Goddess: Artemis (Greek Lunar Goddess) —by Míchealín Ní Dhochartaigh Artemis belongs to the entire stage of the moon phases from Inception to Full Moon, at which point she becomes the midwife to realized dreams. She is, however, mainly called upon during the New Moon. [See Invocation to Artemis During The New Moon]. In Ancient Greece, women led lives restricted to domestic and maternal spheres, and so Artemis represents an unusual aspect of Greek womanhood — autonomy and liberty. She was worshipped especially by adolescent girls who called upon her for protection. Artemis also is considered the protector of animals of the forest, especially pregnant animals, and will kill any mortal who takes their lives. She is the daughter of Zeus and the twin sister of Apollo, the Greek Sun God. Artemis can be invoked not only during the New Moon, but when you need courage, independence and strength to venture through something alone. I recently felt this way, and called upon Artemis. Although she is not a nurturing goddess, such as, Isis, she is a tough and special friend to downtrodden women, women of abuse, women who need some self-determination; and Artemis also is invoked by female athletes for strength. Artemis is sometimes considered the 'typical woman,' i.e., contradictory! She hunts, yet she protects animals; she governs life but she also governs death; and she is a virgin yet she is a lover. Her traits are comparable to the Roman Goddess, Diana. Like Diana, Artemis is often pictured carrying a bow with a quiver full of arrows. Burn silver, while or pale green candles for Artemis. He sacred herb is mugwort; her sacred animal is the bear; and according to Doreen Valiente, her name means "High Source of Water" — the moon being regarded as the source and ruler of all waters, and of the ocean, psychic and menstrual tides. Additionally, because migrating cranes often fly at night, by the light of the moon, they are also associated with the Moon Goddess Artemis. The Crane also is sacred to Apollo, who once changed into one. Artemis gives her name to the plant Artemisia, or Wormwood. Her festival is 12 February. See also: Luna Astataei Astataei, Goddess of the Amazons, is thought to be a form of Artemis. In the Amazon, she is the Goddess of the Warrior Women. In her cult in the Amazon, which predated the Greek Artemis,  Astataei also was a fertility goddess and a Great Mother Goddess. Sources: Farrar J. and Farrar S. The Witches' Goddess. Phoenix Publishing: Blaine, WA. 1987. Hawke, E. Praise to the Moon: Magic & Myth of the Lunar Cycle. Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, MN. 2002 Personal knowledge/traditions Valiente, D. An ABC of Witchcraft Past and Present. Robert and Hale, London, 1973. West, K. The Real Witches' Year. HarperCollins Element, London, 2004. Page last updated 28 Mar 2006 Website Design and Myths & Magic logo by Míchealín Ní Dhochartaigh Copyright © 2006 Ireland's OWN All Rights Reserved.