Nine Muses of Greek Mythology for Artists
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Inspiration for Artists - The Nine Muses of Greek Mythology
A muse is someone or something that inspires another; it is the source of their genius.
In Greek mythology, there were nine muses for the arts. They were goddesses, the daughters of King Zeus and Mnemosyne (the goddess of memory).
The muses sing, dance, and play and are free from care. They inspire those they touch to do the same.
The idea was that an artist, traditionally a poet, would invoke the muse by saying a prayer that the muse would inspire them. The artist essentially creates the space for the muse to do its work.
Of course, muses today can be people or nature or music that inspire your art, but this page will focus on the nine muses - the goddesses of Greek mythology.
Image from Wikimedia Commons - Apollo and the Nine Muses
The War of Art
about resistance and muses
I became interested in learning more about the nine muses after reading the book, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. It is about how resistance keeps artists from creating, and how muses are the antidote.
According to Pressfield, the Greeks sensed forces in the world that they could not see and so would personify the mystery through gods and goddesses. The Tao de Ching says in Verse 1 that mystery is the doorway to all understanding.
So, today, perhaps we have different ways of describing that mystery. But, most of us would agree that there are forces that cannot be seen but only felt. Invoking the muse is one way of showing respect for those forces, in effect, opening that doorway to all understanding.
Pressfield sits down and invites his muse each day before he begins his writing.
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
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I highly recommend this book for anyone who works with the creative process - which is everyone!
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Music for Invoking the Muse
by Layne Redmond
Just press Play and listen while you browse the rest of this page.
The Nine Muses
Calliope - The Muse of Epic Poetry
Coherence in Theme
Calliope was the chief muse - wise, assertive, with a beautiful voice, known for her eloquence. She was Homer's muse for his epic poems, The Iliad and the Odyssey, and is often depicted holding laurels in one hand and Homer's poems in the other.
Learn more about Calliope at Wikipedia.
Clio - The Muse of History or Storytelling
Known as the proclaimer, it is said that Clio discovered history and guitar. She is often depicted with a book in one hand and a clarion in the other.
Learn more about Clio at Wikipedia.
Clio by nakedzealot
Erato - The Muse of Love Poetry
Developing characters, motives and relationships
Erato is a charmer, invoking feelings and desire. The perfect muse for writers of love, erotica, and lyric poetry, she is often portrayed holding a lyre, and bows and arrows.
Learn more about Erato at Wikipedia.
Euterpe - The Muse of Lyric Poetry or Music
Called the giver of delight, Euterpe, the muse of music, is often portrayed holding a flute.
Learn more about Euterpe at Wikipedia.
Melpomene - The Muse of Tragedy
Melpomene was initially a muse for singing, but now is more known as a protector of tragedy. Often seen with a knife or club, a tragic mask, and crown of cypress.
Learn more about Melpomene at Wikipedia.
Melpomine by stolenwings
Polyhymnia - The Muse of Songs of Praise to the Gods
Divinely Inspired Words
A serious muse, Polyhymnia is often shown with a finger to her mouth. Mostly known as the muse of sacred poetry, she is also known as a muse for geometry, meditation, agriculture, and pantomime.
Learn more about Polyhymnia at Wikipedia.
Terpsichore - The Muse of Choral Songs and Dance
Rhythm, timing, pace
Usually seen sitting down and holding a lyre, Terpsichore is the muse for dance and dramatic chorus.
Learn more about Terpsichore at Wikipedia.
Thalia - The Muse of Comedy
With her name meaning "delight" and "flourishing," Thalia was the muse for comedy and idyllic poetry. She is often shown with a crown of ivy and holding a comic mask.
Learn more about Thalia at Wikipedia.
Thalia by nakedzealot>
Urania - The Muse of Astronomy
Plot Structure
From the word for "heavenly," Urania was the muse for astronomy and philosophers in particular. It was said that she could foretell the future by the arrangement of the stars. She is often seen cloaked in stars, holding a globe, and looking to the heavens.
Learn more about Urania at Wikipedia.
Socrates, in Plato's Phaedrus
"When possession by the muses seized upon a gentle and virgin soul, it rouses it to inspired expression in lyric and other sorts of poetry, and glorifies countless deeds of the heroes of old for the instruction of posterity. But if a man comes to the door of poetry untouched by the madness of the muses, believing that technique alone will make him a good poet, he and his sane compositions never reach perfection, but are utterly eclipsed by the performances of the inspired madman."
Dance of Apollo with the Nine Muses
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The Muses Poll
How to invoke the Muse
Many epic poems, like Homer's Odyssey for example, began with prayers to the muse. I have a poem from Mary Ann Radmacher on my wall, which begins, "I want to inspire and be inspired. I want to challenge the edges of my comfort." In a way, this is a prayer to my muse for help. You have to find what works for you, even if you write your own prayer to your muse.
The book below, by John O'Donohue, contains poetic blessings, including one for the artist at the start of the day. Here is how it begins.
"May morning be astir with the harvest of night; Your mind quickening to the eros of a new question, Your eyes seduced by some unintended glimpse That cut right through the surface to a source."
To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings
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More Pages on Inspiration, Muses, and Greek Mythology
More Music for Inspiration
Thank You for Exploring the NIne Muses
Who or what is your muse?
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JaguarJulie Jan 4, 2012 @ 9:35 am | delete
- How interesting and inspiring ... I too am inspired by muses and find their history quite captivating!
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Rikitikichik
Nov 23, 2011 @ 5:46 am | delete
- very nice! this guy always inspires me to be a better person http://www.squidoo.com/olivier-de-sagazan-performance-artist
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Melissa Dinwiddie
Aug 17, 2011 @ 11:54 pm | delete
- Thanks for a lovely introduction to the muses! Delightful! :)
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Tolovaj
Jul 22, 2011 @ 1:28 pm | delete
- Nice introduction. Thanks. I wish Clio stays in favor to all squidooers:)
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Helenee
Jul 17, 2011 @ 2:30 am | delete
- I loved our Mythology since I was a kid, and I am quite familiar with the idea of being possessed by a Muse to create art. An artist should be humble enough to attribute his/her inspiration and (hopefully) excellence to a higher power.
Calliope is mostly the one inspiring me -- but I venerate her sisters too.
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About the Author
Articles Referenced for This Page
- eSSORTMENT
- The nine muses - an overview.
- The Muses
- www.paleothea.com
- The Nine Muses of the Greek Mythology
- History of the muses.
- Care and Feeding of the Work in Progress
- An essay by Catherine M. Wallace, with a wonderful story about the muses.
by kimmanleyort
Mother, wife and photographer who never stops learning and likes to invoke her muses whenever she can.
Photography: The Nature of Photography OR at Imagekind
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