Working with Persephone: Queen of the Underworld and Goddess of Spring

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Persephone can be a kind mentor and a powerful ally, especially when we are going through transitions, working with powerful emotions or struggling to find balance in your life.

Persephone is a Goddess of both death and renewal in Greek mythology. She was the daughter of Demeter, goddess of the harvest and her story began when Hades took her to the Underworld to be his queen. Her mother, Demeter, was so grief stricken at the loss of her daughter that she caused all crops and vegetation to die. Zeus made a deal with Hades to release Persephone, as long as she hadn’t eaten anything while she was in the Underworld. But, as she had eaten three pomegranate seeds while in the underworld, the deal was changed to allow her to spend part of the year above ground with her mother, bringing spring and summer, and part below as Queen of the Underworld, bringing autumn and winter.

Persephone grew into a powerful queen who ruled the realm of souls with both kindness and strength. She gained wisdom from her time in both worlds. This makes her a helpful goddess to work with when you face big changes, need to balance different parts of life, or want to understand both joy and sorrow.

Signs Persephone May Be Calling You

If you are feeling curious about Persephone this alone is a sign that she might want to work with you. Other signs that she could be a great source of Divine guidance and support include:

  • Having dreams about the Underworld, change, or new beginnings.
  • Finding yourself drawn to pomegranates, narcissus flowers, or other images from her myths.
  • If you’re dealing with loss, big changes, or feeling caught between two worlds, and you need help and support
  • You want to want to explore hidden emotions or heal from hard experiences. Her journey shows us that dark times can teach us important lessons when we face them bravely.
  • You want to work with a Goddess that is related to nature, especially when winter arrives and when spring returns.

Trust your gut feelings about her—if you feel pulled toward her, there’s likely a reason.

Creating Sacred Space for Persephone

When making an altar its a good idea to include items that show both sides of Persephone’s nature.

For her Underworld side, use dark purple or black cloth, obsidian or black tourmaline stones, and pomegranates (whole or cut open). Small bones or shed snakeskin can also work.

For her Spring side, add fresh flowers (especially narcissus or daffodils), young plants, and light green or white items. Seeds and sprouting plants show her power of new life.

Candles work well for her altars—black or purple for her Underworld aspect, white or green for her Spring side. Some people include photos of loved ones who have died, as this Goddess watches over souls in the afterlife.

Keep your altar fresh and clean as this Goddess values both order and natural beauty.

Offerings for Persephone

When you work with Persephone, these offerings can help build your connection:

Pomegranates are her most famous symbol—either the fruit itself, juice, or seeds.

Honey, barley, and spring water are traditional Greek offerings that also work well.

Flowers make perfect gifts, especially narcissus (daffodils), lilies, or violets. In spring, gather seasonal blooms; in winter, dried flowers honour her Underworld role.

Creative works show your personal connection—poems, artwork, or music about change, growth through hardship, or finding strength in dark times.

Many witches who practice goddess work with Persephone find that offerings linked to personal growth work well. Share your own journey of change with her through journal pages or symbols of what you’re letting go of or welcoming.

Working with Persephone in Your Life

Persephone helps in several key areas of life.

Life Transitions

When facing big changes—moving, career shifts, relationship endings, health issues or identity changes—Persephone offers guidance. She teaches that endings make way for new beginnings and that you can find your footing in new situations.

Shadow Work

Persephone helps you face the parts of yourself you might avoid or hide. Call on her when doing inner work about past hurts, fears, or hidden strengths. She helps bring these shadows into light for healing.

Grief and Loss

As a goddess who moves between worlds, Persephone understands grief deeply. Many find comfort in her presence when mourning loved ones, knowing she watches over souls with care.

Finding Balance

If you feel pulled in different directions or need to balance opposing forces in your life, Persephone knows this feeling well. She lived in two worlds and found power in both.

Seasonal Rituals

Work with Persephone as seasons shift. In autumn, ask for help letting go of what no longer serves you. In spring, call on her for new growth and fresh starts.

Simple Ritual to Connect with Persephone

Here’s an easy ritual to begin working with this Goddess

  1. Find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed.
  2. Light two candles—one dark (black or purple) and one light (white or green)—to honour both sides of her nature.
  3. Place a pomegranate or its seeds between the candles.
  4. Say something simple like: “Persephone, Queen of Above and Below, I invite your presence. Guide me through changes, help me find strength in dark times, and teach me to bloom again when the time is right.”
  5. Sit quietly and notice any feelings, thoughts, or images that come to mind.
  6. Thank her for her presence when you finish.

Try this ritual during big life changes or at seasonal turning points like spring equinox or autumn equinox when Persephone’s energy feels strongest.

Persephone’s Lessons

Working with Persephone teaches valuable life lessons.

  • Change is natural and needed. Just as seasons shift, our lives must move through different phases.
  • Hardship can bring unexpected gifts. Persephone’s time in the Underworld gave her power and wisdom she wouldn’t have found otherwise.
  • We can adapt and thrive in unlikely places. Persephone didn’t just survive the Underworld—she became its queen.
  • Balance between light and dark creates wholeness. Persephone reminds us that we need both joy and sorrow, both light and shadow, to live fully.

Whether you work with deities regularly or are just starting goddess work, Persephone offers wise guidance for life’s twists and turns. Her dual nature makes her especially helpful for those navigating change, seeking balance, or learning to find light even in dark times.

Blessed be

Eva x

For more on Deity work, see my post Working with Deities 101

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Eva May Baker
Eva May Baker
Hello, and welcome to The City Witch, your portal into the magical world that exists within the hustle and bustle of city life. My name is Eva Baker and I am an urban folk witch, author and your guide on this magical journey.

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