Support. Like-minded people. Resources. Work for it. Stop waiting around for someone to do something. Be proactive. We're not expecting you to do this all on your own, of course. Ask for help. Delegate. Group brain storming. I know for some of you asking and allowing yourself to receive that help is difficult. Accept the challenge for a chance, no matter how uncomfortable it is. Allow yourself to receive.".
4 of Wands - Allow yourself to celebrate your achievements, no matter how big or small. Allow others to celebrate with you.
The Devil - "You hold the keys to your own cage, the cage being excuses and blame. Stop. Be accountable. Be honest with yourselves. You've had the power all along."
Knight of Swords Reversed - Too much work--workaholic. "What are you avoiding?" Overworked. Burnt out. Slow your horses down.
"Give up the go go go, work work work. Allow yourselves to feel something other than stress and action. Give up having to do everything yourselves. Allow yourselves to rest and reflect. Allow yourselves to feel joy, especially for the small things in life."
5) How can we make the most of what is happening in our lives?
"Learn to laugh. Unlearn the capitalistic lies."
King of Swords Reversed - Time to ground, anchor, and breathe.
The Hanged Man - Time out for new perspectives.
7 of Wands - Stand tall against nay sayers who still enslaved by the outdated lies.
6) Words of encouragement from Persephone.
"Sometimes the work is rest. Rest is difficult for many of you for various of reasons. Rest feels more like a detox, as an Instagrammer explained. I'll make sure this vessel links that post. If you're feeling drained, easily triggered, tired, and so on, the work you may have to do is to rest. Detox. Take a break from work work work and do some playful things. Recharge. Byron Ballard did a Full Moon Recharge last night. Perhaps tonight, if you feel up to it, connect with the moon and recharge. Ground and cleanse, and absorb the moon's good energies, let them fill you up. Release your woes and charge up!
Be Gentle and Generous with yourselves.
If you don't feel this burn out, then plan and prepare--listen to my message from point one. Plan for success. Use the energies around you this equinox. "
Persephone's not mincing words today in regards to health, happiness, and authenticity!
(also posted on my Book of Mirrors)
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If you'd like a more in-depth session with the Death Queen, check out my Hearth Fox Shop to see my services.
If you're looking for some great fall gifts or divination items, check out my Etsy. I'm also having a 25% Off Sale on Non-Fall Products.
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Resources
Blogspot is giving me massive format headaches, so no links provided, but google if you'd like:
- Benu, Melitta. Queen of the Sacred Way: A Devotional Anthology in Honor of Persephone.
- Gill, Nikita. Great Goddesses: Life Lessons From Myths and Monsters.
- Gitana. Hellenion: Eleusinian Mysteries / Eleusinia ta megala.
- Goddess Gift: Persephone: Greek Goddess of Innocence and Receptivity and Queen of the Underworld.
- Goddess Gift: Persephone Symbols
- McCall, Hannah. The Collector: Persephone: Goddess of Spring and Queen of the Underworld.
- Perry, Laura. The Melissae: A Bit of Minoan Honey.
- Theoi: Persephone.
- Took, Thalia. Persephone I and Persephone II.
- tarotpngs.com (from the tarot spread image, but it doesn't work on my end)
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