Artemis / Hecate / Diana and the Wild Hunt mythos...

[MonSno_LeeDra]

This is a half brain idea at this point but I wanted to put somethings down and see where it plays and how it sits.

In lore, the wild hunt has had many personas through out time. Histories associated with England, Germany, the nordic countires (Iceland, Sweeden, etc). Tales of a great host of hunters or single hunters followed by great hounds. Hosts that maybe ghost, spirits or some form of hound, black hounds red eyes, white houds, etc.

http://www.vinland.org/heathen/mt/wildhunt.html

http://whitedragon.org.uk/articles/hunt.htm

In most instances the huntesman is always male, ex Cernunnos, Gwyn ap Nudd, Herne, Odin, Wodan. His origin England, Celtic Europe, Norse countries, Germany. Yet the med basin seems to have used a huntress as leader of its hunt mythologies, specifically three possible goddess.

http://www.geocities.com/pagantheology/myth/wildhunt.html

http://www.orkneyjar.com/tradition/hunt.htm

We hear of the Roman Diana as leader of one hunt. We hear tales or indications of Hecate leading her dogs in the dark of the moon, Artemis leading her female companions during the bright of the moon or daylight.

All three have associations with dogs and dogs as hunting companions.

One thing most of the tales have in common is that the hunt seems oriented towards souls of the dead, turmoil as the gods / goddess drives the hunt, Hunters & Huntress associated with death or ghost.

http://www.prairienet.org/~almahu/hunt.htm

Yet, of the goddesses mentioned only Hecate has a true association with the dead and ghost or souls. Diana and Artemis have a loose association based upon the moon facet.

Yet does Hecate have a more ancient impact or source? Other than Hecate I have not found a med basin god or goddess that is associated with the wild hunt. I have found no other god / goddess period that even has a "Hunt" facet to their mythology.

It is assumed that Artemis has aquired some of the traits once ascribed to Hecate alone, could Artemis (and Diana for that mater) have assumed the huntress trait but not the deathly association it contains with regards to the wild hunt?

Yes Artemis and Diana have tales of changing hunters and leaving thier dogs to attack and destroy them. Tales of persuing transgressors and inflicting harm and injury (or death) upon them.

It also raises the question of why the med basin would have females as harbringers of death and lead the hunt where the northern area's have the male persona. It is possible that the concept of the valkrie may particually cross over as the female persona of death collectors but that would be speculative at this time.

This is all speculative at this time but raises the question did a male / female "enforcer figure" exist in the early days that come threw in the guise of the hunter and huntress that lead the wild hunt? Granted it would be an indo-european figure.

But think of it..a group that drives its prey before them..frequently composed of ghost or spirits of the slain or dead..a significant association of hounds (white with red ears, black with red eyes, white with red eyes, etc)..renounded for riding the land when the moon is dark and storms rage.. and is always lead by some larger than life hunter or huntress.

Just something I am pondering and though others might find it of interest.

[Theres]

interesting thoughts, but i'm wondering if Hekate belongs in this group?
Her association with dogs has little if anything to do with hunting, but rather with the 'low' position of dogs in Greek thought.

dogs (especially wild dogs, which i'm sure were abundant back then) were considered scavengers and were known to hang around were death was common. Homer writes quite a bit about this in 'The Iliad', putting into the mouths of his Heroes many threats about how the dogs (and birds) will be the only ones to mourn for the dead opponent, etc. it was also considered a form of miasma to associate with dogs, as it was to be in contact with the dead (or birth, for that matter). because of this they're sacrifice was considered an act of purefication, with the dog taking the miasma away with him.
this, i think, is the reference which connects Hekate to dogs, and the reason they are said to follow Her on Her nocturnal wanderings with the souls iof the dead.

here's a fascinating article which goes into this association very well (although it's a bit long)...

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/%22Outside+are+the+dogs+and+the+sorcerers+...%22-a0111734474

[Lady Aeris]

ya know, i was going to request Diana.. interesting that this week's lesson includes her :)

[MonSno_LeeDra]

Thanks for the link. I skimed over it real quick but looks interesting.

Main reason I leave Hecate in with the three goddess at this point is the cross association of the hunt with death / ghost and spirits. Artemis and Diana do not seem to have that same close connection. Hecate is also the only one to really speak of dark nights and roaming accross the land.

I'll admit I'm not sure if that is a later atribute of hers as she becomes lessor in some ways in Greek society.

It has raised the question of the dogs roll in Northern Europe versus Southern Europe. It almost appears as if in Southern Europe they (dogs) were more of a pestilance and scavenger where in Northern Europe they where more of a fearsome beast and feared for their verosity vice scavenger persona. Sort of the concept of the agressive Wolf which would attack anything in its path versus the wild dog that scavenged in Southern Europe.

Hmm, I wonder if in that light the Huntress of Southern Europe may have been seen in that light vice the more fearsome persona of the Northern Hunter? Of course it could be as basic as the South was seen as more settled and tame (ie huntress) where the north was wilder and more harsh (Hunter).

But like I said it's just some things going on in my head right now.