Dominion: hunting, the countryside, the wilderness, woods and forests, mountains, wild animals, nature, childbirth, virginity, fertility, young girls, archery, crossroads, the night and the moon
Sacred Symbols: bow and arrows, crescent moon
Sacred Colours: red, green, white and turquoise
Sacred Animals: deer, hunting dogs, boar, bear, lion, hare, bull, serpent, goat, buzzard, quail, guineafowl, fish and shellfish
Sacred Plants: amaranthus, mugwort, wormwood, rue, poppy, myrtle, walnut tree, cypress tree, palm tree
Sacred Jewel: amethyst
Day of Worship: Monday
High Feast Day: 25th of May
Festival: 15th of August
Devotees: hunters, woodsmen, gamekeepers, warreners, furriers, archers, dog breeders and trainers, freshwater fisherfolk, all those who work outdoors and protect the wilderness, hikers and mountaineers, midwives, teachers at girl's schools, herbalists, healers, those caring for the dying, women at all stages of life, agricultural communities, the working class, servants, artisans, magicians, diviners, witches
Invoked for: pregnancy, childbirth, women's health, protection of young girls, protection of the king and royal succession, success in hunting, a good death
Temple: The Temple of Diana in Camden is at the bottom of Oldbourne Hill, below the Temple of Luna.
Initiation: Initiation begins at the age of 7, and lasts until the age of 10. Both boys and girls may take part, but it seems to be more common for girls. Initiates must be from respectable families who are active members of the community. The full details are a secret, but pledging to remain a virgin until marriage is the final part of the initiation.
Merged with: Ardenna, the Tirathic goddess of hunting and the wilderness
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
Diana is the most popular god in the kingdom for the people of the countryside. While other gods may be followed for the good of crops and the harvest, for the health of flocks and herds, and for prosperous villages, only Diana helps those on the margins of rural life. Those in the woods and hedgerows, in tiny hamlets, doing the myriad odd jobs needed in the country - among these will you find the devotees of Diana.
Diana is also the god most likely to be followed by servants, and respectable working people. While beggars and the destitute cling to Jupiter for his largesse, independent workers follow Diana. It is law that only one of the serving classes may be a priest or priestess in her temple, the preference being for one who has retired or broken free from their employment.
A natural friendship exists between the Temple of Diana and the Temple of Apollo, as the goddess and the god are twin brother and sister. As Diana was born slightly earlier than her brother, and it is said that she helped deliver him, the Temple of Apollo will defer to that of Diana in most disputes. There are frequent dances and choral singing between the two temples, for both gods delight equally in music and dance.
There is a powerful alliance between the Temple of Diana and the Temple of Luna, who both worship the moon on Oldbourne Hill. The nobility who follow Luna will often build a temple to Diana on their estates for their staff and tenants, and it is considered a great compliment for the lord and lady to worship the goddess among their people.
Diana is also the natural goddess to worship for all witches, magicians, sorcerers, and diviners, who have the the wit to understand the deep magic, and the dark paths that lead to her silvery light. Indeed, there are many of her initiates who call themselves the Temple of Magic, rather than that of Diana. This serves as a secret name between them, and a sign of their brotherhood.
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
