Carly Griffith May, 2011

Roman Huntress Diana

She is the protector of all things wild; trees, animals, flowers, and most of all women.  Her name itself means “Goddess”, a very blunt meaning, but one that fits her well in all the very literal things she did and still continues to do.  She brought the ancient Romans the gift of magic and eternal motherly love.  She taught them the importance of nature, and that the streams that run through the forest are the veins within her body.

She is also associated with the goddess emis and is said to have ties with Hecate as well.

In any form she came in the Romans loved their Goddess, so in her honor they built her a temple, that was greatly attended by slaves, and people of all natures, especially women.  Diana is greatly known as the guardian of women, as she protects their every move.  Being so close with women and nature, naturally she would be closely associated with the moon, and witchcraft.  So if needed, she could help you with anything regarding your craft.

She is a goddess of many things, and many mysteries.  Within these mysteries lies her connection with beasts and demons as well, and even Lucifer himself, since she is a lover of all things.  Unfortunately, this fact got blown out of proportion and she became greatly feared by later generations, although Diana isn’t the only goddess who this happened too.  The Goddess religion became known as devil worship overtime, and is still a touchy subject today.  Even though all this goddess-fearing behavior exists, Diana still resides in the crevasses of our hearts.  She is the wind in our hair, and the rain on our face.  She is the call of birds and nature itself.  She urges us all to climb a mountain or just be outside enjoying her gift to us.  She will forever  roam the forests with her bow and arrow in hand ready to take on what ever is thrown in her path, or anyone else’s.

CONNECTING WITH DIANA

Hopefully the weather is nice wherever you are because the obvious way to connect with Diana is to just go outside.  Plant flowers in her name, preform moon magic outside, or feed the animals.  Write a wish on a leaf and set it free in a stream.

To evoke her protection you can simply empower one of her symbols in her name and set it in the moonlight overnight.  She will gladly stand by your side when need be.  Most importantly she resides within your heart, all you need to do is ask.  She already loves you.

SYMBOLS AND THINGS TO PUT ON YOUR ALTER

Bow and arrows, honeysuckle, hazel, jasmine, lemon verbena, aloe, moonstone, pearl, silver, turquoise, diamonds, blue skies, the moon, and anything involving the outdoors.

Tags: diana, goddess, hunter

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Sky_Emmons January, 2011

Take me to the highest mountains
To all things wild and free
In the sacred wood
Ready your bow
Steady your gaze

In the winds
of the Wild Hunt
Hunter becomes the hunted
Haunting and haunted
As the winter gale

Tears the leaves
Moss Maidens
Frightened in the trees
Look after me in 1-2-3
To the Light and

To the darkness
You’ll find me
In the woodlands
And in the groves
I sing to Diana

Let the light unfold

Tags: diana, goddess

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Administrator August, 2009

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, “emis”, 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

Tags: diana, goddess, hunt

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