Medusa

She seems to be all the rage as a symbol of women retaking their power. I'm all about that life. For decades, I grew up with the one-sided knowledge that this evil serpentine chick was turning people into stone. re: Clash of the Titans circa 1981.

No CGI. More of a stop motion animation for the creatures depicted.

Then we had a little Queen of Hearts action--"OFF WITH HER HEAD" type business. Because we can't have this monster floating around turning others to stone.

But who turned her to stone first?

Poseidon? Who raped her in Athena's temple as Medusa was a handmaiden to the goddess?

Athena? Who, instead of kicking Poseidon's ass, cursed Medusa with the headful of snakes?

Both.

Fucking both.

There's a reason I love mythology, all cultures. 

It's intense. Sister-wives. Father-husbands. And oh so many variations of this.

Great storytelling. 

These fuckers are icons.

We've named days of the week, months of the year, planets, and companies after them. 

Take Nike. 

Amazon.

Pandora.

And so many more.

These tales have stood the test of time and then some.

They've thrived.

But they're like Grimm's Faery Tales. 

Most endings are traumatic as fuck all.

People polish them. Take off the rough edges. Parse down the cutting of organs and flesh from bodies. Highlight the good shit.

Medusa is having her hey day again. If ever there were a woman who encapsulated femininity, female rage, and woman power...it is she.

But let's remember.

She was once a simple handmaiden that a man wouldn't leave alone. And servant to a woman who punished her for existing.

Raped. Body and soul.

She deserves her flowers.

And a happy ending.