When it comes to Lord Hades he is known by many names and transcends in such a way that he can never be forgotten. Many of us have heard the stories of Hades from his funeral rites and his cult located in Eleusis, Greece. We have heard how he's helped countless heroes and how he ruled over the souls of the underworld. But one of his most popular stories is that of his abduction of Persephone. Many have their opinions on the story and yet it's one that has stood as a love story for some while others a reason for the season changes. It's also a reminder to some that food and drink consumed in the land of the dead is a tale to beware of eating the food of rot.
But in the tale of Persephone, the consumption of food told how long she would be in captivity for each year. But what lovers did Hades have before Persephone and what lovers did he have while with Persephone? Many create a narrative in their minds that she was the only one they loved or stayed true to. But yet we have myths that prove to point to otherwise, given the ones he's chosen have been with discretion. Unlike his brothers, he was picky in where his love was given and so he's been romanticized more than his brothers.
The first story of abduction that seems to take place in the mythos of which we have left is that of Leuce. She was a nymph and daughter to the titan Oceanus, while in some literature she is depicted to be Leukippe. Who accompanied Persephone during her abduction by Hades and down below links can be found to this mythos. But in the myth that sees Leuce as being abducted by Hades, it states that the nymph lived out her days in the underworld with him. Upon her passing, it is said that Hades took her to the Elysium Fields. Where he then made her into a white popular tree. This was solidified when Hercules returned from the underworld and had made a crown from a branch of the tree. Showing that he had been in the underworld and came back from it to tell the tale. The White poplar tree that Leuce was turned into just so happens to surround the area of Hades Temple.
The Second lover of Hades was Persephone and the most known among the mythos that we hear in regard to him and his love. The story in short starts out like the first where Hades finds himself smitten by Persephone. To the point, he watches and waits for his chance to abduct her and bring her down to his realm. At this point, many have fantasized about this tale as two lovers who were trying to find a way to be together. While others see it as a vial representation of women's innocence being taken. But nonetheless, it's a story in which the tale of the seasons takes place in our greek mythology. Like many myths, they are used to tell a tale of morality and truth. Both in these are displayed in this myth, anyone can look at the story and gain insight and apply it to their own lives. In the story of Persephone, personally see many meanings behind it and its meaning. From seasonal changes to a girl going from being a girl to becoming a woman. Many men can capture a woman's heart and sometimes it happens so fast that it becomes a sort of abduction. But when the love is combined it can make something new and bring forth life that is it's own. Another interpretation I take upon this mythos when it comes to abduction is how we all make a decent. A metaphor for depression and how it feels as if parts of us must day to be reborn. While the pomegranates symbolize the options we have and the knowledge we must give ourselves our own time. But as I stated these are just my opinions of how I view this mythos.
When we move to the story of Hade's third lover we see another side to Hades that hasn't been seen until this point. Now there are also many variations of this story and depending on the one you wish to subscribe to depends on your view of events. The first tale depicts Minthe as a nymph who is in love with Hades. She tries to sway him in such a way that angers Persephone and she takes revenge. By stomping the ground and turning Minthe into mint and every time she stomped the ground the smell of mint would linger in the air. Another tale of this story proclaims that minthe was a lover of Hade's before the abduction of Persephone. When Hades took Persephone and made him his wife. He cast aside Minthe and she became angry and jealous and proclaimed that she was more beautiful than Persephone. Eventually, Hades would grow tired of Persephone and return to her. Well, Demeter had heard this and decided to take action and turn Minthe into mint.
So as you see there is more than meets the eye when it comes to the heart of Hades. Some of which may have been lost from time or to destruction. But as we look upon these myths may we find truths within ourselves. For myths are a way to guide and as we can tell even the one with the most stoic of presence lingers for love. It is a part of our nature to have needs and desires and to change with the seasons. It is a time to remember the love we had and honor it rather than focus on what is lost. Sometimes loss is created by the force of another or sometimes just by the force of time. We each have those around us who see pain and suffering and those who experience more than their fair share. But as Persephone has shown even when dealt with a hand not intended. Sometimes the sacrifice we have been forced to make is one that is needed and we shall emerge from it and start a new one. We are given only so much time in this world as seen in the representation of Hades. When that time will come we do not know and sometimes it can be swift without warning. So take these tales as they are and find for yourself all you can. Make your own opinions on them and the meaning behind them and share them with others. See more than just the side of the coin in which you have been dealt and discover a new perspective.
The Devine Witch
Debbie Lewis
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