On Persephone, Closed Loops, and Regenerative Cycles
According to ancient Greek mythology, at the farthest reaches of the western world lies a vast grove of black poplars and sterile willows. It is said that here, at the Grove of Persephone, pure souls would meet Hades and his wife before gaining entry to the Elysian Fields, which, as legend has it, were quite beautiful.
Persephone spent her life caught between two worlds. As a maiden, she was abducted by Hades while picking flowers on the island of Sicily where, by coincidence, my ancestors mingled for centuries to bring me into existence. Thus, Persephone, the goddess of spring and new growth, became the reluctant Queen of the Underworld—an inescapable deity who both created and destroyed all things.
Anyone who has tended compost or scattered poppy seeds on frozen earth intuitively understands this duality. Each year, Persephone was permitted to emerge from the Underworld to herald the arrival of spring. Later, the barren fields of autumn and winter would mark her annual sojourn with Hades. Despite being the Queen of the Dead, Persephone is often depicted with her arms generously overflowing with sheaves of new grain—a symbol of renewal and abundance.
From a permaculture perspective, she embodies the mythical Goddess of Closed-Loop Systems. Polish psychologist Kazimierz Dabrowski coined the term positive disintegration to describe how old aspects of our psyche decompose and fall away, allowing us to reorganize into something entirely new. The garden has imparted this lesson to humanity since the dawn of time.
Winter is an ideal time to reflect on our practices and interactions with the natural world—a season for reflection and discovery. This year, after completing my permaculture certification, I’ve been closely examining how to close energy loops. I invite you to do the same.
Energy escapes from systems all around us, and desperate attempts to capture and hoard energy underpin many of today's conflicts. By harnessing and redirecting energy as it shifts from one form to another, we can contribute to regenerative systems. Here are three simple ways to do so in your garden:
Conserve Water. Water conservation has been a priority for me since we experienced a three-month drought this fall. Adding a rain barrel or other rain collection systems to your garden is a simple way to capture and store this vital resource. Another excellent strategy is using underground irrigation vessels. Ancient methods, such as burying unglazed terracotta pots (known as oya or olla pots), allow water to seep slowly into the soil, reducing evaporation and lowering water consumption by 60–70%. This technique also encourages plants to develop deeper, more vigorous root systems.
Compost. If you’re unsure of where to start, the NYBG website has an excellent beginner’s guide to composting. Now is a great time of year to take any leaves or debris from fall cleanup. If you’re in an urban setting, check to see if your city has a composting program.
Use What You Have. The arrival of new seed catalogs can be tempting. But before placing orders, take stock of what you already have. Can you save seeds from plants you grew this year? Are there perennials in your garden that can be divided? In the garden—and in life—you may have more than you realize.
To the Romans, Persephone was known as Prosperina, and that is how she is known to Italians today. Her Latin name shares the root of the word meaning "to prosper"—an even more buoyant name for the Queen of the Underworld.
As we move through the seasons, we are reminded of the power in both creation and destruction, in endings and beginnings. By embracing regenerative practices, we align ourselves with the natural rhythms that have sustained life on Earth for millennia.
Harnessing the energy around us is a path to cultivating abundance, resilience, and balance. Whether it’s conserving water, composting, or rethinking the resources we already have, each small act contributes to a greater whole.
In the quiet of winter, as we reflect on the energy we steward and the systems we build, let us honor nature's cycles and remember that true prosperity lies in the delicate balance between growth and decay, creation and destruction—a reflection of Persephone's perpetual journey.
