The Archetypal Myth of Demeter Persephone: A Story for Mother Daughter Celebrations

First in a series of goddess books for girls and their mothers, Demeter & Persephone tells the much older pre-patriarchal version of the myth, a version which centers on the loving relationship between the mother goddess Demeter and her beautiful, kindhearted, courageous and spiritual daughter, Persephone. She leaves her mother and ventures into the underworld to bless the spirits of the dead and give them eternal peace. Universal women's issues such as motherhood, separation, self-empowerment and joyful reunion are embedded in this archetypal myth of the changing seasons. Later patriarchal additions to the story (rape, abduction, blackmail, incest) are noticeably absent in what is thought to be the goddess-worshipping Bronze age version of the tale. There are additional non-fiction sidebars on topics such as: grain agriculture and civilization, what are myths and archetypes?, The 2,000 year-long Eleusinian Mystery Cult, and Minoan civilization and art, especially fresco painting. There is also a list of resources, and an explanatory essay which supplements the text. All original illustrations are by the author.