Persephone

So, in the book Goddesses in Every Woman, Persephone is the daughter - the good girl, the one who doesn't commit to anything but drifts along, letting others take the lead. Her descent into the Underworld can be compared to going deeply into the darkness of mental health, and she is the one associated with depression, schizophrenia, ect. She is the one full of child-like wonder.

She has another aspect to her - Queen of the Underworld. She has grown up and taken on responsibility - as Queen, she cares for the dead souls that Hecate brings to the Underworld. 

In my new goddess idea, Artemis is trying to take care of her dogs (emotions) but I am ignoring her. Both she and the dogs get more and more wild and destructive, until finally Persephone steps in to keep me and others safe.

She disengages and drifts along, picking flowers in the field. Hecate takes the dogs. Eventually, Persephone's connection to life fades away, Hecate walks her down to the Underworld, and she becomes a prisoner in the dark. This is the coping skill that I fall back to every time the dogs get to be too much.

I was totally unaware of this pattern. But now that I see it, Persephone can grow up. She can still step in when needed, but can work with Hecate to calm the dogs. She will not be trapped in darkness, as Queen, she can come and go as the seasons turn. She will care for me as if I were one of her dead souls, then I will walk with her, back to life, as she rejoins Demeter, and Spring begins. She has strength, compassion, and power. She is the friend who has your back, no matter what.

She is a paranormal heroine who holds her own with Hades, who takes over many of his duties in the Underworld, and who kicks ass. She can handle it.