A Sonnet to Artemis (new poem)

A Sonnet to Artemis (New Poem)
by Tim Kavi
Subtitle: Oh Artemis: A Sonnet of Summons and Entreaty

Beneath the silver glow of moonlit skies,

This devotee wanders through shadowed glades,

My heart entwined with whispered prayers and sighs,

To Artemis, whose grace the night pervades.

O Goddess sweet, who roams the forest vast,

With bow in hand and hounds that swiftly run,

Protector pure, both present and steadfast,

The stars above reflect thy watchful sun.

The seeker calls, my voice a trembling plea,

"Great Huntress fair, O guide me on my way;

Through paths unknown, grant courage unto me,

And let thy light dissolve the night's dismay."

Then soft winds stir, her presence felt so near—

Artemis answers, calming all my fear.

More About Goddesses: The Roman Goddess Diana (New Column)

More About Goddesses: The Roman Goddess Diana 

by Tim Kavi

Diana is known as the goddess of giving birth, the hunt and the moon in Roman mythology. She is commonly associated with the woodland, possessing the power to control animals and communicate with wild animals. She is also commonly associated with the woodland, particularly oak groves, which are considered a sacred place associated with her worship.

Diana is commonly associated with other gods and goddesses that harness similar abilities to her own. She is one of the three maiden goddesses in Roman mythology who swore to never marry to keep their powers and abilities pure. Minerva, goddess of wisdom and Vesta, goddess of the home, hearth and family, joined Diana and took these vows of virginity, which were honored by priesthoods devoted to their orders. Diana is also commonly associated with her family ties, being the daughter of Latona and Jupiter as well as the twin brother of Apollo. She is often seen as working alongside the water nymph Egeria, who acts as an assistant midwife and Diana’s servant in Roman mythology. The woodland god Virbius will also commonly work alongside Diana.

Symbolism of the Goddess

Diana is often seen accompanied by deer or dogs, representing her power over the hunt. She will commonly carry a bow and arrow for a similar purpose. She was originally worshipped in wild places or in the mountains and is commonly drawn or depicted in forest areas. Over time, a temple to Diana was built along the forested shores of the Lake Nemi, an area that came to be known as Diana Nemorenesis. A shrine to her was also built on Aventine Hill for the lower classes and slaves to worship her. Male priests in her order are said to have fought to the death to become one of her own.

The festival to honor Diana was held on August 13, which was simultaneous with the festival of Hekate.

Associations of Diana with Nature

Diana is commonly used by groups that would like to collect more closely with nature, often taking on the role of Mother Earth for less traditional worship. She protects the menstrual cycles of women, encouraging them to honor their bodies and live in tune with the nature which controls them. Alters to Diana have often presented pictures of the moon, deer, dogs, white candles, clear quartz, jasmine, lavender or honey. These note her purity and her love for the outdoors while also honoring the pure light of the moon in which Diana controls.

More About Goddesses: The Greek Goddess Artemis (New Essay)

More About Goddesses: Artemis, Greek Goddess of the Hunt

By Tim Kavi

Artemis is the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and the twin sister of Apollo. Her bow and arrows that she would carry were made by Cyclopes and Hephaestus. She is depicted as goddess of the hunt, wild animals and many cities also worshiped her as the goddess of fertility. Artemis is often depicted with the moon above her head and was frequently depicted as being close with Selene, the goddess of the moon. More often she would be depicted as roaming the mountain forests with her nymphs by her side in search of panthers, stags, hinds and lions. In later myths she would assist these animals by protecting their overall well-being while fighting to ensure their safety.

Artemis is also seen as the goddess of chastity. Legend has it that when she was three years old, Artemis asked Zeus to provide her with eternal virginity. All of her close companions were virgins, and she would punish any man who attempted to harm the purity of herself or her companions. In one legend, Actaeon came upon Artemis and her nymphs bathing naked in a pool, and when she saw him watching Artemis transformed him into a stag and sent her hounds after him. She was also known to use her bow to kill those who were known to rape women, including Orion.

Because Artemis was born before her brother Apollo, her mother gifted her the island of Ortygia as thanks for helping her mother to cross the strait of Delos to give birth to Apollo. This legend made Artemis an idol to women going through childbirth. Some cities depicted her as a goddess and protector to those in the midst of  the hunt, a mass of contradictions as she brought sudden death alongside the birth of a new life. Because her twin brother was seen as a healing god, many would pray to Artemis for assistance in the healing of gout, rabies or leprosy in hopes that she would appeal to Apollo on their behalf.

These and other legends of Artemis would be honored with lively festivals. Festivals were held throughout Orthia, Brauron, Brauronia and most notably Sparta. As women became of age and reached puberty they would be initiated into the cult of Artemis, although they would be required to leave this cult once they became married. Artemis was not against the realm of marriage, but she chose to be surrounded by those who were pure, so those who chose to engage in marital acts would be required to return her paraphernalia as they took on this new role.

Updated Photo, Poet's Afterword--About the Photo: Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt, stands confidently in a moonlit forest clearing, her silver bow held loosely in her hand. Her attire is simple and practical, befitting a huntress. Nearby stands Persephone, the goddess of springtime and queen of the Underworld, holding a bouquet of vibrant wildflowers, a gentle smile gracing her lips. The scene subtly contrasts Artemis's wild, untamed nature with Persephone's softer, more nurturing presence.~~TK