Algol is indeed a blinking star, and it is difficult not to notice the connection between Madelon’s tale and the name of the Gorgon’s Blinking Eye. As Madelon cries the flower into existence, perhaps Hellebore sprouts from whence Algol’s bloody tears land, offering poison and antidote to those who show respect and care. Madelon’s tale is the outlier within the otherwise grim lore concerning Hellebore, but it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of genuinity when it comes to working with this star. After all, Hellebore as the gift of Algol is a plant used to punish those who betray us. Honesty and tact are valued by Algol; they are met with protection and blessing, but affront is met with retribution and destruction. The Gorgon’s Head is not a force your work with on a whim. She calls to those she knows, granting them favor and protection, and strikes down the arrogant, those wishing to harness her power for the wrong ends, and those who would abuse the weak. Mahigan 2021.05.11 Please find me at kitchentoad.com, where I offer all manner of sorcerous goods and services! https://gardenofeaden.blogspot.com/2009/01/stories-myths-legends-and-folklore-of.html https://www.patheos.com/blogs/poisonersapothecary/2018/06/11/the-court-of-helleborus-a-collection-of-hellebore-lore/ https://renaissanceastrology.com/hermesfixedstars.html http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/h/helbla14.html https://www.alchemy-works.com/info_hellebore.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algol “The Writings of Hippocrates and Galen”, 1846, Lindsay and Blakiston, https://oll-resources.s3.us-east-2. amazonaws.com/oll3/store/titles/1988/0881_Bk.pdf https://gardenflowerhistories.wordpress.com/2015/03/27/hellebore/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proetus Jannoray, J., “Krisa, Kirrha et la première guerre sacrée“, BCH 61 (1937), 33-43. Oracle Hekataios, “Strix Craft: Ancient Greek Magic for the Modern Witch”, Llewellyn Worldwide, 2020. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asclepeion https://ag.tennessee.edu/news/Pages/POM-2013-02.aspx
Following photo by @rosa-nitida 21
