What was the moral of the myth of “Perseus and Medusa”?
In mythology, female serpentine-like creatures that are associated with the sea (Medusa was Poseidon’s lover before being turned into a gorgon) represent unconscious forces and latent, chaotic energies (“prima materia”) within the psyche that need to be integrated with higher consciousness (divine mind). Medusa essentially is a chthonic (that is, underworld) deity who has certain taboo knowledge (thus, she cannot be looked at directly). Perseus slaying of Medusa is a metaphor for Perseus self-integration through which he sublimates diffuse and dangerous psychic energies into efficiency and efficacy in will and consciousness (symbolized by the goddess Athena). From Medusa’s blood, springs her children Pegasus and the giant “Golden Blade” (can’t remember the Greek name). Pegasus flies off to heaven and the giant becomes a benevolent king–basically implying that Medusa has been transformed into something wonderful and benefiscent. I also have read that the myth has something to do with t
