Also called Diana Nemorensis, Diana Aventinensis, Trivia, Lucifera.
Their story
Diana's oldest shrine stood in a sacred grove beside Lake Nemi, called the Mirror of Diana. On her festival, crowds carried torches round the lake, and women whose prayers had been answered came crowned with flowers. Her temple on the Aventine, said to have been founded by King Servius Tullius, was a place of refuge for slaves.
Their day
Monday. Diana was identified with the moon and called Luna, so Monday, dies Lunae, suits her.
Best times to give to them
- the Nemoralia at the full moon of August, traditionally 13 August
- Mondays
- the full moon
- dusk in woodland
What they like being given
- candles or a torch
- small cakes
- apples and fruit
- wildflowers
- written notes of thanks or prayer tied with ribbon
How to honour them
- On the Nemoralia, light candles for Diana and rest from ordinary work, as Roman women did.
- Walk in woodland and give thanks for wild places.
- Tie a ribbon with a prayer written on it to a branch and let the weather take it.
- Offer help to women who are giving birth or raising children alone.
How they can help you
- connection with nature
- safe childbirth
- independence
- answered prayers
- protection of the vulnerable
Symbols
- bow and quiver
- deer
- crescent moon
- torch
- hunting dogs
Herbs linked with them
- Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris
More Roman goddesses
- Juno Queen of heaven and protector of women
- Minerva Patron of craftworkers, teachers and healers
- Venus Mother of the Roman people and goddess of love
- Vesta The living flame at the heart of home and Rome
- Ceres Mother of the grain and friend of the common people
- Luna The moon, shining through the night
- Libera Partner of Liber in the Aventine triad
- Proserpina Queen of the underworld and the returning spring