Medusa's Gaze

Sea salt is a nod to Medusa’s home on the Island of Cisthene, while caramel is a delicious, sweet smell in
honour of her beauty lost.

TOP NOTES: Sea Salt + Hazlenut

MIDDLE NOTES: Créme Caramel + Candied Pecan

BOTTOM NOTES: Tonka Bean + Condensed Milk

Legend tells of Medusa’s milky white skin being turned to green by Athena’s curse. We’ve combined this
with black, the colour of despair.

Large: 100mm DIA x 110mm H

400g Net

Small: 75mm DIA x 90mm H

200g Net

Inarguably the most famous of the three Gorgon sisters, Medusa is well known for turning to stone all who gazed into her eyes. With living snakes in place of hair, she and her sisters were simultaneously feared as monsters and revered as protectors against evil.

There are many conflicting stories as to who the Gorgons were. Some say they were three sisters born of Phorcys (a sea god) and his sister/wife Ceto and they inhabited the Island of Cisthene. In ancient classical art they were portrayed as female creatures with wings, fangs, round faces and heads of venomous snakes.

One popular myth claims they were once beautiful women who were cursed after Poseidon (God of the Sea) raped Medusa in Athena’s temple. The story tells that in her efforts to escape the Poseidon, Medusa had tried to take refuge with her sisters in the temple. After the act, Athena (Goddess of War) was furious
that her temple had been defiled in such a way. Some claim it was a punishment handed down to the sisters, as she could do no harm to Poseidon himself, while others argue that Athena’s curse was meant to protect them from any future attacks. Regardless of
the reasoning, the sisters were left to lead a life where their look would literally petrify those who met their gaze.

Unlike her sisters, Medusa was the only mortal of the three - which is one reason why some will argue that they were not truly sisters. She was beheaded at the hands of the hero, Perseus (son of Zeus), who had been sent on a quest to kill the Gorgon queen. Legend tells that she was pregnant at the time to Poseidon and upon her death, her children, Chrysaor and Pegasus, sprang forth from her spilled blood.

Medusa’s blood was said to have conflicting properties. From her right side, her blood had the power to revive the dead. But the blood from her left side was said to be extremely poisonous and would cause instant death.

Even after her own death, Medusa’s eyes still had the power to turn observers to stone. Her severed head was used as a weapon by Perseus before he presented it to Athena, who mounted it on her battle shield.

The likeness of Medusa has become a symbol of protection, as it is regarded as an image of evil to ward off other evil. While in apotropaic magic, an amulet know as a gorgoneion is used to ward off the evil eye.

For optimum safety and enjoyment, please follow our guidelines which will also help to prolong the life of
your candle:
• Trim the wick to 6mm length before every use.
• When burning for the first time, allow the candle to burn for at least 2 hours - or to the edge of the vessel -
to create a memory and avoid tunnelling.
• Never burn for more than 4 hours at a time.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended.
• Avoid drafts and items that may catch alight.
• Keep away from children and pets.
• Do not move a candle while it is lit or wax is melted.
• Extinguish with a candle dipper or snuffer to care for wicks and avoid splashes.
• Keep clean and free of dust and debris.
• Store your candle upright and away from excessive light and temperatures.
• Discard when wax is 10mm from the bottom of the vessel.