Invoking Muses
muse /myooz/ (noun) a woman, or a force personified as a woman, who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist. (verb) to meditate or comment thoughtfully on a subject.
Among artists, especially authors and poets, it is common practice to begin one’s work by invoking Muses. This call for inspiration is like a prayer to the divine source of creativity.
The word Muse comes from Latin “Musa” which is from the Greek “Mousa.” Both have the Indo-European root “men-” which means to think. Men- is also the source of “mind” and “memory” as well as “mantra” which means instrument of the mind.
When we invoke Muses, we are asking for inspiration and the state of mind to create an art form worthy of our subject matter.
Whether your divine sources are muses, ancestors, spirits, pixies, angels, shaktis, devas, saints, godmothers, or lights—it makes no difference. What is important is this: That you invite them.
