At the turning of the season from Summer to Autumn, we honor Demeter for the gifts of the harvest and recognize Her sorrow as Persephone rejoins Hades in his realm for the duration of the colder months. The day begins honoring Mother and Daughter together, then shifts to a focus on Persephone as queen of Hades' realm.
Offerings to Demeter and Kore (Persephone in Her maiden state) can be anything related to grains and harvest foods. Demeter is partial to pork offerings, but there is a taboo against offering Her eggs. Altar decorations here are likely to be earthy and autumnal in colors and imagery.
Pomegranates can only be offered to Persephone once she is ritually separated from Her mother and joined with Her husband, Hades. Depending upon one's interpretation of the myths, it may be appropriate to offer wedding cake. Altar decorations here should acknowledge that Hades' and Persephone's realm is the underworld, possibly including a black altar cloth and images of skeletons or other representations of death. If an ancestor shrine is included, it should be kept separate and lower in height (usually on or near the floor), because while they are kthonic Gods, Hades is also an Olympian.
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