Brilliant!! Love this! I read Natalie Haynes’ Pandora’s Jar: Women in the Greek Myths and really enjoyed it. It was an excellent companion read to Cassandra Speaks by Elisabeth Lesser and Jane Eyre’s Sisters: How women live and write the heroines’s story by Jody Gentian Bower
Wow, now I see it, another example of crimes against women perpetrated by women. I actually never knew the origin story of Medusa. Off the top of your head, do other myths come to mind of women acting out against other strong women? There's a kernel of something here, and I'm on the verge of connecting the dots between Glennongate and the smear campaigns against Blake Lively and Amber Heard that had everyone siding with their abusers, and I'm seriously wondering if it goes all the way back to humanity's origin stories. If even mythology teaches us to be threatened by and take action against other strong women, how do we rewrite the narrative? Those stories are in our DNA! It's going to take some serious work to uproot them.
Off the top of my head...the Queen and Princess Diana? You're definitely onto something. It’s wild how these old myths still echo in how we treat women today, especially strong, complex ones. These stories all seem rooted in this ancient discomfort with female power. If the earliest stories teach us to fear or silence strong women, it makes sense that unlearning it will take real effort. But like you said, naming it is the first step. From there, we can start telling new stories. Ones that make room for complexity, strength, and solidarity. ✨💪🏽🙋🏽♀️
I didn’t realize that either woman dealt with this sort of thing. Especially Diana, I only thought she was beloved. Where could I learn more about this?
Oh yes! Princess Diana was definitely loved by the masses. I’m talking about the family doing everything they could to get her to stay in line, not make a scene and do what she was told. They didn’t approve of her being strong and having her own voice.
Such a brilliant read Shaunté, I didbt know anything about Medusa so it was fascinating to read. Love the suggestions of how to embrace your Medusa energy too 🐍 ✨️.
Very interesting! I’ve never been a student of Greek mythology so I wasn’t really familiar with how Medusa came to be. I think you shared some powerful takeaways! Don’t let ‘em take your power, indeed! -DeniseRenee
Thank you for diving into Medusa's story and what great timing with the Lunar New Year, the year of the Snake. I see so many reflections of myself and my own life lesson's in your summary at the end. While numerology has us in a year of 9 (associated tarot cards being the Hermit and the Moon), my personal year is a 4 year (associated tarot cards being the Empress card for leadership, and the Death card for new beginnings). My personal word that I chose for this year is SHE-led, so I am right there in the thick of it with Medusa's lessons! PS. My husband has always told me the beginning of Medusa's story so it was such a kick to read your article as affirmation to what he's told me! It's so rare that someone tells Medusa's story from her perspective. Thank you!
Amanda you’re so very welcome! 4 personal years can be challenging, but you’re supporting yourself with the right energy, and I love your personal word of the year! 💪🏽💜✨
I'm reading (well, listening in Audible) Stephen Fry's Mythos so this goes right up my alley! Your storytelling is great and you bring it home and make this relevant today. You have a new follower and I hope we can interact and chat sometime.
This is such a powerful take—I couldn’t stop reading. It’s wild how society decides who gets to be the hero and who gets cast out as the villain.
Jonathan, thank-you so much for reading and for the restack. ✨🐍
Absolutely! I love reading
Brilliant!! Love this! I read Natalie Haynes’ Pandora’s Jar: Women in the Greek Myths and really enjoyed it. It was an excellent companion read to Cassandra Speaks by Elisabeth Lesser and Jane Eyre’s Sisters: How women live and write the heroines’s story by Jody Gentian Bower
💖💜💟
Lisa, thank-you, and I’m so excited about the book recommendations! My nightstand is going to glowing with strong women energy. 💪🏽💜📚😉✨
💜💟💜💟
Wow, now I see it, another example of crimes against women perpetrated by women. I actually never knew the origin story of Medusa. Off the top of your head, do other myths come to mind of women acting out against other strong women? There's a kernel of something here, and I'm on the verge of connecting the dots between Glennongate and the smear campaigns against Blake Lively and Amber Heard that had everyone siding with their abusers, and I'm seriously wondering if it goes all the way back to humanity's origin stories. If even mythology teaches us to be threatened by and take action against other strong women, how do we rewrite the narrative? Those stories are in our DNA! It's going to take some serious work to uproot them.
Off the top of my head...the Queen and Princess Diana? You're definitely onto something. It’s wild how these old myths still echo in how we treat women today, especially strong, complex ones. These stories all seem rooted in this ancient discomfort with female power. If the earliest stories teach us to fear or silence strong women, it makes sense that unlearning it will take real effort. But like you said, naming it is the first step. From there, we can start telling new stories. Ones that make room for complexity, strength, and solidarity. ✨💪🏽🙋🏽♀️
I didn’t realize that either woman dealt with this sort of thing. Especially Diana, I only thought she was beloved. Where could I learn more about this?
Oh yes! Princess Diana was definitely loved by the masses. I’m talking about the family doing everything they could to get her to stay in line, not make a scene and do what she was told. They didn’t approve of her being strong and having her own voice.
Ahhh I need to do more research then! These are the exact stories I'm looking for. Thanks for sharing this with me.
Wonderful! I can’t wait to read your stories. You’re going to crush it. ✨
Excellent read!
Adding from Carol Ann Duffy's poem, Medusa:
"Be terrified.
It’s you I love,
perfect man, Greek God, my own;
but I know you’ll go, betray me, stray
from home.
So better be for me if you were stone."
Sam, I simply love this poem! Thank-you for sharing it 🐍✨
Such a brilliant read Shaunté, I didbt know anything about Medusa so it was fascinating to read. Love the suggestions of how to embrace your Medusa energy too 🐍 ✨️.
Jenna, that makes me so happy! Let those asp locks down 🐍😉✨
Beautiful take + a fun read!
Thank-you Paula!🐍✨
Very interesting! I’ve never been a student of Greek mythology so I wasn’t really familiar with how Medusa came to be. I think you shared some powerful takeaways! Don’t let ‘em take your power, indeed! -DeniseRenee
Thank-you Dee. I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
It’s Denise Renee- we met virtually earlier today. I just lurk on Substack, 😎 sussing out the vibes on various newsletters! 🤣
Thank you for diving into Medusa's story and what great timing with the Lunar New Year, the year of the Snake. I see so many reflections of myself and my own life lesson's in your summary at the end. While numerology has us in a year of 9 (associated tarot cards being the Hermit and the Moon), my personal year is a 4 year (associated tarot cards being the Empress card for leadership, and the Death card for new beginnings). My personal word that I chose for this year is SHE-led, so I am right there in the thick of it with Medusa's lessons! PS. My husband has always told me the beginning of Medusa's story so it was such a kick to read your article as affirmation to what he's told me! It's so rare that someone tells Medusa's story from her perspective. Thank you!
Amanda you’re so very welcome! 4 personal years can be challenging, but you’re supporting yourself with the right energy, and I love your personal word of the year! 💪🏽💜✨
Thank you for sharing Medusa’s story, needed to hear it now 🖤🐍 and I love the collages
Natasha, thank-you so much! 🐍🖤✨
Love this, Shaunté! We need a collective gorgon sister era. 🐍🐍🐍
Yesssssss Stephanie! I’m here for it. 🐍🐍🐍
Thank you for all of this!! This was needed and came at a great time for me. I really appreciate the questions and thoughts to ponder. Love!!💚
I'm reading (well, listening in Audible) Stephen Fry's Mythos so this goes right up my alley! Your storytelling is great and you bring it home and make this relevant today. You have a new follower and I hope we can interact and chat sometime.
Antonio thank-you so much! That sounds wonderful, and I'll also be sure to check out Mythos.✨
And please, have a look at my own Substack. I’d appreciate your feedback.