Artemis is the Grecian Huntress, Mistress of the Bear and the Dog. The work ‘bitch’ comes from Her, and was originally a positive term (“son of a bitch” literally meant “son of the Goddess”). Artemis rituals are useful when you need the inner strength to enter new realms.
Invocation
Artemis, Queen of the Night, Lady of the Hunt, I call upon You to come with Your bear and stag and lead me into new directions. Give me the strength an courage to forge ahead. Help me run the path lightly, that I may pass without a trace, known only to those I choose. Be with me, Moon Lady, and teach me to rely on myself. Blessed Be.
Devocation
Huntress, I have raced the skies with you. Now I bid You farewell. May You traipse the woods forever more, protecting child and animal, guarding against assault. I ask that Your strength remain in my heart. Blessed Be.
I am who I am
and I know who I am
I can take care of myself
under all circumstances
and I can let others care for me
I can choose
There is no authority
higher than my own
my powers of discernment are finely honed
I am autonomous
I am free from the influence
of others' opinions
I am able to separate
that which needs separation
so a clear decision
can be reached
I think for myself
I set my sights
and aim my bow
my arrows always find their mark
Mythology
Artemis, another multi-dimensional Goddess reduced by the Greeks to the domain of moon, virgin, huntress, and childbirth, really represented the Feminine in all her aspects. She was the huntress who protected animals and the virgin (whole and complete unto herself) who made love in the woods. When Artemis was a little girl, Zeus, her father, wanted to give her a gift and asked her what she wanted. Artemis replied: I want to run forever wild and free with my hounds in the woods and never, ever marry.
Meaning of the Card
Artemis has shot her arrow of selfhood into your life to help you focus on yourself. Have you been too much at the service of others without making sure you get what you need for yourself? Has it been too long since you had time to yourself or a space of your own? Do the boundaries of your selfhood seem blurred and indistinct? Do you feel you have no right to a self of your own, but must always be thinking of others, putting their needs first, until you don't know who you are or what you want? Now is the time to come into yourself. Now is the time to pay attention to the whispering voices of your own needs. Now is the time to take yourself back and celebrate and strengthen who you are. Artemis says that wholeness is nurtured when you honor, respect, and give time to yourself. She also asks how can you expect to hit any targets if you don't have a self from which to shoot?
