Muses

Our best girlfriends, and our sisters are our most intimate, closest companions for much of our lives, who have been with us through thick and thin. Female friendship, sisters are always there for us. They have forever been our solace and strength. Our informal Board of directors to help solve the common problems. We need each other and need to honor one another. Though finding time is difficult, they guide our gathering with joy, mirth and bliss of being together. 

The Greek word mousa is a common noun as well as a type of goddess: it literally means 'art' or 'poetry'. According to Pindar, to "carry a mousa" is 'to excel in the arts'. The word derives from the Indo-European root, which is also the source of Greek Mnemosyne and mania, English mind, mental and monitor, Sanskrit mantra and Avestan Mazda.The Muses, therefore, were both the embodiments and sponsors of performed metrical speech: mousike (whence the English term music) was just "one of the arts of the Muses". In the archaic period, before the widespread availability of books (scrolls), this included nearly all of learning. 

Some authors and artists invoke Muses when writing poetry, hymns or epic history. They ask for help or inspiration from the Muses, or simply invites the Muse to sing directly through the author.

Originally, the invocation of the Muse was an indication that the speaker was working inside the poetic tradition, according to the established formulas. The nine muses are:

• Calliope (epic poetry)
• Clio (history)
• Polyhymnia (hymn)
• Euterpe (flute)
• Terpsichore (light verse and dance)
• Erato (lyric choral poetry)
• Melpomene (tragedy)
• Thalia (comedy)
• Urania (astronomy)

 We call to the Muses.....

Melpomene, Muse of tragedy,

Please deliver us from sorrows and grief,

and help us remember all that is good about ourselves and our world. 

Clio, Muse of history and the written word,

please help us honor our history together 

and let us write a new chapter in our lives,

beginning tonight.

Euterpe, Muse of lyric poetry,

make our lives like beautiful poems, 

full, rich and sweet with wonder and grace. 

Terpsichore, Muse of dance and song,

bring your joyous expression to this circle

and let us dance and sing and enjoy one another,

and the new lives we will be creating.

Erato, Muse of love poetry,

bring your sexy stirrings and wild imaginings

to our hearts and loins and let us

look forward to your presence in our lives. 

Polyhymnia, Muse of sacred poetry,

bring us prayers and soulful messages

and help us live more sacred lives. 

Urania, Muse of astronomy,

show us all your stars and let us dance in the heavens

and know the sky is not the limit!

Thalia, Muse of comedy,

let us hear your jokes and wild ideas

and bring us to the point of sidesplitting laughter and joy

that we may smile and fully enjoy your presence. 

Amen. And so it is. 

~ The Goddess Pages: Lauri Sue Brockway.