Keeping Her Keys
Artemis the solitary hunter, stalking her prey and yielding to no man has always been a symbol of sovereignty. She is, above all, the Mistress of Arrows, whether in her epithets linking her with Hekate as “far shooting” or when she took down Orion. Never cruel, Artemis always aimed for the heart lest her enemies suffer (well, most of the time but this is a blog and not a book) regardless of animal or man as her prey. Her arrows were always true, providing us with many lessons on how we should always aim for the heart.
She was revered as compassionate to those in crisis and revealed herself to those needing her help. From the stories of Atalanta and Iphigenia, we learn that Artemis was a goddess who set things right. In all these ways, she aimed for the heart through merciful arrows or letting others speak their truth and live on.
As a guardian of childbirth and children, Artemis again aims for the heart of those most vulnerable in the kindest manner. However, she took things “to heart” especially when she perceived dishonor to herself or others. All in all, Artemis was a goddess that shot for the heart in many diverse ways.
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