I'm trying to collect myths that will give a solid
base for a PIE goddess of bears, it's being hard, I'm not sure if it's correct,
but let's try:
PIE *Hrtk^a: "She-Bear" cf. Celtic Artio and Greek
Artemis. This interpretation of name Artemis is arbitrary and maybe
folk-etymology, but it's a beginning.
PIE * HrdHwi: "High One" cf. Celtic Arduina, Greek
Artemis (dialectal <*ardHw-?), Persian Ardvi, epithet of Anahita, Latin
arduus "high")<*ardHewos), arbor "tree" (<*ardHwo:s).
PIE *Deiwa: "Goddess" cf. Latin Diana
(*Di:wiya:na:), Sanskrit Devi. I think Durga"can have traits of this goddess,
substituting bear-traits by lion-traits. This name is very generic, however, can
be applie to any goddess.
Conclusion: The "Goddess", the "High One",
"She-Bear", a goddess of bears and forests, sister or lover of the Avenger God
(Rudra-Apollon-Vali). Perhaps the Ursa Major (cf. Artemis's epithet Phoibe:
"moon", but originally "star" (*g^HwoigW-), and Durga's epithet Tara:
"star").
What's the meaning of Latin septem-trio:nes ? <
*septem-striyo-n- "Seven Stars"?, like Tishtrya < *Tri-striyo- "Tri Stars,
aka Orion's belt, Three Maries".
Joao SL