Also called Medousa, the Gorgon.
The tale
Medusa was one of the three Gorgons, and the only one who was mortal; anyone who looked on her face turned to stone. Perseus was sent to bring back her head, and with a polished shield, winged sandals and a cap of invisibility, he crept up while she slept and cut off her head by watching her reflection. From her neck sprang the winged horse Pegasus and the warrior Chrysaor. In Ovid's later telling, she had once been a beautiful maiden who was assaulted by Poseidon in Athena's temple, and it was Athena who turned her hair to snakes.
When they are met
- when protection is needed
- when facing a fear head on
Staying on their good side
- none in ancient cult; her image was used for protection instead
- respect for her story
- facing fears honestly
Honouring them, or keeping safe
- Hang a Gorgon face image by the door as a protective charm, as Greeks put it on shields and buildings.
- Read both the older version in Hesiod and Ovid's later retelling, and think on how her story changed.
- Use a small mirror as a reminder to face difficult things indirectly and wisely.
- Reflect on anger turned into protection.
What their tales teach
- protection against harm
- facing fear
- healing after hurt
- transforming pain into strength
Symbols
- snakes for hair
- the gorgoneion (Gorgon face)
- a mirrored shield
- Pegasus the winged horse
- stone statues
From Hesiod, Pindar and Ovid; the sympathetic reading of her as a wronged woman is ancient in Ovid but much expanded by modern retellings.
More Greek folklore
- The Nymphs The spirits of spring, tree and mountain
- Circe The enchantress of the island of Aeaea
- The Sirens The singers of the deadly shore
- Satyrs The wild revellers of Dionysus
- Kallikantzaroi The goblins of the Twelve Days
- The Neraides Fairy women of springs and hills
- Vrykolakas The restless dead of Greek villages
- The Lamia of folk tales The glutton ogress of Greek tales