MEDUSA

This mythological Greek figure is usually represented as a hideous hag, with live snakes instead of hair. But not everyone realizes she didn't start out that way!

Stories of the early Medusa are of a beautiful young mortal who attracts the attention of the sea-god Poseidon. One story says that Poseidon pursued her and she fled into the temple of the goddess Athena for protection. Poseidon merely went inside and took her by force. Another version says that she willingly made love to Poseidon in the temple of Athena.

In either version, Athena is angry at the desecration of her temple and she punishes the only one she CAN punish: Medusa. Athena turns the young maiden into a hag so hideous that any man who gazes upon her face is turned into stone. Later, Athena gives the hero Perseus tips on how to kill Medusa without ever directly looking at her.

Why is Athena so bent upon punishing Medusa? The problem is more than just the temple incident. In legends dating back even further than the ones above, Medusa is a goddess of fertility, magic, and reincarnation. The snakes are symbols of fertility and reincarnation and menstrual blood, believed to hold extraordinary and powerful magic.

Athena, a goddess that was generally pro-patriarchy, was opposed to such a powerful symbol of matriarchy.

Complete List Of Goddesses

WITCHCRAFT

Paralumun New Age Village