The Return of Persephone (and Bayley)

..."the question is posed: what would it look like if Persephone owned her life and her unique powers? For one thing, she'd most definitely have a strong white dog as a companion as she journeys through both worlds."  – Sally

In Greek mythology, Persephone possesses two lives: as the queen of the underworld as the wife of Hades, and as the goddess of spring when she returns to walk above world. Persephone is the daughter of Zeus, the king of the Olympic gods, and Demeter, the harvest goddess. Homer describes her as the formidable, venerable, majestic princess of the underworld, who carries into effect the curses of men upon the souls of the dead.

Persephone was abducted by Hades, the god-king of the underworld, and through the workings of her mother Demeter, a deal was struck where by she spends part of her year with Hades. When Persephone departs above world for below world, vegetation withdraws and brings winter to the world. When Persephone returns to the world above, life springs forward in buds and leaves.

Vegetation and harvest goddesses are a common arc in mythologies, and similar tropes appear across cultures. Persephone’s cult of worship pre-dates the full story of the Olympic gods, worshipped in some form by agrarian cults.

In classical Greek art, and in more modern depictions, Persephone is portrayed robed, carrying a sheaf of grain, and sometimes as a mystical divinity. Mostly, however, she is represented in the act of being carried off by Hades or appearing somewhat mournful about her life in the underworld. Here, however, the question is posed: what would it look like if Persephone owned her life and her unique powers? For one thing, she'd most definitely have a strong white dog as a companion as she journeys through both worlds. 

– Sally M