Musings…

I don’t actually have a muse, but I know many creative people do… do have a specific person, thing, idea, place which offers inspiration. In mythology, the original Muses were nine goddesses who symbolized different arts and sciences:

Calliope – epic poetry
Clio – history
Euterpe – music, song, elegiac Poetry
Erato – lyric poetry
Melpomene – tragedy
Polyhymnia – hymns
Terpsichore – dance
Thalia – comedy
Urania – astronomy

Recently, while burrowing in the book section of a charity shop, I came across a little book, barely more than a booklet which I bought. It’s called ‘Stones from the Muse – Runes for the Creative Journey’. it’s by Emily Herman and Jennifer Jacobson, and originally it had a set of twenty double-sided stones, similar to rune stones, which a creative person could use to stimulate thought and help get over a difficult beginning, a muddy middle or an elusive ending.

The twenty runes which I don’t have, but which I guess I could easily make if I wanted, are:

window signifying vision
seed signifying ideas
mask signifying fear
knapsack signifying play
tool signifying action
whirlwind signifying chaos
gavel signifying judgement
arrow signifying vulnerability
clock signifying organisation
X signifying failure
egg signifying potential
blank signifying silence
moon signifying dream time
amulet signifying honour
scale signifying balance
tadpole signifying transformation
cup signifying recharge
lens signifying revision
ribbon signifying celebration
gate signifying marketing

I think this is an intriguing idea… either to use these suggestions, or to come up with some of your own, a manageable amount of ‘stones’ and maybe a personal aspect to the choice.

Herman and Jacobson’s book guide anyone using their runes through various processes… but you could work out your own way of using them.

I might try it with my creative writing group… or I might use the idea in one of my stories!

If you are interested in the book, here’s a link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0684839555