Wondering Why We Ever Go Home: Greece, 2007
Journal Entry 14
04/13/07
2:30 PM
Eleusis
It is here, according to myth, that the earth opened to swallow Persephone. Today, you see cars as you look out from the shadows, but now, in the spring while Greece is in full bloom among the ruins of Eleusis, the mystery reenacted here makes perfect sense.
The top of the cave is covered in cactus, and the flowers, small yellow ones that look like black-eyed susans without the domestic violence, spread around the floor. Of course, the metaphor in that last sentence is silly, but it's the best way to describe them. Considering this spot is where the traumatic rape of Persephone took place, it is rather refreshing to see a lack of black eyes and violence.
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Plutonion, with zylch and viedansante | Plutonion sign and site description
This is, mythically, where the rape of Persephone took place.
On the balance, for such a violent event, Eleusis and this cave are now very peaceful. I'm listening to chirping birds, doves, and the breeze: these are the dominant sounds of this place, not the far distant breaks of trucks, motorcycles tearing through town, and cars honking at lazy landscapers.
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Modern Eleusis viewed from the Plutonion | One of the pits next to the Plutonion
Yes, this place is beautiful, calming, and full of hope for the time ahead. It is spring.
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Lesbian Stones! | The Telesterion | Telesterion steps
Bonus!
The Temple of Artemis at Brauron