Ancient History

For thousands of years, humans have celebrated a bountiful harvest with great festivals. In our modern times, we call it Thanksgiving or something similar. However, in ancient times, each region dedicated their festival to the a local harvest deity. Though it depended on which part of the world you lived in, almost every civilization had their own harvest god or goddess.

In Greece, she was known as Demeter. Usually represented as an older woman, it was said that she mourned the loss of her daughter, Persephone, who had to spend the winter months in Hades. Nearly all cities had a temple dedicated to Demeter and offerings were made to her each year in thanks for a bountiful harvest. Her Roman equivalent was the goddess Ceres, which is where we get our modern term, “cereal”.

In Welsh traditions, she is called Cerridwen. Thought to be an old woman, she was thought to possess a giant cauldron of widsom. In Ireland, the god Lugh was associated with the harvest and was said to skilled in every craft known to man. Lugh was also said to be a boy warrior and evenutally became the father of Cuchulain.

In Norse legends, the god Freyr was the harvest god. He was said to be the most handsome of the gods, and was thought to be both peaceful and warrior at the same time. He is the brother of the goddess Freyja, and when the final battle of Earth is fought, he will be the first to die.

These are but a few of the many harvest deities that have been worshiped around the world. Nearly every ancient human believed they had to keep their harvest god/goddess appeased, or there would be no harvest in the following year. So, this year, as you give thanks for your Thanksgiving meal, remember the ancients that came before and gave thanks for theirs.