Demeter
Goddess of agriculture, mother of Persephone, and center of the Eleusinian Mysteries. Eleusis is a town not too far from Athens.
Selected Epithets
| Epithet | Ancient Greek | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anêsidôra | Ανησιδωρα | She Who Sends Forth Gifts |
| Epogmie | Επογμιε | Of Furrows |
| Erinys | Ερινυς | Fury |
| Herkyna | Ἑρκυνα | Of the Stone Enclosure |
| Kabeiraiê | Καβειραιη | Of the Kabeiroi |
| Karpophoros, Malophoros | Καρποφορος, Μαλοφορος | Bearer of Fruit |
| Khloê | Χλοη | Of Green Shoots |
| Khthonia | Χθονια | Of the Earth/Underworld |
| Lousiê | Λουσιη | Bathing, Purifying |
| Megala Mêter | Μεγαλα Μητερ | Great Mother |
| Megala Thea | Μεγαλα Θεα | Great Goddess |
| Melaina | Μελαινα | The Black |
| Ploutodoteira | Πλουτοδοτειρα | Giver of Wealth |
| Thermasia | Θερμασια | Of Warmth |
| Thesmophoros | Θεσμοφορος | Bringer of Law |
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.-Homeric HymnsHail, goddess! Keep this city safe, and govern my song.”
