Ceres in Roman culture
Themes: Prosperity; Abundance; Loss; Agriculture; Life cycles; Cleansing; Fertility
Symbols: Sceptre, torch, Grains; Corn; Earth Fruits; Birth and Death
Associated Stone: Star sapphire; Pearl; Moonstone
Associated Tarot: Strength; Moon; High Priestess
Associated element: Earth
Associated planet: Moon and Earth
Nickname: Earth; Goddess-Mother
Area of Magick: Life cycles; Loss and rebirth; Seasonal magick; Harvest; prosperity
Other festivals of Demeter: February 1-3 and 23, September 1; October 4 and 13 and 22
Associated Element: Waxing and Waning Moon and Earth
Associated Herb/Essential Oil: Cypress, Myrrh
About Demeter: As the goddess of grain and fertility, Demeter played an
important - indeed essential - role in ancient Greek society. The
Greeks, like most ancient cultures, relied upon agriculture for their
sustenance. As the patron deity of agriculture, Demeter was accordingly
worshipped with festivals (such as the Thesmophoria) and other honors.
Likewise, her association with grain also translated into a close
relationship with human fertility, as this was another crucial part in our
continuing survival. There are, consequently, many myths dealing with Demeter
in her capacity as a fertility goddess.
Perhaps the most poignant of these myths is the so-called Homeric Hymn
to Demeter, in which the story of the goddess and the loss of her
daughter Persephone is told. The Hymn to Demeter is thought by scholars to
be not only a myth about the abduction of Persephone and the consequent
anger of Demeter - it also alludes to aspects of the mystery cult
referred to as the Eleusinian Mysteries. This cult falls more properly into
the realm of Greek religion, rather than myth.
In addition to the myth of Demeter and her daughter Persephone in the
Homeric Hymn to Demeter, another intriguing tale that involves the
goddess of fertility is her affair with the mortal Iasion. According to the
version told by the poet Hesiod, Demeter and the hero "coupled with
passion on a field plowed three times, in the rich soil of Crete."
Apparently, this legendary liaison with Iasion was quite a fruitful one, for
Demeter became pregnant and eventually bore her human lover a son named
Plutus.
About Demeter: Demeter was the mother of Persephone and an Earth Goddess. She was the daughter of Cronus and Rhea. She is honored at Greek Thanksgiving, She is also called Thesmophoros therefore this is also her festival. Since she is an Earth Goddess, she can easily be honored at all Harvest festivals. She was the daughter of Cronus and her brother was Zeus. Her special days are Friday and Wednesday.
To Honor the Goddess: This festival celebrates the mysteries of Demeter and Persephone in which Persephone agrees to go with Hades. This was a time in which farmers would ask for the blessings of Demeter when they would sow crops for winter and reap crops for Autumn. Worshippers purified themselves in the sea before preparing an altar to Demeter. Symbols of the seasonal harvest were placed on the altar as an offering to Demeter. The seasonal grains and fruits, such as apples and grapes, were prepared in Demeter's honor. As she is also a Moon Goddess, wear silver today and place a symbol of the Moon on your altar, such as the Moon Card from the tarot deck. Following is part of the Homeric Hymn to Demeter:
[T]he goddess changed her stature and her looks,
thrusting old age away from her:
beauty spread round about her
and a lovely fragrance was wafted
from her sweet-smelling robes,
and from the divine body of the goddess
a light shone afar, while golden tresses spread
down over her shoulders, so that the strong house
was filled with brightness as with lightning.
from The Homeric Hymns
Written by White Water
To Do This Week: This week cook something that has corn in it to
internalize the power of Demeter. While cooking the dish, visualize your
intent so that your intent may be "cooked" into your dish. By doing this
you will strengthen your the power of Demeter. Ask her to help bring you
closer to a loved one, family or not. Here is a favorite recipe of mine
that has corn in it:
Amish Corn Bread
1 c. sifted flour
1/4 c. sugar
1 tbsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1 c. yellow cornmeal
1 egg, well beaten
1 c. milk
5 tbsp. shortening melted and cooled
Sift first 4 ingredients. Mix in cornmeal. Blend egg, milk, shortening
until mixed. Add to dry ingredients and beat until smooth. Use greased
(bottom only) 8x8x2 pan. Bake 400 degrees for 20 minutes.
Demeter's corresponding animal is the Lion. Keep a picture of a lion
somewhere where you will see it every day, at your work area, on the
fridge etc. Every time you see the picture, think about Demeter and think
how and what you want to develop and grow in your life. Demeter
signifies fertility, but this does not necessarily mean that you want to get
pregnant. If that is what you wish, then by all means, invoke her for
that. But there are many things which we would need to work on for growth
in our lives, relationships, spiritual, etc.
Demeter is also associated with the root chakra and this week you can
work on developing that chakra. To enhance the experience you can use
one or two of the following stones, Clear quartz, Smoky quartz, Bismuth,
Epidote, Fluorite, Hematite, Jasper Tan, Mugglestone, Obsidian,
Tourmaline Black. These are all wonderful grounding crystals/stones. Remember
to charge these stones with your intent. Here is a simple exercise to
help with this chakra:
1. Sit with your spine straight, and bring your attention to your "sit
place," the place where your body intersects the chair or floor. Notice
any feelings or sensations in this area.
2. Now imagine roots coming down from your body, strong, beautiful
roots that reach all the way down into the rich, vital earth. Imagine
drawing earth energy up through these roots into your body.
3. As you do this, pay attention to the way gravity keeps you here,
refusing to let you float away. Feel the solid comfort of your weight as
it rests against the chair or floor.
4. Next, really notice your own aliveness: you are breathing. Your
heart is beating. There are processes going on inside you that you don’t
even have to think about. Give a moment of gratitude to your body for its
wise functioning.
5. Now imagine trusting this universe that brought you forth, that
called you here to take your place in life. Bring your consciousness once
more to your "sit place," and thank it for its connection to the earth,
and to life.
