Gems of the Goddess

Diana – Roman Goddess of the Hunt
Diana (“the maiden goddess”)  is the Roman Goddess of the Hunt.   Diana is the twin of Apollo and the daughter of Latona and Jupiter.  She is also associated with nature, the wilderness and wild animals.   The Oak is especially sacred to her.   She is worshipped in the Stregheria religion and Religo Romana Neopaganism.

Her mother, Latona, gave birth to her and immediately Diana helped her birth Apollo.  Based on this story, Diana is the guardian of young children and the patron of women in childbirth.

Diana rules over the phases of the moon, which relays to women’s cycles and sexuality.

Diana was originally associated as the protector of the harvest against storms, wild animals, the forest as well as the light.  It was only after she was associated with the Greek Goddess of the Hunt, “Artemis”, that she took on the qualities of her.

She also used bows and arrows and relates to adventure.  The hunt is more for sport than providing food.  Her symbol is more of the crescent moon than the full moon.  If you look at the shape of her bow when drawn, it is her most common association.
Diana is very protective of women and is associated with chastity.  She could be very possessive and got angry when anyone disobeyed her wishes, especially against her sacred animals.  They would then feel her wrath.

She asked her father to grant her eternal virginity when she was a small child, which Jupiter did.  There are several stories of punishment Diana doled out to men who dared dishonor her purity and modesty.

For example, Diana traveled with women, all who were virgins.  One day, she was with her nymphs, bathing in a secluded poll.  Actaeon, the Greek Hunter, stumbled upon them and stopped to gaze upon them.  Diana caught him, turned him into a stag and then set his own hounds on him.  Because they did not recognize their master, they killed him.

Some of Diana’s symbols are:

* Animals:   wild animals in general, horses, dogs, bears, wolves , lions, birds, deer, snakes, fish, boar, goats, and bees
* Plants:  cypress, cedar, hazel, myrtle, willow, daisy, mugwort, laurel, silver fir, walnut tree, oak tree, almond, mandrake
* Stones:  Silver – Diana is known to wear silver shoes and use silver tipped arrows.
* Festival Date:  August 13th

How can you bring Diana into your life?   You can work with Diana to help your relationship to women, to keep beliefs strong and not to waiver and when pregnant or need help with children.  Diana provides women strength – but make sure it’s not too much to alienate those in your life.  Diana struggled with trust of others and showed no mercy when betrayed.   Temper that strength with softness when necessary