MODERN HYMNS AND POETRY FOR DEMETER

Hymn to Demeter
by Lykeia

Muses dancing among the Graces, celebrating earths gifts to men,
Dance and sing with me now in honor of corn-crowned Demeter.
Ruddy faced Demeter, manteled in the colors of the earth,
She sits upon her drakon cart, the swine-herds feast lain before her.
All honor to You, Sito! By your pleasure we shall not be want of bread,
From your hand, flower-faced Chloe, the poppy spreds its children to the land.

From your brother's embrace, your blossom child did come to life and arise,
As a seed sown in the soil, rises forth to rain and sun,
So did Persephone rise with a blossom face, cherished daughter beloved.
What delight did come to your mother's heart to spy your daughter so fair,
Paint the petals with delicate handicraft in maiden's company,
Entrusted to the attendance of goddesses virtue pure, to dance in a meadow sunlit.

O Demeter our hearts grieve with you when your daughter departs the living earth,
See now the torn hair and streaming tears that are shed!
But still we set to you a bountiful feast, and delight ease your heart,
And we plant the winter seed to the promise of the renewing spring.
Even as winter holds us in its grasp of ice and snow,
We come together there before the tended roaring fires,
And into our family fold invite you, sorrowing, into the warmth of home.

Behold spring rising again, the earth prepares for the return of flower-gowned Kore,
From the dark castle of her beloved husband in the other world where dead dwell.
Happy is your heart, to see the brightening glow of the yew torch,
Hekate's leading the procession, and lo Persephone arises!
Happy are our hearts to greet the blushing spring maiden, Deione;
Where her slim feet touch the earth, there life stirs and springs anew.
And before her fair form we sing praises to you great bountiful mother!

Eleusius Bound
by Diotima Sophia

The travel through the stilled countryside
They return to Athens as to home
Crowds gather from far and wide –
Something said, something done and something shown

The mysteries call again
To all they claim as their own
All classes of women and all of men
Something said, something done, and something shown.

The catechisms learned by rote
Recited, repeated, sometimes read
They must be voiced without aid of notes
Something shown, something done and something said.

Ritual cleansing by the sea
Washing away lives previously led
Awake, arise, purified and free
Something shown, something done, and something said.

The mysteries of Demeter culminate
Far away from the blinding sun
From dark of sunset to Selene’s full spate
Something shown, something said, and something done.

Thousands of voices – stilled in the night
The mysteries unfold, one on one
An not one to record the sight
Something shown, something said, and something done.

Ceres
by Phillupus

Like peace the ears of corn sprout,
like war they are cut down.

Like a feast are the throngs of the dead,
like famine is the parade of life.

As joy is the companion of mother and child,
as sorrow is the loss of daughter and son.

As seasons from light to dark, warm to cold,
as night to day, a circle's course.

Through all of these I remain,
mother of Peace in every moment.

To Demeter
by Melia

Hail Demeter,
Mother of All, Gentle Hearted Lady, Bright Goddess,
Hear my prayer and come to me.
Let your radiance pour upon me
Until my heart is full of joy;
Until laughter comes easily to my lips;
Until the only tears that I shed are of happiness.
Into your hands I give my needs and my sorrows.
Bless me with your wisdom.
Teach  me to hope when all is dark.
Teach me patience when all seems fallow.
Teach me to accept both stillness and change.
Grant me a life that is just, joyful and bounteous.
I ask your blessings for my family and my home
Bringing peace and well-being to all.
Hail Demeter!

First Fruits festival prayer
by Melia

Hail Demeter and Kore
The seeds have ripened,
Your promise has come to fruition,
Heralding the change of seasons.
Soon greenery in field, mountain and meadow
Shall perish in winter's cold
Foretelling Kore's return to her beloved.
The cycle of life continues.

I rejoice at my good fortune,
Blessed by your bounty.
May I find joy in the simple pleasures of life:
A child's laugh
A kiss truly given
A job well done
A pantry of surety.
For these and all your gifts
I give you, Mother and Daughter, my thanks.

I also praise Zeus and all others
Whose gifts and blessings
Aided Demeter's fertile power,
For she does not work alone.

I ask for blessings on those
That work the land
And the couriers too
As they provide the food for my table.
Hail Demeter and Kore!

Demeter Dances
by Lupercus Pagani

Myrtle-crowned, golden hair like corn silk spun from volcanic forge
woven with hazelnuts into greying tresses that show her ancient age
In a bronze mirror, she smoothes deep furrows around her eyes and lips
while attendants, the Seasons, annoint her with myrrh and pennyroyal
Great Demeter drapes a dark epiblema over her deep blue chiton
anticipating the descent of her daughter to Hades' frozen shores
But now, they sing to her and dear Kore of the first harvest fruits
as she takes joyful steps that stir the dust from Gaia's lovely brow

Harvest prayer for Demeter
by Melia

Hail and Praise Demeter, Mother of all that grows.
As stores are filled again with flavorful bounty,
I thank you for your generosity
which sustains both body and spirit.
The riches of vine, orchard and field
are born of your power, Harvest Mother.
Our spirits rise with your beauty,
for you are everywhere:
In meadow and mountainside,
In field and garden and all that grows.
Beloved Demeter, your mysteries of the seed
Bring us the miracle of birth, growth, death and rebirth.
As the grain was separated from the earth,
as the seed was separated from the chaff,
Separate from me that which I do not need.
Help me to continue to grow
So that my full potential is reached
Before I too am cut down.
Hail Lady of Mysteries.
Hail Bountiful Queen
Hail Demeter.

Follow the Sacred Way
by Rebecca Buchanan

Follow the Sacred Way
To the shores of the great river named Kephisos;
There you will find a sanctuary of the Two Goddesses.
It is ancient and simple in form, just stone and timber.
It was built by Phylatos
Now honored as a hero for his compassion and wisdom;
For it was he who offered shelter to mourning Demeter, stained with dirt and ashes
As she searched a barren Earth for her child.
Fig trees grace the sanctuary grounds
        -- gift from a grateful Goddess for all humankind

Awaken
by Melia

Demeter, Mother of the land, Lady of wealth,
I call to you.
Dark are your sorrows
as you await the day
when the sun will shine
upon Kore's beloved face.
Come my Lady,
awake your fertile powers once more.
Allow me to be Baubo for this instant,
to cheer your heart and make you laugh.
Throw off your mourning robes.
Move once again to the rhythm,
to the Dance of Life.
Let your magick flow across the land
freeing it from snow and cold.
Prepare the land for the seed
so that her return is greeted
with blossoms galore.
So turn the Wheel, Mother.
Turn the Wheel and awaken the land.
I bow to you and sing your praise.

Demeter of the Fields
by Amanda Blake

Muses, attend my song,
And sing to me of Earthy Demeter
Lady of the fields
Adorned with corn-ears in Her hair
Wheat-sheafs in Her arms.
Without Her benevolence,
Crops do not grow,
And people do not eat.
As when Her daughter
Fair Kore of the spring
Was stolen away by Haides.
Mistress of the Sacred Way
And the Mysteries of Eleusis,
Be merciful to us
Grant us a good crop, and
I will sing You another song.