Putting Medusa's Head Back On

Medusa's story, like many myths, contains sexual violence, murder, and great suffering. If you are not in a space to feel safe while we explore these topics, you may want to skip this one. Angela Natividad and I go deep into the story of Medusa, from her ancient origins to the Me, Too movement. Medusa's story is one of victim-blaming, betrayal, isolation, and hidden potential. She lives on whenever we are not believed, blamed, or invalidated when we speak truth to power. Violated by Poseidon, she was transformed into a monster by Athena. Forced into isolation, she bore the brunt of the powerful. When Perseus murdered her, she birthed two spirits: Pegasus, the free-flying winged horse and the much lesser known Chrysaor, a noble warrior-giant. Through her myth and art, we explore how the image of the woman with snakes in her hair has been viewed over time, and then contextualize what this means today. We link this back to our personal experiences and to social psychological theories to expand the meaning of Medusa. Perhaps there is no more important contemporary story than the way Chanel Miller was "medusaed" by some, both in the courtoom and in the public. We end by discussing ways we can reattach Medusa's head as individuals and in the broader sense. MeToo has amazing resources. Find them HERE. Connect with Chanel Miller. Books mentioned: Red Moon by Miranda Gray Maria Tatar's Heroine With 1001 Faces Cassandra Speaks by Elizabeth Lesser Medusa by Jessie Burton Known My Name by Chanel Miller Lost Goddesses of Ancient Greece by Charlene Spretnak Revisioning Medusa from Girl God Books Pindar's Pythian Odes Ovid's Metamorphoses Hesiod's Theogony Essays and Articles mentioned: NY Times: "The Medusa Statue That Become a Symbol of Feminist Rage." Medusa in Ancient Greek Art by Madeleine Glennon, Department of Greek and Roman Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art A. L. Frothingham, Medusa, Apollo, and the Great Mother. American Journal of Archaeology , Jul. - Sep., 1911, Vol. 15, No. 3 Go deeper into Medusa's story, including viewing the art we discuss HERE.