Artemis is a regal Mother Goddess – a creative and fertile Nature Goddess. Her energy is grounded, protective, Earthy, fruitful and life-giving. She flows with nourishment and abundance.
Artemis wears a mural crown of the city walls. This honors her role as Patroness of the city, Guardian of All who Enter. She is incredibly protective.
At her neck, she wears garlands of fruit and flowers. Her arms are outstretched in a gesture of welcome and blessing.
On her chest, are rows and rows of breasts, portraying Artemis as a nourishing Mother Goddess. For thousands of years, the Divine Feminine was imagined as the “Nurturer of the World”, often pictured with her hands cupping her breasts.
There has been some scholarly debate about whether these are really breasts… and in fact it may be a “play on words” or a mix of symbolism. The breasts may also represent bee eggs or pomegranates (likely, as amber pendants in the shape of pomegranates have been discovered – these were draped on the Goddess as offerings).
The rest of her body is shaped like a pillar. This tells me of her strength; her permanence and durability. This shape is an ancient form also related to Cybele and other Eastern Goddesses.
Her dress is decorated with lions, goats, griffins, bulls, flowers. And, most importantly bees.
Bees and honey are simply magical, and bee symbolism in sacred texts, art and artifacts dates back to the Neolithic Period. The Bee and the Goddess have been intertwined through time, and in multiple cultures – Egyptian, Minoan, Greek, Roman, Sumerian all featured Bee symbolism.
JAMIE WALTON 