THE ROMAN GODDESS DIANA
“In ancient Rome, Diana was honored as the goddess of wild animals, hunting, and the moon which represents femininity, intuition, and emotion. The changing moon reflects the cycles of nature; its light influences all growing things –plants, animals, and humans alike — for better and for worse. Diana reminds us of our connection to these cycles and that like that look the moon itself, what is empty will, in time, become full if we are patient.”
“Worship of Diana extended across Europe from Rome, and she was still believed to rule the wild forests until the Middle Ages. Then, many people forgot that she was a goddess; they called her queen of the witches instead. They had forgotten that Diana symbolized the divine feminine’s ability to provide nurturing for all of its creatures, great and small.”
Message from The Goddess Tarot by Kris Waldherr.
MESSAGE FOR YOU
Pay attention to any intense emotions whi
ch may arise for you including any vivid or lucid dreams. If you find yourself in a heated discussion or emotional situation today, approach it with an open, kind, and intuitive nature to seek a deeper understanding and see the truth. Apply your nurturing ability with a soft, caring, feminine touch. Aim to see this as a great opportunity to work on your relationship with aspects which truly allow you feel nurtured. See the goddess Diana in every woman you come into contact with today. Try asking for the support or advice of a caring woman. Recognize that which may seem emotionally empty and void in the moment is merely a positive opportunity to see it full again with new eyes in the near future.
A LITTLE HISTORY
Also known as Artemis to the Greeks, Diana was the virgin goddess of the hunt, the mistress of wild animals, and the caretaker of pregnant women, children, and servants/slaves. It is important to note that in ancient times the term virgin was used to describe a woman who was unmarried or did n
ot “belong” to a man. Diana’s counterpart, Artemis, was known to have love interests, the most famous one being Orion the Hunter. This is the archetypical energy of the self-confident, free spirit that was often culturally removed from the role of women throughout history. It is in these times of expansive and rising vibrational energies that women are reclaiming the forgotten power within themselves, the huntress, wild and free. Both Diana and Artemis aim to provide helpful energetic support for women seeking to stand stronger in their personal power and independence.
A PAGAN GODDESS
“Diana is the most popular of the Wiccan goddesses, for several reasons. First of all is familiarity. Diana has remained popular throughout the centuries as a symbol of classical antiquity. In the Romantic period, when paganism saw its first revival, both Diana and Artemis quickly came to the forefront as goddesses of the wild and woodlands – perhaps the most important aspect of paganism to the Romantic poets.
Second, she is one of the few pagan gods to be mentioned by name by witch-hunters – which is not to say that anyone was actually worshipping her, but she was at least remembered and perhaps named upon magical amulets.
The third reason is Aradia: Gospel of the Witches by Charles Leland. Published in 189
9, this book claims to contain the beliefs and mythology of a group of contemporary Italian witches. A ccording to Leland, Aradia is the daughter of Diana and Lucifer (who closely resembles Apollo in this story, not the Biblical, demonic Lucifer), sent by Diana to earth to instruct the first witches in their craft so that they could rise up against their oppressive lords. Little evidence has ever come to light regarding the existence of these witches, much less the historicalness of their existence. Nevertheless, Aradia intrinsically linked witches and Diana.
Diana is often viewed as a Triple Goddess – maiden, protector, hunter/destroyer. Alternatively, she is assigned as the Maiden aspect, often in tandem with Selene as Mother and Hecate as Crone. Ancient myths refer to Diana as being aspects of these other two goddesses, and of these goddesses being aspects of her.
Goddess of the Moon – Selene was the original moon goddess, but later mythologies substitute Diana, just as her twin brother Apollo later took the place of Helios the sun. Association with the moon frequently grants Triple Goddess imagery.
Goddess of the Hunt and of Vengeance – Diana was an extraordinary huntress, and the bow is a frequent symbol of hers. She can also be a jealous goddess. She and her brother Apollo slew all 12 children of Niobe when Niobe directed her followers to worship her instead of their mother Leto on account of the fact that Niobe had more children th an Leto. She also slew Orion when he fell in love with Aurora, to whom he was already dedicated.
Goddess of the Woodland and Wild – This is a more Romantic association, but it stems from her position as a huntress: hunter and hunted frequently go hand in hand. She is a protectress, particularly of beasts and a forest guardian, as well as a goddess of fertility and childbirth, which is a natural extension of nature goddesses. As a goddess of the wild and of the open sky, she stands for independence and freedom, especially from the confines of society and from patriarchy.
Goddess of Female Sovereignty – The moon is perhaps our most universal feminine symbol. Women and the moon go hand in hand. Diana is also the eternal virgin, with complete control over her own body and destiny. A hunter who happened across her bathing was transformed into a stag for merely seeing her naked.
Goddess of Magic – This stems particularly from Aradia, in which claims the witches as her own, and therefore makes her their patron goddess. Association with Hecate, the Greeks’ ultimate goddess of witchcraft, solidifies this view. The moon is also frequently tied to magic.
Goddess of Childbirth – Diana caused her mother no pain when she was delivered. She then turned around and assisted her mother in the birth of her twin, Apollo. She is invoked to bring about a swift birth, or else a quick death if a mother is dying in childbirth.”
Excerpt taken from http://wicca.timerift.net/gods/diana.html
FEMININE: THE GRAIL
der to be competitive in the male-dominated work place? Time to change! Do you live in your own personal Wasteland- a life that is sterile and spare, depressing and discordant, unfulfilling, and unfulfilled? Time to make the Feminine a priority in your life! Are you tired of having your gender thrown in your face: being considered second best or of no value at all; always having to prove yourself, forced into lower paying jobs of less import and stature, kept outside and apart by the ‘good old boys club’? Time to take your power back by becoming a victim-free-zone.”
Spiritblogger's Blog 
