"She is, without warning, taken from the light and from everything she knows and thrown into the darkness and the unknown . Those of us who did not have the fortune to ease out of childhood due to situations such as abuse, lack of a stable home, and/ or other traumatic events can often relate to this aspect of Persephone’s story."

This book romantized Persephone a bit too much for my taste, but it's probably expected. There were interesting facts and different versions of the myth were acknowledged. It is also useful as it doesn't only give you informations and analyses to ponder on, but day to day exercises you can apply to your life in order to improve it with Persephone's help.

'Persephone: Practicing the Art of Personal Power' is a book that explains the myth of this often misunderstood goddess and how the story can live inside of us, causing us to act out the themes, lessons, and triumphs of her journey.

Persephone is a goddess of spring and queen of the underworld. Her story is one of empowerment, sovereignty, and discernment. Persephone ultimately chooses to stay in the underworld helping lost souls navigate their darkness, while at the same time, allowing her to find her personal power. She chooses to spend time in the underworld with Hades who she grows to love despite her Mother’s grief. The story of Persephone offers us the chance to explore our shadowy realms where we have the chance to awaken our own personal power. This can only happen through independence and transformation. When passion calls, it’s important to heed the call and begin the merging of the conscious and subconscious. It will require vulnerability and courage but rebirth can only happen when we begin to embrace who we are. Hades and the underworld serve as metaphors for the deep descent into oneself, into one’s soul where transformation can occur, where the release of fears and unwillingness can happen...and only then can new growth sprout (which speaks to the agricultural themes of Persephone).

I relate very strongly to Persephone and loved the author’s own personal journey with this goddess. At the end of each chapter journal prompts were included and some guided meditations and rituals were also included as additional exercises.

I absolutely loved this book and I believe working with Persephone and her mythos can offer many rewards, but most importantly, autonomy and greater self-awareness.

Unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me. The interpretation of the Persephone myth is just a little too in-depth and overwrought for me.