One day from your throne on Mt. Olympus you gaze down and see Hades who has left his dark palace to inspect the nearby island of Sicily. On finding nothing wrong, in fact everything was perfect, he roams further, toward where Persephone picks flowers with some other maidens.
That's when you grasp Eros, your son, to you and say, "My child, my warrior, my power, take your arrows which conquer all and shoot one dart to the heart of Hades. Your power subdues all the heavens and the gods, even Zeus, you also subdue the gods of the seas, even Poseidon. Why should Hades be left untouched? We can extend your empire and mine as well. The third part of the world is at stake while we in heaven are despised. After all, my power grows less with the desertion of the virgin goddesses Athena and Diana. Demeter's daughter, Persephone is likely to remain a virgin too if we allow it. So for both our sakes, unite Persephone and Hades." (Paraphrased from Ovid's Metamorphasis)
You watch as Eros plucks the sharpest arrow from his quiver and shot the shaft deep into Hades' heart.
Pierced by the longing and love for the maiden, Persephone, he immediately seizes her to him and takes her to his dark realm.
You smile, satisfied. It is a good match, and for a bonus, it extends your powers and those of your son. No one, not god or mortal can elude the prick of Eros' love arrows.
That's when you grasp Eros, your son, to you and say, "My child, my warrior, my power, take your arrows which conquer all and shoot one dart to the heart of Hades. Your power subdues all the heavens and the gods, even Zeus, you also subdue the gods of the seas, even Poseidon. Why should Hades be left untouched? We can extend your empire and mine as well. The third part of the world is at stake while we in heaven are despised. After all, my power grows less with the desertion of the virgin goddesses Athena and Diana. Demeter's daughter, Persephone is likely to remain a virgin too if we allow it. So for both our sakes, unite Persephone and Hades." (Paraphrased from Ovid's Metamorphasis)
You watch as Eros plucks the sharpest arrow from his quiver and shot the shaft deep into Hades' heart.
Pierced by the longing and love for the maiden, Persephone, he immediately seizes her to him and takes her to his dark realm.
You smile, satisfied. It is a good match, and for a bonus, it extends your powers and those of your son. No one, not god or mortal can elude the prick of Eros' love arrows.
Photo from fabilua at Deviant Art Aphrodite and her son, Eros, play a huge part in the passions of the gods as well as their own passionate stories. In the case of Hades and Persephone, would the gods have fallen in love if not prodded by the mother and son? Perhaps not and yet their union endured, against all odds, and even against Demeter's wishes, as we will find out in a future story.
Sometimes love strikes hot and quickly, and so it was for Hades and Persephone. Without the first strike of attraction provided by Eros' dart, Persephone might well have remained a virgin, for if her mother had anything to do with it, she'd make sure no male touched her precious daughter. If Persephone remained the obedient daughter, Hades would have remained untouched by love, and never felt the softness a female can provide him. Alone forever beneath the earth. It's a lonely and sad fate for one who is already surrounded by the darkness.
Fortunately, because of Aphrodite's jealousy and need for power, he falls in love with the maiden and makes her his queen. You might call it the rewards of fate. In other words, a good thing can come out of negative emotions.
The ramifications in the myth are great. If Persephone remained a virgin, no springtime occurs and everything remains dormant. It is only in flowering that the plants bear fruit. The goddess of spring becomes fruitful and blossoms from the underground. The natural elements are brought in balance.
And that's what an enduring passionate love does, bring things into balance.
What do you think? Can negative emotions have positive outcomes, especially when it comes to love and passion? Comment below for a chance to win Eternity by Kim Carmichael, a story inspired by Eros and Eternity trading cards. Be sure to leave your email so I can contact you if you win.
Sometimes love strikes hot and quickly, and so it was for Hades and Persephone. Without the first strike of attraction provided by Eros' dart, Persephone might well have remained a virgin, for if her mother had anything to do with it, she'd make sure no male touched her precious daughter. If Persephone remained the obedient daughter, Hades would have remained untouched by love, and never felt the softness a female can provide him. Alone forever beneath the earth. It's a lonely and sad fate for one who is already surrounded by the darkness.
Fortunately, because of Aphrodite's jealousy and need for power, he falls in love with the maiden and makes her his queen. You might call it the rewards of fate. In other words, a good thing can come out of negative emotions.
The ramifications in the myth are great. If Persephone remained a virgin, no springtime occurs and everything remains dormant. It is only in flowering that the plants bear fruit. The goddess of spring becomes fruitful and blossoms from the underground. The natural elements are brought in balance.
And that's what an enduring passionate love does, bring things into balance.
What do you think? Can negative emotions have positive outcomes, especially when it comes to love and passion? Comment below for a chance to win Eternity by Kim Carmichael, a story inspired by Eros and Eternity trading cards. Be sure to leave your email so I can contact you if you win.
photo by bwlight at deviant art Coming SOON:
Journey to the UnderWorld--
Unknown to Kory, she's the goddess Persephone. Seeking a singing career in Vegas, she meets mysterious nightclub owner Deven, who reveals to her the forbidden passions of The UnderWorld.
Journey to the UnderWorld--
Unknown to Kory, she's the goddess Persephone. Seeking a singing career in Vegas, she meets mysterious nightclub owner Deven, who reveals to her the forbidden passions of The UnderWorld.
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