2020 has been a challenging year for many of us. At the same time, there are so many new things happening as we also slow down and take a step inward. It’s an interesting experience that most of us never expected to see in our lifetimes.
It seems fitting as we just completed the Autumn Equinox, a time to begin introspection as the wheel of the year turns toward winter, to take a look at in our year so far. It’s good to honor where we’ve been and contemplate where we’re going next. Like any great journey, it will take facing darkness to come back out into the light.
The Story of Demeter and Persephone
The ancient Greeks told the story of the seasons with the myth of Demeter and Persephone. Demeter was the goddess of the harvest, grains, and the fertility of the earth. She had one daughter; the maiden called Kore.
Hades, king of the underworld and brother to the Kore’s father Zeus, saw the girl and fell madly in love. As she picked flowers in the field, he took her into the underworld. The maiden became his queen, her name Persephone, and they ruled together.
Demeter mourned her daughter and plunged the world into winter. Grasses and grains wilted and died. She traveled everywhere in search of Persephone. Zeus knew that if he didn’t do something, the earth would never be fertile again. But Persephone could return only if she had not eaten the food of the underworld and her new husband had already given her the seeds of the pomegranate as a wedding gift.
Zeus struck a deal that Persephone could spend half the year with Demeter and half with Hades in the underworld. Persephone emerges from the underworld every year in the spring, bringing the flowers and the leaves. And fall starts again when she returns to Hades.
Persephone’s journey is one of personal power and the acceptance of the dark time of year. She’s not just the victim that some versions of the stories made her out to be. She’s the powerful queen of the underworld. As we look toward autumn, we also need to tap into our strength to know how we can best serve ourselves, our family, and our community.
Home School Alternatives
One of the decisions we made this year was to begin a homeschool collective for Sophia. We know that school is a challenge for many families during the pandemic and we’re grateful that we have a strong supportive network to encourage more creative learning in a collaborative environment.
We also know that there are a variety of alternatives in the Asheville area from collectives like ours to distance learning and other programs. We’d love to hear what alternatives you’ve chosen for your children.
Looking Toward the Winter
As I look toward the winter and my journey into the dark time of year, I see the potential to emerge in the light again. Everything in our world has been changing so fast from the perspectives of health, safety, and social justice. While we’ve been more isolated than any of us would have expected or preferred this summer, we’re also gaining strength as a collective society to build toward something better. I can only hope that we answer that call. This is a great time to focus on building our immune systems.
Preparing for Spring
How can we all prepare to return, like Persephone, in the spring? Some people in the Asheville area are looking to change their housing situation and more local folks are planting roots by buying homes throughout the area. We can help you with that. Fall and winter are the perfect seasons to focus on things at home.
With the natural disasters of wildfires on the west coast, and hurricanes in Florida on the east coast – we are experiencing what I call an influx of Environmental Refugees. And, now as a result of the COVID lockdowns, people are more inclined to work from home, so are feeling the call out of the cities and to these beautiful mountains!
The great migration to the Asheville area, and surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains is happening now! Therefore, if you have any desire to sell your house or land, it is definitely a great time to do so! The inventory is very low right now, and the demand is increasing every day!
Call us for a consultation to learn how we can support you with your transition!
Many blessings,
Jason Martini
jmartini@kw.com
828.515.1771
Who do you know that I can serve?… Who is choosing to buy, sell, or invest in real estate in AVL or Beyond?
I Am grateful for your referrals! Your friends and family will thank you for connecting us!
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