Just a Thought!

Well, hooray! It’s Spring. A beautiful time of year. Whilst doing a little gardening recently, I noticed the primroses, grape hyacinth and crocus that had appeared out of nowhere, accompanied by some solitary bumblebees. Well, I know where they appeared from but you get my meaning. Then I saw the pomegranates in the fruit bowl and the Greek myth of Persephone sprang to mind.  What a wonderful story to explain the change from the sombre, dark seasons of autumn and winter to the uplifting seasons of spring and summer.

There are several different versions of the Persephone story.  Sometimes she is shown as the pure, innocent and protected young maiden, kidnapped by Hades to be his wife and queen of the Underworld. Other times it is hinted that her rebellious spirit and need for adventure led her to seek the forbidden Hades and the thrill of a journey ‘below’ – of course against the wishes of her mother, the goddess Demeter.

Whichever version you prefer, here is something to think about.  Persephone’s presence brings such happiness to Demeter that she fills the world with warmth, light and new life for six months of the year. So how is Persephone’s presence reflected in Hades’ Underworld? How would the king of the Underworld show his happiness? What do you think his story would be?

There are a least two sides to every story but we usually only hear one.

Just a thought!