Diana: Goddess of Nature and the Hunt
The Roman Goddess Diana was one with nature as she roamed the woodlands with the wild creatures she loved and protected. I am sure she is pleased that a mama robin resolved to make a nest on a beautiful wreath on my front door. She chose the spot wisely – not only was it a lovely wreath with lavender wisteria, but it is sheltered from the weather by the porch roof.
She worked unceasingly for four days until her nest was complete and set her three blue eggs in her cradle made of twigs. For fifteen long days she patiently sat in her nest and warmed her eggs. Like Diana I tried to do my part and used the garden gate to enter and leave the house so as not to jolt the eggs from the nest. I blocked off the porch with cones instructing deliveries to be made at the back of the house.
Two of the eggs hatched and robin twins entered the world. At this point the papa robin who kept a constant vigil in a nearby weeping cherry stepped into the picture. Between the mother and father robin, they made at least 40 trips to the nest each day with nourishment. The babies kept their hungry mouths open almost at all times, expectantly awaiting a juicy bug or worm. At night the mama would snuggle over them to keep them warm.
They grew exponentially, from pink-grey scrawny babies, to a light gray down and then to feathers. One was a bit faster growing and larger than the other. On Monday morning as I watered some plants I saw the baby birds perched on the edge of the nest. When I turned around they were gone.
Later that day one bird sat on the rocker on the porch right outside from where I composed my recipes and blogs. It was a little afraid to take to the air. I too was afraid for it, for there were people mowing lawns and chipmunks scurrying about hungry for a special snack. Later that day the baby robin was gone.
Since then I have seen the mama and a baby at times flying together, or sitting on the fence. Although Diana was a hunter and believed that nature was there to provide food and clothing, she was compassionate and a protector of the weak. More than any other goddess her characteristics are ascribed to today’s modern woman. Strong yet nurturing, beautiful and still indomitable, Diana is the goddess who truly represents today’s feminist role.
