The moon-Goddess has been known in many times and cultures. She is usually the protector of women, and rules majick and childbirth. It is said that the moon-Goddess created time and it's measurement, and ancient calendars were based on the moon's phases and menstrual cycles. To many, She is the Triple Goddess. The waxing, full and waning phases represent the three aspects of womanhood: maiden, mother and crone.
The divine creatress was called Luonnotar in Finland, and Hina by the Polynesians. In Scandanavia She was Mardoll, Moon Shining Over the Sea. Gala or Galata is the original moon-mother of Gaelic and Gaulish tribes. Albion, or Milk-white Moon-Goddess, was an early name for Britain. In ancient Thessaly the moon Goddess was invoked in a rite called "drawing down the moon", which is still practiced today. Virgil said moon-priestess could also "stop rivers in thier courses, turn back the wheel of the stars, or bring trees marching downhill". Artimis is the virgin Moon Goddess, The Lady of the Beasts, whom roams the forest with her band of nymphs protecting pregnant beasts and thier young. She is Korythalia, Astateia of the Amazons, the personification of instinct and natural law. She is Akua'ba in Africa; Chang-O, Queen of Heaven, in China; Luna to the ancient Romans. To the Lakota Indians, the moon is "The Old Woman Who Never Dies." She was "The Eternal One" to the Iroquios. One of Her Native American names is Athenesic. To the Aztecs, the moon was Mictecaciuatl, the devourer of the dead, and She had the same role among the Maoris and the Tartars. Several cultures believed that the moon was the Land of the Dead. Peruvian, was either Mama Quilla or Mama Ogllo. Diana's name means "Light", and she was originally the Italian Goddess of the sun, moon and open sky. She also bestowed sovereignty and conception. Her feast day is August 15, and Her Sacred Wood is at Nemi. Christians adopted Her as St. Anne, Mary's mother, the "Grandmother of God".
