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. 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. And this is usually Medusas mission: to teach you how to protect yourself, your energy, and your soul. I recommend that you work with Medusa using a pendulum or cards if youre new to divination work. WebA gentle yet effective herb, Chamomile provides a sense of calm and can help soothe the nervous system. Rise to the occasion. 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. Just in case any man took an interest in Medusa, Athena made it so that the man would turn to stone if he looked in her eyes. The Gorgon came out in 1964 and was a Hammer film that told a modern version of her story. The earliest centre of his cult was Some were previously gods and goddesses, some humans, and some sprung from even more surprising sources! It wouldnt be too far fetched for a Sea Goddess like Medusa to have a horses body, especially as mother of Pegesus. 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. This means that She is not the beheaded Medusa, but restored after the event as a Great Mother akin to Kybele. If youre just getting going working with the Goddess Medusa, start small. There are a number of herbs associated with matters related to money. Others think that her story likely had roots in historical facts. Tea tree oil. Medusa herself is a symbol of feminism and divine femininity. There was also a theory established by Helene Cixous in which she claims that the original story of Medusa was quite different. Later Roman representations began to depict Medusas signature snake-filled hair, but its often more innocuous than frightening. They are then blended into a carrier oil and are safe to use on the skin. Hail the Guardian Queen!. Hesiod used her in Theogony. His entire body, including his head and hair, became part of a mountain range. Michelangelo and Picasso are just two of the famous artists who created work based on her. However, once transformed, Medusas appearance tremendously changed. From then on she roamed, shamed, shunned and loathed by everyone. To make Athena look better, some stories claim that Perseus never gave her Medusas head. 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. In my mind, Medusa is very real. When Perseus arrived, he forced her to look into the shield and see her reflection, which turned her to stone. You dream of the Goddess Medusa. Medusa by Caravaggio has its base in the form of a shield. Reflect and meditate on what the actions and outcomes of these stories mean to you. Do what feels right to you! Another thing you should consider is if you want an idol that is just a head, or one with a body. Forests, Blood Red Apples,Herbs, Resins, Spicy Peppers,Caramel, Vanilla. 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. Most people who know Medusas name dont know the names of Her sisters, Sthenno and Euryale. How can you change the world around you so that women can be better protected from tragedies like these? But She is not the fertile, benevolent aspect of the Great Mother, She is the destructive force of Nature, its ferocity. 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. 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. In an alternate story of Medusa, was the curse from Athena really a curse? Another Greek poet, Pindar, noted that she was fair-cheeked. 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. Around the 6th century we start to see Her iconography become a mix of the grotesque, large eyed, hideous monster that makes up most of Greek Gorgon imagery. The Greek hero came to see her on the orders of King Polydectes who ruled over Seriphus. Curl Your blackened lips and bear Your venomous fangs! They also had another group of sisters called the Graeae who appeared in Prometheus Bound written by Aeschylus. A few hours after his birth, he was already cognizant enough to trick his cousin, Apollo, by stealing his cattle. This creature had a snake on the end of its tail and the body of a dragon. Zeus intervened before it could turn into too much of a fight, and they were sent the human, Paris. However, the number mentioned here are some of our favorite and most interesting plant-based origin stories! You can then gently wipe down the statue with soft linen cloth. Evening primrose oil. This powerful Goddess is one of the most recognizable apotropaic symbols of the ancient and modern world. Over the centuries She appears as a guardian depicted on city walls, armor, shields, jewelry, coins, pottery, and sculpture. In almost every version of the Medusa myth, King Polydectes of. It featured a drawing of Medusa on the cover and a story inside about how women can grow when they learn how to use and control their rage. For me, this is a way of reclaiming the Gods as a valid religious cult, not just antique figures reduced to myths and stories. Turmeric. Spiritual practice is never an acceptable alternative for taking proper care of your health.). Beautiful Medusa, Serpentine Goddess, I summon You to this rite I host in Your honor! Halloween paint shall be placed on the altar. Poseidons attempts to seduce Medusa started in a garden of rock roses. 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. I find that themost important thing Medusa will teach you is how touse your power. Lend me Your power, Great Empress, that I may perform the task at hand and destroy my enemies whether they are material or spirit! In my experience, Medusa doesnt care too much about the social or political climates. This is a good starting point when you want to connect with her. 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 the Queen among the Gorgons, by far the most powerful. Metamorphoses Book V, by Ovid - Tells the story of Medusa from Greek mythology. Its said that Medusa was incredibly beautiful before she was transformed. 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. Much less, if any man did, then he would be instantly turned into a statue and doomed to an eternity in stone. Similarly, Ganoderma tsugae (Ganodermataceae), Codonopsis pilosula (Campanulaceae) and Angelica sinensis (Apiaceae) are traditional Chinese herbs associated with immunomo This flowering herb was said to grow in the Asphodel Meadows in the Underworld. Uma Thurman took on the film role and was in a pivotal scene. All of a sudden a strong urge for Her Protection. Do this, Goddess, and I will serve You as Your station demands! Though both were marine deities, their children were chthonic monsters. Lets face it: Medusa is an intimidating presence, to say the least. From c. 200 B.C. Stand up for womens rights. Medusa delivers strong flavor and aroma characteristics 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. Her pure white milky skin turned a scary green hue. Herodotus the historian said her home was Libya. Though some point to the version of the story where Athena came across Medusa in her temple, others claim that the legend never says whether she willingly agreed to intercourse with Poseidon. Apollo fell in love with Evande, a daughter of Poseidon, who was raised by Aepytus. From Athena, Perseus received a mirrored shield. Place the coral, malachite, and bronze around it and add another layer of parsley leaf, rue, then the dirt. Flax seed. Accept these sweet offerings as I sing praises in Your name! She has been described by the Poet Ovid as having a beautiful face and long, flowing hair. The story of Medusa first appeared in Ovids work. I personally like both, but know that the snake tail is a modern invention. 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 was so enchanting that She caught the attention of Neptune Who raped Her in the temple of Minerva. Over the years I have used several idols for Medusa, the first being a small Halloween decoration in the form of a resin bust. Youve been encountering statues and paintings of Medusa in your There are many stories and interpretations of the Gorgon Medusa from Greek mythology and later years. During the 20th century, many looked at the tale of Medusa and how it relates to feminism. He was once captured by Herakles, who faced him down. They claim that she spent most of her life in Sarpedon, which was close to Cisthene with her Gorgon Legend claims the was a giant who carried a golden sword. You are sought out by snakes. Whether or not youve chosen to make an offering to the Goddess Medusa, be sure to directly ask her if she would like to work with you and wait for an answer. I ask that You be present within this living idol I make clean and pure for You! Her apotropaic and protective abilities are rooted in Her frightfulness, and Her power to kill with venom or petrification. Some modern astrologers suggest that this star is associated with Atlas attempted to fight but saw her head and turned to stone. Next, enthrone Her in Her shrine or altar where She will be housed as sacred space. Mix a bowl of spring water with some sea salt, wormwood, cedar, and rue. A taxidermy snake head, widely available in souvenir or oddity shops, or a bronze snake figure that will fit inside your vessel. 2. Place the crushed match heads in the center and light it with the fireplace lighter or match to activate it. Perseus then decapitated her and took her head to use it as a weapon in battle. ****This is highly toxic, especially to children and animals. If you are handling it with your hands, wear gloves. From the blood that spurted from her neck sprang Chrysaor and Pegasus, her two sons by Poseidon. This is by no means a requirement for working with Medusa its simply a reason that she may empathize with you and want to form a deeper connection. Though many know the story of Medusa and her powers, not as many know about her sisters. 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. The Amphisbaena came from her blood, too. One of my favorites is a black figure vase from the late 5th century that shows a concerned Poseidon rushing to the beheaded Medusa, Euryale frantically coming to embrace Him. For these types of rituals I will offer Her red church wine, whole uncooked eggs, and spring water in addition to any ingredients or materials for my spellwork. She believes that the story relates more to Athena than others do. She wanted to show the Gorgons head in a different way. 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. Some people find they benefit from using them together. During the height of the #metoo movement, many women began using images of Medusa. Athena responded by creating the first olive tree. In Clash of the Titans from 1981, she was a standard villain. 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. Dionysios Skytobrachion wrote about her during the second century and claimed that she both lived and died in an area of Libya. Euphorbia requires at least six hours of direct sunlight per day and tolerates temperatures in the low 90s (33-35 C.). In House of the Faun from 200 BC, she appears on the plate worn by Alexander the Great. There were sometimes flowers decorating the floor in depictions of the event when they eventually lay together. As far as Medusa, while She is indeed a monster, She is above all a powerful Goddess. Fans of Percy Jackson & the Olympians will find that she pops up in both the original book and the film based on the book. 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 She is not to be pitied, but adored. The two quickly fell in love and married. When Aepytus found out that Iamus was Apollos son, he sent people to bring the child back. They claim that she spent most of her life in Sarpedon, which was close to Cisthene with her Gorgon sisters and also died there. I believe that deities exist in slightly different dimensions/realms yet their power extends to where we currently reside. 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. What are some things or symbols that can be associated with reading? You can also dedicate any divination tools to Medusa that you plan on using while working with her. Apollo then took her wood to make his lyre. You can also simply put I protect this house or this building or so on. The three-headed dog of Hades, Cerberus (or Kerberos), was the fearsome guardian of the Underworld. The souls of the ordinary dead were sent to the Meadows, where they would harvest the asphodel as food. Her vessel not only stores Her dynamis but it is an active ward for protection. Separated from her sisters and unable to find love, Medusa wandered through the African desert. While most iconography shows Her as simply a head, some of the most striking Medusa imagery comes from temples dedicated to Apollon of Miletus and Artemis of Corfu where we see the Gorgon full bodied, often with 4 wings coming from Her back, Her usual snakes, yet She is flanked by two lions in both instances, a direct reference to the cult of the Great Mother. Although you can theoretically call upon a deity with extensive amounts of worship, deities often reach out to us when they want to work with us. Medusa was often depicted as a terrifying winged female with snakes instead of hair. Shes not super soft to work with and she probably wont let you loll around. Hail Immortal Medusa! The next symbola I use are Her snakes. Business: For matters related to business, include plants like: One of the divinities I am asked most about is Medusa. If you have been seeing the symbols of Goddess Medusa and hearing the whispers, then this is your call to action. If you happen to find yourself on the wrong side of someone in Medusas favor, then youll want to make sure youre well-protected for the vengeance that is to come. Her blood also led to the creation of the venomous vipers that roam the Sahara. Giovanni Versace loved the Medusa legend so much that he chose her as the mascot of his clothing brand. Greek poet Hesiod wrote that Medusa lived close to the Hesperides in the Western Ocean near Sarpedon. Pingback: Rivers, Stars & Snakes | Hollow Hills. 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. 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, Born of the sea gods Phorcys and Ceto, it is often forgotten that Medusa herself is a goddess of the sea. Grapeseed extract. If youre considering working with the Goddess Medusa then you probably want to know whether or not shes real. Your email address will not be published. The Gorgons lived at the ocean, and Medusa caught Poseidons attention. WebPure Herbs has discontinued Specials until further notice. Two species of snakes contain her name: the venomous pitviper Bothriopsis medusa and the nonvenomous snake called Atractus medusa. If this is the case, then consider that the Goddess Medusa can help you learn how toembrace the unconventional parts of your soul. Open now the Iron Gates of Night so I may do my work! A magazine from 1986 also used this idea and claimed that feminists could learn how to channel their rage through her story. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has a terracotta jar created by Polygnotos that shows Perseus murdering her in her sleep. But what is the truth to this myth? Medusa herself had a chilling face topped with serpents that sprang from her hair. The Roman version of her story is the same but changes the location to Minervas temple and her partner to Neptune. You can connect to Medusa on a deeper level by meditating near the beach or a body of water encircled with calming sounds. Now, with snakes for hair and a long serpentine body, what man would ever dare to look upon her? This doesnt need to be in huge ways. For me personally I like to use snake fangs over tusks due to their practicality, but either will certainly work. Though she has a different name, she has the power to turn people to stone when they look into her eyes. The head of Medusa is often described as being covered with snakes instead of hair. To me it expresses Their actual relationship, that of lovers. Let the cut end dry for a few days to develop a callus before planting. Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal; hence her slayer, Perseus, was able to kill her by cutting off her head. The Goddess Medusa is a known guardian and as such, lends her aid to those who need her protection. Sicily uses both Medusa and the trinacria on its flag. Its important to note that throughout all the myths of epic poems, there are no records of her ever turning any woman to stone with her deadly gaze. 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. 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Me personally I like to use snake fangs over tusks due to practicality...