#gothichistory

[gothandghoul]

Medusa Unveiled: The Serpentine Enigma of Greek Mythology

Delve into the eerie depths of Greek mythology, where one creature reigns supreme - the dreaded Medusa. This monstrous being, capable of turning men to stone with a single glance, is renowned for her hair of twisted serpents, an enduring symbol of horror. But what lies behind this fearsome figure? Was Medusa indeed a monster or an unfortunate victim of something far more sinister? Join us as we uncover the bone-chilling truth about Medusa's snakes and unravel this ancient legend's enigma.

Once a breathtakingly beautiful woman, Medusa's appearance proved her downfall. Caught in the gaze of the sea god, Poseidon, who lusted after her as he did many others, Medusa found herself ensnared in a brief affair within the hallowed halls of Athena's temple. Incensed by this audacious act, Athena, unable to punish the more powerful and senior Poseidon, turned her wrath upon Medusa, transforming her into the monstrous entity she has come to be known as.

Her hair is undoubtedly the most striking of all Medusa's extraordinary attributes - a mass of squirming serpents. Legend has it that Athena reshaped her beautiful locks into venomous snakes as part of the punishment. Another tale suggests that the gods bestowed the gift of serpents upon her, augmenting her strength and rendering her virtually invincible in combat.

Behind her terrifying facade, Medusa's character is a complex tapestry. In some accounts, she is a gentle and nurturing creature, offering solace to lost souls in her dark lair. In others, she is a formidable warrior, capable of single-handedly overpowering entire armies. This duality, this contradiction, is what makes Medusa a figure of such intrigue and fascination.

Throughout history, the story of Medusa has been immortalized in art and literature. Italian artist Caravaggio's iconic painting depicts her as a monstrous figure with serpents erupting from her head. In the realm of literature, Medusa has been prominently featured in works like Ovid's "Metamorphoses," Percy Bysshe Shelley's "Medusa," and Sylvia Plath's "Medusa."

Medusa, beyond her mythical origins, has transcended time to become a symbol of female rage, power, and feminism. She embodies the untamed aspects of the female psyche, oppressed and vilified by patriarchal society. At present, feminist groups have embraced Medusa's image as a potent emblem of female empowerment and are using it to fuel their campaigns. This contemporary significance of Medusa's symbolism is a testament to the enduring power of her myth.

The story of Medusa is captivating and enigmatic, wrapped in a veil of intrigue. While the truth of her origins may forever remain a mystery, we can acknowledge and appreciate the profound symbolism she holds for us today. Whether she is seen as a monster, a victim, or a symbol of female strength, one thing is sure: the legend of Medusa will continue to ensnare the imaginations of generations to come - a tale of gothic horror that will never cease to thrill.

Our journey is far from over for those who crave the shadows and are drawn to the cryptic allure of ancient tales. Step deeper into the darkness and uncover more spine-chilling stories at GothandGhoul.com. Join us if you dare, and let the whispers of the past guide you through the labyrinth of gothic horror and mystery.

[alaridosradio]

🎙️ ¿Sabías que hoy las puertas de la Shadow Academy se abren?

🕰️ ¿A qué hora? A las 21:12 hora canaria, cuando las sombras se alargan y la noche comienza a reclamar su lugar.

🌑 ¿Quién estará allí? Devanna, tu guía en este santuario de oscuridad y misterio.

📚 ¿Qué encontrarás en la Shadow Academy? ✨ Los secretos del Trad Goth: desde su nacimiento en los clubes underground de Londres hasta su influencia en la cultura actual. ✨ Cursos exclusivos sobre música, moda, literatura y más. ✨ Una comunidad que celebra lo sublime en la penumbra.

🖤 ¿Por qué unirte? Porque en la oscuridad, encontramos nuestra verdadera luz.

💻 ¿Cómo puedes formar parte? Solo para suscriptores premium. Ve ahora a www.alaridosradio.com, suscríbete y accede a contenidos exclusivos y playlists seleccionadas por Devanna.

🌙 ¿Estás listo para abrazar las sombras? Devanna te espera. ¡Nos vemos esta noche en la Shadow Academy! 🕯️

#TradGoth #GothicCulture #GothicStyle #DarkAesthetics #GothicArt #AlternativeMusic #GothicFashion #DarkAcademia #AlternativeCommunities #GothicCommunity #GothicHistory #GothicMusic #PostPunk #GothicLiterature #GothicCinema #Goth #GothicMetal #GothicRock #AlaridosRadio

[ofgraveconcern]

October 5th 1713, birth of French philosopher, writer, and prominent figure during the Age of Enlightenment Denis Diderot, best known as editor, and contributor to the ‘Encyclopédie’ founded in 1751 alongside Jean le Rond d'Alembert. The ‘Encyclopédie’ was the first to include contributions from a wide field of authors on a variety of topics. Its skeptical and secular tone with regard to religion, became both a rallying call for the forerunners of the French Revolution, and saw bans by the French Government and Catholic church. From 1759 to 1765, Diderot was the sole contributor, authoring 7,000 articles on a variety of topics. Dying in 1784, his remains were unearthed nine years later by graverobbers, who stole his lead lined coffin, and dumped his corpse, his remains were then transferred to a mass grave. On the same day in 1789, near riot over the lack of bread available in Paris, thousands of women began to march on Versailles, demanding that the royal family including Louis XVI return to Paris, which bowing to the pressure of the march did so, in the process ending the royal privilege of the ‘ancien régime’, which had existed in France since the 15th century. The event is seen as a defining moment in the beginnings of the revolution that Diderot sowed the seeds of. October 8th 1774, death of German Phantasmagoria pioneer, illusionist, and occultist Baron Johann Georg Schropfer. The horror theatre shows later named Phantasmagoria were first developed by Schröpfer in the form of entertainment séances, and the use of magic lanterns to project the appearance of ghosts. Schröpfer would invite audiences into his Leipzig coffee house, where after preparing a magical punch of his own recipe (Continued in the comments). #ghost #history #historymemes #phantasmagoria #gothictales #frenchrevolution #tarothistory #tarotcards #tarotart #tarotartist #mortalsmarket #illustrationdaily #gothicillustration #guillotine #gothichistory #onthisday #onthisdayinhistory #ghosthistory #ghostsighting #macabre #macabreart #enlightenmentistherevolution #ageofenlightenment #denisdiderot #sceance #magiclantern #scéance #18thcentury #18thcenturyhistory #gothictheatre https://www.instagram.com/p/CUxhE47FIDW/?utm_medium=tumblr

[poetry-lair]

The She - Devil of Via D’Azeglio

“She-Devil of Via D’Azeglio” (la Diavolessa di Via D’Azeglio), is a monument that are in Bologna, Italy.

The meaning of this statue are two: It’s a protector of the wanderers and is a reminder of the process of Caterina, a woman who lived in Bologna in 15th Century at Bologna and she was accused of Witchcraft and heavily persecuted for this.

All the right of the images belong to their respective owners

[oldenglishpoetry]

Picked this up awhile back... #gothsandromans #goths #history #romans #romanhistory #gothichistory #europeanhistory #earlymedieval #medieval #lateantiquity #bookstagrammer #bookshelf #bookstagram #books #bookshelf #bookcollection #history (at Nashville, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx2dPMrHf9I/?igshid=105mnoiztm4ax

[darthtalon89]

#OnThisDay in #gothichistory it's the #DeathAnniversary of #EdgarPoe #EdgarAllanPoe #Americanwriter #writer #editor #literarycritic #Poe #poetry #shortstories #mystery #macabre #Romanticism #detectivefiction #sciencefiction #gothicliterature #tales #literatura #literaturagotica #horror #horrornovel #terror #poesia #goth #gothic #gotico #EdgarAllanPoePoem #adreamwithinadream https://www.instagram.com/p/CjagKWyrxOA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[generallygothic]

𝕲𝖔𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖈 𝕸𝖚𝖘𝖊𝖘 🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯 Well, here we are: the new, where endings and beginnings converge. 🌬 As we settle in, self-reflect, and set goals relating to sugar and sport (you? No, me neither.), my focus will turn to gothic prebirth: that bloody mess that preceeded our dearly beloved mode. 🌬 Favourably entitled 'Gothic Muses', throughout January we will step beyond the boundaries, beyond perceived literary limits. We shall poke around, amongst the predecessors and fillips that unknowingly paved the absurd, bone-strewn pathway that long led to the birth of the gothic. 🌬 I hope you will join me; I may be slow and sporadic, but spook nerdery isn't a race... If you have requests, suggestions, submissions, guest post desires, creative urges to fulfill, get in touch! 📮: inbox is open! 🔗 in bio. . #gothicmuses #gothicliterature #gothicinfluences #gothicorigins #gothichistory #darkacademia #bookstagram #bookish #chiaroscuro #moodyphotography #spookyphotography #spookynerds #bookworm #nerdy #callsforsubmissions #callforartists #callforwriters #collab #englishliterature #books #window #academia https://www.instagram.com/p/CJpASnqAGza/?igshid=kpwlvazdlyda

[ofgraveconcern]

16th October 1793, previous Queen of France prior to the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette, then called ‘Widow Capet’, is executed by guillotine. Convicted of high treason by the Revolutionary Tribunal, she is executed at the Place de la Révolution, following the execution of her husband King of France Louis XVI, which took place on the 21st January 1793. Labelled as ‘Madame Deficit’, for her extravagant lifestyle, and lack of understanding of the economic problems facing France prior to the Revolution; her reputation was further tarnished during the "Diamond Necklace Affair", in which she was falsely accused of defrauding the crown jewels and the jewelers in order to purchase a very expensive necklace. The affair also involved the Italian adventurer, magician, alchemist, occultist and free mason Giuseppe Balsamo, who self styled himself Count Alessandro di Cagliostro. Marie Antionette also is falsy associated with the story in which she misunderstood the cries of the French poor for bread, as being cries of dissatisfaction for eating bread, in which she replied. ‘Let them eat cake’. This account actually derives from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, ‘confessions’, and was published in 1782, and is not based upon Marie Antionette. Due to these accusations, and other false accounts, such as her affair with Lafayette, whom she actually hated, and incest with her son; she was tried and convicted with her execution already arranged before her trial. Her head was then given to Marie Tussaud for the making of a wax death mask, and her body thrown into an unmarked grave. Continued in the comments: #history #historymemes #gothictales #frenchrevolution #tarothistory #tarotcards #tarotart #tarotartist #mortalsmarket #illustrationdaily #gothicillustration #guillotine #gothichistory #onthisday #onthisdayinhistory #18thcentury #18thcenturyhistory #widowcapet #marieantoinette #marieantoinettestyle #frenchhistory #frenchhistory🇫🇷 #placedelarevolution #letthemeatcake #letthemeatcake🎂 #deathmask #deathmasks #tarotillustration #tarotillustrator #uniquetarotdeck https://www.instagram.com/p/CVDkEfqlE48/?utm_medium=tumblr

[ofgraveconcern]

For the last two weeks we have investigated what influences drove Mary Shelley to create the work she is best known by. For this week, Part III, we shall look at how the work potentially affected New England folklore, and seeing as this is the last Thursday Tales before Halloween, the macabre themes suitable for this season will be presented before you. The legend begins in New Hampshire in the last decades of the 18th century where our protagonist Thomas Benton was born in Coventry, New Hampshire. Perhaps alluding to the strength of the legend, Coventry is now named Benton. A gifted child, Benton developed a scientific mindset which saw him studying medicine in Heidelberg Germany, under a brilliant, but eccentric and shunned teacher named Stockmeyer. Becoming a mentor to the young Benton, Professor Stockmeyer shares the hidden aspect of his research, an elixir of life, which would eliminate death. In the first potential influence to the story of Frankenstein aligned with that of the folklore of the White Mountains in New Hampshire, Benton is himself very much alike to that of the young Victor Frankenstein, and his mentor and his pursuits, to that of the character of Dr. Waldman; and possible influence to Mary Shelley, Johann Konrad Dippel, (see last week's post: The Real Frankenstein's Part II). A real life alchemist in pursuit of an elixir of life. In 1779, Professor Stockmeyer died leaving Benton, who had become a protege of his teaching, all his medical notes, and scientific apparatus. Completing his medical study, Benton returned to the newly created country of the United States, after a period in London, and set up a medical practice in Boston. (Continued in the comments) #gothichistory #halloween2021 #maryshelley #maryshelleysfrankenstein #frankenstein #frankensteinart #frankensteinartwork #gothicliterature #gothicliteratureart #darktales #historicalillustration #18thcentury #19thcentury #thursdaytales #historymystery #historymysteries #strangehistory #darkhistory #historicalstories #historicalstory #darkromantic #darkromanticism #darkscience #folklore #whitemountainsnh #whitemountains #newhampshirefall #paranormal #locallegends #ghostlegend https://www.instagram.com/p/CVlAyfDFzKD/?utm_medium=tumblr

[ofgraveconcern]

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Now on sale Halloween Theatre cards! Six cards featuring original artwork of Dr, Frankenstein, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Haunted Castles, Vampires, Zombies, & Phantasmagoria. Available printed on cardstock, or a digital download to print at home. Free shipping. Printed version comes with adhesive foam squares to create a theatrical pop up effect. $30 with free shipping, or digital .PDF download sent by email $20 A great Halloween activity! Original Art! Real Gothic literary History! https://www.ofgraveconcern.com/halloween Follow @ofgrave.concern for more Halloween themes, history and art. #halloween #halloweendecor #halloweenart #halloweenartwork #halloweenartist #halloweencards #gothicstyle #gothicart #macabreart #gothichistory #ghost #zombies #ghostart #gothicfiction #gothicliterature #illustration #illustrationart #illustrationartists #thelegendofsleepyhollow #frankenstein #vampires #fantasmagoria #fantasmagorie #greetingcards #halloweengreetingcards #greetingcardsforsale #halloween2021 #halloweengreetings #halloweencards #zombieart https://www.instagram.com/p/CUVMfz6FRL2/?utm_medium=tumblr

[ofgraveconcern]

21st July 1725. The Hungarian newspaper ‘Wienerisches Diarium’ publishes the first use of the word vampire in published history. The story was a copy of a manuscript from the Hungarian Gradisker Distrikt, (modern day North West Serbia) detailing the account of a Serbian peasant named Peter Plogojowitz who died that year, and was believed to have become a vampire. The account written by the Imperial Provisor, (an official of the Austrian administration), named Frombald details how upon the death of Plogojowitz he rose from the grave killing nine people by throttling them. Upon viewing the exhumed body he records his astonishment that the local vampire beliefs are true, Plogojowitz’s beard and hair had grown, along with new skin and nails, blood was also seen in his mouth. The body was then staked through the heart. The newspaper is still in existence and is now printed with the title ‘Wiener Zeitung’. The report and others like them led to the 18th Century Vampire Controversy in Europe, which would influence the birth of Gothic horror later in the century, and the emergence of vampire fiction early in the 19th Century. All art shown is original and influenced by the 18th century Vampire controversy, and the gothic literary reaction from it in the 19th century. The artwork is for sale at: www.ofgraveconcern/mythology You are also invited in to follow more dark tales of history @ofgrave.concern #vampirehistory #exhumation #darkhistory #strangehistory #historystories #gothictales #historicaltale #vampireillustration #vampireart #vampireartwork #vampirefiction #vampyre #vampyr #historicalillustration #gothichistory #vampiretales #bramstokersdracula #gothicliterature #bramstokerdracula #dracula #vampire #draculalive #vampires #horror #vampirelife #bramstoker #gothicstyle #hungarianhistory #18thcenturyhistory #regencygothic https://www.instagram.com/p/CRrValLlQMC/?utm_medium=tumblr

[ofgraveconcern]

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Temperance Ofgraveconcern Industrial Sublime Tarot 1760 - 1848 Major Arcana: Temperance Year: 1760 Event: ‘Politia Naturae’ Historical Figure or Fictional Character: Carl Linnaeus Each Tarot card print also comes with an explanation detailing the cards visual meaning; and its associated history from the 18th and 19th century, and how this history has resonance to the past, present or future to the drawer of the card. The prints are available with free shipping to the domestic United States at: www.ofgraveconcern.com/industrialsublimetarot1760-1848 Follow @ofgrave.concern to see a new card every Tarot Tuesday! #darktarot #tarotillustration #tarotart #tarotartist #tarotdecks #steampunktarot #steampunkillustration #steampunkdecor #tarothistory #wingedfigure #historicaltarot #gothichistory #gothicfiction #gothicillustration #temperance #temperancetarot #occulthistory #temperancetarotcard #historicaltarot #carllinnaeus #18thcenturyhistory #tarotcommunity #balanceofnature #occultartist #occultart #majorarcana #occultarcana #esotericart #tarotreadersofinstagram #theunconscious https://www.instagram.com/p/CNDMcePHLQF/?igshid=z0pxit4skf0r

[ofgraveconcern]

12th May 1828, birth of English Pre-Raphaelite founder, poet and painter Gabriel Dante Rossetti, nephew of John William Polidori, author of the first modern Vampire story, ‘The Vampyre’, published in 1819, and brother to poet Christina Rossetti, and writer and critic William Michael Rossetti. In 1848 Gabriel Dante Rossetti, alongside his brother and artists William Holman Hunt and John Everett Millais founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, which attempted to revolutionize English art through a return to medieval aesthetics and symbolism. In 1850, Rossetti met Elizabeth Siddal, who would become over the next decade his muse, model and lover. In 1862 she died possibly by suicide of an overdose of laudanum. Grief stricken Rossetti buried all of his poetry with her at her grave in Highgate cemetery. Later digging them up, he descended into depression and addiction, dying in 1872. In 1894, Rosetti’s sister Christina died, and was also buried at Highgate. Highgate Cemetery was opened in 1839, to replace the medieval practice of burials in small parish churches. With the population of London more than doubling during the late 18th and early 19th century, this had led to a dangerous overcrowding of burials. Stories from prior to the cemeteries opening, talk of mourners witnessing their loved ones graves being dug, whereupon another was discovered, if the grave was within five, the remains were stomped into the ground to provide space for a new burial on top. Older burials were removed and cast aside to allow space, with coffins burned for firewood. This overcrowding had led parish churches to simply pile the dead into their church basements, (continued in the comments) #preraphaelite #preraphelites #rosetti #highgatecemetery #highgatecemetary #gothicvictorian #victoriangothic #victoriangothicstyle #vampirefiction #vampireaesthetic #vampireart #gothicfiction #johnwilliampolidori #thevampyre #horrorfiction #regencygothic #gothichistory #gabrieldanterossetti #victorianhistory #victorian #gothiccemetery #maryshelley #maryshelleyfrankenstein #michaelfaraday #gothictales #19thcenturyhistory #gothicillustration #historicalillustration #highgatevampire #vampirehistory https://www.instagram.com/p/CO0wAikH6nP/?igshid=1c3sb9ut5imth

[ofgraveconcern]

20th May 1533 or 1537, birth of pioneering anatomist, surgeon, and "The Father of Embryology”, Hieronymus Fabricius. Causing a revolution in anatomical teaching he designed the first theatre for public anatomical dissections in 1594. Fabricus also designed an orthopedic exoskeleton he called the ‘Oplomoclion’. One of his students was the English physician William Harvey, the first known physician to completely map systemic circulation, and describe in detail the properties of blood pumped to the brain and the rest of the body by the heart. Fabricius died on May the 21st 1619 in Padua, Italy. 23rd May 1718, birth of Scottish anatomist and physician William Hunter, a leading teacher of anatomy. His brother John is also known to history as a prolific surgeon, and teacher and collaborator of Edward Jenner, the pioneer of the smallpox vaccine. In 1768 John Hunter built the famous anatomy theatre and museum in Great Windmill Street, Soho, London. Figures of medical controversy, John Hunter is alleged to have paid for the stolen body of Charles Byrne, "The Irish Giant", who against the wishes of Byrne’s family displayed and studied the skeleton. He also studied and displayed the corpses of executed criminals. Another controversy was suggested In 2010, when it was claimed that the Hunters obtained pregnant women for anatomical study by paying for their murders. The claims however were heavily criticized and dismissed by medical historians. John and William Hunter were the Uncle to Romantic poet and playwright Joanna Baillie, named the ‘female Shakespeare’, by her friend, the poet and novelist Sir Walter Scott. With an interest in philosophy and the Gothic, (continued in the comments). #anatomicalart #anatomicalillustration #historyofanatomy #anatomical #anatomytheatre #bodysnatching #darkhistory #anatomy #anatomydrawing #johnhunter #williamhunter #joannabaillie #gothichistory #gothictales #weirdhistory #oddhistory #anatomicalart #darktarot #burkeandhare #tarotillustration #tarotart #tarotartist #regencygothic #resurrectionmen #historicalstories #historyofscience #macabretales #macabrehistory #macabreart #gothicstyle https://www.instagram.com/p/CPQxJbonI3c/?utm_medium=tumblr

[ofgraveconcern]

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#nationalreadingmonth #historicalstories #historicalstory #gothicliterature #gothichistory #gothicfiction #gothicillustration #victoriangothicstyle #vintageaesthetic #fantasmagoria #horrorfiction #bronte #brontë #historymystery #historymysteries #ghostaesthetic #gothicstyle #darkillustrations #ghostart # #gothiclit #classicliterature #bookaesthetic #historicalscene #historicalscenes #ghosthistory #regencygothic #victoriangothic #gothicvictorian #gothichorror https://www.instagram.com/p/CNGBeUunFPv/?igshid=e6n3n4ahbuum

[ofgraveconcern]

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The Great Fire of London 2nd - 6th September 1666 #greatfireoflondon #greatfireoflondon1666 #london #londonhistory #17thcentury #samuelpepys #samuelpepysdiary #fire #history #historical #historic #historyvideo #historyvideos #historylovers #historygeek #historygeeks #plaguedoctor #plague #gothichistory #onthisday #otd #onthisdayinhistory https://www.instagram.com/p/CEpcx-mg1DJ/?igshid=15fanvpcmn19b