THE MOUSAI'S TEMPLE
Blessing:
The Muses preside over the arts and sciences, giving inspiration to all
artists, particularly poets, painters, dancers, musicians,
philosophers, and astronomers.
Names and symbols:
- Aoide (song) one of the original Muses, no
symbols associated with her
- Caliope (fair-voiced), considered the
noblest of the Muses, presides over epic song, and was pictured with a
wax tablet and pen.
- Clio (she that extols) is the Muse of
history, and has a scroll.
- Erato (the lovely one), is the Muse of
erotic poetry, with a smaller lyre.
- Euterpe (she that gladdens) is the Muse of
lyric song, and has a double flute.
- Hypate one of the original Muses, no symbols
associated with her
- Melete (meditation) one of the original
Muses, no symbols associated with her
- Melpomene (she that sings) is the Muse of
tragedy, and has a tragic mask, ivy wreath, and attributes of hero she
is inspiring a song about e.g. the club for Herakles or sword for
Perseus.
- Meses one of the original Muses, no symbols
associated with her
- Mneme (remembrance) one of the original
Muses, no symbols associated with her
- Nete one of the original Muses, no symbols
associated with her
- Polymnia (rich in hymns), is the Muse of
serious sacred songs, usually represented as veiled and pensive.
- Terpsichore (she that rejoices in the
dance), is the Muse of dancing, with a lyre.
- Thalia (she that flourishes) is the Muse of
comedy and bucolic poetry, with the comic mask, the ivy wreath, and the
shepherd's staff.
- Urania (the heavenly), the Muse of
astronomy, with the celestial globe.
Sacrifices:
frankincense, ink
Festivals:
Festival of the Muses (9 Artemisios)
Ways to honor:
Create! Learn a new artform. Go to museums, theaters, dance recitals,
and other places of culture. Support artists. Give money to street
musicians or painters. Turn a child onto art.
Ancient
hymns and poetry
Ancient
texts
Modern
hymns and poetry
Modern devotional texts:
Ritual
for the Muses by Rebecca Buchanan
Essays
Links
Theoi.com
article on the Mousoi
Wikipedia article on
the Muses
The Muses in Myth
and Art
The Muses
in Homer
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