SElene: The Radiant Lunar Deity of Greece
Selene was believed to illuminate the night sky in her silver chariot. Her influence extended to tides, fertility, emotional states, and harvest cycles. Worshippers offered milk, honey, and white flowers during full moons, believing she brought clarity, prophetic dreams, and gentle protection. Myths describe her love for Endymion, symbolizing timeless beauty and eternal sleep.
Artemis: Guardian of the Wild and the Moon
Though primarily a goddess of hunting, Artemis became associated with the moon in later Greek tradition. She was revered for her purity, independence, and protection of women, children, and animals. Rituals in her sanctuaries involved moonlit dances, animal offerings, and rites of passage for young girls. Her connection to lunar cycles reflected themes of transformation and natural rhythm.
Inanna/Ishtar: Mesopotamian Goddess of Moon, Love, and Power
Inanna was a complex goddess linked to the moon, love, war, and fertility. Her rituals included ecstatic dances, sacred marriage ceremonies, and symbolic reenactments of her descent into the underworld. The moon’s phases were seen as expressions of her changing power and dual nature. Inanna’s cult influenced later goddesses across the Near East, demonstrating her far-reaching legacy.
