Celebrating the Muses

June 13, 2014 — creativity, Greek mythology, muse

Apollo and the 9 muses

In Greek mythology the nine muses are daughters of Mnemosyne.  She was the muse of memory.  Zeus slept with her for 9 nights, resulting in the birth of the 9 muses.  They were raised by Apollo and a nymph in a secluded atmosphere. They became completely dedicated to the arts.  Each was in charge of a different aspect of culture:

• Calliope-epic song
• Clio-history
• Euterpe-lyric song
• Thalia-comedy
• Melpomene-tragedy
• Terpsichore-dance
• Erato-erotic poetry
• Polyhymnia-sacred hymns
• Urania-astronomy

June 14 is celebrated as the birthday of the muses. Have you ever tried to invite a muse for a visit in your creative world?  I have wanted to be more poetic since I discovered my Pilgrim poet ancestor, Mistress Bradstreet.  I made some effort in April to write a poem each day, but I think the missing piece is the muse.  I have trudged away at the poems without inviting a spark or a mystic inspiration to reach into the creative process.  I have assigned myself the job of poet, but have not consulted with the poetic energy that inspires and makes art possible.  Words themselves need a creative current or tradition on which to flow, or the audience will be left flat.  I love comedy the best, although Mistress Bradstreet was more about sacred hymns.  Next time I go out into the world I will ask Thalia to accompany me to find the humor in what I experience.  Which is your favorite muse?  Could you call on them to enhance your creativity more often? I know I could.