The goddess of the harvest in Greek mythology is Demeter. She embodies the nurturing aspect of earth and is critical for the growth of crops and the changing of seasons. Demeter’s connection to the harvest is celebrated in festivals, particularly Thesmophoria, which honors her role as the giver of sustenance. Her relationship with her daughter, Persephone, further highlights themes of life, death, and rebirth, as Persephone's descent into the underworld marks the onset of winter. Demeter’s influence reflects the ancient acknowledgment of the agricultural cycles and the dependence of humanity on the earth’s bounty.