THE STORY BEHIND SPRING

The Return of Persephone, Frederic Leighton 1891

Ancient civilizations seem to have the answer for everything, even the seasons. Why is there a difference in seasons? Why is there spring?   ° The child for whom Demeter had unconditional love was Persephone – her daughter with Zeus. She is also known as the Goddess of Grain and Spring because while still young, she has accompanied her mother on Earth to make sure that there is abundant vegetation for all mankind. Both attractive and amiable, it did not take long until Hades, the God of the Underworld, heard of her, thought of making her his queen and abducted her. Demeter tried to follow Persephone, until it was too late. Eventually, Hades and her daughter were already in the underworld where no other god was allowed to go.

°Demeter was angry and went to Zeus to ask for his help. But instead of getting comfort, she got more furious when she learned that Zeus allowed Hades to kidnap Persephone. Not expecting a quick and fair resolution to her misery, Demeter went down to Earth dressed like an old woman, stopped the crops from growing causing hunger and drought.

° Demeter wandered through the dying earth searching for her daughter.Eventually, Persephone was restored to her mother for part of each year, and with Demeter's joy, Spring came again. °

The moment when Persephone leaves for the Underworld, the leaves fallout from the trees and the earth dries out. So when we welcome the coming of the spring, that means another thing – Persephone is once again reunited with Demeter.

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