Possible Prodding from Artemis

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[Wanderer894]

I could be just seeing what's not there (so to speak), but for the past couple of months I have been getting the impression that maybe, just maybe, Artemis is trying to get my attention.  I didn't really pay much mind at first, which is why I'm only posting about this now.  However that feeling has been getting stronger.

It's been a long time since I felt any prodding from any deity, much less any inclination to go looking.  Basically I realized I was never really sure about who might want to work with me or who I would definitely want to work with, that I gave up and focused more on reading, research, and such instead.  I figured once I was better prepared or once I was actually ready, then I could go ahead and see about which gods to work with.

With all that in mind, I'm a bit skeptical about this.  Not only that, but should it turn out that Artemis is indeed saying, "Hey, over here!" the hard part for me would be to say "OK I'll work with you.  I trust and respect you enough to do my best."  Being without someone specific around has left me to develop a healthy dose of reluctance to commit, if you will, to that sort of relationship.  If I can get past that, though, the way would be free and clear.

So for those who have worked/are working with Artemis, what is she like, in terms of personality and all?  I ask because I don't want to end up being told it was Diana who was calling to me.  The two have differences, but even though I'm familiar with those, I sometimes get mixed up.  It would be funny, but I'd still feel like a moron for not knowing which of them has been prodding me lately.

[fiamma]

So for those who have worked/are working with Artemis, what is she like, in terms of personality and all?  I ask because I don't want to end up being told it was Diana who was calling to me.  The two have differences, but even though I'm familiar with those, I sometimes get mixed up.  It would be funny, but I'd still feel like a moron for not knowing which of them has been prodding me lately.

I've been told by other folks who have confused the two that they will often straighten you out quite quickly, though have not had this problem myself. For the most part, the Roman deities don't even register on my radar (very few non-Greek gods do...)

Artemis was a rather significant influence on me for quite a while, and the big thing that I got out of it was a rather extreme sense of independence (to the point that it caused me a lot of problems because I refused to ask for help for a number of things, and later on, some emotional problems as well....but at the same time, I needed it and in the end was better off for it.) However...please don't take this to mean that it will happen to you...while most of the followers of Artemis that I know are quite independent, I've known none to have the same experience that I did, and I think a lot of it was a big exaggeration of my already present personality tendencies on top of certain issues from my childhood. It was not pleasant, but I am a stronger person for it, and I believe that she gave me what I needed from her sphere of influence. (She is no longer a part of my life, as of roughly two years ago, somewhere thereabouts she started to fade out.)

As to what she herself was like? I don't know, I can't really explain. She was a presence, that was for sure...I knew she was there, but while I can very easily describe my experience with Apollo, of whom I am now a devotee, for some reason I can't describe my experience with Artemis. In some ways it was far too subtle, in other ways it was much more....hmmm...rudimentary.

[AIONIA]

So for those who have worked/are working with Artemis, what is she like, in terms of personality and all?  I ask because I don't want to end up being told it was Diana who was calling to me.  The two have differences, but even though I'm familiar with those, I sometimes get mixed up.  It would be funny, but I'd still feel like a moron for not knowing which of them has been prodding me lately.

I haven't had a lot of working with Artemis, like Fiamma I'm an Apollo baby, but I have bumped into her a few times. To me she seems alot like her brother when he's in a good mood, laid-back and such, but quite a bit more timid. She does come across, at least to me, to be very patient; I would suggest telling her through meditation, or normal prayer that you need time.

[Caroline]

, but I have bumped into her a few times. To me she seems alot like her brother when he's in a good mood, laid-back and such, but quite a bit more timid. She does come across, at least to me, to be very patient; I would suggest telling her through meditation, or normal prayer that you need time.

Artemis, timid? Not at all, IME. Nor particularly patient. She is willing to give something the time it needs, but there's little tolerance for dilly-dallying or diversions. She's demanding and particular - very much a lay-out-a-plan, then go do it, no excuses sort. Don't say you'll do something and then renege, or do it badly. She expects her due and is touchy when she doesn't get it. She appreciates directness and strength. When dealing with Artemis, set boundaries. Honour your word and your obligations, and they'll be respected. Don't and you're in for a world of trouble.

In terms of exploring a relationship with Artemis, actions speak louder than words. Tell her you are doing something in her honour, and do it. Doesn't have to be anything big and fancy, but whatever it is do it well, with focused intent. Then do it again. I've found that physical actions are best. She wants results, not empty promises. Be confident, but not arrogant; strong, but not a bully; determined, but not blindly stubborn. She's more likely to help you do something yourself than do it for you.

And don't ever be consciously disrespectful. She won't forget, and she won't forgive. She's harsh that way. There's a reason she's a goddess of wild places.

[Jenett]

So for those who have worked/are working with Artemis, what is she like, in terms of personality and all?  I ask because I don't want to end up being told it was Diana who was calling to me.  The two have differences, but even though I'm familiar with those, I sometimes get mixed up.  It would be funny, but I'd still feel like a moron for not knowing which of them has been prodding me lately.

Artemis is actually my one formal ritual invocatory/Drawing Down type experience. My experience of her was very ... pointed. The archery motif is very apt. Very focused, directed, clear cut.

UPG follows:
My experience of Artemis included a great deal of pleasure at some of the traditional Greek epithets (for that ritual, particularly Potnia Theron, or 'Lady of the Beasts/Mistress of Animals'), a desire for baklava at the post-ritual feast, and some pleasure at sharp-smelling scent. (For the Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab folks out there: the scent she really hinged on was BPAL's Hemlock, which is a sharp herbal.)

She also had a very specific idea of timing (which lead to a ritual story I suspect I'll be telling to the next 40 years, at least), and a certain amount of amusement at the fact my arms and legs aren't longer. (Hey, I'm 5'.) She also had some very specific ideas about appropriate clothing for me (somewhat complex when it involved bare arms, and a Mabon ritual in Minnesota and an outdoor/public park setting.)

She's not my primary deity relationship (and wasn't at the time: this is strictly a M'Lady being willing to loan me out under specific parameters deal, as far as I could tell) but I do bear a lot of fondness for her, and I keep a very small simple shrine (normally it's a lapis-stone bear statue) somewhere I can see it regularly.

While I was prepping for that ritual, going to my local zoo helped quite a bit, as did walking around out in the park where we were going to do the ritual. Spending time outside is a definite good way to know her, and getting familiar with both the wildlife and geography local to you.

I wouldn't have called her laid back, as much as "doesn't care much about stuff outside her interests" - which is something different for me. She was *very* specific about the stuff inside her sphere of influence, and it took some negotiating.

[AIONIA]

Artemis, timid? Not at all, IME. Nor particularly patient. She is willing to give something the time it needs, but there's little tolerance for dilly-dallying or diversions.

You have to understand, I work with Apollo and Ares pretty much everyday, after them pretty much everybody is timid. And like I said I've only met her a few times, she used to ride with me to the horse rescue, and she helped me one time when I was looking for the herd.

[Wanderer894]

......

Hrmmm, that's not quite what I'm getting on this end.  There's certainly that no-nonsense, direct nature, but I'm getting a sense of more patience than Artemis must have.  Wearied patience certainly on some level in regards to me finally noticing something is up, but it doesn't sound like Artemis would be waiting for long beyond that. I'd probably have gotten whacked over the head by now. 

.......

Hemlock and baklava.......LOL.  Makes sense, actually.

On a more serious note, I do get a sense that I'd be doing some negotiating in regards to what's expected of me and so on, but again, not to the degree I could expect with Artemis.  Dealing with her, from what people have posted, would be like trying to get a bone away from a very determined bulldog.

This pretty much tips the scales in favor of Diana a bit more.  I have heard that while she certainly shares Artemis's love of directness and all, she's not quite as.......aggressive, for lack of a better word.  Unless maybe Artemis is trying a slightly different approach here (and I'm not quite ready to fully believe that).

Of course, my other thought was that maybe I was getting a hint from both of them.  Upon further reflection, that didn't make too much sense, as I don't recall very many TCers saying much about interactions between the Roman pantheon and the Greek pantheon.  Not to say it wouldn't be possible, but I see that as one of those "one in ten million chances" things.   

[Caroline]

Hrmmm, that's not quite what I'm getting on this end.  There's certainly that no-nonsense, direct nature, but I'm getting a sense of more patience than Artemis must have.  Wearied patience certainly on some level in regards to me finally noticing something is up, but it doesn't sound like Artemis would be waiting for long beyond that. I'd probably have gotten whacked over the head by now.

 


Hmm... this strikes a thought. Are you familiar with Artemis Ephesia? There are some who feel she is as different from the classical Greek Artemis as Diana is. My own personal jury is out on the matter (two goddesses or one, are they are the same.. except when they are not?) but I do get a different feel in ritual particularly devoted to Artemis Ephesia. I could see "wearied patience" being used to describe her better, and she does seem have a wider range of concerns (being more of the city than of the wilds, but also sharing the mother-of-beasties portfolio).

[fiamma]

You have to understand, I work with Apollo and Ares pretty much everyday, after them pretty much everybody is timid.

So one time, I was talking to someone about Aztec mythology and how I think that people interested in them should probably tiptoe rather carefully, and I wouldn't want to meet any of them in a dark alley (or a well-lit one) and then I stopped, gave about a quarter second's thought and said "Never mind, I worship Apollo...I think some days I'd rather take my chances with Itzpopalotl."

[Wanderer894]

Hmm... this strikes a thought. Are you familiar with Artemis Ephesia? There are some who feel she is as different from the classical Greek Artemis as Diana is. My own personal jury is out on the matter (two goddesses or one, are they are the same.. except when they are not?) but I do get a different feel in ritual particularly devoted to Artemis Ephesia. I could see "wearied patience" being used to describe her better, and she does seem have a wider range of concerns (being more of the city than of the wilds, but also sharing the mother-of-beasties portfolio).

I've run across her name, but I'm not that familiar with her outside of that.  I did a search after reading your post, which didn't turn up a whole lot as far as I could see. 

[AIONIA]

"Never mind, I worship Apollo...I think some days I'd rather take my chances with Itzpopalotl."

I love Apollo, but that sounds about right. He has a history for being a pretty mean dude, but he's a nice guy, as long as you don't piss him off or hurt someone he cares about. After that you're pretty much screwed.

[Jenett]

Dealing with her, from what people have posted, would be like trying to get a bone away from a very determined bulldog.

I found negotiation was possible, but I had to be *very* clear on why something was a boundary.

"Wear a tunic. Bare arms."
"It's Minnesota, it's late September, and it is likely to be *damn cold*. No one benefits if I get hypothermia."
"The tunic's important."
"What about I wear the cloak until the tunic's relevant (late in the ritual)."
"Hmph. Okay."

There was also a negotiation about my toenail polish. (Folks here may remember that I keep my toenails painted some shade of blue - very rarely silver - as a devotion to M'Lady.) For the week before the ritual in question, they were a very dark blueish green, because it was the only compromise I could make sense out of. Artemis wanted green, and preferably brighter, I was having none of that. "My toenails are previously committed, take dark blue-green or nothing." got me somewhere.

[Dania]

There was also a negotiation about my toenail polish. (Folks here may remember that I keep my toenails painted some shade of blue - very rarely silver - as a devotion to M'Lady.) For the week before the ritual in question, they were a very dark blueish green, because it was the only compromise I could make sense out of. Artemis wanted green, and preferably brighter, I was having none of that. "My toenails are previously committed, take dark blue-green or nothing." got me somewhere.

Wow you know I have never actually thought of toenail painting as a sign of devotion! It makes sense though, makes me wonder WHY I haven't thought of it. I have a feeling Morrigu would laugh at me .

[AIONIA]

Wow you know I have never actually thought of toenail painting as a sign of devotion! It makes sense though, makes me wonder WHY I haven't thought of it. I have a feeling Morrigu would laugh at me .

I could see it, but not as a real offering. But me taking care of myself is a sign of devotion, and it also helps build self-respect.

*ponders letting Apollo choose my nail color from now on*

[Caroline]

I've run across her name, but I'm not that familiar with her outside of that.  I did a search after reading your post, which didn't turn up a whole lot as far as I could see. 

Worship of Artemis was very widespread and quite diverse, and Ephesus was the major ancient Near East site. (Actually many would say that the Artemision there was *the* site, given that it an ancient wonder and all that. None in Greece proper were bigger.) Artemis of Ephesus appears to have a great deal of Oriental character (many suggest this is the result of conflations with Kybele), likely being primarily venerated as a general fertility (and possibly healing) deity (as opposed to a hunter/guardian of borders/wild places, childbirth & children). The icongraphy is drastically different -- if we just had the statues and no written support it would be hard to equate the classic tunic-wearing maiden-archer with her deer and the stiff formality of the many "breasted" goddess of Ephesus. (And of course by Roman times she was being called 'Diana', too, just to further muddy the waters.)

UPG warning now: I have venerated Artemis for many years and IME I have found that Artemis of Ephesus is different in feel and nature - being more civilized/urban than wild/rural, holding wider concerns and generally being more compassionate (even merciful) of nature. So much so that I address them separately, and offer separate cultus. In general, I have found Artemis of Ephesus to be much more approachable, so when you speak of perceiving a feeling of patient, less-demanding Artemis, she comes to mind.

YMMV, of course.

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