‘Through the use of research, stories, personal experiences and a variety of hands-on tools, Irisanya Moon’s book helps to bring to life a deity that, while complex, is a powerful mentor and guide for our times.’ — Robin Corak, Moon Books author
Often pictured running in the woods, Artemis is a goddess unto Herself. She is wild, and She is the Wild. Through Her, we can learn about tapping back into our wildness, learning to care for our hearts, and returning to the places that we have been told to fear. Artemis’ aim is always true, some say, and building a relationship with Her can help set the best direction for our own arrows.
I’ll present on the book, answer any questions, and probably talk a lot about what my relationship to Artemis has been.
The recording will be on my Facebook page if you can’t catch it in real time.
“Come to me now thus, Goddess, and release me From distress and pain; and all my distracted Heart would seek, do thou, once again fulfilling, Still be my ally!”
—Ode to Aphrodite, Sappho, translated by John Myers O’Hara
The waters that soothe and storm, the waters that crash and still. The waters within us, the waters around us. The waters of blood and tears and sweat and sex; these waters dance within us. These waters ask us for our truth, our authenticity, our care. With Aphrodite, this ritual will begin with an introduction to the Aphrodite Συμμαχια (Symmakhia), Ally in Love. This Aphrodite will walk with us in a working designed to dive deeply into the places where water has shaped us. While this might invoke the idea of grief, there are joys that want to be seen too. If you are feeling lost, this ritual can help you find ease. If you are feeling joy, this ritual can help to make room for more. If you are feeling confused, this ritual will help you find clarity. Aphrodite is an ally in all of the phases of love and she will take our hands, walk through these places to find what happens next, and what might be reflected in the waters of our best intentions. We will dance with our questions and answers, allowing the waters of our bodies to move us and shape us further. All bodies and abilities are welcome, dance can look many different ways.
You will need a cup of water for this ritual, a journal and a writing instrument. If you can create an altar to Aphrodite ahead of time, that is recommended, but not needed. It is ideal to participate in a place where you will not be disturbed and when you are not driving or operating machinery. Ideally, you will be in a space where you can feel free to speak authentically and move as you like.
I sing of Artemis, whose shafts are of gold, who cheers on the hounds, the pure maiden, shooter of stags, who delights in archery, own sister to Apollo with the golden sword. Over the shadowy hills and windy peaks she draws her golden bow, rejoicing in the chase, and sends out grievous shafts. The tops of the high mountains tremble and the tangled wood echoes awesomely with the outcry of beasts: earth quakes and the sea also where fishes shoal. But the goddess with a bold heart turns every way destroying the race of wild beasts: and when she is satisfied and has cheered her heart, this huntress who delights in arrows slackens her supple bow and goes to the great house of her dear brother Phoebus Apollo, to the rich land of Delphi, there to order the lovely dance of the Muses and Graces. There she hangs up her curved bow and her arrows, and heads and leads the dances, gracefully arrayed, while all they utter their heavenly voice, singing how neat-ankled Leto bare children supreme among the immortals both in thought and in deed.
Hail to you, children of Zeus and rich-haired Leto! And now I will remember you and another song also.
Translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White. The Homeric Hymns
When you find yourself with a godd, I imagine it is best to start with getting to know each other, sitting down for tea, and asking questions about why you are both at the table. It is best to start by dropping into the place between time and facts, into the space between what you think you know and what you will come to know.
Let’s begin there.
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You can reach out to me in the comments or on my website with questions. www.irisanyamoon.com
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