Summoning the Muses: Spell for Inspiration

Whenever you embark on a new life phase, a creative project, or personal ritual, you are further awakening to your destiny. 

The nine muses, daughters of Memory and rulers of creative endeavors, can help you find your true path. Here is a “field guide” to the muses to help you determine which one you should invoke for aid.

•   Calliope, “The Fair Voiced,” is the eldest of the muses and presides over epic poetry.

•   Clio, “The Proclaimer,” is the muse of history. She carries a scroll of knowledge.

•   Erato, “The Lovely,” has domain over the poetics of love and mimicry. She carries a lyre.

•   Euterpe, “The Giver of Pleasure,” plays a flute. Her sphere of influence is music.

•   Melpomene, “The Songstress,” wears the mask of tragedy, over which she presides.

•   Polyhymnia, “She of Many Hymns,” is the muse of sacred poetry. She wears a veil.

•   Terpsichore, “The Whirler,” had dominion over dance.

•   Thalia, “The Festive,” wears the mask of comedy.

•   Urania, “The Heavenly,” presides over both astronomy and astrology.

In truth, you can call upon any god or goddess with whom you feel a deep connection, but the muses can guide you to personal inventiveness. They will help you sing the song of you and express yourself through poetry, art, dance, theater, academia, music, communication—any way in which you need to reveal unseen and unknown sides of yourself.

Place an offering to your chosen muse on your altar or shrine—perhaps a verse of poetry or a drawing—that shows your gratitude and appreciation for all you have received and will continue to receive as inspiration from your muse.

The Goddess, in all her glorious incarnations, is the supreme creative force and brings all into being. Long before the birth of Christianity, people worshipped the Goddess who represents fertility, rebirth, wisdom, and life. Decide which muse you want to work with and chant aloud:

O [name of muse], wise and true,

I will walk with thee in the Elysian Fields and back.

Anoint me here and now.

Thanks to you, inspiration I will never lack.