What is Artemis like?

[Alice]

A few nights ago, Artemis appeared in a dream of mine and I can't get it out of my head.
What is she like? I'm pretty much Greek mythology illiterate.^^;

[Samuel]

A few nights ago, Artemis appeared in a dream of mine and I can't get it out of my head.
What is she like? I'm pretty much Greek mythology illiterate.^^;

 
This is a good place to start.

And I'm not an Artemis devotee (also, UPG incoming), but when I've interacted with her before she's been very... hands-off, I suppose the word for it would be. She seems like the kind of deity who values independence, and wants one to make their own decisions rather than being lead.

[WitchyOne]

She is independent, outdoorsy, wild, adventurous, and a huntress.  

The Romans called her Diana.  

She is considered a Goddess of chastity as opposed to Aphrodite who often embodies sensuality.  

She is connected to Selene and Hecate.  There is a saying in my book on Classical Mythology (by Mark Morford and Robert Lenardon): "Selene in Heaven, Artemis on Earth, and Hecate in the realm of Hades."  

In my Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue, Doreen has characterized her as a Guardian and spiritual protector.  In her "about Artemis" section, she writes: "The Greek goddess Artemis is the twin sister of Apollo, the sun god.  She's a powerful, tomboyish goddess who prefers to spend her time in the woods with wild animals.  Artemis has carried a bow and arrow ever since they were given to her in childhood, yet she never uses them to hurt anything.  Rather the energy of her bow and arrow is a talisman that helps her focus her thoughts and intentions, and she always reaches the mark of her manifestations.  Artemis helps us concentrate and focus as well.  She offers protection to all who call upon her, particularly women and children."

Not quite sure if she "never uses" her bow and arrow to hurt anything though, considering she is a huntress.

[DavidMcCann]

A few nights ago, Artemis appeared in a dream of mine and I can't get it out of my head.
What is she like? I'm pretty much Greek mythology illiterate.^^;

This modern hymn give a quick impression:
O Artemis, the fair light bringer!
Your feet dance and your spirit leaps over all things free and untamed!
Be it the beasts, purple mountain sides, or the fiery soul!
Come down from your chaste revels, O wild courageous Maiden, Goddess of the hunt!
I seek your fast silvery arrows to guide and protect me! (Jennifer)

There's a devotional book dedicated to her:
http://neosalexandria.org/bibliotheca-alexandrina/current-titles/unbound-a-devotional-anthology-for-artemis/

[Nyktelios]

A few nights ago, Artemis appeared in a dream of mine and I can't get it out of my head.
What is she like? I'm pretty much Greek mythology illiterate.^^;

She is mostly associated with the wilderness, animals, the night/moon, young children, and unmarried girls. In relation to other gods, she is the opposite of her twin brother Apollon in that she is night where he is day, she is nature while he is civilization, she is the moon while he is the sun, etc. She is a patroness of women similar to Hera, but while Hera is the guardian of married women, Artemis is the guardian of children and unmarried virgins. She protects the baby during childbirth while Hera protects the mother (although their spheres overlap and both can protect both mother and child). The ancients Greeks (Athenians specifically) thought of females as wild and untamed, and Artemis represented young girls who were not yet "tamed" by marriage.

I've read that she was worshiped as a fertility goddess in Arcadia, and she was identified with the goddess of Ephesus, another patroness of fertility, animals, and the natural world, as evidenced by her many-breasted statue surrounded by animals.

The ancient hymns are helpful when trying to get a "feel" of a deity:

Orphic hymn

Hear me, Daughter of Leto, Celebrated, Noble, Bacchian Queen, rejoicing in Your silver arrows,
Torch-bearing Goddess Dictynna, who presides over births and relieves the pain of labor,
Divine Maiden, who glories in the Sylvan hunt,
Swift and fierce, no one is Your equal with the bow.
Wandering by night, reveling in the flowering meadows,
Brave and beautiful Nurturer of mortals,
Eternal and Earthly, Bane of fell monsters,
Dweller in the hills whom the woods and dogs delight,
You hunt the stag and give the Earth a store of bounteous fruit to bear.
Oh Universal Queen, You flourish in endless youth,
Wield the Cydonian Power, Dread Guardian Goddess,
With benevolence come to these mystic rites,
Send us gentle Peace and Health, and drive disease and care far from us.

from http://www.sibyllineorder.org/sacred_texts/oh_artemis.htm

Homeric hymn

Muse, sing of Artemis, sister of the Far-shooter, the virgin who delights in arrows, who was fostered with Apollo. She waters her horses from Meles deep in reeds, and swiftly drives her all-golden chariot through Smyrna to vine-clad Claros where Apollo, 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.

from http://www.theoi.com/Text/HomericHymns3.html

[Alice]

A few nights ago, Artemis appeared in a dream of mine

Thanks for all the help, everyone.