Medusa Empowerment

I've always loved Medusa. I don't know why. Her story always seemed to be lacking pieces. I could never really understand why a goddess of the intellect to whom women petitioned for protection would punish her favored priestess in such a harsh way. Maybe it's because I tend to always root for the underdog, or maybe it's because I have never viewed Medusa as either victim nor monster.

Two of my favorite myths concern the transfiguration of both Medusa and Arachne, both by the same Goddess. Athena is the Goddess of the mind, the intellect, wisdom which comes from the higher perspective of the soul, battle, mediation, and tactical planning. Later she also became attributed with the womanly arts of weaving and making urns. Her temple still remains at the Acropolis and Her priestesses still honor her today. She is known as Pallas Athene, Athene, Athena, Sophia, and Pallas Sophia.

Priestesses entered her service at a young age and were expected to take a vow of chastity to the Goddess, as Athena herself was a virgin Goddess. They were expected to expand their minds both spiritually and intellectually as the two go hand in hand, especially when dealing with the art of war. Those approaching the Goddess's temple did so in reverence and as her priestesses were extensions of her temple, those approaching them were also expected to treat them with the same reverence of respect and honor.

Medusa was a very beautiful young woman and completely devoted to her Goddess. Despite being much sought after by gods and human men alike, she spurned the affections of her suitors in order to continue serving her Goddess, Athena. Enter Poseidon, brother of Zeus and uncle of Athena. To really understand this next segment remember the relationship between Zeus and Poseidon was at times strained at best. Athena who was born directly from the mind of Zeus had a stronger relationship than the two brothers. Any act of desecration done to Athena was a slap in the face of Zeus. Poseidon, god of the sea, entered the temple of Athena and raped her priestess, Medusa. This not only desecrated the sacred space of the temple, but it made it impossible to serve the goddess Medusa loved. Ironically, Medusa's name means guardian or protector, something that will seem very fitting later in the story.

In a rare display of anger, Athena transformed Her priestess into a creature called a Gorgon. Gorgons were creatures that were a cross between the Nagas and zombie like slithering corpses. They were eaters of the dead and harbingers of death. Coming across one meant your time had come. Medusa was transfigured from a beautiful young woman into this creature. When you see her mentioned in some texts and studies, the “G” in gorgon is capitalized, showing that she was over those creatures. They became her handmaidens even though she was considered as a part of a triple sisterhood, of which she was the only human member. The other two were immortal.

Athena transformed Medusa in such a way that poisonous serpents grow from her hair, her eyes bulge, and in some depictions she has fangs and scaly skin. In others she is depicted as half serpent and half woman, complete with serpents and scales, but she is beautiful from the waist up, except for the fangs enlarged eyes, and serpents coming from her hair. A glance from her turns people into stone and she is committed to an island where she will spend the rest of her days alone. The island itself is devoid of life, black (possibly even having black sands), and she and her sisters lived within an underground system of caves. This island was very removed and the only way to get there was by extensive travel by sea.

Now is where the story changes a bit. Medusa at first glance would be considered to be punished for breaking her vow of chastity and for desecrating the temple of the Goddess. Poseidon may be perceived to have gotten off easy. But here is the twist in the story and where her empowerment actually begins.

As a mere mortal, Medusa was powerless against the gods especially those who sought to inflict violence on her person. She was considered disgraced, could not marry, and would likely have lived the rest of her life experiencing yet more violence and degradation, alone, and homeless. After Medusa's transformation, she became powerful in a way that transcended physical strength. She became so powerful in fact, that a single glance from her would turn someone into stone. The serpents denote ancient female wisdom, a connection to the earth in which she was confined to live, sexuality, and fertility. Her temple on the desolate island of Athena's choosing could be construed as punishment, but in actuality her powers were so strong that they didn't segregate between those who were deserving of punishment and those who were not. This was actually for the protection of innocents and common citizenry. But it also had another more pointed purpose.

The island Medusa was confined to was so remote the only way to get there was by sea. As such the only way to get there was by ship and through Poseidon's assistance (via peaceful seas), in the quest for the ultimate weapon (Medusa's head and blood), many many ill intended sailors and adventurers became a part of Medusa's stone garden while others became food for the gorgons and Medusa's grandchildren.

As I mentioned above, very few of the liasons, willing or no, between the gods and mortals were childless. Medusa did indeed have Poseidon's child, and it was a monster caught up in the transfiguration of Medusa. This child went on to father a race of monsters featured in various myths, particularly in the trials of Hercules and various stories involving Hades. So the island was actually surrounded by half human half monster demigods of the seas, making any attempt to get on the island once it was reached very difficult indeed. Not only was Medusa's child born a monster, but in essence all of Poseidon's grandchildren from that act of desecration.

Although at first glance Poseidon seems to have gotten away with destroying this young girl, in essence what Athena attributed to Medusa was power over not only Poseidon, but all men who moved into her world. While Athena is the Goddess of war, she is also the Goddess of the mind, the higher mind, which works on a much higher level. Her actual attribution of tactical battle and diplomacy can be seen in this story. While she didn't form a physical attack on Poseidon, she removed his target of lust, elevated his victim, transformed his children and all children born through that lineage into monsters who would be destroyed by the beautiful children of other gods, most notably his brother Zeus, and cost him many many lives of sailors and devotees. So while Poseidon desecrated Athena's temple, which was then cleansed and purified, and desecrated her priestess, Athena in essence got the last word as Poseidon lost many many devotees and many more after that. After all, who wants to worship a god that demands sacrifice but allows one fleet after the other to die at the eye of Medusa?

Medusa was not only transfigured but also has the ability to transform as well. Her obvious powers of transformation from man to stone, signifies the ability of alchemy which in most myths was an ability and science attributed only to men. At her death, her blood creates vipers, and something else. From her blood first arises the Pegasus, a winged horse which symbolizes her inner purity and divine nature. This horse later allows other demigod heroes to complete tasks of elevation. Her head is then presented to Athena as an offering by Perseus. Perseus sought Medusa's head to save his mother's life. So in essence, her name of guardian and protector continued long after her life ended. Medusa's last act was to create a creature to assist Perseus with his quest and to prevent another woman from being badly treated at the hands of another man. Her head is then emblazoned on the shield of Athena herself. This the highest honor a deity can give a devotee.

Medusa is an especially powerful archetype for women who have suffered abuse or who feel powerless. In adversity, she in effect became elevated, empowered, and divine. Her name, true to translation, still strikes fear in the hearts of men who wish women harm. Her face can be seen carved into various temple spaces and cave entry ways. It's said her face is a powerful protective talisman and protects those who enter these spaces. Medusa also assists with issues of fertility, sexuality, and connecting with serpent wisdom and the earth. While the myths attribute her with being a temptress whose only fault was being beautiful and with the connection of the loss of that beauty with being evil, there is much more insight to glean from this story.

Namaste ~