And now let me sing Demeter, that awesome goddess with her beautiful hair
her and her daughter with slender feet . . .
picking flowers, roses and crocus and beautiful violets, in lush meadow,
and iris and hyacinth, narcissus even
which Earth, as a trick, grew for this girl . . .
The Hymn to Demeter
Dr. Christine Downing has guided countless students to the sacred groves of the goddess within. For many, it has been a journey of discovery, for others it has been A Long Journey Home, as the title of Dr. Downing's book suggests.
Every student who enters Pacifica is greeted by Dr. Downing’s vibrant, boundless energy and her famous foot stomping. The first myth she teaches, which is very personal to her, is Persephone, Demeter, and Baubo.
After teaching at Pacifica Graduate Institute for 34 years, she is retiring. As her academic adventure winters over, please join us in invoking Mnemosyne to create a Persephone’s Garden on the Pacifica campus. This project has been pre-approved by the school.
We, her current students, have formed a committee to facilitate the creation of the garden. We invite students, colleagues, readers, admirers, to support us in this undertaking and contribute funds for the creation of the garden.
PLANS AND DETAILS FOR PERSEPHONE’S GARDEN:
We will be working with Pacifica staff to create an oasis for students to be inspired and nourished by plants and flowers emblematic to the myth.
We are raising funds for:
- Statues for Persephone, Demeter, and Baubo
- Memorial Plaque
- Bulbs, plants, and pomegranate tree. Ideas include narcissus, hyacinths, crocuses, iris, violets, and roses
If we exceed the stated goal of $2,000, we will enhance the garden or donate the remaining funds to the Chris Downing Opus Scholarship Fund.
In April of 2022, on the Spring Equinox, which is also Dr. Downing’s 91st birthday, we hope to be able to gather together on campus for a ritual in connection with the founding of Persephone’s Garden at Pacifica.