Ceres Secrets

Ceres was the Roman goddess of agriculture, particularly grains. She was also considered responsible for the fertility of the land and the creation of the seasons.

According to ancient mythology Ceres was grief stricken when her daughter, Proserpina was kidnapped to become the wife of Pluto, the God of the Underworld. As Ceres traversed the Earth searching for her beloved daughter, the ground became barren under her steps, causing a widespread famine.

Jupiter, the Supreme god of the sky intervened and ordered Pluto to release Proserpina immediately. Pluto obeyed Jupiter’s order, but not before insuring that his bride had eaten 6 pomegranate seeds, a symbol of their marriage, that would tie her to the underworld forever.

From that point on, Proserpina would spend 6 months with her mother and then 6 months in the underworld with Pluto. Ceres joyful about the time with her daughter would celebrate lavishly by coloring the Earth every Spring and Summer, bringing it to life. However, when her daughter was gone, during the Fall and Winter she would mourn once more and draw the life out of all she had once nurtured, leaving a harsh landscape behind her. The ancient Romans believed this is how the growing cycles began.

Ceres’ Secrets is a blog dedicated to reminding us of our connection to the Earth, its seasonal cycles, our relationship with our food, and those who grow it.