Festival of Kore (Greece)

Festival of Kore (Greece)

KORE

Themes: Luck; Cycles; Youthful Energy

Symbols: Coins; Corn; the Number Seven; Flower Buds; Pomegranate

About Kore: An aspect of Persephone before her marriage to Hades, this youthful goddess motivates good fortune, zeal, and a closer affinity to earth's cycles during the coming months.

Kore, whose name means "maiden," is the youngest aspect of the triune goddess. She was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, as beautiful as spring's blossoms and as fragrant as its breezes. It was this beauty that inspired Hades to tempt her with a pomegranate, a symbol of eternal marriage. Because she ate the fruit, Persephone spends her winter with Hades as his wife and returns to the earth in the spring.

To Do Today: Traditionally, on this day the Greeks carried an image of Kore around the temple seven times for victory, protection and good fortune. Since your home is your sacred space, consider walking clockwise around it seven times with any goddess symbol you have (a round stone, vase, or bowl will suffice). As you go, visualize every nook and cranny being filled with the yellow-white light of dawn, neatly chasing away any lingering wintering blues.

This is also Twelfth Night. Customarily, all holiday decorations should be down by now. This day marks winter's passage and perpetuates Kore's gusto and luck in your home year-round. Also consider carrying a little unpopped popcorn in your pocket to keep Kore's zeal and vigor close by for when you need it.

By Patricia Telesco ~ From "365 Goddess"