I have always loved Greek mythology and see the stories not only as entertainment but also guidance regarding the life events one may encounter. One Goddess that I have always admired is Artemis, she is brave, kind and self-made, all qualities that I hope to possess. Unlike the other God and Goddesses Artemis preferred solitude in the forest to life on Mount Olympus with the other Gods and Goddesses. The myth that has always so spoke to me is the myth about Artemis and Orion, today known as the consolation in the sky.
In the story Artemis has sworn to remain and virgin and never marry, although she never vowed not to fall in love from time to time. Orion was a talented hunter, very handsome and famous young man who one day, during a hunt saw Artemis and the two fell madly in love. During the following weeks the two dined, hunted together but never slept together, as Artemis still held her oath regarding her virginity her scared duty. Apollo, her twin brother, grew fearful that their relationship would soon make her break her oath. Apollo was the god of the sun and would ride through the sky during the day to bring light to the world. From his chariot he was able to see everything happening below on Earth. One day as he was riding through the sky, he looked down and saw Orion swimming in the ocean below and his sister lying on the beach. Troubled by their actions he formed a plan so he drove his chariot to the beach to speak with Artemis. After greeting her, Apollo suggested a contest to test if she was truly skilled with her bow. It was well known that Apollo was the most skilled archer but Artemis had proven herself time and time again regarding her skill. Apollo claimed that she was good but had trouble aiming and could not be as good as him. Artemis upset at being doubted, hastily agreed to the contest and asked him to name any target and she would hit it. Apollo looked out in the ocean and pointed to a small dark speck out in the ocean and claimed that she could never hit that target. Eager to prove him wrong Artemis strung her bow, not knowing the target was her lover Orion, took aim and shot. The arrow quickly flew across the water and hit with deadly accuracy. Apollo knowing she had killed Orion, congratulated her and acknowledged that she was indeed very talented with her bow and returned to his chariot and flew away, pleased that he kept his sisters virginity intact. Later that day Orion’s dead body washed ashore. When Artemis saw her arrow sticking out of his head, she then realized that Apollo had tricked her. Stricken with grief Artemis swore to make amends, she placed him in the night sky, so that he would forever be seen and she could look at him as she made her nightly flight across the sky.
I find this particular myth interesting due to the fact that Artemis accepts that she made a mistake, giving into temptation and instead of seeking revenge against her brother she vows to make amends to Orion. This act showed me how brave she truly was, anyone can seek revenge but to admit a mistake and then make the situation right, is the true meaning of bravery. Times in my life when I have felt wronged by someone, I try to remember this myth and how the greater person seeks to help and protect those in life instead of plotting revenge. Like Artemis, who chose to break the traditions and pursue her own path in life, I too went against what was expected of me to follow my hopes and dreams. In my family, I was expected to act and accomplish certain goals on a certain time frame. So when the time came for me to go to college I decided that I would rather spend time traveling and discovering who I was. Let’s just say that conversation did not go so well and my relationship with my parents was changed. Although I knew I did not have my parents support and blessing, I cleaned my savings account to buy a ticket to Greece and began a three month backpacking expedition across Europe . I spent that summer traveling through Europe and feel that this experience molded who I am today. I learned that by doing what I felt was right for me was braver than following someone else’s plan. During my travels there was times when I was unsure if I made the right decision but looking back I would do the trip again.
Like Artemis I care and try to protect those who are unable to care for themselves. So many people think only of themselves with no regard for others in their communities. Artemis was known as protector of the wilderness, animals and babies. She was often described as one who truly devoted herself to those she cared about. I try to emulate this by volunteering my time to local charities and do my best to be kind to everyone I encounter, although I sometimes slip up and find myself judging someone without truly knowing them. One of the things I discovered during my traveling is the power of a smile and a kind word; doors and opportunities that would have been unavailable to me were possible solely on being nice. In a small restaurant in Rome the group I was traveling with decided to stop there for dinner. I remember seeing this little old lady who was trying to care this huge tray of food to a table. Afraid she was going to hurt herself, I offered to help her carry the tray. She gladly accepted and we continued to the table. After delivering the dishes she motioned for me to follow her to the back, I would be lying if I didn’t say I was a little scared about where she was taking me. We soon came to a door that led to where she had set up a Virgin Mary and had candles lit around it. Confused about what she was wanting me to do, she made a hand motion for me to wait. A few minutes later she returned with a young man, whose name was Antonio, and began to speak, very fast Italian. Antonio told me that this was his grandmother Cara and she wanted to give me a blessing, honored that someone would want to do that for me I quickly told Antonio yes. Cara then placed her hands on my head and said “Consultare non le tue paure, ma le vostre speranze ei vostri sogni. Pensate non si tratta di tue frustrazioni, ma sul suo potenziale sprecato. Preoccupazione stessi non con quello che si è tentato e fallito, ma con quello che è ancora possibile fare per voi” in English means “Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do”. This moment became a moment of change and has formed the way I look at the world and who the person I want to be in it. I believe if people today where able to look beyond themselves, the world would be a better place.
When my parent’s counseling practice had to close due to the economy and my husband’s company got downsized, I had to realize that I could no longer count on someone else to secure my financial future. I decided to return to college and work on my teaching degree. I had grown up in an upper class family and never had to worry about money. So when my safety net was taken from me I had to decide to become self-made, just like Artemis. Instead of being pushed into a life she did not want she chose to break apart and create her own destiny. Her courage to step into the unknown inspired me to try going back to college as an older student. Although I am only twenty six, it is daunting being in class with students almost ten years younger than me. Things that come easily to them are more challenging for me due to the fact that I had not practiced those skills in such a long time. Just like how Artemis strived in a new environment I know that with hard work and some faith in myself, there is nothing that I won’t be able to accomplish in this new chapter of my life.