I recently went to a goddess circle of amazing ladies, mothers, mothers to be and we shared our goddess card from the deck.............. i picked Artemis....... now i can reflect on her strength and some food for thought!
It was a really magickal night to celebrate the eve of mothers day!
THANK YOU Tara & Kat!! X.x
http://birthwithdignity.com/
Artemis - possesses an
introverted and independent temperament (polar opposite to
Athena)--represents the goddess of Nature--concerned with matters of the
outdoors, animals, environmental protection, women’s communities--she
is practical, adventurous, athletic and preferring solitude. She
symbolizes regenerative earth power over all living things. Both Artemis
and Athena bore arms as protectress goddesses. Historically, Artemis
was born quickly by her mother, Leto. However, due to a curse from Hera,
Artemis was the one who, immediately following her own birth, assisted
her mother’s delivery of her brother in a long and difficult labor. She
became known as the patroness of childbirth.
Artemis, armed with bow and arrow, possesses the
power to inflict plagues and death or to heal. She is known as the
protectress of little children, baby animals and, yet, she also loves
the hunt.
Psychologically, Artemis belongs to the category of ‘virgin’ goddess--self-directed, autonomous, focused consciousness.
- To the Romans, Artemis was known as Diana.
- Her ‘masculine’ energy can be deeply transformed or sublimated in highly creative ways.
- Androgynous nature--containing both feminine and masculine energies--complete, whole in and of herself - her true relationship is with herself.
- Androgynous energy contained within converts to visions, mystical experiences, and a deep, enduring compassion for all of Nature.
- Lover of animals and the serenity found in Nature, on the one hand
- And, destroyer, Artemis-goddess leads the nocturnal hunt deep in the forest.
- Similar to Athena, psychologically--youthful, boyish, independent, strong, autonomous, energetic, born with strong masculine qualities in her nature and, particularly for Artemis, an intense love of freedom.
- Disposed to gender-role confusion
- Solitary nature teaching her self-sufficiency & independence--prophesy, poetry, music, magic and healing
- Artemis women allow Nature to frequently replace human relations--requiring solitary retreat whereby the ego is free from external stimulation.
- Artemis women find that the non-stop presence of others hinders her presence to herself, therefore, requiring retreat into the solitude of natural world and offering reconnection to her inner self.
- Many Artemis women, who would prefer living closer to Nature, are displaced in cities
- Disinclined by their true nature toward role of wife/motherhood or for the values of conventional society - Artemis types may prefer companionship of women who share her sense of presence of self and self-sufficiency
- Challenges facing Artemis
- She tends to avoid her vulnerability in relation to others--hiding her emotional needs, even to herself.
- Artemis tends toward emotional distancing--difficulty trusting relationship.
- Growth for Artemis type woman is in developing her less conscious, human relationship side of herself.
- Artemis type needs rewarding and challenging goals toward which to strive, if Artemis is unable to find fulfilling self-expression in her life she will feel increasingly frustrated and depressed.
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As an adult woman:
- Strong adolescent persona persists even as an adult
- Non-traditional in her interests and approach to life
- Usually chooses her field of work as a result of her passion--sportswoman, biologist, veterinarian, geologist, environmental advocate, healer, herbalogist, shaman or other solitary professions
- Holds feminist views and sisterly affiliations with other women
- Sexual expression leans more toward recreational sport or excitement of a new experience more so than for emotional intimacy - In later life sexuality shifts to following her interests which possess personal meaning to her
- A woman in whom Artemis archetype predominates will require a good degree of freedom and independence. Like her Athenian sister, she needs to direct her own life in a way that gives her personal fulfillment/accomplishment rather than by meeting the expectations of others.
- She needs Nature; if she does not adequately feed herself good doses of the ‘natural’ world, she will find herself feeling out-of-sorts, irritable or depressed.
- As a mother, if she chooses this path, she is most likely fiercely protective of her children’s well-being while giving them plenty of freedom to experience
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As an adult woman:
