The Weekly Goddess 101 - Diana
Weekly Goddess 101 - Diana***
Diana, Roman goddess of the hunt, fertility and childbirth, bears all the qualities of the prehistoric mother goddess from whom she may have originated -- strong, independent, adventurous, creative, destructive. Diana might seem contradictory -- fierce and loving, creative and destructive -- much like the Hindu goddess Kali; but like this Divine Mother, Diana's opposites create a whole, representing the complete circle of creation and destruction in the world.
The goddess Diana was very highly worshipped in ancient Rome. Her Greek counterpart, fell under the name Artemis. Diana in Roman worship, was known as well as a maiden huntress, protector of all that is wild and free. This is virtually the same context that the Greek Artemis fell under. However, as centuries past and ancient Rome grew, so did the followings of the goddess Diana.
Diana no longer was classed simply as a maiden huntress, but grew to the status of motherhood. By the birth of her daughter Ariadia. Then her path grew as well, to become known as the Queen of Witches.
( This during the famous witch hunts, falling between the 15th and 17th centuries. ) Diana became the mistress of majick. The teacher of spells, healing, and at the same time still holding her status as the protectress of all things wild.
She is praised for her strength, athletic grace, beauty and her hunting skills. With two other deities she made up a trinity: Egeria the water nymph (her servant and assistant midwife), and Virbius (the woodland god). She was the daughter of Jupiter and Latona, and the twin sister of Apollo. Both were born on the island Delos.
Diana was worshipped in a temple on the Aventine Hill and at the city of Ephesus where stood the Temple of Artemis. (At the city of Ephesus Jesus' mother, the virgin Mary, was officially decreed to be the Mother of God). Diana was regarded with great reverence by lower-class citizens and slaves. Slaves could receive asylum in her temples. She was worshipped at a festival on August 13.
Diana remains an important figure in some modern mythologies. In Freemasonry, she is considered a symbol of imagination, sensibility, and the creative insanity of poets and artists. Those who believe that prehistoric peoples lived in matriarchal societies consider Diana to have originated in a mother goddess worshipped at that time, and she is still worshiped today by women practicing the religion known as Dianic Wicca.
Stories of Goddess Diana are told form the beginning of Troy to the Christian Bible of King James in the scriptures of Acts and the gospels of Paul.
"Acts19:27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshipped.
Acts19:28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians."
The multi-breasted statue of Diana at Her Temple in Ephesus displayed her capability to nourish all creatures and provide for them. Worshippers adored Goddess Diana so much that the only way the Christians could rid the people of their Goddess was by assimilating her into their new religion. Thus Ephesus became a place of Mary, Mother of God. The church even invented stories of Mary living at Ephesus and being entombed there.
In Babylonia, and in the nation of Assyria, she was known as "ISHTAR" The Phoenicians called her "ASTARTE". The Israelites knew her as "ASHTORETH".
Diana was also the goddess of the Latin commonwealth where She rule with Her brother Lucifer. Lucifer being a Latin word for “Light Bringer”.
In Italy the old religion of Stergheria embraced goddess Diana as Queen of the Witches. Witches being the wise women healers of the time. Goddess Diana created the world of her own being having in herself the seeds of all creation yet to come. It is said that out of herself she divided into the darkness and the light, keeping for herself the darkness of creation and creating her brother Lucifer, the light. Goddess Diana loved and ruled with her brother Lucifer, the god of the Sun and Moon.
Fascinating and vastly interesting, the mythology of Diana bears qualities that can deepen and enlighten our human experience even today. As you learn about Diana, you will likely find yourself free-associating about your own life and experiences.
The multi-breasted statue of Diana at Her Temple in Ephesus displayed her capability to nourish all creatures and provide for them. Worshippers adored Goddess Diana so much that the only way the Christians could rid the people of their Goddess was by assimilating her into their new religion. Thus Ephesus became a place of Mary, Mother of God. The church even invented stories of Mary living at Ephesus and being entombed there.
In Babylonia, and in the nation of Assyria, she was known as "ISHTAR" The Phoenicians called her "ASTARTE". The Israelites knew her as "ASHTORETH".
Diana was also the goddess of the Latin commonwealth where She rule with Her brother Lucifer. Lucifer being a Latin word for “Light Bringer”.
In Italy the old religion of Stergheria embraced goddess Diana as Queen of the Witches. Witches being the wise women healers of the time. Goddess Diana created the world of her own being having in herself the seeds of all creation yet to come. It is said that out of herself she divided into the darkness and the light, keeping for herself the darkness of creation and creating her brother Lucifer, the light. Goddess Diana loved and ruled with her brother Lucifer, the god of the Sun and Moon.
Fascinating and vastly interesting, the mythology of Diana bears qualities that can deepen and enlighten our human experience even today. As you learn about Diana, you will likely find yourself free-associating about your own life and experiences.
***
This last week...I had the stomach Flu...From Hell.
I spent the week in misery and wishing I had evolved into a being which did not require the use or need of food or bowels.
I hated it! Blech!
I am feeling a little better today, and glad for the reprieve.
While doing the research for this weeks goddess, I found that I was thinking about my own inner warrior, and huntress. I am working on the new Fairy World works for the show in April and looking for new ideas to explore in the issues surrounding the world of womanhood through the ages. This weekly spotlight on the goddess is really helping in that effort; I have sketched out a new work including Diana as a Fairy Goddess in my fictional world. I like the way it is turning out. Anytime I can include a woman archer into my work is good...being that Archery is my favorite sport and pastime.
So, I hope that your day is full and bright...I will be finally back to the easel today,
and happily sipping tea, eating crackers...and contemplating my inner warrior as muse.
Be well, and share your love,
Heather
Info for this article was compiled from many different sources.
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