In ancient Greek mythology, Persephone was the daughter of Demeter and Zeus. My zodiac sign is Virgo, a personification of Demeter. I identify strongly with her, as she is the earth goddess. She has only one daughter, a beautiful lady named Persephone. Hades, the god of the underworld, fell in love with Persphone at first sight, and as gods are wont to do, kidnapped her and stole her away to the underworld. Demeter was inconsolable, having lost her only child, and neglected the earth, withholding her gifts so that the earth became a frozen wasteland.

Seeing that the earth was dying, Zeus forced Hades to return Persephone, but the underlord had one last trick up his sleeve. Hades inticed Persephone to eat of the magical pomegranate seeds, which forced her to return four months of each year.

Hence the seasons were born. When Persephone is reunited with her mother Demeter, the earth is reborn and blooms again. But when Persephone returns for her four month visit to the Underworld of Hades, the grey months of winter encroach on the earth and ice and snow return.

I created many sketches for the EBSQ Mythology show, but was not happy with any of them. Luckily this painting came to me in a dream to save the day. Thank you muses and art angels! Plus I'm sick to death of winter! Hurry back, Persephone!