Journey with Persephone

Here in the Southern Hemisphere the time of the Autumn Equinox is fast approaching.  Soon it will be the time when, for a brief moment, there is be a balance in the hours of day and night before the scales are tipped in the dark half of the year's favour with the coming of Winter.

Throughout various mythologies, the Autumn Equinox marked the time when a descent into the Underworld commenced.  In ancient Sumeria, Inanna, the Goddess of the Heavens, descended into the "Great Below", the realm of her sister Ereshkigal, as did the Greek Persesphone where she ruled as its queens. In Egypt, the Mother Ggoddess Hathor was associated with the Milk Way during the third millennium BCE when, during the Autumn and Spring equinoxes, it aligned over and touched the earth where the sun rose and fell. 

 

As a season of transition, the Autumn is a wonderful time to work on the transitions in our lives.  When faced with a difficult choice on where life will take you next, consider the story of Persephone. 

The following is taken from Journey with Persephone by Natalie Harter:

Put a ripe, open pomegranate on your altar or table. You may wish to add candles and flowers that are associated with Persephone, including the narcissus or any deep purple or black-hued blossoms (such as pansies, “Queen of the Night” tulips, black or hollyhocks, or deep red or burgundy roses).

 

Meditate on Persephone and her journey, then take a few moments to examine your fears and what may be holding you back from making a rewarding but frightening change in your life. Do your best to let the fears melt away, and when you feel calm and centered, repeat this charm:

Persephone, Queen of the Underworld, hear my call,
Your sacred seasons of power are the spring and fall.
I stand in doubt at the crossroads of my life,
Help me to move forward without pain or strife.
It is time to let go of the past and of old dreams and fears,
The future is bright and many opportunities are near.

Taste the pomegranate, setting a few seeds aside to dry. If you used any flowers in your arrangement, let them dry out as well.

 

Place the dried seeds and petals in a small charm bag, and keep this with you as a talisman during your coming journey of transition and transformation.