The Thesmophoria were ancient festivals celebrated in the Greek world in honour of Demeter.
The main purpose was to awaken Mother Earth’s creating energies, which is why they were usually celebrated before the sowing season.
In Athens, the birthplace of this feast, they lasted three days and only single women were allowed to take part: on the first day they would go to the sanctuary of Demeter Thesmophoros; on the second day they fasted and performed rites in honour of the goddess; and on the third, they offered Demeter sacrifices of grain, wine, oil and animals, before feasting together.
