return to Home Page
or move on to Goddess Ala, next chronologically,
or use Her Cyclopedia Index

Artemis, High-Source-of-Water.
*T]MYS

[to Whom the ninth day of January, day 008, is dedicated]

Geography/Culture: Greece (from Asia-minor).
Linguistic Note: The meaning of Artemis is doubtful: it may be Strong-Limbed, from artemes; or She-Who-Cuts-Up, since the Spartans called Her Artamis, from artao; or Her name may mean The-Lofty-Covenor, from airo and themis; or the themis syllables may mean Water, because the moon was regarded as the source of all water.
Description: In pre-patriachal times She was a Great Goddess of the wilderness and animal fertility; of the moon and stars; of lakes, rivers and marshes; of trees and fertility in vegetation; of agriculture and the harvest; of healing and purification; of women, childbirth and children; of marriage, family and the community; of defense and protection of Her people; of natural law and justice; of winds, prophesy, fate and death.
In patriachal times She became primarily Goddess of the hunt and celibacy; Protectress of young men and women.
Invocations, Pleas, Hymns and Other Homage to HER: Artemis.
Iconography: Artemis
To Whom Sacred: swan; quail; meleagris, guinea-hen (She is worshipped on the island of Leros as one); hind; bear; boar; goat; zebu; lion; silver-fir; ivy; torch; crescent-moon; bow and arrows; mural crown.
Festival: March 31. {This is the festival date of Roman Luna, and may not belong to Artemis}.

Source: Graves GMv2 index; Graves WG 143; Kravitz WWGRM 143.
Aithiopia, Burnt-Face.
I3Y0PY1

Geography/Culture: Ethiopia.
Linguistic Note: Cithio(micron)pis, an Ethiopian, a negro, from g(mi kron)ps,

  • burnt-face.
    Description: {Perhaps} Goddess of the moon.
    I wonder if She influenced the appearance of images of the Black Madonna. Is She connected with the black-skinned images of Ephesaia?
    Source: IGEL/20.
    Aritimi, ----.
    *RYTYMY

    Geography/Culture: Italy: Etruria. Earliest visual reference aproximately 675 BCE (Bocchoris Tomb, Tarquinia).
    Linguistic Note: this is the Etruscan form of Greek Artemis, {or both names may perhaps be differently derived form an older unknown Anatolian name}.
    Description: Goddess of wild animals.
    To Whom Sacred: pair of lions; Hathor-locks; pair of crowned sphinxes.

    Source: ETAL.
    Astateia, ----.
    *ST*TA1

    Geography/Culture: . Amazons.?
    Description: War Mother; She Who is armed in defense of Her people and their home.


    Boulaia, She-Who-Counsels.
    BWLI1

    Geography/Culture: Greek: Attic.
    Description: Goddess of state and family life.

    Source: EB (28)
    Cedreatis, She-of-the-Cedar-Tree.
    K]DA1TYS

    Geography/Culture: Greek: Orchomenmus.
    Linguistic Note: Greek orthography Kîëpîàçis, (), from kîëpos (kedros), cedar. Derived English word: cedar.
    Description: Goddess of nature and fertility, especially of trees and vegetation in general.
    To Whom Sacred: cedar.


    Colaines, {She-of-the-Sheathed-Sword}.
    K0LINYS,

    Geography/Culture: Greece?
    Linguistic Note: perhaps related to kolîon (koleon), sheath, scabbard of a sword. If this etymology is correct, perhaps implying She is Goddess of the peace that comes after war.
    Description: Goddess of war; Defender and Protectress of Her people.
    To Whom Sacred: {sheathed sword}.

    Source: Encyc Brit Artemis.
    Coloene, {She-of-Lake-Coloe}.
    KOL]NA

    Geography/Culture: Greek? Lake Coloe near Sardis.

    Source: Encyc Brit:Artemis.
    Cordax, Dancer.
    K4RD*KS

    Geography/Culture: Greek: Mount Sipylus.
    Description: Goddess of fertility and grain; She Who is honoured with wanton, or obscenely funny, dances.
    To Whom Sacred: mountains.

    Source: Encyc Brit: Artemis; IGEL.
    Cynthia, She-of-Mount-Cynthus.
    KÜN3Y1
    Alternate meaning: Moon-Goddess.

    Geography/Culture: Greek: Delos.
    Linguistic Note: the name refers to the birth of Artemis on Mount Cynthus.
    Description: Goddess of the moon.
    { Defintely as the moon, there are a good many references in Encyc Brit, see both Cynthia, and Cithaeron.}
    Invocations, Pleas, Hymns and Other Homage to HER: Citherea,


    Deianeira, Stringer-Together-of-Spoil.
    DA*NAR1

    Geography/Culture: Greek. Trachinia.
    Description: Perhaps Goddess of death.
    Male Associates: consort, Herakles; son: Hyllus.


    Source: Fontenrose PSDMO 113; Graves GMv2 index; Kravitz WWGRM. {Check also Fontenrose PSDMO 170, and ibid for Psmanthe, who may be related to Deianeira}.
    Limnaia, {She-of-the-Lake}.
    LYMNI1

    Geography/Culture: Greek.
    Linguistic Note: Greek orthography Limnaia, from liævn, a pool of standing water left by the sea or a river, 2. a marshy lake, mere.
    Description: Goddess of fresh waters and fertilising moisture.

    Source: Encyc Brit:Artemis.
    worked on: December, September, May 1995; May 1992; August, July 1991; July, June 1990
    Return to the top of this document.