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Artio

Artio Info

Bears were worshippend as divine beings by men since the stone age. Traces about in Europe exist in France, BeNeLux, Germany, Switzerland and Belarus. A number of cites were named after bears, among them Berlin and Bern.
Goddes Artio was worshipped by the Celts in an area named by the Romans 'Ardunis Mons'. It is about todays Ardennes (sic!) and Eifel.
Greeks and Romans identified the Goddess with their Artemis respectively Diana. However, this does not fit entirely since those are Goddesses of hunt while Artio tends to protect the animals of her forest.
Protection indeed is a property of her, being a divine Mother. A She-Bear always defends her puppie with all of her power.

Spiritual quality of Artio is the mother. She offers consolation and healing if one wants to hide from the world in her dense plush fur. But as hinted above, she also defends her kids actively and will fight for them if necessary.

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