Throughout the history of humankind, autumn has served as the time to reap what was sown over the course of the year. To prepare for the coming winter, people across the planet would spend the fall harvesting crops, creating stockpiles to endure the colder months, and celebrating the season’s bounty with festivals and gatherings. Since these rituals were vital to survival, it makes sense that most societies had deities and spirits who were in charge of the harvest. Explore this list and learn more about the gods and goddesses associated with the harvest.
Demeter
In Ancient Greece, the goddess Demeter was connected with matters of agriculture. Often referred to as the Corn-Mother, she was predominantly worshipped by harvesters and farmers. She held the distinction of being one of the Twelve Olympians, who were considered the most important of Greek deities. Demeter was also worshipped as a goddess of fertility and marriage, with couples praying to her for easy births and healthy children.
The most famous story of Demeter tells of her search for her daughter Persephone, goddess of spring, after Persephone was kidnapped by Hades and taken to the underworld. According to this myth, Persephone was only able to leave the underworld for half the year to be with her mother. During the time her daughter was forced to return to Hades, Demeter would prevent any plants from growing. When Persephone and Demeter were reunited again, the world would come to life with new flora. Scholars believe this was how Ancient Greeks explained the cycle of the seasons.
Lugh
The figure known as Lugh was an important character in the mythology of Ireland. According to legend, he was a member of the supernatural race known as the Tuatha Dé Danann. While many stories tell of his skills as a warrior and craftsman, he is primarily connected with the festival of Lughnasadh. An annual harvest celebration, Lughnasadh was typically held between the summer solstice and autumn equinox. The event was focused on Lugh defeating a terrible blight and teaching humans the best practices for growing and harvesting crops.
Gods of the Harvest: Shennong
Some gods were said to bestow knowledge upon humankind in magical ways. Others, like the Ancient Chinese deity Shennong, were celebrated for creating tools that benefited the human race. A prominent figure in both Chinese history and mythology, Shennong is said to have invented such agricultural tools as the axe, plow, and hoe. Beyond this, the deity is believed to have come up with the concept of the farmer’s market, as well as devised a variety of irrigation methods to keep crops hydrated during dry spells.
Stories state that Shennong was dedicated to understanding plants and their many uses. Unfortunately, this would also be his downfall. Some texts state that Shennong died after eating a strange yellow flower, and he is often honored as one who gave his life so that humans would have knowledge of the natural world.
Gods of the Harvest: Neper
Though Ancient Egyptian myths have been studied and taught for generations, many aspects of their religious systems remain a mystery. Such is the case with the deity Neper, who was associated with sustenance from the land. Neper was a god of nourishment by way of grains, specifically wheat and barley. While it is believed the people prayed to Neper for a healthy harvest, this would change as the gods Osiris and Isis gained popularity. Once Osiris became associated with agriculture and the harvest, Neper was viewed as an aspect of Osiris and no longer an individual deity.
The gods of the harvest who presided over agriculture were some of the most prominent figures in religions and myths of cultures across the planet. While people no longer gather for harvest celebrations in the same way they once did, it is impossible to deny how important these rituals were to the people of the past.