How to Worship Artemis: Everything You Need to Know
Who is the Greek Goddess Artemis?
I sing of Artemis, whose shafts are of gold, who cheers on the hounds, the pure maiden, shooter of stags, who delights in arrows, own sister to Apollon 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.
Homeric Hymn to Artemis
Artemis is the Greek goddess of young girls, wild animals, the wilderness, the hunt and childbirth.
Artemis is an Ouranic deity.
Alongside her brother Apollon, Artemis was the goddess of purification.
She was also frequently identified with Hekate and they were often spoken of as being the same in ancient Greek plays.
In later antiquity, Artemis became associated with the moon goddess Selene.
Thus, Artemis’ association with the moon is a rather late development. This is another instance of the ancient Greeks’ view of the gods not being static.
They shifted and metamorphosised over the centuries.
Often for spiritual reasons, but also likely for political or social-economic ones as well.
What Can I Pray to Artemis For?
Artemis’ epithets show she favours women and girls, although, everyone can pray to her.
Here are some of the things she can be prayed to for:
Healing injured animals
Healing nature
Help with pregnancy
Independence
Protection (if you’re a woman)
Women’s rights
Is Artemis Reaching Out to Me?
I have no idea!
But the fact that you’re here reading this article probably means you’d like to honour her.
You don’t need anyone’s permission!
If you want to worship Artemis (or any god), that’s enough of a reason to do so!
How to Connect With Artemis
One of the best ways to grow fulfilling relationships with the gods, is to venerate them within their own cultural context.
Honouring the gods of ancient cultures means acknowledging that they knew best how to worship them.
Venerating Artemis in the way she was worshipped for generations is not only respectful, but increases your chances of building a successful long-term relationship with her.
Cultural Context Matters
A large part of embracing the ancient Greek cultural context is not imposing past religious beliefs onto Artemis’ worship.
If you were brought up within a monotheistic religion, you will have internalised some fairly toxic beliefs about deity.
Here are some things to be aware of when connecting with Greek deities:
The myths aren’t literal.
The gods welcome everyone regardless of gender identity, sexuality or ethnicity.
The gods don’t get angry.
The gods don’t have ‘beef’ with one another.
Below, you’ll find how to begin a relationship with Artemis, rooted in the ancient Greek culture she was worshipped in.
Artemis Summary
God of: Young girls, childbirth, hunting, wild animals and the wilderness
Home: Mount Olympos
Parents: Zeus and Leto
Colours: White, silver, gold, green
Symbols: Bow and arrows, hunting spear
Sacred Animals: Deer, bear
Sacred Plants: Cypress tree, palm tree
Traditional Offerings: Barley, cakes, incense, milk, olive oil, votive offerings, water
Non-Traditional Offerings: Candles, fruit, wildflowers
Epithets: Agroterê ‘Of the Hunt’, Eurynômê ‘Of the Broad Pastures’, Hêmerasia ‘She Who Soothes’, Limnaiê ‘Of the Lake’, Lykeiê ‘Of the Wolves’, Orsilokhia ‘Helper of Childbirth’,
Parthenos ‘Virgin, Maiden’, Pheraia ‘Of the Beasts’, Philomeirax ‘Friend of Young Girls’, Phôsphoros ‘Light-Bringer’
Learn About Artemis’ Myths
Aktaion, a shepherd, saw Artemis bathing and desired to ravish her. Angry at this, Artemis made horns grow on his head, and he was devoured by his own dogs.
Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae
The first step in connecting to Artemis is to read about her role in mythology.
But…
Don’t take the myths literally.
The myths are stories that reveal insights into the nature of the gods in a more subtle, allegorical way.
They’re not matter-of-fact stories about the gods.
With that out of the way…
Let’s talk Artemis.
Another newborn genius.
Artemis helped to deliver her twin brother Apollon just moments after her birth.
(Hence her association with childbirth).
Artemis’ most famous myth is probably the ruthless death of Aktaion after he watched her bathe.
To punish Aktaion for his sacrilege, she turned him into a stag and he was brutally devoured by his own hounds.
Karma’s a bitch.
There’s also the myth of Kallisto.
She was Artemis’ hunting companion, who was seduced by Zeus (at it again!) and ended up getting turned into a bear.
Artemis accidentally (on purpose in some versions), killed her with an arrow.
In her grief, she placed Kallisto amongst the stars as the constellation Ursa Major.
There’s a lot more to dive into!
But it’s beyond the scope of this article to get too deep into her numerous appearances in mythology.
So, I hand it over to you, dear seeker.
To do your own research…
And check out the resources below for more information.
Learn Artemis’ Epithets
What the heck are epithets?
Epithets are titles or descriptive functions for deities, which were used in antiquity. Epithets help us to understand how ancient people saw the gods.
Some epithets come from cultic practice and others emerge from the poetic tradition.
BTW.
When ‘cult’ is used in a historical sense, it means a system of religious veneration around a divine figure.
Not ‘cult’ in the modern Netflix documentary sense.
It’s a cult documentary loving world and we’re just living in it…
Epithets are used during prayer to appeal to a specific aspect of a deity. One that’s compatible with the petitioners need.
Below, are some of Artemis’ epithets.
Theoi.com has an extensive chart at the end of the page!
Artemis’ epithets
Agroterê ‘Of the Hunt’
Eurynômê ‘Of the Broad Pastures’
Hêmerasia ‘She Who Soothes’
Limnaiê ‘Of the Lake’
Lykeiê ‘Of the Wolves’
Orsilokhia ‘Helper of Childbirth’
Parthenos ‘Virgin, Maiden’
Pheraia ‘Of the Beasts’
Philomeirax ‘Friend of Young Girls’
Phôsphoros ‘Light-Bringer’
How to Create An Altar to Artemis
Technically, shrines and altars were separate things in ancient Greece.
Since state temples are no longer a thing…
Today, most people merge the two together into the modern form of an ‘altar’.
What are Altars?
Altars are small spaces dedicated to one, or multiple, divine beings. They’re a concrete, physical reminder of your dedication to divinity.
Having said that…
Altars aren’t a prerequisite for worship.
If you can’t have an altar because of your living situation, that’s absolutely fine!
You can still venerate the gods without one.
Also, because space is at a premium for most of us…
It’s perfectly acceptable for the gods to share altars as long as Ouranic and Kthonic gods are kept separate.
Artemis Altar Ideas
Image of Artemis
Offering bowl
Incense burner
White candle
Moon imagery, plants, wolves, deer, stones
How to Pray to Artemis
Hunters as they advance will hymn Artemis Agrotera; for yonder is a temple to her, and a statue worn smooth with age, and heads of boars and bears; and wild animals sacred to her graze there, fawns and wolves and hares, all tame and without fear of man. After a prayer the hunters continue the hunt.
Philostratus the Elder, Imagines
Prayer was an extremely important part of ancient Greek religion.
It’s one of the ways the ancient Greeks communicated with the gods.
Unlike many religions today, most prayers were accompanied by an offering (more on that in the next section).
The ancient Greeks would have prayed to Artemis (mostly) using Ouranic rites.
Which means…
Praying with hands outstretched and palms up towards the sky.
Prayers to Ouranic deities were also performed during the day, standing up and out loud!
How to do it
Stand with arms raised, and palms up towards the sky.
Look at the image of the deity (or raise your eyes to the sky).
Then speak your prayer out loud.
For example:
Hear me, Artemis! Maiden, Of the Hunt, Light-Bringer. Or whatever name it most pleases you to be called.
I have created an altar for you and I would like to feel your presence in my life. May this offering of incense please you.
Homeric Hymns
We’re also fortunate to have several surviving Homeric Hymns (circa 700 BCE) to the gods.
These hymns are considered offerings in themselves.
They would have been recited to music at state festivals.
Since I have the musical skill of a blueberry scone. I read these hymns in the form of ‘prayers’ and give a physical offering alongside them.
If you can sing, these hymns can be sung to music as an offering in themselves.
This one is in the public domain, so it’s not the most accurate (or readable) translation.
If you have the monies you can buy a better translation.
I like this one.
Muse, sing of Artemis, sister of the Far-shooter, the virgin who delights in arrows, who was fostered with Apollon. She waters her horses from Meles deep in reeds, and swiftly drives her all-golden chariot through Smyrna to vine-clad Claros where Apollon, god of the silver bow, sits waiting for the far-shooting goddess who delights in arrows.
And so hail to you, Artemis, in my song and to all goddesses as well. Of you first I sing and with you I begin; now that I have begun with you, I will turn to another song.
How to Give Offerings to Artemis
Do not pour libations of sparkling wine to Zeus and other immortals at dawn with unwashed hands. They do not hear your prayers, but spit them back.
Hesiod, Work and Days
All Pagan traditions are built on the concept of giving offerings to deities.
The ancient Greeks had a word for the reciprocity they built with the gods through offerings.
Kharis.
The ancient Greeks believed that through devotional acts such as prayer, offerings, attending states festivals and pious living, they could build beneficial long-term relationships with the gods.
In return, the gods may occasionally favour them.
To build a relationship with Artemis, it’s preferable to give her regular offerings in the same manner the ancient Greeks did.
Because tradition.
If you’re unable to make physical offerings because…
REASONS.
Then try devotional action-based offerings.
State out loud that you’re devoting something you’re doing to Artemis as an offering.
For example:
Hear me Artemis. Of the Wolves, Of the Lake, Of the Broad Pastures. Or whatever name it most pleases you to be called. I dedicate picking up this litter to you in offering. Praise Artemis!
Traditional Offerings
Frankincense
Honey
Olive oil
Water
Wine
During the ancient Greek Elaphebolia festival, Artemis was offered elaphoi.
Stag shaped cakes made from flour and honey.
Feel free to carry on this tradition!
How To do it
Wash your hands (always wash your hands before giving an offering).
Stand with arms raised up towards the sky and speak your prayer out loud.
Pour out the libation or place the offering into a bowl.
Spend a few minutes in quiet contemplation.
Should I Check That My Offering Was Accepted?
No.
How Do You Dispose of Offerings?
If you can, leave offerings out for a while before doing any of the following:
Pour libations down the sink, or onto the ground outside.
Compost or bin any food offerings.
Avoid leaving food or material offerings outside because, littering.
How Often Should You Give Offerings?
The answer is as often as you want to.
The more important a deity is to you the more frequently you’ll probably want to give offerings.
You can give offerings daily, weekly or monthly.
It’s not a historical thing.
But the day of the week associated with Artemis is Monday.
So, you can use that day to make offerings to her (if you wish).
How to Celebrate Thargelia
The Milesians’ celebration of the Thargelia, a time when they indulge in a deal of strong wine and make merry with very little regard to the cost.
Parthenius, Love Romances
Thargelia isn’t the only festival or day dedicated to Artemis.
I chose to feature it here because Professor of Classics, Walter Burkert, speculates that Thargelia was a reasonably significant festival.
Besides.
Everyone loves a big birthday bash!
What is it?
Thargelia was a multi-day cleansing festival held in honour of Apollon and Artemis on their birthdays.
Allegedly, on the first day of Thargelia, two people were chosen to act as pharmakoi, or scapegoats.
These poor buggers were given an abundant feast and then beaten.
This type of ritual scapegoating was performed to purify the city of its misdeeds. The two plebs being beaten symbolically ‘stood in’ for the city and its crimes.
Big yikes.
When is it?
The festival held on the 6th and 7th of the month of Thargelion.
That’s the 14th and 15th of May for us modern types.
If you need to celebrate it on a different day because you’re half dead from a root canal, or the dog ate your homework.
Go fucking nuts.
How to Celebrate
Clean and declutter your house or room.
Make a list of negative habits you’d like to stop doing.
Create a paper image of something you wish to ‘scapegoat’ and then burn or rip it up.
Make an offering to Artemis and Apollon.
Read Artemis and Apollon’s Homeric Hymns.
Bake a birthday cake with candles for Artemis.
How to Communicate With Artemis
We can communicate with the gods in several ways. Historically, these would have been through:
Prayer
Offerings
Divination
Signs
Theurgy or meditation
We can utilise these practices today to achieve the same outcome.
Divination
Divination was super popular in ancient Greece. We can use it here for our own purposes!
Follow the basic steps below:
Quiet your mind through deep breathing.
Ask your question in the form of a prayer.
Make an offering.
Use whatever divination method you prefer.
Interpret the message.
Write down any insights.
Signs
It’s embarrassing the amount of people who seem to think anything from a pendulum falling out of their bag, to a bird taking a dump on their car is a sign from a god.
Not everything is a sign.
Signs are uncommon.
They tend to really leap out at you as being really significant.
If you need to ask, ‘is this a sign?’
Then it probably isn’t.
Follow the steps below to ask Artemis for a sign:
Ask for the sign in the form of a prayer.
Make an offering.
Ask for the sign to appear within a reasonable timeframe.
Wait and see!
If you don’t receive one…
It’s literally fine.
Meditation
You can ask Artemis to connect with you during meditation and see if you receive any messages.
The first few times you do this, you’re unlikely to receive anything.
But that’s nothing to feel bad about.
It takes a lot of practise to successfully enter altered states of consciousness and receive genuine divine guidance.
Emphasis on the genuine.
When it comes down to it, modern life really isn’t conducive for meditation and inner stillness.
Scroll.
Scroll.
Scroll.
Ad infinitum.
The best thing you can do to improve your ability to meditate, apart from attempting to do it regularly…
Is to put down the phone.
Give yourself brief periods during the day when you’re not listening to, or watching anything.
Unfortunately, we can’t have it all.
The age of distraction pushes us further away from the divine.
If we really want to connect with the gods, then we have to prioritise the health of our psyche’s.
To contact Artemis through meditation, follow the basic steps below:
Quiet your mind through deep breathing.
Ask her to be with you in the form of a prayer.
Make an offering.
Chant her name as you deep breathe.
Sit in stillness for around ten minutes if possible.
Write down any insights.
For more direct ecstatic experiences of the gods we turn to theurgy or theourgia.
For a modern interpretation I recommend:
Devotional activities for Artemis
While tradition is a useful roadmap.
Like…
The view can get boring sometimes?
Modern devotionals to the gods are like the fun stop offs along the way!
Below, you’ll find a few modern devotionals to the goddess of the hunt.
Adopt Eco-Friendly Habits
Artemis is the goddess of the wilderness. If she’s important you, it would make sense to take care of nature.
Think of it as taking care of her realm in devotion to her.
Try any or all of the following:
Fight for Women’s Rights
Artemis is the protector of girls and women.
Therefore, in a modern context she’s an important figure in women’s rights.
It’s a sad state of affairs when statistics like this exist:
The World Health Organization indicates that globally about 1 in 3 (30%) of women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.
The World Health Organization goes on to clarify:
Intimate partner and sexual violence are mostly perpetrated by men against women.
Read the articles below and stand up for women’s rights as part of your devotion to Artemis.
Play music
You can play modern music as an offering to the gods. I’ve linked some songs that give me all the Artemis vibes.
You can play any of these as offerings to her, or you can listen to them as a way to connect with her independent energy.
Spend Time in Nature
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Apollon and Artemis in Blood of Zeus Credit
Spend time in nature to connect with Artemis!
But please do so safely.
Visit the woods, a garden, or a local park or wherever you feel safe enough to relax.
Do yourself a favour and leave the headphones at home.
(Or at least turn them off while you’re walking around).
If you’re physically unable to go outside for walks…
No worries!
Look out of a window and mindfully observe without distraction.
If your view is less than stellar, watch nature videos on YouTube.
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Sources
Burkert, W. (1987) Greek Religion: Archaic and Classical. Oxford: Blackwell.
Hellenion (n.d.) Elaphebolia. Available at: https://www.hellenion.org/festivals/elaphebolia/ (Accessed: 10 December 2024).
Theoi Project (n.d.) Artemis – Olympian Goddess of Hunting & Wild Animals. Available at: https://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Artemis.html (Accessed: 28 November 2024).
Winter, S.K.I. (2013) Kharis: Hellenic Polytheism Explored. 2nd edn. Independently published.