The Mysteries of Demeter: Rebirth of the Pagan Way Book

Jennifer Reif has created a practical manual for experiencing the Rites and Mysteries of Demeter and Persephone. Her presentation depicts Demeter as the many-faceted Great Mother who gives birth to all life; Persephone is the light-giving and loving force that helps transform Plouton and the spirits of the Underworld. This book sings the song of the transcendent power of love and eternal renewal in the cycle of life and death. Reif provides a good deal of historical information to lay the ground for the Demetrian Wheel of the Year. Like the Wheel of the Year in Celtic Wicca, Demetrian Paganism contains a cycle of seasonal rituals. The Holy Mother and Daughter are the focus, and lead us into the center of the Mysteries. The Mysteries of Demeter tell us that Earth and all life are sacred. In this lovely book, Reif clearly describes the rituals and provides sacred prayers, chants, and recipes for sacred food. She even gives guidance for establishing a Temple of Demeter and Persephone, whether you are worshiping alone or with a group, and includes information on ritual garments, oil lamps and other ritual accouterments. As the penultimate offering to the Great Mother and a practice of Demetrian spirituality, Reif teaches you how to raise and harvest grain. Through the myth and rituals of Demetrian Paganism, the beauty of self-divinity rises within the soul. In this striking presentation of power and beauty, Demeter's ancient festivals and mysteries are available to us once again.

About the Author:
Jennifer Reif, artist, poet, and musician, has studied the relationships between nature, ancient cultures and their mythologies since 1983. In 1986 she began teaching classes on the Wiccan religion and founded the Elkgrove Circle in Los Angeles. She served the Los Angeles Pagan community through her business Memosyne Arts and Studies, has taught classes through Long Beach WomanSpirit and the Pallas Society. She also foundee the Temple of Demeter and its newsletter Mystica. In 1992 she released an album of original Goddess-Pagan songs called Mysteries of Earth, distributed by Serpentine Music. She lives in Venice, California.