6 October 2008

Roman Goddess Diana

Roman Goddess Diana Image
THE ORIGINS OF THE ROMAN GODDESS, "DIANA", ARE INTERTWINED WITH THE GREEK GODDESS, ARTEMIS. SHE WAS THE DAUGHTER OF JUPITER AND LATONA, AND THE TWIN SISTER OF APOLLO. SHE WAS THE PERPETUAL VIRGIN OF THE WOODLANDS AND THE FORESTS AND THE GUARDIAN OF ALL THAT IS WILD AND FREE. OAK GROVES WERE ESPECIALLY SACRED TO HER. SHE RECEIVED PRAISE FOR HER GREAT STRENGTH, HER BEAUTY, AND HER HUNTING SKILLS. SHE WAS OFTEN DEPICTED AS CARRYING A BOW AND ARROW AND SURROUNDED BY ANIMALS.

SHE WAS ALSO A MOON GODDESS, AND HER LATER EMANATIONS INCLUDED GODDESS OF THE MOON GROVE AND OF CHILDBIRTH. SHE WAS ALSO KNOWN FOR HER MAGICAL SKILLS AND PROTECTION OF WOMEN WHO PRACTICED THE MAGICKAL ARTS. HENCE, SOME CALLED HER THE "QUEEN OF THE WITCHES. "DIANA WAS THE PATRONESS OF THE SLAVES AND THE POOR. SHE LOVED MUSIC AND DANCING AND WAS SAID TO GRANT AN EASY CHILDBIRTH TO HER FAVORITES.

MALES WERE NOT ALLOWED INTO HER TEMPLES. THE MOST CELEBRATED OF HER SHRINES WAS LOCATED ON LAKE NEMI. HER ANCIENT CULTS WERE DIVERSE AND HIGHLY COMPLEX, AND HER PAGAN ASSOCIATIONS WERE VIEWED AS A THREAT BY CHRISTIANITY. THIS RESULTED IN HER BEING DENOUNCED AS A DEVIL GODDESS BY THE INQUISITION. HER ANNUAL FESTIVAL WAS HELD ON AUGUST 13TH.

"HYMN TO DIANA"

" QUEEN AND HUNTRESS, CHASTE AND FAIR, "
" NOW THE SUN IS LAID TO SLEEP, "
" SEATED IN THY SILVER CHAIR "
" STATE IN WONTED MANNER KEEP; "
" HESPERUS ENTREATS THY LIGHT, "
" GODDESS EXCELLENTLY BRIGHT. "
" EARTH, LET NOT THY ENVIOUS SHADE "
" DARE ITSELF TO INTERPOSE; "
" CYNTHIA`S SHINING ORB WAS MADE "
" HEAVEN TO CLEAR WHEN DAY DID CLOSE: "
" BLESS US THEN WITH WISHED SIGHT, "
" GODDESS EXCELLENTLY BRIGHT. "
" LAY THY BOW OF PEARL APART "
" AND THY CRYSTAL - SHINING QUIVER; "
" GIVE UNTO THE FLYING HART "
" SPACE TO BREATHE, HOW SHORT SOEVER: "
" THOU THAT MAK`ST A DAY OF NIGHT, "
" GODDESS EXCELLENTLY BRIGHT! "

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