Who Cares About Demeter in 2022? (Spoiler: I do)

       Who cares about Demeter in 2022? Next to gods of love, war, or thunder, Demeter seems a little… meh to modern people. But although we tend to overlook her, this ancient Greek agriculture goddess is more important than ever.

First of all- climate change. The world is literally burning and defending the environment should be more important to us than ever. Just because we don’t live as close to nature as the ancient Greeks doesn’t mean that we don’t have an obligation to the Earth. In modern times, Demeter can be seen as one of the patrons of environmentalism.

And don’t even get me started on hunger. In a country where over 38 million Americans are food insecure, how can agriculture not be important? Researchers predict that the world might run out of food by 2050, mostly due to the unsustainable practices of commercial farming. The ancient Greeks called Demeter a “friend of the farmer,” and today she still is. We can view Demeter as the patron of small local farms. 

And in a way, we honor her every time we eat. I like to thank Demeter for my food, especially when there’s a home-cooked meal on the table. As someone who has grappled with an eating disorder in the past, Demeter is a great comfort to me. She helps me escape my shame around food and cultivate gratitude for the blessings of nature. Many people struggle with food in different ways. Who’s to say that Demeter can’t help us? 

Also, a lot of people don’t realize it, but Demeter is a badass. She survived sexual violence and raised a beautiful daughter all by herself. Many people like to demonize her in favor of Hades but the myth of Persephone actually depicts Demeter as a loving mother who literally went to hell and back to save her child. Many women in ancient Greece were separated from their daughters by forced marriage, and the story of Demeter and Persephone offered them hope that they would see their children again. Today, we can view Demeter as a protector of the victims of domestic abuse. 

In 2022, we’re affected by Demeter’s domains every single day, yet we still don’t give her the recognition that she deserves. Whether you see Demeter as a myth or an actual deity, I believe She is a strong, generous goddess who has a lot to offer us in modern times. So yes, it’s time to care about Demeter.