Medusa the Gorgon

Medusa emerged as the third of three enigmatic Gorgon daughters, born from the primordial deities of the ocean: Ceto, the divine embodiment of sea monsters and chaos, and Phorkys, the mysterious lord of the ocean's abyss. Some say Medusa's sisters were the only ones with hideous faces and snakes for hair. In other tales, all three of the gorgons were beautiful and were lustfully desired by many across the seas.

Their origins remain shrouded in mystery, yet one intriguing theory suggests they once dwelled in ancient Libya. In North African mythology, Medusa was revered as one-third of the triple moon goddess, embodying the serpent deity of feminine wisdom. Ultimately, they symbolize the profound strength and power of the feminine. This association partly arises from the ancient stigmas surrounding menstruation. In Medieval times, it was feared that a mere glance at a menstruating or menopausal woman could be fatal. Similarly, in various folklore, a girl's initiation into menstruation was often described as being 'bitten by the snake,' reflecting the deep, serpentine connection to female potency and transformation.

The Encyclopedia for Spirits by Judika Illes tells of a German folk belief that burying a menstruating woman’s hair in the earth would turn into a snake overtime. Menstrual blood in witchcraft is believed to be the single most spiritually and magically powerful substance on Earth. Because of Greek mythology's dark history of the patriarchy constantly abusing and silencing women, it can then be argued that Medusa was demonized as well for her mysterious secrets of death, sex, and menstruation. 

Statues and symbols of her are used to guard temples and serve as talismans for travelers. Athena, great goddess of wisdom and war skill, carries a shield of the gorgons snake-filled head. It was beleived that painting her face on funeral ceramic pots would protect the deceased and ensure their safety to the Underworld. Her image was also used to protect pregnant women and newborn babies. In modern witchcraft and Wiccan practices, she can be conjured as a Goddess to share her wisdoms of sex, magic, and undying strength.

Because Medusa is a sea spirit at her core, I decided to craft these candles with bases of sea green and dark blue. You may burn them as an offering to her or leave them on your altar near pictures or statues of the gorgon.

Medusa was also believed to share guidance in divination. Simply ask your question like you would with a pendulum or tarot deck, then light your candle, sit back, and watch. Do you see any figures in the wax? Does the wick hiss or pop? Do the flames grow tall or split into two?

ɪᴛᴇᴍ ᴅᴇsᴄʀɪᴘᴛɪᴏɴ: Two 6 inch pillar candles rolled in locally sourced herbs. These taper candles have been ritually rolled in herbs associated with Medusa such as mugwort, wormwood, witch hazel, thyme, and garden sage.



𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓: These candles are best used for decoration on your altar or best burned OUTDOORS. Should you plan to burn them indoors, be wary of the flame. The more herbs, the BIGGER and taller the flame with be. Always supervise your candles while burning. These candles have very burnable botanicals.

Always burn in a reliable candle holder or in a fireproof dish. Please watch the video attached to this listing to see how they burn.