Greek mythology, Persophone, the daughter of Demeter, goddess of the harvest, was abducted by Hades, god of the underworld and brother to Zeus, the supreme god. Seems Hades had an idea of needing a wife. Demeter was despondent and searched high and low for her daughter, finally it was discovered she was in the underworld. Zeus decreed HAdes would release her, provided she had not had food or drink while she was there (ancients had stong mojo about hospitality and such). It was discovered she had eaten 6 pomegranite seeds. Zeus decided she would spend six months with now husband HAdes and 6 months with Demeter, her mother. Demete, in her daughters abscence was despondent and nothing would grow during that time, explaining winter.