Demeter
In Greek mythology, Demeter was the goddess of agriculture. She was
the daughter of Cronos and Rhea and was the mother of Persephone. When Persephone was abducted by
Hades, ruler of the dead, Demeter in her
grief neglected the Earth's crops. Starvation threatened the world
until Zeus urged a compromise whereby
Persephone spent 6 months with Hades (winter) and 6 months with her
mother (summer). Demeter's joy at Persephone's return caused the
barren earth to blossom each year. The cult of Demeter featured the
Eleusinian Mysteries, in which the drama of life, death, and
resurrection was enacted. In Roman mythology, Demeter was
identified with Ceres.