In Greek Mythology, Demeter or Ceres (Roman), was the Goddess of Grain and mother of Persephone or Proserpina (Roman), grief stricken by the abduction of her daughter by her brother, the God of the Underworld, Hades/Pluto. After much suffering a resolution would be found.
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Summary, taken from the book "Goddesses in Everywoman" by Jean Shinoda Bolen. Dr. Bolen calls Demeter the mother archetype:
-Persephone was gathering narcissus in a meadow with her companions.
-As she reached out to pick one, the ground split open before her, Hades/Pluto emerged in his gold chariot, grabbed her and took her off to be his unwilling bride.
-The abduction and rape of Persephone had been sanctioned by Zeus, her father.
-Demeter/Ceres felt outraged and betrayed by Zeus.
-She frantically searched for her daughter, for days and nights, and an incident occurred that she was raped by Poseidon (Neptune).
-Then she estranged, disguised herself as an old woman and took a job as a caretaker.
-Eventually she revealed her identity, returned home, and commanded a temple be built for her.
-Demeter/Ceres sat alone with her grief for her abducted daughter and as a result nothing could grow and nothing could be born.
-Finally Zeus responded and sent Hermes, the Messenger God, to Hades.
-A resolution was made, but, because Persephone had eaten pomegranate seeds, she would spend two-thirds of the year with her mother and the remainder of the year in the underworld with Hades.
-After mother and daughter were reunited, Demeter/Ceres restored fertility and growth to the earth.
-As she reached out to pick one, the ground split open before her, Hades/Pluto emerged in his gold chariot, grabbed her and took her off to be his unwilling bride.
-The abduction and rape of Persephone had been sanctioned by Zeus, her father.
-Demeter/Ceres felt outraged and betrayed by Zeus.
-She frantically searched for her daughter, for days and nights, and an incident occurred that she was raped by Poseidon (Neptune).
-Then she estranged, disguised herself as an old woman and took a job as a caretaker.
-Eventually she revealed her identity, returned home, and commanded a temple be built for her.
-Demeter/Ceres sat alone with her grief for her abducted daughter and as a result nothing could grow and nothing could be born.
-Finally Zeus responded and sent Hermes, the Messenger God, to Hades.
-A resolution was made, but, because Persephone had eaten pomegranate seeds, she would spend two-thirds of the year with her mother and the remainder of the year in the underworld with Hades.
-After mother and daughter were reunited, Demeter/Ceres restored fertility and growth to the earth.
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APPLICATION
The occurrence of the Persephone myth can be seen in the modern world upon careful inspection. Of course we are not talking about a real abduction, we are talking about being supportive and moving on. As an unconscious connection is made, everyone wants to progress. The mother, detaching, accomplishes much for herself as the daughter is pushed out into the real world, and the uncle is influenced for the better. But, in the hidden realm there is absolutely the possibility of strangeness or offense.
The occurrence of the Persephone myth can be seen in the modern world upon careful inspection. Of course we are not talking about a real abduction, we are talking about being supportive and moving on. As an unconscious connection is made, everyone wants to progress. The mother, detaching, accomplishes much for herself as the daughter is pushed out into the real world, and the uncle is influenced for the better. But, in the hidden realm there is absolutely the possibility of strangeness or offense.
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AN EXAMPLE
A woman has a sister named Jane. She never had any children of her own and in her later years she acquires an "Ohana" family. Her "daughter's" name is "Jane." Like Persephone who lives simultaneously as a daughter and a sister to Ceres, "Jane" lives simultaneously to this woman as a "daughter" and her sister, Jane.
A woman has a sister named Jane. She never had any children of her own and in her later years she acquires an "Ohana" family. Her "daughter's" name is "Jane." Like Persephone who lives simultaneously as a daughter and a sister to Ceres, "Jane" lives simultaneously to this woman as a "daughter" and her sister, Jane.
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CELEBRITY EXAMPLE
A famous Persephone pair: Mary Trump and Uncle Donald Trump (and siblings), brings to light what can happen in the unconscious, the unowning and disinheritance of a sibling line.
A famous Persephone pair: Mary Trump and Uncle Donald Trump (and siblings), brings to light what can happen in the unconscious, the unowning and disinheritance of a sibling line.
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THE MYTH AND DISINHERITANCE
The Persephone myth is intimately entwined with the concept of disinheritance. Instead of the brother stealing the body of a Persephone, he steals her value as a family member, represented in the inheritance of money, in which it is more or less the norm that the elders leave equal amounts to each child.
The Persephone myth is intimately entwined with the concept of disinheritance. Instead of the brother stealing the body of a Persephone, he steals her value as a family member, represented in the inheritance of money, in which it is more or less the norm that the elders leave equal amounts to each child.
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UNCLE SYMBOLISM
Uncle Sam (the establishment, the military)
Uncle Sam (the establishment, the military)