He may or may not have reciprocated her affection. The earliest centre of his cult was 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. Dedicate altar space to Medusa. Medusa herself had a chilling face topped with serpents that sprang from her hair. She is also an intense force for justice and female empowerment. They claim that she spent most of her life in Sarpedon, which was close to Cisthene with her Gorgon Medusa has also experienced another unexpected transformation over time. For me personally I like to use snake fangs over tusks due to their practicality, but either will certainly work. 2. SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE SALE ANNOUNCEMENTS + UPDATES. Medusa is now accepted as a symbol of female empowerment, divine rage, and justice. Born centuries after the first appearance of Medusa, Freud later used her in his psychoanalysis. I recommend that you work with Medusa using a pendulum or cards if youre new to divination work. Curl Your blackened lips and bear Your venomous fangs! They claim that she spent most of her life in Sarpedon, which was close to Cisthene with her Gorgon sisters and also died there. They believe that there were events the occurred and that the Greeks simply created a new version of the event. His lover, a Satyr who was named Ampelos, was slain by a wild bull. One of the most well-known stories is that of Eriss apple, the apple of discord. The Goddess Medusa tends to reach out in very subtle ways. You are recovering from domestic violence. 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. Read about Medusa in literature. Athena and Poseidon competed over the city, which would become Athens in a contest judged by humans. It almost sounds like a win-win, to me. Rise to the occasion. During the 20th century, many looked at the tale of Medusa and how it relates to feminism. Be sure to keep a lookout for signs and symbols of the gorgon in the days thereafter, as she may approach you in subtle ways. She isnt a Goddess to serve in a capacity of benevolence because She is and has always been a monster. You can connect to Medusa on a deeper level by meditating near the beach or a body of water encircled with calming sounds. From then on, men would fear the very sight of her, and Medusa would be protected from the unwanted touch of them. As she traveled, some of the serpents in her hair fell to the ground and slid away. Legend claims the was a giant who carried a golden sword. The director chose to show her as a human woman who only turned terrifying once men looked into her eyes. Some authors today believe that the legend showed the control that a man could have over a woman. Much less, if any man did, then he would be instantly turned into a statue and doomed to an eternity in stone. 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. Medusa is all about channeling your inner strength and being the unabashed outcast. A "colophon" * If you'd like to incorporate meditation into your life but are feeling 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 You can simply offer her a devotional candle or a seashell. Medusa is so popular that LEGO created a mini-figure of her. 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. Perseus then headed to Ethiopia to rest and set her head down on the ground. The talismanic image of the Gorgoneion is believed to be at least as early as the 8th century BCE and some scholars propose they could reach as far back as 6,000 years from the Sesklo region of Greece where a terracotta mask was discovered that bears a striking resemblance to early Gorgon imagery and most likely represented an early Mother Goddess cult. It can be used as a go to incense when serving Medusa, especially if you are working with Her to remove curses or the evil eye, or to consecrate wards to protect a space or person.To perform the ritual Night light a black chime candle. In this version, Medusa has always been a Gorgon, one of three sisters, daughters of the Gods Phorkys and Keto (Who is sometimes considered the Sea aspect of Hekate), but the only one born mortal. Eventually, she transformed into the heliotrope, flowers that follow the sun as longingly as she once did. As the interpretations of her story are better understood through a lens of empathy and empowerment, the general publics opinion of the goddess has also shifted with the times. 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. A powerful figure commanding respect in times of adversity, the gorgon is not an entity to be trifled with. Is this the accurate version of what happened? Hera and Athenas vengeance for this slight led directly to the Trojan War. There are many stories and interpretations of the Gorgon Medusa from Greek mythology and later years. Sterope used the hair to defend the city and keep it safe. When she found them together, Athena transformed her into a woman with serpents in her hair and a cold stare. Orchamus discovered Leucothoes relationship and burned her to death in retaliation for her lost honor. He was born under a strawberry tree. His entire body, including his head and hair, became part of a mountain range. After the nymph Smilax was turned into a vine or bindweed, his lover Crocus appealed to the gods. Even some 6,000 years ago, Her image was used to frighten as a stormy, wrathful aspect of the Mother Goddess. Sea sponge that has been cut flat so it may rest at the bottom of the vessel, A fireplace match, lighter, or other implement that can hold fire and reach the bottom of the vessel, Snake shed (add based on your availability), 1 tsp elderberry that has been boiled in spring water. She is less spiritual and more physical so it isnt something you should want to utilize internally. Many dont realize She is a living Goddess, despite Her mythology. 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. Lets face it: Medusa is an intimidating presence, to say the least. 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. After Leucothoes death, Helios still didnt want Clytia, and she pined away on the ground, neither eating nor drinking, continually staring at the sun. 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. We have Loose Herbs, Teas, Smoking Herbs and Blends, Medicinal Remedies, Though both were marine deities, their children were chthonic monsters. Medusas sisters were immortal but she was mortal. One of the most popular monsters of Greek Mythology is Medusa. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. 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. Spiritual practice is never an acceptable alternative for taking proper care of your health.). Crocus was later accidentally killed by him when they were playing discus. She is often used in ancient spells as a Gorgon Herself, and is mentioned interchangeably in certain charms, such as making protective amulets out of red coral which is to be inscribed with the face of Hekate or head of a Gorgon. They manage to escape when Percy beheads her. 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. They can be applied to the pulse points and worn as a perfume or cologne or used to anoint the body before a ritual or ceremony. Their names roughly translate to Sthenno being the Strong, Euryale being Wide-Stepping, or of the Wide Sea, and Medusa being the Guardian Queen. Dionysus created the first grapevine and used it to introduce humanity to the art of winemaking. 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. This probably means that youreally feel like the outcast in some way (not necessarily social or political but on a deep, personal, soul level). She is not only immortalized in stories but also in history. Around the outer edge arrange pieces of the eggshell. Do this, Goddess, and I will serve You as Your station demands! The meaning of Medusa is powerful. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Medusas Head euphorbia is suitable for growing outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9b through 11. These blood-red perennial spring flowers are named for anemos, the wind, which carries their seed. Crocus became a companion and lover of Hermes, the messenger god. To make matters worse, in the works of ancient Greek artist Polygnotos, Perseus is shown cutting off Medusas head while she lay sleeping, further highlighting the absolute cowardice of this champion of the gods. As a result, she was bound to spend six months of the year there rather than ever returning to Olympus full time. She becomes Gorgo, one of the three Gorgon sisters. Perhaps the most well-known Medusa myth involves Perseus and Medusas death. The Greek hero Perseus is sent to take Medusas head in order to save his mother from marrying a selfish, evil king. Perseus was granted help by the gods including a reflecting tool. There was also a theory established by Helene Cixous in which she claims that the original story of Medusa was quite different. When it is time, hold fast her rage and take no mercy. The initial telling of this myth depicts Medusa acting out in anger and Athena punishing her. The other two sisters were Stheno (strength) and Euryale (wide-leaping). Rose quartz is probably the most well-known and easily accessible crystal associated with Aphrodite. She is not to be pitied, but adored. Nowadays, many scholars feel that this tale may have been warped over time and that we shouldnt take the female monster at face value.. Medusa is a Goddess you need a physical representation for so you would need either a statue, relief, painting, or other image. She went against her vow and married him. 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