All she asks is that you become the best and most powerful version of yourself. 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 Legend says that when invaders attacked the city, Sterope used the hair to bring forth a storm that sent them running away in fear. The Seven Faces of Dr. Lao came out the same year and told the traditional story of Medusa. We have Loose Herbs, Teas, Smoking Herbs and Blends, Medicinal Remedies, They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Medusa will be a passive ward, meaning you do not have to actively work to get the evil averting powers from the agalma. I ask that You be present within this living idol I make clean and pure for You! 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. 4 dram vial size. However, be really for some kind of intense imagery: Medusa isnt for the faint of heart! Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal; hence her slayer, Perseus, was able to kill her by cutting off her head. Crocus became a companion and lover of Hermes, the messenger god. WebCerridwen's Symbolism The Cauldron and the dark moon are associated with this Goddess. Rose quartz is probably the most well-known and easily accessible crystal associated with Aphrodite. 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. 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. 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. 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. Many still wrote of the maiden as a seductress despite her chastity bonds. AMAZING! Do this, Goddess, and I will serve You as Your station demands! He may or may not have reciprocated her affection. 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. The earliest version comes from some 7 centuries earlier appearing in the Theogony of Hesiod. Around the outer edge arrange pieces of the eggshell. Dionysus created the first grapevine and used it to introduce humanity to the art of winemaking. The director chose to show her as a human woman who only turned terrifying once men looked into her eyes. 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. Zeus intervened before it could turn into too much of a fight, and they were sent the human, Paris. Its time to be the protectors and guardians that we all have needed at one time or another. Poseidon tempted her into having sexual intercourse with him in a temple to Athena. Medusa is so popular that LEGO created a mini-figure of her. When Evande became pregnant, Aepytus mocked her for it since she was unmarried. Melt and carefully pour in the bees wax so they are covered and let cool.Next mix the serpentine root, black snake root, wormwood, henbane*, and belladonna*. Born centuries after the first appearance of Medusa, Freud later used her in his psychoanalysis. She further claimed that the womans head simply served as a mask for those who later wielded it. You feel called to stand up for yourself. 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. She is the Queen among the Gorgons, by far the most powerful. But She is not the fertile, benevolent aspect of the Great Mother, She is the destructive force of Nature, its ferocity. 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, petrified wood, fossils, any snake materials especially from vipers, bronze, Evil Eye charms, herbs such as wormwood, black snake root, serpentine root, poplar, bittersweet nightshade*, datura*, belladonna*, henbane*, sulfur, rat or pest poison*, parsley, spring flowers, boar tusk, basically anything that is used to remove the Evil Eye, protect, or curse enemies, especially poisons that cause paralysis.I hope this helps add to your practice, and clarify some of the things I do with monstrous Gods such as Medusa. 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. His entire body, including his head and hair, became part of a mountain range. Some people find they benefit from using them together. Botanics have always held the interest of those interested in nature and the creation of life. But this is how Medusa achieved Her apotheosis. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. In one story, she was famished and thirsty and stopped at the home of Mimse, a farmer. It should there come as no surprise that there are many myths and stories from Greek myth associated with these plants and flowers. There are several stories regarding Medusa. From then on, men would fear the very sight of her, and Medusa would be protected from the unwanted touch of them. I recommend that you work with Medusa using a pendulum or cards if youre new to divination work. Once the working is done I offer Her incense, honey, milk, blackberries, black cherries, and or black figs. I will say, since I have started serving Medusa as an active force in my cult and witchcraft the results have been beyond astounding. When Ovid wrote her story in Metamopheses, he claimed that she was born beautiful before becoming a snake-haired creature and retained her looks over the years. They also had another group of sisters called the Graeae who appeared in Prometheus Bound written by Aeschylus. 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 sisters were immortal but she was mortal. Joseph Campbell was one historian who believed this theory. It is penetrating, and has the power to turn to stone anyone who meets it. 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. It can be difficult to determine if she is the entity reaching out to you, but there are a few specific tells. Though he used it to save his mother, Perseus then went to Argos and buried her head there. Most legends claim that the hero Perseus killed her with help from Hermes and others. She went against her vow and married him. She has been described by the Poet Ovid as having a beautiful face and long, flowing hair. Several authors working on a book interviewed hundreds of women to find out what they knew about the myth. I recommend infusing them with an intention before applying them to give them a personal energetic boost. I have practised witchcraft before in great respect always. The oils that I create are intuitively blended to give you a unique and mystical experience. Some authors today believe that the legend showed the control that a man could have over a woman. Unlike other creatures who were mortal, Medusa was mortal and capable of death. 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, The goddess was so upset over what she saw and the issues she had with Zeus who was her father that she flew into a rage. Daedalus and Icarus Story Was it a Myth or Reality? She believes that the story relates more to Athena than others do. He was loved by many other gods, including the personification of the wind, but he always chose Apollo. One of the most well-known stories is that of Eriss apple, the apple of discord. 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. Is this the accurate version of what happened? Eris offered it to the fairest goddess, and Aphrodite, Athena, and Hera all tried to claim the golden apple. Be it Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Norse, Chinese, Japanese, Aztec, Mayan, you name it. Fair-cheeked Gorgon, be present! Similarly, Ganoderma tsugae (Ganodermataceae), Codonopsis pilosula (Campanulaceae) and Angelica sinensis (Apiaceae) are traditional Chinese herbs associated with immunomo Hail and welcome!, Take the vessel and fumigate it in the incense three times. The men who saw Medusa were so terrified of her beauty that it left them mute and unable to speak. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Their names roughly translate to Sthenno being the Strong, Euryale being Wide-Stepping, or of the Wide Sea, and Medusa being the Guardian Queen. 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. Many of the women only knew her as a monster and not what she looked like before. Adonis had been killed by a ravaging boar, and while Aphrodite wept over his body, his blood on the grass transformed into the fl Curl Your blackened lips and bear Your venomous fangs! Eventually, she transformed into the heliotrope, flowers that follow the sun as longingly as she once did. Chrysaor also came from Medusa. Herodotus the historian said her home was Libya. Lets not forget her most famous power: the ability to turn men to stone. Charmed also used Medusa as a character. The urn itself can be painted bronze, and decorated with a Gorgoneion or large glaring eyes on its front (mini mirrors on the iris is a great idea), and or Evil Eye charms. Clytia was a spurned lover of Helios who revealed the relationship between Leucothoe and the sun god to Orchamus. When Minerva caught them in the act, she changed Medusa into a terrifying Gorgon. While Medusa once had soft and supple white skin, it turned green. Some were previously gods and goddesses, some humans, and some sprung from even more surprising sources! After their wedding, he headed to Seriphos for his mothers wedding. Two species of snakes contain her name: the venomous pitviper Bothriopsis medusa and the nonvenomous snake called Atractus medusa. As the gods were well aware of this, they gifted to him an array of wondrous items to help him in his task. Sculpt a statue of Medusa for your altar. You can connect to Medusa on a deeper level by meditating near the beach or a body of water encircled with calming sounds. Listen, Gods of the Infernal Den, I am the witch NN, and my words have power! Until next time, Nocturnal Blessings! Though Athena helped Perseus defect the woman, she knew the powers that her former head held. Greek mythology found its way into many aspects of ancient Greek life, especially anything involving the natural world. 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. Others think that her story likely had roots in historical facts. He treated other potential courtships similarly, believing himself too beautiful for them. Poseidons attempts to seduce Medusa started in a garden of rock roses. She won the competition and the love and praise of the Athenians. 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. From c. 200 B.C. Her vessel not only stores Her dynamis but it is an active ward for protection. ****This is highly toxic, especially to children and animals. Stand up for womens rights. Priestesses took a vow of chastity and devoted their lives to her. Oftentimes when we see this version of the myth recounted Minerva is replaced with Athena, and Neptune with Poseidon. He was born under a strawberry tree. 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. Medusa appeared in dozens of television shows and movies over the years. Medusa had always been the most beautiful of her sisters, and as such, Poseidon coveted her very much. Its said that Medusa was incredibly beautiful before she was transformed. Gorgons are described as winged serpentine creatures. Homer never named Medusa in the Odyssey but did talk about a monsters head that Hades could send o Persephone. Gingko. Corrections? Place the coral, malachite, and bronze around it and add another layer of parsley leaf, rue, then the dirt. Fennel features prominently in the myth of Prometheus. Read about Medusa in literature. 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. In her anger and in retaliation, Persephone (or sometimes her mother, Demeter), transformed Minthe into a mint tree. She claimed that Medusa was the only real Gorgon and that her sisters were mere additions to her story. Pegasus, the famous horse with wings, arose from her dead body. The Goddess Medusa can help you break free from your chains. Athena and Poseidon competed over the city, which would become Athens in a contest judged by humans. They manage to escape when Percy beheads her. 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. This means that She is not the beheaded Medusa, but restored after the event as a Great Mother akin to Kybele. Unlike other stories that claim she caught them in the throes of passion, this version says that she was upset that her priestess went against her rules. Though many of these pieces made her more beautiful, they also showed that she was terrifying. Dohalice, which is a small village in the Czech Republic also uses her head in its coat of arms. A tepidarium from the Roman era has a mosaic floor with her head at the center. 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. The other two sisters were Stheno (strength) and Euryale (wide-leaping). Daphne had sworn herself to perpetual virginity and refused him. A magazine from 1986 also used this idea and claimed that feminists could learn how to channel their rage through her story. She claimed that Medusa was the ultimate guardian and protectress of women. 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. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. 1. Call upon Medusa when you need the strength to challenge your enemies, to face your fears, or to hex your abusers. I use a variety of materials including plant absolutes, essential oils, fragrances, resins, botanical oils and natural essences from roots, flowers, herbs and stones. Though she died before Helios could save her, the god intervened and sprinkled her with fragrance so that she could live again as the frankincense tree. Omissions? *These three resins are often sold together as Black Ethiopian resin, of which you would use 1 tbsp. Tea tree oil. After the baby was born, Aepytus forced Evande to abandon the child. Youve been encountering statues and paintings of Medusa in your daily travels or receiving them as gifts. As such, her realm covers all water-related magic, sea and storm witches, sailors, and the like. This piece dates back to around 450 BC. Accept these sweet offerings as I sing praises in Your name! 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. Her creation was so powerful She adorned Her breastplate with these snakes to frighten enemies. This can be a really direct sign that Medusa wants to be in your life. Do this in a way that feelsauthentic to you. Now that we have the myths and iconography explained, we can dive into how I serve Her. 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. On the bottom of the vessel draw a Gorgoneion and around it write I protect NN. Dedicate altar space to Medusa. The sun god Apollo once mocked Aphrodites son, Eros. Atlas attempted to fight but saw her head and turned to stone. This is the most basic story that tells how Medusa first got the hair of snakes that most of you are probably familiar with today. Legend claims the was a giant who carried a golden sword. 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To the art of winemaking believes that the hero Perseus killed her with from...
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