I Heart Paganism’s
Goddess Series

Artemis

By: Anna Yamamaya

Her Origins and History

Most historians suggest that the origins of Hellenic Artemis, the well-known Goddess of the hunt, originated from the Minoan Lady of the Beasts, Potnia Theron. The Minoans, who settled in Crete, were a peaceful civilization that followed a Goddess-centered religion. However, the early Minoan civilization was destroyed by a tsunami which was the effect of the Santorini or Thera volcanic eruption. The Minoan civilization later resumed but with Mycenaean occupation. The Mycenaean invasion in 1400 BCE eventually led to the end of the Minoan civilization.

In 1150 BCE, the Dorians, who originated from the northern parts of Greece, migrated southward in Greece demolishing the Mycenaeans of the Peloponnese. They eventually reached Crete, where the Mycenaeans settled, in 1100 BCE. By that time, much of the Mycenaean culture was influenced by the previous Minoan culture. The Mycenaeans were well-known for their legends which were inherited by Classical Greece, and the Greek language also had Mycenaean influence. The Dorians however had a low culture and were more “militant.” Only the iron slashing sword was their major technology that they had developed. Their invasion in Sparta, which was already populated by non-Dorians, won their name as “Spartan.”

If Artemis did originate from Potnia Theron, then it is no wonder that her worship was spread throughout Greece. The cult of Orthia in Sparta worshipped Artemis Orthia (of the steep). Many other titles and depictions of Artemis reveal Her as the virgin Goddess and the Goddess of women, childbirth, hunt, wild animals, moon and sun, and especially water. In Greek mythology, Artemis has been the twin sister of Apollo and daughter of Leto and Zeus. She eventually became equivalent to Diana in Rome after Greece lost the Battle of Corinth in 146 BCE. However, certain cults remarked that Diana was from an Italic origin.

In Turkey, Artemis Ephesia (Artemis of Epehsus) was identified with Hellenic Artemis which contradicted Her virgin nature. The statue of Artemis of Ephesus was depicted with many breasts or eggs that are associated with fertility. The temple of Artemis at Ephesus is dated back to 1000 BCE which is said that the temple’s site was originally dedicated to earlier Goddesses such as the Cybele, the Anatolian Mother Goddess. It was then built to Artemis of Ephesus around 550 BCE and became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. 

According to Holly Hayes in Temple of Artemis, Ephesus, “A votive inscription dating from about the 3rd century BC associates Ephesian Artemis with Crete: ‘To the Healer of diseases, to Apollo, Giver of Light to mortals, Eutyches has set up in votive offering (a statue of) the Cretan Lady of Ephesus, the Light-Bearer.’” The 3^rd century is between 300 to 201 BCE. During the Dorian invasion which forced mainland Greeks to head toward Asia, they became known as Ionians. The meaning of “Ionian” traces back to the Linear B tablet in Knossos, Crete (tablets date back to 1400 or 1200 BCE). This gives me an idea that perhaps the Ionians, that were influenced by the Mycenaean culture, carried Goddess Artemis along to Ephesus, Turkey. Most of the Minoan Goddesses were mother, fertility, and nature Goddesses. Perhaps it explains why Artemis Ephesia, the Great Mother Goddess,didn’t agree with  Artemis the Virgin Huntress.

 Her Name

There’s not a lot evidence to suggest what the Goddess’s name exactly means. Strabo, a Roman writer, had suggested that “Artemeas” which translated into “safe and sound” referred to Artemis as a protectress of people. I’ve also heard that Her name means the “High Source of Water.” I can’t find any sources to back that up however. The high source of water does connect to the moon because the moon’s gravity controls the oceans. Also, Themis, the Goddess of justice and natural law, connects to Artemis. Artemis is kind of like a daughter form of Themis, but who knows.        

I do know that ars, artis from Latin means skill. The English word “art” according to the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary means: “skill acquired by experience, study, or observation.” Art also refers to creative expression which associates with lunar energies.  

So Let’s Get to the Point. Who Exactly Is Artemis?

I always had trouble trying to describe my patroness Artemis in a few words. It didn’t feel fully “right” just to call Her the Goddess of the hunt, animals, moon or moonlight, etc; she’s more complicating than that. When I was reading The Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries, Z. Budapest referred Artemis as the Soul of the Wild. It hit my head. Well, of course Artemis is the soul of the wild. It was just how it was placed in words (the Soul of the Wild or Soul of Nature) that perfectly fitted Artemis in a few words.      

The untamed and wildness is the core of every living being on Earth. According to Patricia Monaghan in The New Book of Goddesses & Heroines:    

“In one form she was a nymph and ruler of all nymphs, an elemental force whose domain was the greenwood. There an order exists so unlike human order that it seems to us formless and free, but this freedom is that of complete obedience to instinct, which animals still follow while humans do not. Artemis in this form was the ‘Lady of the Beasts,’ the force who assured their individual deaths and the survival of the species.  As mistress of the animals, she was the invisible game warden of the Greeks, killing with sharp arrows anyone who hunted pregnant beasts or their young. Again as instinct, she ruled reproduction, both sex and birth…It was to Artemis, the force of creation, that Greek mothers called when the pangs of birth began, and they found comfort in their belief that she nursed them through labor just as she did any of her other animals.

As the nymph of the greenwood, then, she is not really different from her other most famous form: Mother Artemis, whose vast rich temple at Amazonian Ephesus was one of the wonders of the ancient world…This Artemis was merely a different visualization of the same energy represented by the woodland nymph: the instinct to live, to produce and reproduce constantly, to devour, and to die. There is power in the image of Ephesia—as Artemis in this form was sometimes called—a power that could be seen as terrifying, so vast and inhuman is it.”

That is what I mean by wildness is in every living being on Earth. In non-physical terms, wildness refers to the true nature of our soul that’ll never change and cannot be influenced by others. It is what we are, and it’s our unconscious mind.   

Our unconscious desires usually appear in our dreams in different guises that frightened or alienate us. They are actually Artemis, the Goddess of the hunt, and we are the prey. She is represented by our shadow animal totems, but at the same time She is our guide. (Yes, it’s why Artemis is known as the lady full of contradictions). In the Native American religion, our shadow animal totems usually appear to us in our dreams as an animal that intimidates us. They represent our inner fears, doubts, and intolerances. However, these animal totems have special medicine that will help us in our life when we listen to them. Once we overcome their tests, they become our strong allies. This is the light of Artemis; the torch she holds for us in the darkness.

It’s also why I agree with Thista Minai that Artemis is the Goddess of moonlight rather than the Goddess of the moon but for those reasons.

Working with Artemis

The following are my experiences working with Artemis throughout the years and how to work with Her. This is how She appears to me and helps me.

I work with Artemis, so I can understand myself more; my true nature. Nothing is more enlightening to me than waking up. Discovering inner parts of me that I’ve never known and healing those wounds is an exciting journey to me.

Before I knew Paganism existed, I was a ruined fifteen year old teenager. I was confused about my orientation, our society, and my slight misogyny (by the way, I’m a female). I would stab my journal with rants about gender and the nature of femininity. I also had dark dreams with snakes appearing occasionally. When I discovered Artemis, you couldn’t believe how much I felt saved. Even though I was just reading information about Her on the internet, I felt ecstatic because I connected with Her. From there, I started to learn, study, and practice Witchcraft. She first appeared to me in a dream as stars connecting a deer-shaped head and eventually became my patroness. I then dedicated to Her in 2009 on my birthday.    

 She taught me many many things. I used to be a vegan who absolutely shoved down my beliefs down other’s throat (earning the name annoyingly as the “PETA member”), but Artemis taught me the “rules of freedom.” It’s their choice to choose whatever to eat and not mine. Now, I’m a vegan who respects hunting for survival (and enjoy watching animals hunt). My views of my femininity also changed. I started to respect my body more and accept myself for who I am. These are some of the parts of me I “reclaimed.”   

Those who are interesting in working with Artemis for inner purpose have to be ready to face any obstacles and fears. Otherwise, I don’t think that She’ll call you. When She knows you’re ready, She’ll definitely come to you—either it be spontaneously or by your request.

I remembered I read something when I first started to work with Artemis that it’s hard to grab Her attention unless the moon is in your view. I honestly don’t understand what that author meant by the moon part. I do definitely agree that’s hard to grab Artemis’s attention sometimes. Sometimes the “perfect” ritual or offerings won’t attract Her. (Did I mention She’s not materialistic when it comes to offerings?). I think what attracts Her attention is when you look inward.

I usually work with Artemis for physical healing, mental healing, and protection for animals and people. Artemis doesn’t appear to me as a Goddess of emotional healing, but at certain times she helps me get rid of unhealthy attachments. I do not know if that counts as a type of emotional healing because I associate it more with something mental however. She also makes a strong protectress for any situation. Her energy provokes a strong imagery of an overprotective She Bear or a Cougar leaping across cliffs.  

In Greek mythology, Artemis is usually depicted as the huntress roaming the forests alone or with her pack of dogs or nymph friends. If you are insecure often and wish to be more independent instead of dependent on others, I definitely recommend Artemis to you. She’ll teach you how to find your inner strength and enjoy solitude and independence. You’ll eventually become more self-reliable and trust your own talents. If you have a cat, you should spend more time with your feline more. Cats can teach us a lot of things about ourselves. Spending time with animals is rewarding in general.

Working with Artemis will also help you develop certain skills or talents that might have been buried or hidden inside of you (the ones you disclaimed because you felt they were no good). She has good aiming skills and teaches you how to reach your goals. If you ever had that ambitious drive that made you keep on going (like how I’m typing this), Artemis is the one firing you up.

What I Find Sacred to Artemis

I doubt they’ll help you connect to Artemis though. Only you can find out what certain things are filled with Her presence.

Animals: All cats giant and small, bears, deer
Colors: Brown, forest green, saffron, solar colors, turquoise, yellow  
Plants: Honeysuckle, mugwort and all species of Artemisia, snowdrop, sunflower, wildflowers
Scent: Cedar, earthy sharp smells
Crystals: Amazonite, amber, amethyst, citrine, clear quartz
Tree: Juniper, cedar, conifers   

My Amazon
by Anna Yamamaya

I am the laughter of the Sun,
The lightning of the storm,
The tears of the rain,
And the knowledge of the Moon.
Hear me speak through the wind
Through the howls and gentle calls
Run with me through the woods
Take my hand and we will go.
I am known by many names
I am the Goddess Artemis
Hear me speak through the wind
Follow me, my Amazon.

“The beloved goddess of Greece was the personification of natural law, so different from the laws of society, so much more ancient, so everlasting.”-Patricia Monaghan in The New Book of Goddesses & Heroines

Sources

D’Este, Sorita. Artemis: Airgin Goddess of the Sun & Moon. London: Avalonia, 2005. Print.

Monaghan, Patricia. The New Book of Goddesses & Heroines. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1997. Print.

“Art.” Def. 2. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. Eleventh ed. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, 2003. Print.

“Greece, A History of Ancient Greece, The Dorians.” International World History Project. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://history-world.org/dorians.htm>.

“Temple of Artemis - Ephesus, Turkey.” Sacred Sites at Sacred Destinations. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/ephesus-temple-of-artemis>.

Gill, N.S. “Dorians.” About.com Ancient / Classical History. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/geography/g/Dorians.htm>.

Sakoulas, Thomas. “History of Minoan Crete.” Ancient Greece. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www.ancient-greece.org/history/minoan.html>.

External Links

Artemis Potnia Theron- Site Devoted to Artemis

(Source: iheartpaganism)