The earth’s seasons are caused by the motions of our planet as it rotates and revolves, and by its inclination or tilt from the straight up and down as it orbits, causing the sun’s daily path to change through the year. In Greek myth, Persephone, the daughter of the earth goddess Demeter, was kidnapped by Hades, god of the underworld. Mourning her loss, Demeter neglected the earth and the crops died, the air grew cold, and winter came to the land. When Persephone was rescued, Demeter caused the earth to bloom, and spring returned. But because Persephone had eaten six pomegranate seeds while she was with Hades, she had to return to the underworld for six months of the year; then autumn and winter start again. The constellation Virgo the maiden represents Demeter, and the bright star Spica, which appears just below the brilliant planet Jupiter in the southeast after sunset, is a spike of wheat she holds in her hand.
Mon Apr 17, 2017 SEASONS MYTH
