Goddess of Agriculture

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The great Olympian goddess of the earth is Demeter and more as the goddess of producing fruit, and consequently of agriculture, whence human food or bread. She was looked upon also as the goddess of marriage and was worshipped especially by women. Demeter was depicted as a mature woman, often crowned and holding sheaf of wheat and a torch.

Demeter was the daughter of Cronus and Rhea, and sister of Hestia, Hera, Aides, Poseidon, and Zeus. Like the other children of Cronus she was devoured by her father, but he gave her forth again after taking the emetic which Metis had given him.

As agriculture is the basis of a well-regulated social condition, Demeter is represented also as the friend of peace and as a law-giving goddess.

 

Demeter is intimately associated with the seasons. Her daughter Persephone was abducted by Hades to be his wife in the underworld. In her anger at her daughter's loss Demeter laid a curse on the world that caused plants to wither and die, the land became desolate. Zeus became alarmed and sought Persephone's return. However, because she had eaten while in the underworld Hades had a claim on her. Therefore, it was decreed that Persephone would spend four months each year in the underwold. During these months Demeter greves her daughters absence, and withdraws her gifts from the world, creating winter. Her return brought the spring.

They were important events for many centuries. Yet, little is known of them as those attending were sworn to secrecy. The central tenant seems to have been that just as grain returns every spring after its harvest and wintery death, so too the human soul could be reborn after the death of the body.

The pictures above were taken last October 2012, the parades of gods and goddesses. Demeter was the one wearing a skin toned dress with green ruffles on it.


Contributed by: Shea Mueca

Goddess of Agriculture