Hermes, the Helpful Deity and Medusa

Thursday night, I called Hermes and the Helpful Deity with Flower. Last night, I called them with The Witch. Both nights, Hermes focused on them. From my mundane perspective, Flower was being coached from the inside out and The Witch from the outside in. Neither of these workings had anything to do with me until the end of each.

I documented the ten minute mental orgasm from Thursday night in my last post. This time, as the Witch was ready to end the rite, I was fixated on a vision of a goddess* with snakes for hair. I couldn't speak. Hermes had to explain to the Witch what I was seeing. Then he added, "He sees a threat that is not there." They conversed as to its meaning until Hermes said, "He has no idea what we are discussing," or words that effect. He was right. I was a complete blank. There was no thought process in my mind at all. It is hard to explain what it is like being conscious but having no thoughts. The Witch, who knows me well, clarified. I instantly got it. Though, my interpretation was different from hers, they are related.

My interpretation is that I see threats that are not there and by doing so, I turn my heart to stone.  In my teen years, I was socially paranoid. Later in life, I saw the contradictions in people's behavior and didn't trust them. Such things are both wise and foolish. Some people's contradictions reveal things that should be avoided. That doesn’t mean one should avoid the person. Everyone I have ever met has contradictions. To avoid all such people means you avoid all people. In this state the only people one is willing to be close to are those whose contradictions remain obscured. Later in life, this same issue resulted in contradictory ideas getting angry reactions. This is a response to a 'threat that is not there'. I've realized this in different terms previously but I like this phrasing better. It hits closer to home. My work life is the same, while not consciously, I see threats in certain situations that result emotional reactions that are not valid.

The Witch sees the conversation as relating to fears of goddesses in general or The Goddess. She has her examples to back up that point of view. I suppose things strike upon all levels.

During the rite, she asked Hermes something to the effect of "Why Medusa?" There was an implication this 'problem' was ancient for me and was caused many lifetimes ago. Hermes replied and I quote, "Every once in a while, some damn fool looks in the mirror." At first, I thought this was a statement about a mistake from lifetimes ago. Then, after a bit of remembering and research, I found that that Perseus slew Medusa by looking into a mirror so he would not be turned to stone in the process.

Then I found this on that bastion of truth, Wikipedia, "In most versions of the story, she was beheaded by the hero Perseus, who was sent to fetch her head by King Polydectes of Seriphos as a gift. With help from Athena and Hermes who supplied him with winged sandals, Hades' cap of invisibility, a sword, and a mirrored shield, he accomplished his quest." [My italics.] I had not known or had not remembered that it was Hermes that provided the mirrored shield. Perhaps, I too will benefit from divine aid as I take on this next challenge.

*Medusa isn't a goddess.