" ARTEMIS "iS THE GREEK GODDESS OF THE MOON AND THE HUNT. SHE WAS THE DAUGHTER OF "ZEU"S, THE KING OF THE GODS, AND THE TITAN, "LETO. "SHE IS ALSO A VIRGIN GODDESS WHO TOOK HER VIRGINITY AND VOWS OF CHASTITY VERY SERIOUS. ANYONE WHO BROKE A VOW OF CHASTITY WOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH HER WRATH. SHE WAS THE PROTECTOR OF WOMEN, ESPECIALLY YOUNG GIRLS, AND WATCHED OVER THEM DURING CHILDBIRTH. HER ROLE AS A PROTECTOR OF WOMEN WAS HER MOST IMPORTANT JOB.. HER POSITION AS PROTECTOR OF WOMEN BEGAN SHORTLY AFTER HER BIRTH.
ACCORDING TO THE MYTH, SHORTLY AFTER "ARTEMIS "WAS BORN, SHE ASSISTED IN THE DELIVERY OF HER TWIN BROTHER, "APOLLO." IT IS SAID THAT "ARTEMIS "WAS SO SHOCKED BY CHILDBIRTH THAT SHE TOLD "ZEUS" THAT SHE WOULD REMAIN A VIRGIN FOREVER. SHE ALSO ASKED TO BE MADE THE GODDESS OF CHILDBIRTH, A ROLE THAT SHE SHARED WITH " HERA". IN MANY WAYS, SHE IS A GODDESS OF CONTRADICTIONS. SHE BOTH HUNTS WILD ANIMALS AND PROTECTS THEM. SHE HELPS WOMEN IN CHILDBIRTH, YET IT IS HER ARROWS THAT BRING THEM SUDDEN DEATH, AND, LIKE "APOLLO", SHE IS A DIVINITY OF HEALING, YET ALSO INFLICTS DISEASES SUCH AS LEPROSY, RABIES AND GOUT.
SHE WOULD OFTEN BE SEEN WEARING A SHORT SKIRT AND HOLDING A BOW AND ARROWS, USUALLY ACCOMPANIED BY A HUNTING DOG OR A STAG. HER SYMBOLS WERE A DEER, A CYPRESS AND A SILVER BOW AND ARROW. SHE WAS ONE OF THE HIGHLY VALUED OF THE GREEK GODDESSES, AND WORSHIP OF HER WAS WIDESPREAD. HER TEMPLE AT EPHESUS WAS ONE OF THE WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD. ARTEMIS WAS KNOWN AS" DIANA" IN ANCIENT ROME.
Reference: witchcraftforall.blogspot.com
