the Demeter shrine

Greek Goddess of Agriculture, Grain, and Bread, the prime sustenance of mankind, but also presided over a blessed afterlife

Her symbols are corn, sheafs of wheat, bread, a torch, crown and sceptre, poppy, mint, barley, serpents, chariot drawn by Drakones, golden sword or sickle, geckos, swine, turtle-doves, and red-mullets.

Demeter - Ceres; Khrysaoros (Lady of the Golden Blade)


To Demeter Eleusinia.
O universal mother, Deo famed,
august, the source of wealth, and various named: great nurse, all-bounteous, blessed and divine, who joyest in peace; to nourish corn is thine. Goddess of seed, of fruits abundant, fair,
harvest and threshing are thy constant care. Lovely delightful queen, by all desired,
who dwellest in Eleusis’ holy vales retired. Nurse of all mortals, who benignant mind
first ploughing oxen to the yoke confined;
and gave to men what nature’s wants require,
with plenteous means of bliss, which all desire.
In verdure flourishing, in glory bright,
assessor of great Dionysus bearing light : rejoicing in the reapers’ sickles, kind,
whose nature lucid, earthly, pure, we find.
A car with Drakones yoked ‘tis thine to guide,
and, orgies singing, round thy throne to ride. Bright Goddess, come, with summer’s rich increase swelling and pregnant, leading smiling peace; come with fair concord and imperial health,
and join with these a needful store of wealth.

-Orphic Hymn 40 to Demeter