Demeter

Goddess of agriculture, mother of Persephone, and center of the Eleusinian Mysteries. Eleusis is a town not too far from Athens.

Epithets

• Khthonia: Of the Earth/Underworld
• Khloê: Of Green Shoots
• Epogmie: Of Furrows
• Anêsidôra: She Who Sends Forth Gifts
• Ploutodoteira: Giver of Wealth
• Karpophoros/Malophoros: Bearer of Fruit
• Thermasia: Of Warmth
• Megala Thea: Great Goddess
• Megala Mêter: Great Mother
• Thesmophoros: Bringer of Law
• Erinys: Fury
• Melaina: The Black
• Lousiê: Bathing, Purifying
• Kabeiraiê: Of the Kabeiroi

Offerings

• Poppy
• Pork
• Styrax incense
• Mint
• Miniature hydriai and kernoi (ceramics)
• Ceramic sows and piglets
• Wheat products

Prayers and Hymns

“O Demeter, you nourish my soul make me worthy of your mysteries (your request here).”

-Callimachus

“Demeter, you who taught us to work the earth and provides for us so bountifully (your request here).”

-Anonymous

"I begin to sing of rich-haired Demeter, awful goddess, of her and of her daughter lovely Persephone. Hail, goddess! Keep this city safe, and govern my song.”

-Homeric Hymns