Lessons & Wisdom from Persephone

To follow on from a recent blog where I was speaking into flourishing in any season of life, Spring has sprung in Australia and brings with it a sense of renewal and transformation. The flowers beautifully blooming, the air feels lighter, smells sensational and we find ourselves drawn to the energy of new beginnings.

Now is a wonderful time to introduce the first of many Wild Hearts & Free Spirits blogs—a series dedicated to women, both real and fictional, from history, literature, pop culture, mythology, art and  everyday life who have left an indescribable mark and lasting legacy on the world through their actions, courage and unique qualities.

These remarkable women have also inspired me personally and professionally, and I know their stories will inspire you to live fully, embrace your authenticity and navigate the complexities and obstacles of life with a wild heart and a free spirit.

To begin this series, we draw wisdom from Persephone, the Greek Goddess of the Underworld and Springtime. The story of Persephone is not just a myth; it is a reflection of our own human experience, filled with transformation, duality, polarity and the deep understanding of the cycles of life. Her journey through darkness and light teaches us about the power of embracing all aspects of ourselves—our joy & pain, our growth & setbacks, our love & loss and the balance between the external and the internal worlds we inhabit.

The myth of Persephone is one of the most beautiful fables of the natural cycles of life, death and rebirth - well at least in my eyes. In ancient Greek mythology, Persephone is the daughter of Demeter, the Goddess of Harvest (of course there will be another post to come all about Demeter). Her life begins in the realm of light, innocence and beauty—fields of flowers, abundant crops and endless spring. However, her world soon changes when she is abducted by Hades, the God of the Underworld, and taken to his realm of shadows, where she will become his queen.

Demeter, distraught and heartbroken over the disappearance of her daughter, causes the earth to wither and die. Winter quickly descended, and the land became barren. This period of mourning reflects the harshness of winter—the absence of growth, warmth, light, love and even life.

Hold tight…. the fable or myth does not end here.

Persephone, though initially a victim of circumstance, evolves. She becomes a powerful figure in her own right, reigning alongside Hades, as a Queen who understands the depths and mysteries of the underworld, rather than a frightened woman.

When Persephone rises from the underworld each spring, it marks the rejuvenation of the earth. As she ascends from the underworld, life returns to the land. Flowers bloom, crops grow, warmth and love fills the air. This perpetual cycle of descent into darkness and return to the light mirrors the cycles we experience in our own lives—times of struggle followed by moments of renewal, times when we feel buried by the weight of life, only to rise again, stronger and wiser.

This aspect of the journey of Persephone reminds us that life is not linear.

Life ebbs and flows, much like the changing of the seasons.

There will be winters in our lives—times of loss, grief, uncertainty and introspection. Just as winter gives way to spring, so too will our periods of darkness transition into new growth. Persephone teaches us that the cycles of life are inevitable, but within them lies the potential for transformation.

One of the most powerful lessons Persephone offers is the importance of embracing duality, light & dark, life & death. She is both the Queen of the Underworld, a place of death and shadows and the Goddess of Spring, the embodiment of life, light and renewal. This duality is not a contradiction—it is the fullness of her being.

Her ability to exist in both realms highlights the complexity of our own human nature.

We too hold within us both light and dark. We have moments of joy, love and creativity, where everything feels alive and full of possibility. But we also have moments of sorrow, fear and pain, where we retreat into the shadows of our minds. Too often, we are unfortunately taught to reject these darker aspects of ourselves, to put on a brave face and push through.

Persephone teaches us that there is power in embracing both sides of our nature.

Persephone finds her strength in the underworld.

She does not remain the naive maiden who was taken against her will. Instead, she becomes a queen, learning to navigate the complexities of the darker elements of life. This transformation is something we can all relate to. There are times when we feel lost in the underworld of our own emotions—whether it’s grief, uncertainty or fear of the unknown. These are the moments where we find our true strength, where we learn who we really are and what we are truly capable of.

As Persephone returns to the surface, bringing spring with her, she is not a rejecting the underworld but balancing both worlds. She teaches us that life is not about choosing light over dark or happiness over sadness. Life is about finding harmony between the two. By embracing all aspects of ourselves—both the blooming flowers of our joy and the shadows of our struggles—we can live more fully, authentically and courageously.

One of the most profound aspects of the story of Persephone is her transformation. Her descent into the underworld represents not just a physical journey but an emotional and spiritual one. Persephone begins as a young girl, carefree and innocent, but by the time she emerges, she is a woman who has faced the depths of the challenges of life and emerged stronger, braver and wiser.

Transformation is rarely comfortable.

It often requires us to leave behind the familiar and venture into the unknown.

Like Persephone, we may find ourselves in situations we did not choose, circumstances may feel beyond our control. It is in these moments of discomfort that we are gifted the opportunity to evolve & grow. When we descend into our own metaphorical underworlds, we are forced to confront the parts of ourselves we would rather avoid. It is in this confrontation that true transformation occurs.

Persephone so beautifully reminds us that while we may not have control over the challenges life presents, we do have control over how we respond to them. We can choose to let these challenges defeat us, or we can use them as opportunities for growth and transformation. Just as Persephone emerged from the underworld with a newfound sense of strength and power, we too can rise from our struggles with a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal, and the return of Persephone to the surface each year brings with it the promise of new beginnings. After the darkness of winter, the earth comes alive again, reminding us that no matter how long or difficult the winter may seem, spring will always come.

This theme of rebirth is powerful.

Persephone teaches us that we always have the opportunity to start anew, no matter what has come before. We are not defined by our past mistakes, failures or struggles. Like the earth that blooms each spring, we too have the capacity for renewal. We can shed the old parts of ourselves that no longer serve us and step into a new season of growth.

This invites us all to reflect on the areas of our lives where we may feel stuck or stagnant. 

What old beliefs, habits, or relationships am I holding onto that are preventing me from blooming? 

Just as Persephone ascends from the underworld to bring life back to the earth, we too can rise from our own struggles and embrace new beginnings.

Persephone offers us several powerful lessons that we can apply to our own lives;

Just as Persephone is both the Queen of the Underworld and the Goddess of Spring, we too are complex beings with both light and dark within us. Embrace all parts of yourself—the joyful and the painful—because it is through this acceptance that we find our true strength.

Honour the cycles of life as life is full of seasons—times of growth, times of stillness, and times of challenge. Each season has its purpose. Embrace the ebb and flow of life, knowing that even in the darkest times, spring will come.

Choose to find strength in transformation: Change is inevitable, but it is also an opportunity for growth. Just as Persephone transforms through her journey into the underworld, we too can use our struggles as opportunities to evolve and become stronger.

Rebirth is always possible. No matter how difficult life may seem, there is always the opportunity for renewal. The way Persephone returns each spring reminds us that we can always start anew, leaving behind what no longer serves us and embracing new growth.

Trust in the process. Just as the earth goes through cycles of death and rebirth, so too do we. Trust that even in the moments of darkness, you are being prepared for a new season of growth and transformation.

The story of Persephone is a timeless reminder that we are capable of navigating both the light and the dark in our lives. She teaches us to embrace our duality, honour all the cycles of life and find strength in transformation. As we step into this season of renewal, let us take the wisdom of Persephone with us, trusting that no matter where we are in our journey, rebirth and new beginnings are always possible.

To live as free spirits with wild hearts is to embrace every part of the journey—the light and the dark, the struggles and the triumphs. Persephone shows us that there is beauty in the balance, and through that balance, we can find our true power.

Let us continue to brilliantly and beautifully bloom where we are planted, rising from the depths and living with courage, grace and an open heart.