Medusa has become an ubiquitous symbol of female empowerment and for good reason. Modern women and pagans realize just how powerful Medusa’s story is and what it means to women and the abused today. Here we discuss Medusa as a goddess, gorgon, and icon AND we teach you 7 ways to work with her fierce energy.

Who is Medusa the Goddess?

Maybe you don’t think of Medusa as a goddess. Maybe you think of her as a monster. But you’d only be partially correct. Medusa is a complex being whose name evokes different emotions: fear, awe, anger, fascination and even courage. Her name means “guardian” or “protectress”. Medusa was born to two sea deities Keto and Phorkys, along with her sisters Stheno and Euryale. She may have first been a goddess to the Berber culture brought to Greece later on.

Athena’s Curse

Medusa Goddess of Snakes began as a beautiful, mortal woman who was sought after by the sea god Poseidon. When she rejected his advances, he assaults her and takes what he wants anyway. He violates Medusa in one of Athena’s temples and because of this, Athena “punishes” Medusa by turning her into a monster. Athena “curses” Medusa with snakes for hair and a face so terrifying that anyone who sees it turns to stone. She becomes Gorgo, one of the three Gorgon sisters.

Medusa and Perseus

Perhaps the most well-known Medusa myth involves Perseus and Medusa’s death. The Greek “hero” Perseus is sent to take Medusa’s head in order to save his mother from marrying a selfish, evil king. Perseus was granted help by the gods including a reflecting tool. He uses this tool to gaze upon Medusa without being turned to stone and then he beheads her with a divine sword.

7 Ways to Work With Medusa Goddess of Protection & Power

How you experience deity is unique to you and your relationship with that god or goddess. But if you need some ideas to get started working with the goddess Medusa, here’s 7 ways:

1. Read & Study Medusa’s Myths

The best way to start getting to know a deity is to read about them. Read and study Medusa’s origins, her sea god mother and father and two sisters. Study the myth of Medusa, paying close attention to Poseidon’s assault on Medusa and Medusa’s death by Perseus’ hand. Record how these myths make you feel and how YOU interpret the symbolism in them. Medusa has also been featured in novels, movies and TV shows.

Consider the myth of Medusa in a different light: yes, Medusa was raped by Poseidon. But did Athena really curse Medusa OR did she try to help Medusa? By giving Medusa snakes for hair and the ability to kill with one look, she inadvertently protected Medusa from further assault. Maybe Medusa was thankful to have most men keep away from her, especially after suffering Poseidon’s attack.

2. Set Up An Altar for Medusa

Set up and dedicate altar space for Medusa Goddess. Candles, incense, offering bowls, stones, and cups are appropriate. Add a picture or representation of Medusa as the focal point. Snake figurines or images are also appropriate.

3. Appropriate Offerings

Medusa is a sea spirit at her core. Therefore sea water and sea salt are both appropriate offerings. Medusa’s blood becomes coral, therefore coral is also an acceptable offering. Consider burning incense and candles for her, as well as offering glasses of wine and seafood. Snake figurines, artwork, and snake sheds make great offerings that can stay on the gorgon’s altar. Seashells, driftwood, and sand honor her sea roots.

4. Stand for Women’s Rights

In recent years, Medusa has become a symbol of female empowerment. A statue was erected in Manhattan outside of the courthouse where Weinstein was brought to stand trial for numerous acts of assault against women. Medusa stands proud and strong, holding Perseus’ severed head in her hand. This is symbolic of women standing against their abusers. Medusa’s story of assault and then being hunted by men comes full circle in this statue – revenge. Justice. Stand up for women’s rights in whatever way you can and invoke the fierce, protective energy of Medusa the goddess.

5. The Snake Spirit Guide / Familiar

Medusa is the goddess of snakes. The snake is her familiar and friend, and if you want to work with Medusa the snake should become an ally of yours too. You don’t have to have a snake as a pet, but invoke the snake familiar or spirit guide and he will bring lessons of transformation, healing and strength.

6. Rituals and Spells

Medusa, like any other god or goddess, may be invoked when you are performing rituals or casting spells. This gorgon goddess is particularly helpful for protection, banishing, beauty, ferocity, and justice spells. She gladly lends her energy to defend abused, battered, or assaulted women and children.

7. Kundalini Rising

Kundalini is the cord of energy inside of us, rising up our spines, tying the chakras together. It is the life inside our bodies and connects us to the earth and the divine. Kundalini is depicted as a snake-like energy that twists and turns and wriggles with luminescence. When you tap into your personal power (mind, body and soul), you awaken your kundalini. This is called Kundalini rising. As Medusa is the snake goddess, she embodies Kundalini.

More God & Goddess Articles:

• Anubis: Egyptian God of the Dead: 12 Ways to Work With Him
• Rhiannon Goddess: 14 Ways to Work With the Goddess of Horses
• How to Use Tarot to Work With Gods and Goddesses