Lossiemouth 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Illustrations for the Kalevala by Nikolai Kochergin

Artemis of Ephesus, 2nd century AD

In Greek myth, the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo was in a grove, called the Ortygia. According to Strabo, the Ephesians identified an area near the city with the same name, and claimed this was her birthplace. The Ephesian Artemis was a very different version of the deity than the usual goddess of the hunt; there she was worshipped for fertility. This depiction seems to mirror this. This copy was modeled after a statue at Ephesus, where Artemis' temple was a Wonder of the Ancient World.

Historically considered eggs or breasts, both symbols of fertility, a modern theory is that these are actually bull testicles. But the statue isn’t just about the bull testicles. This statue is covered with various images suggesting her role as goddess of fertility and nature, including a necklace of acorns, bees, lions, and deer. She also has a headdress shaped like an ancient city gate. It likely reminded people of Artemis’ role as protector of the city and its prosperity @GreekLeague

I don't know how things will go economically and socially in the near future. Anyway, it is important, but also fun to grow your own food and to have a connection with nature. Soon I will show the medicinal herbs.