Second Saturday in September
On the second Saturday of each month members of Hellenion pour a libation to one of the Olympians on the same day, from wherever they may be, with whomever may join them, around the world. In this way, whatever else we do to celebrate Hellenic occasions, we are united in doing the same action on the same day. In September, we honor Demeter and Kore.
Orphic Hymn for Persephone (as translated by Athanassakis )
Persephone, blessed daughter of great Zeus, sole offspring of Demeter,
Come and accept this gracious sacrifice.
Much-honored spouse of Plouton, discreet and life-giving,
You command the gates of Hades in the bowels of the earth,
Lovely-tressed, Praxidike, pure bloom of Deo, mother of the Furies,
Queen of the netherworld whom Zeus sired in clandestine union.
Mother of loud-roaring and many shaped Eubouleus,
Radiant and luminous playmate of the Seasons, august, almighty,
Maiden rich in fruits, you alone are beloved of mortals.
In spring you rejoice in the meadow breezes,
And you show your holy figure in shoots and green fruits.
You were made a kidnapper’s bride in the fall,
And you alone are life and death to toiling mortals,
O Persephone, for you always nourish all and kill them too.
Hearken, O blessed goddess, and send forth the earth’s fruits.
You who blossom in peace, in soft-handed health,
And in a life of plenty that ferries old age in comfort to your realm,
O queen, and to that of mighty Plouton.
To Eleusinian Demeter (as translated by Athanassakis )
Deo, divine mother of all, goddess of many names, august Demeter,
Nurturer of youths, and giver of prosperity and wealth.
You nourish the ears of corn, O giver of all, and you delight in peace and in toilsome labor.
Present at sowing, reaping and threshing, O spirit of unripe fruit,
You dwell in the sacred valley of Eleusis.
Charming and lovely, you give sustenance to all mortals,
And you were the first to yoke the plowing ox and to send up from below,
A rich and lovely harvest for mortals.
Through you there is growth and blooming, O illustrious companion of Bromios,
And, torch-bearing and pure one, you delight in the summer’s yield.
From beneath the earth you appear and to all you are gentle,
O holy and youth-nurturing lover of children and of fair offspring.
You yoke your chariot to bridled dragons,
And round your throne you whirl and howl in ecstasy.
Only daughter with many children and many powers over mortals,
You manifest your myriad faces to the variety of flowers and sacred blossoms.
Come, blessed and pure one, and, laden with the fruits of summer,
Bring peace, together with the welcome rule of law, riches too,
And prosperity, and health that governs all.
Libation Information
Hymns
http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Demeter.html#Hymns
http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/DemeterMyths.html#Apollodorus
http://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/PersephoneGoddess.html#Hymns
Modern hymns & prayers to Demeter
Modern hymns & prayers to Persephone
Common Offerings
Incense (Demeter: frankincense, storax, kyphi – – Persephone: frankincense, storax)
Demeter – Barley cakes, first fruits
Sacred animals, plants, and symbols of Demeter
Devotional activities for Demeter
Further Reading & Sources
Demeter – http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Demeter.html
http://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/Persephone.html