In the famous myth that explained the origin of the seasons, Persephone underwent a quick transformation when Hades approached in his dark chariot as she was a picking flowers in a field. He abducted her and took her to the Underworld to make her his queen.
Once a person ate food in the underworld, it was no longer possible to return to the bright earth above. However, as Persephone had only five pomegranate seeds, she was allowed to spend part of her time on earth with her mother. This was necessary, as Demeter was so distraught at the sudden loss of her daughter that she stopped making the crops grow.
When Demeter's daughter came home to spend part of each year, the seasons of spring and growth returned. Winter reigned in the time that Persephone returned to Hades. Mother and daughter were worshipped as part of the Eleusinian Mysteries.
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