Welcome to 2014 and to a fresh start for me on the blog. It has been a while between posts, so I thought I would begin the New Year with a reintroduction and a hello to all my lovely new followers!
But I’m sure you have heard enough about me… and if you haven’t you can have a read over at my about page. So instead, I thought I would tell you a little about my brand Kore Well-Being and what that name is all about.
People often ask me how I named my business. Did I write a list and narrow it down? Did I try to use the first letter of my name? Did it take a long time? Did I ever change it?
The truth is, for me, the name kind of just came.
When I began my studies, and used to daydream about the end result, the name Kore Well-Being would whiz around in my head. And every time I would come back to thinking about my business it was there.
For many years I have had an affinity with Tibet and their holistic approach to life, health and healing. Whether I had read it somewhere before, I don’t know, but I felt inspired to research the word “Kore” in Tibetan literature. Sure enough I found “Kora” – a Tibetan Buddhist meditation ritual that involves walking a circle usually around a temple or sacred site. Kora is commonly performed while praying, counting mala beads or chanting mantras, and to me is symbolic of nourishing the mind, body and soul.
Tibetan Monks Performing Kora*
I just knew I had to use the name, but the story doesn’t end there.
Many months after the name was decided, I was talking to my very dear friend’s mum. I was explaining the name to her, how it had arrived in my head and how the translation was so appropriate for my business. She asked if I knew the story of Kore… I didn’t… so she filled me in… (it is giving me goosebumps just writing about it!)
In Greek mythology Zeus (God of the sky) and Demeter (Goddess of fertility and harvest), had a daughter called Persephone (pronounced Per-sef-oh-ni… rhymes with Stephanie). One day, Persephone was playing in a flowery meadow, when she was abducted by Hades (God of the underworld), and carried away to become his wife. After they were married and she became the Goddess of the underworld her name was changed to Kore.
Goddess Kore trapped in the underworld**
When Demeter learned of the abduction she was distraught and began searching for her daughter. She soon discovered that Zeus had been involved in the plan, and so in fury and despair refused to fruit the earth until she had her daughter back. Zeus and Haides reluctantly agreed. HOWEVER, while in the underworld Kore ate 4 pomegranate seeds, the fruit of the underworld, and therefore had to return every year for 4 months to fulfil her duties as Queen – this in Greek Mythology symbolised Winter. Kore’s return to the earth after 4 months underground was marked by Spring, and she became known as the Goddess of Spring’s bounty.
While Kore’s role in Greek mythology may sound somewhat sinister, the symbolism is actually quite beautiful. Kore was the only Goddess who could transcend the underworld to the earth. The underworld contained those souls who were suffering and lost in a dark and desolate place. Kore’s role was to reach out to them, to bring them the light and life from the earth, and she did this dutifully every year. She also represented the blossoming of the earth, of new life and new beginnings. To me, the story of Kore personifies healing and a journey towards the whole self – embracing both the light and the shadow.
A depiction of Kore… the light and the shadow***
Needless to say the name stuck. There was never any other option on the list.
So welcome to 2014. To new beginnings, to well-being and to the nourishment of your mind, body and soul. And welcome to Kore Well-Being! I’m so glad to have you here and can’t wait to see where this journey takes us 🙂
*Image courtesy of http://socalgalopenwallet.blogspot.com.au/2012_07_01_archive.html ** Image courtesy of http://www.gothambynight.com/scion/persephone.htm ***Image courtesy of http://victoriousvocabulary.tumblr.com/post/16754143681/kore-noun-also-known-as-the-greek-goddess