To the average Athean of old, the Goddess Demeter represented the laws by which men worked the land; but on a more esoteric level she is like the Egyptian Isis, Mistress of Magic. She is represented by the second card of the Tarot, the High Priestess.

The two major festivals dedicated to the Goddess Demeter in ancient Greece were Thesmophoria (held throughout Greece) between 11-13 of October, and the Eleusian Mysteries (initiation ceremonies) based at Eleuis. The former was the most widespread expression of the Demeter cult, attended by women only it promoted fertility. The Mysteries were open to both genders, and represented the abduction of Demeter’s daughter, Persephone, by the king of the underworld.

You will note the frequent use of the number 12 in the following Spells and Rituals. The reason for this is that the number 12 is highly significant in Greek Magic. There are Twelve Olympians, Twelve Labors of Hercules, and Twelve Signs of the Zodiac.