she will be disillusioned when marriage is not fulfulling. In marked
contrast, the Persephone woman must resist an equally unsubstan-
tiated assumption that marriage is always an abduction or death, to
be fought or resented.
PITFALLS FOR PERSEPHONE: CHARACTER FLAWS
When Persephone was reunited with Demeter, the first question
her mother asked was “Did you eat anything in the underworld?”
Persephone replied that she had eaten some pomegranate seeds,
and then lied by saying she had done so only because Hades had
forced her to. Persephone did what she wanted without disturbing
the image her mother had of her. While giving the impression that
she had no control over her fate and therefore could not be held ac-
countable, she actually determined her own fate. By swallowing the
seeds, Persephone guaranteed that she would spend part of the time
with Hades.
Deviousness, lying, and manipulation are potential character
problems for Persephone women. Feeling powerless and dependent
on others who are more powerful, they may learn to get what they
want indirectly. They may wait for the opportune time to act, or
they may use flattery. They may tell only part of the truth or may
lie outright rather than directly confront the other person.
Usually Persephone women avoid anger. They do not want people
to get mad at them. They feel dependent on the generosity and
goodwill of others whom they correctly perceive as more powerful.
Therefore, they often treat their mothers, fathers, husbands, employ-
ers, and teachers like patrons whose good graces need to be courted.
Narcissism is yet another pitfall for some Persephone women.
They may become so anxiously fixed on themselves that they lose
their capacity to relate to others. Their thoughts are dominated by
self-questions: “How do I look? Am I witty enough? Do I sound in-
telligent?” And their energy goes into makeup and clothes. Such
women spend hours in front of mirrors. People exist only to give
them feedback, to provide them with reflecting surfaces in which
to see themselves.
Persephone: The Maiden and Queen of the Underworld, Receptive