For longer than humans have existed the moon has hung serenely in the sky. Such a beautiful companion in space, as we looked up at her we wove myths and legends about her that were mostly female in perspective. 

In this piece I have researched female deities and icons from different cultures and have superimposed these onto the face of the moon. I've also included profane, domestic items which recount nurture and care which mirrors many of the roles attributed to those goddesses.

The most obvious correlation between women and the moon is the duration of the menstrual cycle. Until the advent of artificial light the full moon was the brightest object in the night sky and some aquatic creatures still reproduce in response to the moon. No wonder then that the moon is equated to reproduction and female energy in humans.

The Ancient Greeks associated the moon with Artemis, goddess of the hunt. She was the champion of virgins, pregnant women and animals. Fiery and defensive but also gentle and caring she had the ability to transform herself and others into animals and she was a healer.

The Romans' goddess of the moon was Luna who had the power to mask reality and nurture intuition and visions.

In ancient Persia the moon was Metra, the world mother and some ancient Greek sects thought that the moon was the home of the dead, whilst early Hindus believed that the souls of the dead returned to the moon to await rebirth. The Tartars of central Asia believed the moon was the Queen of life and death.

This association with the cycle of life and death seems to thread its way through many cultures. Polynesian islanders said the moon was a creator goddess called Hina, women, called wahines, were her representatives on Earth. Native American names for the moon include the Old Woman Who Never Dies and The Eternal One.

Throughout the history of humans it is women that have held the moon, now that mankind has again turned its acquisitive eye towards the moon it will be men who defile and desecrate her.