4/22/11

Goddess of the Week: Artemis

Artemis with a hind, better known as "Dia...Image via WikipediaJess needs a goddess that will help her pursue and stay true to her dreams. She needs the Greek goddess of the hunt, Artemis.

When Artemis was a baby, her father, Zeus, told her that she could have anything that she wanted, proving that parents really do need to think carefully about their words.

Artemis said, "Promise me I'll never have to get married."

Zeus was all, "Sure."

"Oh," she said, "And promise me I can have fifty hunting dogs and a bunch of handmaidens to hang out with. And a pony."

Zeus was all, "Doh." Because fifty dogs is a lot of dogs even for Olympus.

Artemis never did marry, and she always did have her gaggle of hounds and handmaidens. She lived life on her own terms, and when people tried to take advantage of her good nature she turned them into stags.

This is not to say that partners, children, careers or whatever has put a leash on you should be banished or turned into wild beasts. (Although, let's face it, who hasn't had that fantasy?) Instead, you need to take a page from Artemis and remember that your talents and dreams are gifts. Would you really throw out a diamond bracelet if someone gave you one? Your talents and dreams are worth way more than a diamond bracelet. No one has the exact set that you possess! Ignoring the things that make you you is both ungracious and cruel. And who is going to give you presents if you just throw them away? Hold onto the things that give you meaning. Pursue them like they are your prey. Be like Artemis. Take your talent. Now hunt.

Channel this goddess: When you feel like you are losing yourself, when you find yourself putting yourself last time and time again, when looking for a new dog, when hunting.

Need a Goddess: I got goddesses. Post a comment explaining what you need or want a goddess for. Then check back in about a week or two and see what you got!
Enhanced by Zemanta

14 comments:

Rois said...

This wasn't written for me but thanks any way I needed Artemis today.
Kind of feel like I have lost my path and dreams lately.I think they've been hidden under that stack of doctor bills in front of me.

Anonymous said...

This from Agnes DeMille:

"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action. And because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you.....no artist is pleased … there is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than others”

Olga said...

Artemis--one of my favorites.

Petrea Burchard said...

I needed this today. Thank you, Margaret.

claire bangasser said...

Your talents and dreams are gifts. Oh, Margaret, what you wrote is just so beautiful and true.

Thank you.

Susan Campisi said...

Brilliant, wise and funny, as usual. Artemis is an inspiration. Thanks, Margaret.

Watson said...

I'm interested in the 50 dogs...!

Anonymous said...

Artemis is a wonderful reminder to honor our gifts. We all need that reminder sometimes. Though sometimes, she needs to send one of her hounds to bite us in the butt!


Cerridwen, Hestia, and Iris are the primary goddesses in my life, although the older I get, the more Hecate has to say about it all! ;)

Curly said...

I never get tired of telling you how much I love your writings? :-) Lovely lovely lovely!
Did she get the pony????

Unknown said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you! You're awesome!

JCK said...

Oh, you don't know how much I needed Artemis. And thanks for the lovely encouragement at the end of your post. It spoke to me!

Happy Easter!

Tony Van Helsing said...

What happened to Artemis's pony?

Italo said...

Hi Margherita, with this post I understoos that I have to do something with my talents.

Today I'll make the best pizza in my life :)

Margaret said...

Glad Artemis hit the right note for so many of you. As for the 50 dogs. I know! Even I couldn't handle that many dogs. As for the pony, it was white and when she was a little girl Artemis would braid pink ribbons into its hair. It's name was Gigi and it had wings and sometimes it would take Artemis to a marshmallow cloud where they would look down at people and spit on them.

Jess: So glad you approve. Hope she helps!