Disclaimer: the below blog post will discuss subject matter that may be uncomfortable for some readers, including themes of sexual assault and murder/gore, thus reader discretion is advised.
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Medusa and I have become quite close over the past year or so, and it could be questioned as to who found who first. When her statue was installed in New York in 2020, it was in honor of the #metoo movement; a movement I hold very dear to my heart. (Check out this article: How A Medusa Sculpture From A Decade Ago Became #MeToo Art.) Artist Luciano Garbati, inspired by the 16th century sculpture Perseus with the Head of Medusa, decided to show the story through Medusa's viewpoint; giving a voice to the true victim of the story.
The original 16th century sculpture, Perseus with the Head of Medusa, depicts Perseus standing over the lifeless and decapitated body of Medusa, sword in one hand, and proudly holding Medusa's severed head in the other, arm outstretched in triumph, with gore still dripping from the wound. It is horrifically interesting to see the glory of male violence being portrayed. Medusa isn't depicted as a monster in this portrayal, but rather as a woman, with womanly curves and features, and her hair barely resembles that of snakes, if even at all. This isn't a depiction of a hero conquering a monster. This is a depiction of a man having brutally murdered a woman. It is normalization of gendered violence.
But the side of the story that is spoken the loudest, isn't always what is true.
As many sexual assault survivors know, there is the story that is publicized, and then there is the truth. What is publicized is usually heavily influenced by a patriarchal-fueled victim blaming tactic that truly turns the victim into the perpetrator. In the reality of Medusa's story, Medusa was raped by Poseidon, in a temple for Athena. Hearing Medusa's cries as she grieved over what had happened, Athena came to her. She blessed the gorgon with monstrous looks, to ward off any other man who though he could do the same, and gave her the ability to turn them to stone if they still dared to try to hurt her. Athena provided her with a means of self defense. Medusa kept herself in solitude, lost in her trauma. Many men heard of this "monstrous gorgon" and sought to kill her for their own fame, and many failed. Medusa was a victim, who sought to be left alone and wished only to never be hurt again.
That was always the story.
Like in our modern culture, victim blaming and shaming is all too common. And when we, the survivors, wish only to be left alone in our pain and grief, we are ridiculed with "what were you wearing" and "were you drinking" and "boys will be boys" and "guys can't be raped" and "you were asking for it." and the disgusting rape jokes. Knock knock. Who is it? Rape joke. Rape joke who? Rape joke who's not fucking funny. Female pain is still zealously glamorized in our modern society. Modern society tells us that a woman "losing her virginity" will feel pain, that a woman who has gone through tremendous pain and come out on the other side, seemingly unscathed, is a strong role model. That women who fit a specific visual body type are beautiful, despite having gone through painful dieting and exercise regimens. #Thinspo, the A4 paper challenge, and other similar challenges trended for how long? The Haus of Holbein's "no one wants a waist over nine inches" has over 200 thousand videos on TikTok. If you're still unsure if the patriarchal-fueled victim blaming, know that the statue, which sits
outside the courthouse, has been vandalized twice. Then go talk to any survivor, because I guarantee every single one of them has experienced victim blaming. The #metoo movement came to life, with the image of Medusa, holding Perseus' severed head, leading the way. She symbolizes the triumph for assault victims. She stands as a reminder to all, to cast a harsh judgement on our society, and the rule that toxic masculinity uses to control our society.
outside the courthouse, has been vandalized twice. Then go talk to any survivor, because I guarantee every single one of them has experienced victim blaming. The #metoo movement came to life, with the image of Medusa, holding Perseus' severed head, leading the way. She symbolizes the triumph for assault victims. She stands as a reminder to all, to cast a harsh judgement on our society, and the rule that toxic masculinity uses to control our society.
Since the statue's resurrection, I have not been able to get Medusa out of my head. She has been insistent that I pay attention. I am. Because I know what it's like to be an ignored victim, ridiculed and left as just another statistic. I'm listening mother Medusa.
I hear your crying, as you hear mine.
In my calling from Medusa, I wanted to represent her on my altar, so she would have a permanent, physical place in my daily life. A place where I would see her, every day, and know that we as victims, are not alone. The victims are her sacred children, and she hears our cries. I found it difficult to find a good representation of her. Through the patriarchal stories, she is described as a monstrous woman, sometimes with tusks, or a snake body, or a weird mashup of multiple creatures. Searching for
"medusa" online, mostly provided statues, and images of her severed head. Her head on coins, her head as a door knocker, t-shirts with her snarling face, busts of her head. How very....disgustingly ironic. It is just more of the gross glamorization of male violence. In my research, I ran across an interesting description of Medusa, prior to her trauma. She was described as a young, fair maiden, and her features were described as "fawn-like." That image stuck with me, and that is how I wanted her represented. Eventually, I found a statue of a young, nude maiden, on her knees, basking in her own glory. Her hands tangled in her signature snake-locks, and she stared hopefully into the distance. This was her. The depiction of Medusa that was most like her, how she should be seen, in all her glory. Not a monster, but as a woman. Eventually, I added a snake shaped ring to my daily wardrobe, to help keep her with me at all times. I catch myself fiddling with it as I'm lost in deep thought...even as I write this.
I am blessed to have heard Mother Medusa's call. I am honored to be one of her sacred children. I am proud to call myself a Daughter of the Serpent.
I hope more assault survivors hear her call, and can embrace themselves as her daughters and sons. In our trauma, there is one that will always understand; the fawn-like maiden, with snakes in her hair.
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