Hades was the ruler of the Greek Underworld (which itself is sometimes confusingly referred to as "Hades" also). In mythology, he was the brother of Zeus and Poseidon, and therefore from the first generation of Olympian gods. And the manner in which Hades became the lord of the shadowy Underworld is worth mentioning.
According to the myth, the three sons of Kronos and Rhea - Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades - each drew lots to determine which part of the world they would rule. Zeus and Poseidon received the sky and the seas respectively, and Hades was therefore left with the Underworld.
Hades ruled the realm of the dead alone. That is, until he became enamoured of the beautiful goddess Persephone. The legend of how Persephone became the bride of Hades and the Queen of the underworld is told in the Hymn to Demeter. Although the relationship between Hades and Persephone appears to have begun badly - Hades abducted his future bride and whisked her away in a chariot - their union was peaceful (unlike the marriage of his brother Zeus...).
Hades was identified with Dis (Dis Pater) in Roman mythology.
Traits:
- God of transformation
- Represents part of the unconscious
- Represents part of the soul
- Connected to us in dreams
- Personifies the descent into the underworld
- Can provide entry into the different levels of consciousness
- Can enhance creativity
- Represents the ability to mediate, dream, and to use active imagination
- Represents the senses that can serve as initiation into the underworld
- God of death
- Ruler of the underworld
- Represents the fear of the unknown
- Represents the fear of the dark
- Represents nightmares
"Act as if everything you think, say and do determines your entire life - because in reality, it does!"
