The maiden Persephone holds a dove in this 575-550 BCE votive statuette found in a tomb in Siracusa, Sicily. As we move toward winter in the northern hemisphere, we prepare to send our innocent, pure protagonist of spring and summer to the Underworld or Hades, where she will take on her adult role as the sensual Queen of the Underworld and wife of Pluto or Hades.

Crossing over to the other side is upon us. Persephone will lead us in the transformation of fall to winter, of dying to death. She reminds us of the rewards of winter, of turning inward, of gestation, and of the discovery of the mysteries of darkness.

From the Museo Paolo Orsi in Siracusa, Sicily