artemis & actéon

This picture is a bit of an extrapolation of the Greek myth of Actaeon.

Artemis is the Greek name for the goddess the Romans later named Diana. Both were goddesses of the forests and also of hunting. When the tales came to Britain, Diana became Titania, and the goddess became the queen of the fairies.

In some alchemical texts (which are concerned with spiritual transformation), the soul of Actaeon is reborn in the numinous realm as Diana’s consort.

Purple represents blood, especially the blood of holy sacrifice—as does wine.

Since Diana was the goddess of the hunt, she was also identified with the moon, specifically when the moon becomes sliver-like and resembles a bow. She also has bows on her bonnet, but of a different kind.