In Tuscany Where we were staying on holiday, everywhere we went there were statues of Diana, Roman goddess of wild nature, and she was always depicted as having a dog by her feet. Although it seemed strange at the time to see quite so many roman statues of Diana, it wasn't until we came home and I looked up the area where we stayed to find that she is still worshipped very strongly and looking back now it was evident.
We went swimming in the local swimming pool and the locals were very conservative, and all of them appeared to be Roman Catholic. I just wondered if there are any 'Dianic' groups or women only covens that could shed some light on this situation.
Diana was originally identified with Artemis, who was the greek goddess of hunting and the moon, and considered to be a protector of women, particularly in childbirth. Monday is named after her, 'Moonday', the colours are silver and white and pearl. Her magical weapons are bow and arrow. She is depicted on Tarot cards as nines and the High Priestess. Also number 777
Any more info about rituals would be gratefully recieved.
Love
Oakapple xx
I have heard of Diana before, seen artists impressions of her. I cant say I know an awful lot about rituals surrounding her but i am watching this thread for any info you get 🙂
Hi Tierdria,
Diana was the supreme Goddess, Diana from the celtic words meaning divine, brilliant. It is said St. Pauls cathedral is built on the site of the temple of Diana. Here is a link for more information about her:
I'm surpirsed with all the wiccans who read these forums, there are so few replies. Such a shame not to share.their experiences.
Hi oakapple
i'm not exactly a wiccan, although many aspects of paganism resonate with me, but i am most certainly a devotee of the Great Goddess, by whichever name she is called. Thus I would certainly honour Diana/Artemis and just wanted to add a couple more facts: in Bushy Park, the royal hunting park near Hampton Court Palace, there is a fountain topped by a statue which is believed to be Diana, though it could be her nymph Arethusa. Also, the temple of Diana at Ephesus was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and was condemned by St Paul as being a place of pagan pilgrimage and worship. But one Google found website tells us:
The first shrine to the Goddess Artemis was probably built around 800 B.C. on a marshy strip near the river at Ephesus. The Ephesus Goddess Artemis, sometimes called Diana, is not the same figure as the Artemis worshipped in Greece. The Greek Artemis is the goddess of the hunt. The Ephesus Artemis was a goddess of fertility and was often pictured as draped with eggs, or multiple breasts, symbols of fertility, from her waist to her shoulders.
is the link.
Sorry, that's all I know - but apropos of the St Pauls Cathedral connection, isn't it appropriate that that was the church chosen for the royal wedding of Charles and........Diana!
With love
Sunanda xxx
Cheers for the link Oakapple 🙂
Im taking a gander at yours too Sunanda, it is a bit strange that the Princess Diana should be married there 🙂