She was made into marble and bronze sculptures. A powerful figure commanding respect in times of adversity, the gorgon is not an entity to be trifled with. 2. It also respects the deep reverence I have for Them. They are then blended into a carrier oil and are safe to use on the skin. Their bodies are covered in scales and they have large, round heads with snakes sprouting from them instead of hair. Like Crocus, Hyacinth was killed in a discus game, possibly deliberately by a vengeful wind god. In House of the Faun from 200 BC, she appears on the plate worn by Alexander the Great. Perseus then headed to Ethiopia to rest and set her head down on the ground. There are several stories regarding Medusa. Shell show you that you dont need to be afraid of power and that the innate power you have inside of you is already strong and beautiful; you simply need to learn how to use it. She won the competition and the love and praise of the Athenians. The three-headed dog of Hades, Cerberus (or Kerberos), was the fearsome guardian of the Underworld. There is also a lot of confusion on Her mythology itself. If this is the case, then consider that the Goddess Medusa can help you learn how toembrace the unconventional parts of your soul. Feeling as though his work was done, Perseus tracked down Athena and presented her with the head. The severed head, which had the power of turning into stone all who looked upon it, was given to Athena, who placed it in her shield; according to another account, Perseus buried it in the marketplace of Argos. Her creation was so powerful She adorned Her breastplate with these snakes to frighten enemies. He claimed that the story of her decapitation shared much in common with castration. But in later stories in Metamorphoses when Ovid mentions Medusa, She and Neptune have a more seductive relationship as we see in Book VI when he is telling the story of Arakhne. Heracles (Hercules) is said to have obtained a lock of Medusas hair (which possessed the same powers as the head) from Athena and given it to Sterope, the On the bottom of the vessel draw a Gorgoneion and around it write I protect NN. Required fields are marked *. The meaning of Medusa is powerful. When Cerberus drooled while facing the demigod, his spittle landed on the earth and became the aconite plant. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The director chose to show her as a human woman who only turned terrifying once men looked into her eyes. The next symbola I use are Her snakes. She claimed that Medusa was the ultimate guardian and protectress of women. Medusa is a Goddess you need a physical representation for so you would need either a statue, relief, painting, or other image. The Gorgon came out in 1964 and was a Hammer film that told a modern version of her story. If the idea that you need to do more to make the world a safer place has been a prevalent notion for some time, then its time to embrace the spirit of Medusa and act on it. Greek poet Hesiod wrote that Medusa lived close to the Hesperides in the Western Ocean near Sarpedon. This creature had a snake on the end of its tail and the body of a dragon. They claim that she spent most of her life in Sarpedon, which was close to Cisthene with her Gorgon Thank you for sharing the Gorgons are called on in Jason Millers Sorcery of Hekate course too I have a Medusa pendant which I charge for protection on the 29th day of the month in the lunar calendar, traditionally protector deity day in Tibetan Buddhism which I have been practicing since the mid 90s, always seems good to have an extra layer of protection I mentally hear them hissing when visualising them whilst Im reciting invocations the pendant feels hot whilst doing so nice to have gorgon bodyguards in my astral field who get recharged every 4 weeks or so. Whether you're looking to boost your financial wherewithal, land a new job, or just pad your bank account a little, try some of these magical herbs in your money-related workings. Reflect and meditate on what the actions and outcomes of these stories mean to you. Athena gave Perseus a shield with mirrors to deflect Medusas gaze, while Hades helped him remain invisible to her. Legend says while she was there baby snakes dropped from her head and this is why there are plenty of snakes in Africa. She is incredibly powerful, and since I have started working with Her, She has removed a lot of things and people that have been holding me back. Greek Mythology is known for its many fearsome beasts such Mantikhoras and Cyclopes. It tells of a beautiful woman transformed into a gorgon: a hideous monster with venomous serpents for hair. Your email address will not be published. A loving priestess to his sister Athena, Poseidon sought the goddess Medusa while she was praying in Athenas temple and violated her. 1. Beth Seeling took a different approach to the Greek legend. When Aepytus found out that Iamus was Apollos son, he sent people to bring the child back. Let it be as You so all my enemies are petrified by the sight of Your gaze! They believe that there were events the occurred and that the Greeks simply created a new version of the event. Halloween paint shall be placed on the altar. He was being led away as a distraction and potentially to his death! Medusa, the daughter of the sea gods Phorcys and Ceto, was the most feared of the Gorgons. Instead, shell push you to find your inner power and actually use it to change your life. Herodotus the historian said her home was Libya. There are a few different myths that include Medusa in Ancient Greek culture. Turmeric. When you are done it is important to flatter the Goddess so She returns to Her guardian aspect:Empress Medusa, Lady of Snakes, Mother of the Golden Blade, I beg You to return to good form, and keep me in Your favor, as You are in mine, as Your humble servant. When it comes to the body of Medusa there are two kinds available on the market, one with the body and legs of a woman, the other the torso of a woman and the tail of a snake. Hail Immortal Medusa! Pingback: Rivers, Stars & Snakes | Hollow Hills. Apollo wanted to become mortal and die with him, but instead, he turned his blood into flowers. However, afternoon shade is beneficial in hotter Widen Your frightening eyes, flashing with fire, and look upon (enemys NN) so he/she/they may be destroyed! I have always been interested in mythology. Cixous urges women to use this story as a way to take back their own power and escape the control that men have over them. Instead, many modern-day witches now interpret Athenas response as one from a place of understanding and concern. The Amphisbaena came from her blood, too. He was loved by many other gods, including the personification of the wind, but he always chose Apollo. Be it Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Norse, Chinese, Japanese, Aztec, Mayan, you name it. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. While those are the two main things I look for, there are other things you can consider when finding or making a cult image for Her. (That said, if you are experiencing troubling symptoms, consult your doctor. The blood from the left side was poisonous and used to destroy people, but the blood from the right was restorative. There are several versions of the Medusa myth. Similarly, Ganoderma tsugae (Ganodermataceae), Codonopsis pilosula (Campanulaceae) and Angelica sinensis (Apiaceae) are traditional Chinese herbs associated with immunomo Euphorbia requires at least six hours of direct sunlight per day and Grapeseed extract. Chrysaor also came from Medusa. No matter the point-of-view you believe of these tales, there is one common theme: Medusa befalls tragedies that no woman or man should have to suffer. This account comes specifically from the Roman poet Ovid in his work Metamorphoses, told at the end of the story of Perseus. From a very early age in Britain, I was known to sit at the breakfast table reading encyclopedias about many of the major world mythologies. He pointed out that a simple translation shows that the woman wore a mask to scare intruders and those who thought to bring her harm. He eventually judged Aphrodite as the fairest. If you are handling it with your hands, wear gloves. 3. Fumigate again with the incense then whisper into the vessel Empress Medusa, protect NN (3x) saying whatever you wrote and gently blow into it three times. She was fated to be beheaded by Perseus as the only mortal Gorgon, the only one he could actually behead since mortals cannot injure Gods. I recommend that you work with Medusa using a pendulum or cards if youre new to divination work. She has really strong energy with the pendulum so youll definitely know when shes around. The goddess Medusa may also reveal herself in dreams or through symbols in life, such as the snake, or by sending other outcasts your way. Hera and Athenas vengeance for this slight led directly to the Trojan War. She turned Medusa into an ugly creature by making her eyes bloodshot and raging and her face haglike. This version claims that Athena became spiteful and used her powers to turn the woman into a monster that no man would ever want. One of her works said that similar stories focused on sister trios and that authors likely added Medusas sisters. Medusa is also counted as one of the Gorgons, three daughters of Phorcus. Two species of snakes contain her name: the venomous pitviper Bothriopsis medusa and the nonvenomous snake called Atractus medusa. She is not only immortalized in stories but also in history. He explained that when a man saw something frightening such as a naked woman, he associated it with his mother because it was his first experience with the female form. Hail and welcome!, Take the vessel and fumigate it in the incense three times. One of the most popular monsters of Greek Mythology is Medusa. When the king turned to the Gods, they agreed to help as they worried about what the creature could do. Before we can explore how I serve Her we need to take a look at Her mythology and discover who She is.The most common version of Her myth you will see all over the internet is that of a once beautiful Medusa, Whose shining jewel was Her hair. At Her shrine, at Night, I will light a black candle and incense, having as little light as needed to perform the spell. I am pleased with You and wish You well. In The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, a Gorgon travels to Sabrinas town. Usually, when she reaches out, shes looking to work with you in particular based on your past traumatic experiences. Finally, Medusa is a sea goddess. Shes definitely a deity who can teach you how to stick up for yourself and fight back! 9 Most Powerful Medicinal Plants and Herbs, Backed by Science Natures 9 Most Powerful Medicinal Plants and the Science Behind Them Gingko Turmeric Evening Link will appear as Medusa: https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net - Greek Gods & Goddesses, February 7, 2017, Greek Gods and Goddesses 2010 - 2023 | About | Contact | Sitemap | Privacy, Seriphus sent Perseus to return with her head, Medusa: https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net. Medusa is all about channeling your inner strength and being the unabashed outcast. Athena and Poseidon competed over the city, which would become Athens in a contest judged by humans. Medusas Head is a study released in 1940 after Freuds death. Atlas attempted to fight but saw her head and turned to stone. We have Loose Herbs, Teas, Smoking Herbs and Blends, Medicinal Remedies, He may or may not have reciprocated her affection. Its no surprise, then, that the Ancient Greeks had several important mythological explanations for the origin of a number of different plants and flowers! He then returned to the goddess Athena with Medusas head, which she mounted to her shield so that any foes she encountered on the battlefield would then be turned to stone. I just started my journey with Medusa slowly. Read on. You may be lucky enough to find Medusas Head plants ( Euphorbia caput-medusae) at a garden center that specializes in cacti and succulents. If you have a friend with a mature plant, ask if you can have a cutting to propagate your own plant. Oftentimes when we see this version of the myth recounted Minerva is replaced with Athena, and Neptune with Poseidon. Updates? Stand up for womens rights. The blood from her head slowly found its way to the Red Sea where it formed the basis of the red coral seen there today. Thyrsus, a fennel staff with a pine cone at the top end, is the most common Dionysus symbol while other symbols of Dionysus include kantharos, the Greek drinking cups, grapevines/grapes, panthers and bulls. With her attested ability to turn men to stone, Medusa assists in bindings, particularly binding those who pose a threat to women. Sicily uses both Medusa and the trinacria on its flag. Euphorbia requires at least six hours of direct sunlight per day and tolerates temperatures in the low 90s (33-35 C.). In one version of the Medusa story, she was a gorgeous young woman who agreed to become one of Athenas priestesses. To begin, it is important to understand each of Medusas symbola has very specific power because it isnt just Her gaze that I utilize in my cult practice. Medusas power extends to those who need aid in these areas, so seek her out if youre looking for guidance while trying to conceive or experiencing any sort of reproductive health issues. In her myths she also shape shifted into a greyhound and an otter Sacred Birds: Hawks and hens. If you have been seeing the symbols of Goddess Medusa and hearing the whispers, then this is your call to action. However, its important to note thatearlier myths of Medusa (such as that told by Homer) actually have no mention of Athena at all. You are free to take from it as you please, use all, part, or none of it, or even use it to inspire your own practice. As such, her realm covers all water-related magic, sea and storm witches, sailors, and the like. After all, Medusa took a vow of celibacy she never wanted to be touched in the first place. Medusa spent the rest of her days wandering the earth alone. For me personally I like to use snake fangs over tusks due to their practicality, but either will certainly work. Still, either way, she bragged of her superiority to his wife, Persephone. I recently spoke with a group of friends who are all on board with this idea, so who knows: maybe its true! Herodotus found some evidence that she appeared in Berber mythology where she was a major part of their religion. Some believe that she was a beautiful sea spirit who was transformed by Athena into a creature with snakes for hair that turned anyone that looked at her into stone. In the marble statue from the temple of Artemis in Corfu Medusa embraces Her children Pegasus and Chrysaor, as well as Her lions. Athena then gifts Medusa with a special weapon that frees her from the possibility of ever suffering such an assault ever again. You can dedicate seashells, jewelry, candles, art, and other trinkets to Medusa in order to create a special place for her on your altar. Legend claims the was a giant who carried a golden sword. Hyacinthus was a Spartan prince and a male lover of Apollo. Medusa by Caravaggio has its base in the form of a shield. Many considered the princess as the worlds most beautiful woman. The head of Medusa is often described as being covered with snakes instead of hair. Several regions also depict her on their flags and emblems. His lover, a Satyr who was named Ampelos, was slain by a wild bull. As far as Medusa, while She is indeed a monster, She is above all a powerful Goddess. A Roman cameo from the second or third century contains her head. Adamantine Guardian, enthroned in every kingdom, most powerful sorceress Who can destroy all curses, Whom none can conquer, not even Death, by which You gained Your divinity. Harrison believed that there was some evidence that Medusa was simply one woman and that the stories of her sisters came later. It is a spring-blooming flower and would bloom when Persephone was outside of the Underworld. Medusa may have been worshiped as a goddess in ancient times, but she is not an oft-worshiped deity today, so information on working with her in this sense is hard to come by. When Minerva caught them in the act, she changed Medusa into a terrifying Gorgon. The two decided to marry, which infuriated the goddess. After her death, Perseus immediately left to fight Atlas. Of course I have a lot more but I could write an entire book on it! I live with my child. This particular vessel is based on the myth where Athena gives Herakles a snake lock from Medusas head in an urn. After their wedding, he headed to Seriphos for his mothers wedding. Hope you found the article useful, please comment below! Adonis had been killed by a ravaging boar, and while Aphrodite wept over his body, his blood on the grass transformed into the flowers. Fennel features prominently in the myth of Prometheus. She has really strong energy with the pendulum so youlldefinitely know when shes around. 2021 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. I will say, since I have started serving Medusa as an active force in my cult and witchcraft the results have been beyond astounding. Her pure white milky skin turned a scary green hue. Thats not to say that Medusa exactly encourages victimization. Do this, Goddess, and I will serve You as Your station demands! Some poets even went so far as to describe their boar-like tusks and massive lolling tongue. When it is time, hold fast her rage and take no mercy. There are many stories and interpretations of the Gorgon Medusa from Greek mythology and later years. Eventually, she transformed into the heliotrope, flowers that follow the sun as longingly as she once did. Modern literary experts also point to the legend as one of the first times in history when men blamed a victim for her rape. The souls of the ordinary dead were sent to the Meadows, where they would harvest the asphodel as food. It is believed that Medusa was originally just a head and the body came later. When I am working with Her and I want to harness the power of Her ferocity, and Her petrifying gaze I will set up my work area so that it faces away from Medusa, and only look upon Her image in a mirror that is on the work altar. I personally like both, but know that the snake tail is a modern invention. Open now the Iron Gates of Night so I may do my work! 20 Important Plants and Flowers in Greek Mythology, Important Plants and Flowers in Greek Myth, 11 Important Types of Nymph in Greek Mythology, 25 Facts About Isis from Egyptian Mythology. For me, this is a way of reclaiming the Gods as a valid religious cult, not just antique figures reduced to myths and stories. The Earth and its inhabitants are sacred and I treat them as such. When Mimses son, Ascalabus, saw Demeter, he began to mock her for her hunger. Ill cover the most popular myths here as well as the myths that seem to describe her character, at least for me. This flowering herb was said to grow in the Asphodel Meadows in the Underworld. The most significant of these was the myth of Persephone, who was captured by or eloped with Hades to the Underworld against the wishes of her mother, Demeter. This is the version I subscribe to because it is how Medusa has shown Herself to me, not as a tormented, mournful monster, grieving Her lost beauty, but a powerful, proud Goddess Queen Whose sight paralyzes and obliterates enemies. Take the snake head and place it on the sea sponge so it faces toward the front of the vessel. The Gorgons lived at the ocean, and Medusa caught Poseidons attention. Medusa also appeared in multiple pieces of art from the Renaissance and later. Gorgons are described as winged serpentine creatures. Joseph Campbell was one historian who believed this theory. To me it expresses Their actual relationship, that of lovers. Athena removed a lock of the womans hair and gave it to Hercules. Athena took things a step further. WebAlgol, usually considered a star of ill-fortune, is traditionally perceived as representing Medusas eye. Perseus then decapitated her and took her head to use it as a weapon in battle.