Myth Retold

Here it is, the finalization of my myth. Hopefully throughout my posts you have gained a deeper understanding of what I had experienced that fateful day.

One day, my brother Apollo and I were walking along the coast of the ocean. The day seemed to be going off without a hitch. The air was filled with the smell of salt and that almost bitter fishy scent you acquire from the ocean. It was more comforting that bothersome though. For me, being in touch with nature and all of it's elements became a place of pure serenity. So that day was perfect in my opinion. My mind was was tranquil, however,  Apollo's mind was fogged by the thought of my affection for Orion. Orion is a giant huntsman and quite a charming one at that. In the beginning we were just hunting partners but things started to heat up and we became distinctly more than just that. They say jealousy can drive one to the grave. In this case, jealousy fused with beguile, was indeed the bane of my dear Orion. Despite my strong beliefs in a woman's independence, I fell hopelessly in love with Orion. Call it lust or love, it may have been too soon to know, but he had all my time and affection. Knowing of this affair drowned Apollo in envy. On that day Apollo noticed a figure upon the horizon of the ocean and examined it to be Orion swimming. He dared to engaging in a little brother-sister rivalry and he bet that I couldn't hit the object that was most likely miles away. I smirked at the fact he would even question my incredible aim. I called him on his bet and raised my bow from my side. As I gained my footing, drew back my bow, and slowed my breath, I aimed slightly above the top of my target. As I mentioned earlier, conditions were perfect. Apollo stood over my shoulder almost taunting me and my abilities. I took no mind to this and in one fluid motion I took a deep breath and released the arrow. You could almost hear it cut the air as it flew from where we stood. We waited and watched the arrow reach the distant object. Then it happened, the object jerked slightly and continued to float upon the water. In that moment, after distinguishing the object, I realized it was my beloved Orion. All I could do was stand. My mind, once vacant, became a vulnerable to every dreadful thought ever imagined. My world, shattered and my love, dead. Orion was dead and the blood was on my hands. One in my position can only grieve. I had lost my only exception to independence. However, I quickly realized that this foolishness was not my fault. I turned to Apollo who heedlessly carried on down the shore and I became engulfed in rage. My own brother had betrayed me and tricked me into killing my only love. I could not leave Orion just floating upon the seas though. I sent his lifeless body among the sky to be preserved as stars and to be admired by all. Apollo had gotten his way but my anger soon subsided. It seems almost unforgivable though. Orion was gone and Apollo had gained nothing. I continued my life as an independent woman. Well, I had a few flings with Gods here and there but not one ever compared to the passion I had experienced with my beloved Orion. So there it is, my myth retold. That day still haunts me but all I can do is grieve over my love who now resides among the constellations.

Resolution

After the ordeal involving Apollo's sly tricks, I put my anger aside after he deceived me into killing my only love. At least I know now that my beloved Orion is forever remembered by the glittering stars in the sky. Apollo's need for my interest continued to flourish but it did not bother me. The endless yearning for my attention I received from Apollo was quite flattering. However, I took no mind to his attraction and proceeded to live an independent life like I had been leading before I encountered Orion. I became a universal icon of a strong independent woman with entire self respect and a protector of the young of animals as well as children.

Climax

I believe the tragedy of losing Orion became an important climactic point in this memory and in my life. Since I had lost Orion, my one and only love, I haven't strayed from my beliefs in being an independent woman. In a way, I have learned to forgive my brother, Apollo, for his terrible trickery he used against me. Although he was the reason for Orion's death, I believe our relationship as siblings had a stronger bond than Orion and I ever could have had. Apollo yearned for my attention. He became easily jealous of other men, especially hunters in including Orion, that captured my interest more than he did at the time. As I had mentioned before, I was devastated after I had realized that the unidentified target upon the horizon was Orion; I was even more devastated that my own blood would betray me in such a way.

Conflict

Throughout the hardship I had of losing my dear Orion, Apollo took a great interest in me. He strived for my attention and deceived me into losing my only love. Apollo noticed earlier that Orion and I had a great affair and my attention was no longer for him. Once realizing this, Apollo saw Orion swimming upon the horizon of the ocean and challenged me to prove my excellence in archery. As you may have noticed, I am confident in my abilities. I stood tall, drew back my bow, the very bow I used to hunt with Orion, and aimed for the object upon the horizon. Right before I released my arrow I took a deep breath of the misty ocean air that lingered along the coast. With Apollo standing over my shoulder, in disbelief of my accuracy, I let go of the arrow which cut the air over the water and hit the object miles away. It was only until after I took my shot that the now punctured target became noticeable as a man. This man was my beloved Orion. In great grief I sent him into the sky, scattering him into a number of stars so that he could always be admired. To this day I regret the trickery Apollo used against me and I do not take pride in the miraculous shot that killed Orion.

Character Development

Apollo, my twin brother, is the God of music. Like me, Apollo is also a skilled archer. To man he is known as the God of light, music, healing, and the giver of science and medicine. Everyday he takes off in his four-horse chariot to carry the sun across the sky. Along with his healing power, he is also able to bring disease and plague with his arrow. He is often depicted as a dolphin and symbolized as a laurel tree. Apollo was very fond of me and got very jealous when my interest was held by someone other than him. In the incident I mentioned earlier, Apollo deceived me into believing my beloved Orion was a floating object upon the horizon of the sea. Orion was my only exception that opposed my beliefs. We were hunting partners and soon became distinct lovers. Orion was a brave hunter and killed feared beast that inhabited the island of Chios. In my opinion we were opposites that attracted rather well. In his success of killing all the beasts upon the island, Orion vowed to kill all animals that roamed the Earth. However, being a protector of wildlife, I did not agree to this. After the loss of Orion, I became weak with grief and never acquired another significant other.

Setting

My close hunting partner, Orion, become more than just a friend to me. Despite my beliefs on marriage and being an independent women, Orion and I did have some chemistry flowing between us. Unfortunately my brother, Apollo, became aware of my whereabouts with the great giant, Orion. On a seemingly beautiful day, Apollo became jealous with the fact that i was taking a great deal of interest in Orion and not him, so he challenged my shooting skills. He said that I couldn't hit a floating object far out from the shore. In perfect conditions with no wind, the smell of salt water in the air, the sun being blocked by a small cluster of clouds, and with unwavering confidence, I hit it perfectly with my bow. Upon further observation however, the floating object above the sparkling water turned out to be the head of my beloved Orion. I was devastated and with great grief I turned my only lover into a number of stars and sent him into the night sky to always be admired.

Cultural References

Besides being an inspiration for artists throughout the centuries, I have been referenced in many cultures throughout time. Many modern companies such as the Artemis Company, The Artemis Project, and the ever popular book, Artemis Fowl. I felt that the Artemis Company, a dog food company, had represented my love and passion for the wild. It also reminded me of my loyal hunting dogs I received from my father, Zeus, on my third birthday. The Artemis Project was named quite appropriately due to the fact that I am also known as the Moon Goddess. The Artemis Project is an organization aimed to established privately owned and operation exploration bases on the Moon. I have also noticed that my Roman equivalent, Diana, has been a very popular name since the days of Princess Diana of Wales.
Until next time,
Artemis.

Attributes #2

As being the Greek Goddess of hunting, I have the responsibility of being the guardian of young animals as well of young children. When I was first born on the island of Delos, only a few minutes before my twin brother, Apollo, I helped my mother deliver my brother though a painless labor. This instinct led me to become a born nurturer and protector. I became a passionate young woman although I did not receive the same affection from my mother in return. I soon became exceedingly responsive to vulnerability and suffering. I would like to consider myself a part of the wilderness; a wild spirited young women. Once, I encountered a group of Geek soldier who were on their way to fight in the Battle of Troy. However, their journey was delayed when I witnessed them slaughter a hare and it's young. I am also known as the Goddess of light, and like the moon, I am known to illuminate the darkness. My hot temper is very unusual but that is why many others associate me with the moon because it is the astrological representative of ever-changing moods. Also, like the moon, I influence all of nature.

Attributes #1

I am Artemis, the Goddess of hunting. Many people recognize me to be eternally young, incredibly strong, and a avid dissident toward the concept of marriage. I believe once marrying a man, a woman loses a majority of her freedom. However. it is only my opinion and completely off topic. My father, Zeus, is evidently quite the lady's man. Considered my mother, Leto, a Titan goddess who was forced out of Olympus by Zeus's wife, Hera, one of his favorite women. I was born on the island Delos along with my twin brother, Apollo. It amazes me how mortals have preserved my exact birth place under a palm tree that towers over the center of a swamp. I grew up to be an independent woman who was forever consumed by the beauty of the forest. Since I do not believe in marriage, I do not have a husband. Therefore, I am a virgin and have no children. It amuses me how mortal women pray to me for an easy, painless childbirth when even I have not endured that labor.