Artemis (ahr'-tuh-mis) is the Greek Goddess of the hunt, wilderness, wild animals, children, childbirth, amazons, fertility, the moon and of women. Diana is the Roman version of Artemis.
Artemis is the daughter of Leto(lee'-toh) and Zeus(zoos). Apollo (a-pol'-lo) God of music, dance, poetry, prophecy, was her twin brother.
Her symbols were the bow and the stag. Diana was often shown with a crescent moon upon her forehead and a pack of hunting dogs by her side. She was usually found with a following of nymphs. Artemis was known as a protectress of animals and children. Yet she was also a fierce hunter, and would strike down those who went against her. Artemis would also come to those who were in need. And would defend those who were treated unjustly by the other gods.
Artemis was a free spirit, she represented the freedom of nature and the wild. She would roam the forests as a mighty huntress. She was independent and untamed. Artemis was a virgin Goddess, a maiden. Which meant she was independent, of herself, on her own.
Artemis is associated with childbirth also. After her mother Leto gave birth to her, Artemis became a midwife and helped deliver her brother Apollo. So Artemis became the patron of women in childbirth and children.
Artemis was also identified with Selene (Goddess of the Moon). It was said that Artemis would ride across the night sky shooting her arrows of moonlight.
Artemis preferred the company of women. And was often depicted with her nymphs. There is a story in which the hunter Actaeon (ak'-tee-uhn) Came upon her while she and her companions were bathing. When she caught him gazing upon them she turned Actaeon into a stag, which then his own hunting dogs chased down and killed.
And in another legend, When Orion (oh-ry'-uhn) a giant and great hunter, >tried to rape Artemis she shot him and his dog with her bow and arrows. Orion became a constellation in the night sky, and his dog became Sirius, the dog star.
One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World was a temple of Artemis.
Artemis is a Goddess in which all women can honor. She is the eternal virgin, the maiden. She represents all that is free and wild in nature. For she is the protectress and the huntress. The killer as well as the midwife and healer. She is a Goddess of ancient feminism. And as so, the matron of todays feminism, and fight for equality. She was the Goddess of the Amazons. She refused to conform to the ways of tradition and convention. She teaches us to follow our instinct. To be independent. She gives us courage. And teaches us to show compassion where it is needed.
For chants, affirmations, rituals,