I, mother of the universe, mistress of all the elements, first-born of the ages, highest of the gods, queen of the shades, first of those who dwell in heaven, representing in one shape all gods and goddesses. My will controls the shining heights of heaven, the health-giving sea winds, and the mournful silences of hell; the entire world worships my single godhead in a thousand shapes, with divers rites, and under many a different name. The Phrygians, first-born of mankind, call me the Pessinuntian Mother of the gods; … the ancient Eleusinians Actaean Ceres; … and the Egyptians who excel in ancient learning, honour me with the worship which is truly mine and call me by my true name: Queen Isis. Lucius – The Golden Ass

Demeter is connected to a large number of goddesses of the ancient world. From the earth mother Gaia, to Ceres, Rhea, Cybele, Isis, Shala, and as the Black Demeter, to the Black Madonna. As the constellation of Virgo she is also associated with the Virgin Mary in Christianity. Virgo is positioned directly next to Leo in the Zodiac. 

She was both overseer of death and fertility. Her search for her daughter Persephone, can be directly linked to the myths related to the Eye of Ra and Sekhmet in Egypt. The search accompanied a time of drought and hunger as the Goddess did not fulfil her role as provider of nourishment through grains and fruits. Her main attributes were connected to agriculture, the harvest, and the cyclical nature of the seasons. 

She was also the mistress of the Eleusinian Mysteries, secret religious rights that were practiced in Greece for over two thousand years. As with so many other ancient traditions and festivals, the Christian church banned and at the same time adopted many of these feasts and beliefs as their own.