Sisters of the Burning
Branch Goddess Gallery Presents...
By: Unique Moon
Saying the words hunter, animals, woodland and nature one would think that they are often associated with a man. Saying those same words again hunter, animals, woodland and nature, they represent all the things that this Goddess loves and gives life too. Her name in Latin represents, goddess of the light and the moon, shining, divine, the open sky or daylight; but we can simply reach her by calling her Goddess Diana. Her birthplace is shared with her twin Apollo and it was said to be a floating island called Delos but no specific details as far as the date. Delos is the island that Jupiter and Latona were forced escape to after Juno learned that Jupiter and Latona had an affair.
Goddess Diana was well known for her virginity
and more often than not, she defended her right to be a virgin. She was known as the Goddess for fertility as
well as a moon goddess. The slaves
considered her a patron because they were offered refuge in her temples. Women who wished to conceive considered her a
patron as well. Goddess Diana is one of
the few that can actually say that her temple is considered a “Wonder of the
World” and referred to as the Temple of Artemis. There are stories told of Diana inheriting
the birth story of the Greek goddess Artemis.
The story told is that the wife of Jupiter, Juno found out that Latone
was pregnant by Jupiter and she banned Latone from having the baby on the
mainland, any island, or any land under the sun.
It is said that Latone discovered the
island of Delos and gave birth to twins which ae now known as Diana and
Apollo. It is rumored that after being
born, Diana assisted with the birth of Apollo, which is how she became a
connected to childbirth and midwifery. As a fertility deity she was invoked by
women to aid conception and delivery.
Egeria, the spirit of a nearby stream and Virbius (the roman
Counterpart)is said to have been the first priest of Dianas’ cult in
Aricia. Egeria shared in the guardianship
of childbirth with Goddess Diana. Diana
is known as a Roman goddess and often compared to the Greek Goddess
Artemis. During the Roman empire period,
Diana’s cult was exceedingly popular among the slaves as well as those who had
noble status and those of lower class in the community. During the Renaissance period of 14th -17th Century,
Diana was popular in art, poetry and drama.
She is a known archetype and strong female deity.
Diana’s Ephesus Temple
Diana was accepted as a goddess and
mother of Witchcraft in the Stregheria religion
which originated in Italy. Goddess Diana has some ties to Goddess Isis
as they were among the most popular deities.
There are many facets to Goddess Diana.
Her cult appears to have originated town of Aricia, Italy. She’s worshipped on August 13-17 with the Roman
tradition of a festival. This festival
lasts a week and consists of prayer to her for bountiful harvests and
protection. Many of the worshippers
leave an offering to Diana in the forest
or at a crossroad. Women invoke Goddess
Diana to ease their pain in childbirth. The usual offering consists of either
fruit or vines. Many worshippers leave offerings of baked goods and fruit. During this time of festival, there are often
notes written to Diana as well as notes written on strings and tied to
trees. The celebration even has the
participant engaged in dancing and singing.
Goddess Diana Tunic ~ Original design created by Unique Moon
Diana is also known as a moon goddess and
the rumor is that she displaced Luna and now gives directions to the moon from
her chariot. Diana is often referred to
as a triple goddess due to her being connected to wildlife, hunting and the
moon. Diana is known for carrying her
bow and arrows while accompanied by deer or a hound. She is often seen wearing a short tunic, barefoot or buckskin foot
coverings. Some symbols that are
associated with Goddess Diana is the moon, water, the sun, buck and stag. The day of the week associated with Diana is
Friday. The stones that represent
Goddess Diana are moonstone, amethyst and jade. Moonstone is associated with
the inner goddess and sensuality. It
opens the heart chakra and carries Magickal energies. This is a direct dial to Goddess Diana. Amethyst is the stone of strength and
protection to which she provides to women and children. Jade is another stone that is associated with
Goddess Diana for her power over conception and childbirth. Some foods that could be served to Goddess
Diana would be blueberries, coconut, cucumber, eggs, grapes, lemons, milk,
pumpkin and white wine. Dianas’ sacred
candle color is green as well as silver and white. Herbs and scents associated
with Goddess Diana are rue, vervain, verbena, lemon verbena, lavender and
fennel, jasmine, lotus, almond, white rose, sometimes red rose, myrrh,
sandalwood, white sage, mugwort.
Cited work:
https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Diana_(mythology)#Origins
https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net/goddesses/diana/
https://paganpages.org/emagazine/2020/03/10/diana-the-goddess-an-excerpt-by-michael-streeter/