Demeter and Persephone and the Flower Metaphor
The Narcissus and Metamorphosis
“And whenever the earth blossoms with all kinds of fragrant Spring flowers, you will come back up again from the mist darkness, to the astonishment of gods and mortal men” (Boer 126).
What does it mean when Persephone takes hold of the narcissus? Why does her action open up the underworld? What does this set in motion? Does Gaia truly trick Persephone? Or, does some unconscious potential within Persephone push her to action like the life-force of a germinating seed seeking the light of the sun?
Some have argued that the capture and rape of Persephone represents violence and patriarchal repression, among other things. I would like to suggest (however, not entirely diametrically opposed to this) that Persephone willing acts on her own, for her own individuation. She acts not only to escape from the smothering Demeter/mother, but more to flower into her own potential. I believe it is no coincidence that the growth of Persephone from maiden to mature woman occurs from her yanking of the narcissus from the confines of the earth. It is the image and symbol of the flower that I wish to explore as a mirror of Persephone’s and our threefold humanness. When Persephone reaches for the narcissus, she is taking hold of her own body: this by means of the flower representing not only her body but…
