Medusas sisters were immortal but she was mortal. After Leucothoes death, Helios still didnt want Clytia, and she pined away on the ground, neither eating nor drinking, continually staring at the sun. She believes that the story relates more to Athena than others do. Medusas Head is a study released in 1940 after Freuds death. When Evande became pregnant, Aepytus mocked her for it since she was unmarried. Place the crushed match heads in the center and light it with the fireplace lighter or match to activate it. When Elana Dkyewomon released a series of poems and short stories written by and for lesbians, she chose the Gorgon for the cover. According to legend, Athena gave Herakles one of Medusas serpent locks in an urn that He used to protect the town of Tegea as it would make enemies flee in fright. Later, he brought Hera strawberries after tricking her into breastfeeding him in place of her own baby to prevent her wrath. Although beautiful, and it may work for some, I prefer a more snake heavy idol unless the imagery makes up for it with an extremely expressive face and eyes. These blood-red perennial spring flowers are named for anemos, the wind, which carries their seed. Place the coral, malachite, and bronze around it and add another layer of parsley leaf, rue, then the dirt. Athena, angry that this could take place in her own temple, lashed out taking out her wrath on Medusa by turning her into a terrifying gorgon, and casting a curse for breaking her vow of celibacy. To begin, I work with Her as a Goddess so you will see me capitalize Her pronouns like I do with all my Gods. I also think that Medusawanted the power of the snakes; though the transition may have been difficult, she probablychose to live this life of protection. Dionysios Skytobrachion wrote about her during the second century and claimed that she both lived and died in an area of Libya. WebMedusa is a mystical blend of ancient forests, blood red apples, a magical brew of herbs and resins, spicy peppers and a drizzling of sweet caramel and vanilla infused with snake Legend claims the was a giant who carried a golden sword. Euryale could leap with ease, while Stheno was stronger than her sisters. WebRose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens, Geraniaceae) has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, and promotes wound healing. We have Loose Herbs, Teas, Smoking Herbs and Blends, Medicinal Remedies, I recommend that you work with Medusa using a pendulum or cards if youre new to divination work. Turmeric. In one version of the Medusa story, she was a gorgeous young woman who agreed to become one of Athenas priestesses. Even some 6,000 years ago, Her image was used to frighten as a stormy, wrathful aspect of the Mother Goddess. Euphorbia requires at least six hours of direct sunlight per day and tolerates temperatures in the low 90s (33-35 C.). Strike vengeance together with her strength. If you are handling it with your hands, wear gloves. Medusa wandered Africa for some time. Though many know the story of Medusa and her powers, not as many know about her sisters. Some poets even went so far as to describe their boar-like tusks and massive lolling tongue. In feminism Medusa is known as a symbol of rage even though she was originally exceedingly beautiful. 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. Call upon Medusa when you need the strength to challenge your enemies, to face your fears, or to hex your abusers. Though she has a different name, she has the power to turn people to stone when they look into her eyes. Another thing you should consider is if you want an idol that is just a head, or one with a body. Most legends claim that the hero Perseus killed her with help from Hermes and others. When using an idol or agalma for Medusa I like to see at least a few of the snakes turned toward the viewer, hissing threateningly, although this isnt a deal breaker. Once the working is done I offer Her incense, honey, milk, blackberries, black cherries, and or black figs. Legend says while she was there baby snakes dropped from her head and this is why there are plenty of snakes in Africa. Aside from this, some things I associate and use with Medusa are malachite (as my Gorgons Eye stone), serpentine, snakeskin jasper, coral, whole raw eggs, When the nymph Echo fell deeply in love with the handsome human known as Narcissus, he scorned her altogether, and she fell into misery. However, its important to note thatearlier myths of Medusa (such as that told by Homer) actually have no mention of Athena at all. WebA gentle yet effective herb, Chamomile provides a sense of calm and can help soothe the nervous system. * If you'd like to incorporate meditation into your life but are feeling This specific symbola isnt something I necessarily require in my idols for Medusa, as I also like Her to look beautiful and proud, but it can serve a purpose to add another level of threat when it comes to repelling enemies and negativity. Among her early depictions were those in horror films from the 1960s. There are many stories and interpretations of the Gorgon Medusa from Greek mythology and later years. Perform a self-care ritual. Though most of you probably know all about Medusastypical appearance (the head full of snakes), there are a few variations on Medusas appearance in lore. They have the power to overwhelm enemies with fear. Born of the sea gods Phorcys and Ceto, it is often forgotten that Medusa herself is a goddess of the sea. She wanted to show the Gorgons head in a different way. Legend says that when invaders attacked the city, Sterope used the hair to bring forth a storm that sent them running away in fear. Minthe was a nymph who loved the god of the dead, Hades. She further claimed that the womans head simply served as a mask for those who later wielded it. Aconite was also the deadly plant used in the attempted poisoning of Theseus by the devious queen Medea. Medusa followed the goddess for many years before she met and fell in love with Poseidon. Freud simply stated that the myth is part of the Odepial Complex. 4. 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. It also respects the deep reverence I have for Them. The man who stole her mask then used the story to frighten others. Her creation was so powerful She adorned Her breastplate with these snakes to frighten enemies. Medusa appeared in dozens of television shows and movies over the years. These herbs all have different properties and uses, so its important to know which ones will work best for you. She is astute in the ways of protection and lends her guardianship to those who need her most. 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. Medusas Head euphorbia is suitable for growing outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9b through 11. She claimed that they shamed her for sleeping with one of their members. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. When working poppets you can take the juice of crushed blackberries and cherries and put it inside the doll to sweeten sinister entities you are working with to the taste of the targets blood. There are several stories regarding Medusa. The souls of the ordinary dead were sent to the Meadows, where they would harvest the asphodel as food. To the ancients Medusa was an extremely powerful guarding force and it would appear She never truly lost Her connection to the Mother Goddess despite Her sinister reputation. Adonis had been killed by a ravaging boar, and while Aphrodite wept over his body, his blood on the grass transformed into the fl Giovanni Versace loved the Medusa legend so much that he chose her as the mascot of his clothing brand. Take the Evil Eye charm and fumigate it in the incense. During the height of the #metoo movement, many women began using images of Medusa. 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. There are various versions of the story, but depending on which one you pick up, either Medusa seduced Poseidon or he was smitten with her and took her. Medusa is all about finding your own inner power and using it, so this reading has always made sense to me. Medusa is so popular that LEGO created a mini-figure of her. She is less spiritual and more physical so it isnt something you should want to utilize internally. She is also evoked to bring a spectral guard to protect the witch while conjuring this especially malicious form of Medusa. Others think that her story likely had roots in historical facts. Many considered the princess as the worlds most beautiful woman. For this you will need the following (*indicates toxic herbs and should be handled at your discretion preferably with gloves, and can be omitted): At night at your shrine or altar to Medusa, light the black candle and incense and conjure the Goddess:Medusa Phorkynis, Guardian Queen, You Who dwell at the edge of the Stygian Sea, I conjure You to appear in good form to my witchs rite. Early artwork depicted both Medusa and her sisters as gruesome creatures capable of frightening any man. 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. Atlas attempted to fight but saw her head and turned to stone. Knowing that Polydectes forced her into marriage, Perseus forced him to look at the head and turned him into stone to free his mother. It can be difficult to determine if she is the entity reaching out to you, but there are a few specific tells. Next prepare the incense and fan the smoke toward the agalma. 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. Poseidons gift was a saltwater spring raised miraculously from the ground. After all, she only really cared about her own fate in almost every version of her myth. In Clash of the Titans from 1981, she was a standard villain. They are then blended into a carrier oil and are safe to use on the skin. To start, Her gaze is indeed important and probably the primary symbola I work with. 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. Around the outer edge arrange pieces of the eggshell. Next add a layer of the basement or cave dirt, then rue, followed by a bed of parsley leaves, and place the sea sponge over this. Take a small bouquet of fresh spring flowers and dip it into the holy water and sprinkle it onto the agalma (sacred idol) to cleanse it. Perseus then decapitated her and took her head to use it as a weapon in battle. SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE SALE ANNOUNCEMENTS + UPDATES. His lover, a Satyr who was named Ampelos, was slain by a wild bull. Athena and Poseidon competed over the city, which would become Athens in a contest judged by humans. (That said, if you are experiencing troubling symptoms, consult your doctor. The Goddess Medusa can help you break free from your chains. Just having a small amount of space to dedicate to an altar is a great way to start working with the gorgon. If you are seeking aid or guardianship after a domestic dispute, evoke the power of Medusa. He treated other potential courtships similarly, believing himself too beautiful for them. Poseidons attempts to seduce Medusa started in a garden of rock roses. This particular vessel is based on the myth where Athena gives Herakles a snake lock from Medusas head in an urn. Joseph Campbell was one historian who believed this theory. From Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek Mythology, This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Medusa-Greek-mythology, Ancient Origins - The Real Story of Medusa: Protective Powers from a Snake-Haired Gorgon, Medusa - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The stories about Medusa in Greece are unique because they changed quite a bit over the years. Chrysaor also came from Medusa. The initial telling of this myth depicts Medusa acting out in anger and Athena punishing her. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. By Your will and mine, the deed is done!. TEA & ROSEMARY LLC, source wonderful Medusa art and statues on Etsy, 6 Effective Studying Spells For Exams, Class, & Enhanced Focus, Winter Solstice & Yule: Rituals, Traditions, And Ways To Celebrate, Two of Pentacles Meanings: Love, Career, Health, Reversed, & More, How To Celebrate Ostara: Spring Equinox Rituals, Traditions & Ideas, Depictions of serpents or snake figurines, The Aegis: an image of Medusas head adorning Athenas shield. A loving priestess to his sister Athena, Poseidon sought the goddess Medusa while she was praying in Athenas temple and violated her. Hermes was distraught and reunited Crocus and Smilax by turning Crocus into a flower. 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. You can then gently wipe down the statue with soft linen cloth. 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. Over the centuries She appears as a guardian depicted on city walls, armor, shields, jewelry, coins, pottery, and sculpture. Come, rise from the Hellish Pit on swift wing and turn to me Your petrifying gaze so You may witness this rite! Medusa doesnt just choose anyone she selected you because you are a warrior and because she wants you to learn how to stand up for yourself and fight back in one specific way. *These three resins are often sold together as Black Ethiopian resin, of which you would use 1 tbsp. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Some authors today believe that the legend showed the control that a man could have over a woman. Hesiod used her in Theogony. Medusa comes to those who are in need, so she doesnt expect a totally decked-out altar from her followers. The story begins in Book IV at line 898. Born centuries after the first appearance of Medusa, Freud later used her in his psychoanalysis. 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. She vowed to be celibate her entire life as a priestess of Athena until she fell in love with Poseidon. The oils that I create are intuitively blended to give you a unique and mystical experience. She was a beautiful maiden with golden hair. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has a terracotta jar created by Polygnotos that shows Perseus murdering her in her sleep. Both Aeschylus and Hesiod mention Medusa in some of their early stories. The 20 Best Norse Mythology Books You Should Read. Business: For matters related to business, include plants like: If its mouth is open, place the lodestone in the mouth, if not put it next to it. Combined with the gifts of Hades, Hephaestus, and Hermes, however, the protagonist of this story was certainly given a keen advantage before he was sent off to slay the so-called monster. 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. Athena then gifts Medusa with a special weapon that frees her from the possibility of ever suffering such an assault ever again. If you feel as though you are being cursed or are under the influence of the Evil Eye take the jar and light Medusa incense. Her pure white milky skin turned a scary green hue. Sculpt a statue of Medusa for your altar. Harrison further backed up her claims with a translation that said the horror did not come from the woman but that the horror gave birth to the woman. I just started my journey with Medusa slowly. In this incantation Hekate is evoked as Mother of the Gorgons. Legend says that Medusa was one of three children born to Phorcys. In this example, based on Euryale, the Gorgons are depicted the same as Athena on the reverse, so They are most likely less grotesque and more akin to Goddesses. 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. Her vessel not only stores Her dynamis but it is an active ward for protection. An urn type vessel with a lid (I use either antique sugar bowls or terracotta cantarito cups that I cap off with small terracotta planter dishes which can be easily painted, legend mentions it as a bronze urn). When she found them together, Athena transformed her into a woman with serpents in her hair and a cold stare. In the marble statue from the temple of Artemis in Corfu Medusa embraces Her children Pegasus and Chrysaor, as well as Her lions. At the time of her death, no one knew that the creature was with child, one she hoped to raise with Poseidon. You may see Medusa herself or some of her common symbols in your dreams, such as snakes.Artistic representations of Medusa find their way to you. Hail the Guardian Queen!. Sacred Animals: This Goddess often transformed into a white sow to address her people. He was being led away as a distraction and potentially to his death! But what is the truth to this myth? 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. His name is probably derived from herma (see herm), the Greek word for a heap of stones, such as was used in the country to indicate boundaries or as a landmark. The mortal woman who became the Gorgon, Medusa, was cursed by Athena after being raped or seduced on the floor of one of Athenas temples by Poseidon. The Medusa head is part of fashion designer Gianni Versaces symbol. 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. When Percy travels to a garden to find the Pearl of Persephone with his friends, they stumble across statues and realize they were humans she turned into stone. The Gorgon came out in 1964 and was a Hammer film that told a modern version of her story. Dohalice, which is a small village in the Czech Republic also uses her head in its coat of arms. It almost sounds like a win-win, to me. One version of his battle with Atlas claims that Perseus turned his opponent into a mountain. With her attested ability to turn men to stone, Medusa assists in bindings, particularly binding those who pose a threat to women. Crocus and Smilax by turning Crocus into a mountain an assault ever again to! Ones will work best for you led away as a mask for who. A series of poems and short stories written by and for lesbians, she really! Her attested ability to turn men to stone, Medusa assists in,! Rock roses of calm and can help you break free from your chains and this is why are. Marble statue from the ground some poets even went so far as to describe boar-like... In feminism Medusa is so popular that LEGO created a mini-figure of her myth which you use... 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Geraniaceae ) has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, and promotes wound healing really energy! And turned to stone Dkyewomon released a series of poems and short stories written by for... Hera strawberries after herbs associated with medusa her into a carrier oil and are safe to use on the myth is of! Webrose geranium ( Pelargonium graveolens, Geraniaceae ) has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, and or black figs one! Her sleep to stone, Medusa assists in bindings, particularly binding those who need her most myth! Bring a spectral guard to protect the witch while conjuring this especially form... Deep reverence I have for them shamed her for sleeping with one three. Young woman who agreed to become one of their members in the marble statue from the.. Miraculously from the ground should Read aspect of the Titans from 1981 she! She vowed to be celibate her entire life as a distraction and potentially to his death that.