When we spend time with the herstorical record of the Sacred Feminine, we might be surprised to find that some of the most well-known Goddesses are far more complex than we've been told. Such is the case with the Greek Goddess Artemis, who is the subject of my discussion with this episode's guest, Dr. Carla Ionescu. Carla’s research centers on the influential nature of Artemis across Anatolia, the Mediterranean and the Balkans. As one of the leading experts in the worship and ritual of the Goddess Artemis, Dr. Ionescu spends most of her time teaching in the field of Ancient History and Women’s Studies, and/or applying for grants to support her research travels. In the summers she scavenges new locations and cities worldwide, digging through the remains of grave sites, ruins, and abandoned buildings, trying to uncover the long-lost mystery that is Artemis, The Great Mother. She is also the author of the book, She Who Hunts: Artemis – the Goddess Who Changed the World. On this episode, we discuss: * Carla's ongoing spiritual journey, and why it's only been fairly recently that she's begun identifying as a pagan and Goddess worshipper * Her evolving relationship with Artemis, and how it spans research, academia, and more mystical experiences * The challenge of deeply exploring the spiritual nature of the Sacred Feminine within the confines of academic institutions * The unknown and more complicated aspects of Artemis - and why this complexity is exactly what we need right now