Algol, the Demon Star

Its name comes from the Arabic al Ghul, “The Demon”, and in the Greek myths, Algol represents the head of Medusa, the snake-haired gorgon, that Perseus cut off and used to turn the sea monster Cetus to stone. The association of Algol with a demon-like creature suggests that its variability was known long before the 17th century.

Historically, the star has received a strong association with bloody violence across a wide variety of cultures. In the Tetrabiblos, the 2nd-century astrological text of the Alexandrian astronomer Ptolemy, Algol is referred to as “the Gorgon of Perseus” and associated with death by decapitation.  Astrologically, Algol is considered one of the unluckiest stars in the sky as it connotates violent death because its image is that of a human head cut off at the neck. In ritual, use it gives success to petitions, makes the wearer bold and magnanimous, preserves the body, protects against witchcraft, and turns evil and spells back upon those who work them.

Algol and Evolution

From the mythology of Medusa, we see her as a mutant. A mutation is the driver of generic evolution, it is no surprise to see the Algol star prominent in the history of the Human Genome Project.

On June 1, 1866, Charles Benedict, the father of the American eugenics movement, was born. Mercury was conjunct Algol. He sterilized 60,000 “unfit”, or mutant Americans and “strongly influenced” the Holocaust in Europe.

On July 16, 1945, we exploded the first nuclear bomb with the Trinity Test in Nevada. Mars was conjunct Algol. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that followed killed over 200 000 people and mutated countless more.

On April 25, 1953, Watson and Crick published their groundbreaking discovery on the structure of DNA, the building block of our genes. Jupiter was conjunct Algol.

On December 9, 1984, research on casualties at Hiroshima and Nagasaki led to the Alta Summit, marking the beginning of the Human Genome Project. North Node was conjunct Algol. “If genome projects prove important to biology, then historians will note the Alta meeting”.

On June 25, 2000, President Clinton announced the completion of the Human Genome Project. Saturn was conjunct Algol.

On May 18, 2006, the sequence of the last chromosome was published in the journal Nature. Sun and Mercury were conjunct Algol.

On May 21, 2008, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act became law “To prohibit discrimination on the basis of genetic information with respect to health insurance and employment”. Venus was conjunct Algol. 

(Source: https://ascensionglossary.com)

Algol, the Head of Medusa

You will find Algol in the Perseus constellation, where Perseus is shown holding Medusa’s head in his left hand after decapitating her and using her head to defeat the sea creature. Algol represents the masculine side of Medusa, and as such, is quick to help those he accepts as seekers of his power, knowledge, and protection. Medusa, Queen of the Gorgons, Protectress, and Algol, the Demon Star, represent the ancient Deity we call “Medusa”.

Remember, the Algol star cluster is Medusa’s head; they are the feminine and masculine aspects of the same entity.

Neither aspect of Medusa is quick to reveal themselves to humans, as one must prove that he or she is sincere and completely truthful, as these Entities will not be used. However, once they accept you, they will offer their protection and grant the petitioner wisdom, power, knowledge, and will heap vengeance upon the heads of the petitioner’s enemies. Algol is associated with sudden and painful death and will visit their wrath on the enemies of their followers, at times without the petitioner asking.

(Source: https://astrologyking.com/algol-star/)

Invoking Algol

Going back into personal history, I had read a little about Medusa when I was a little girl but did not learn about Algol until sometime late last year. A little while ago, I began feeling drawn to Medusa, to find out more about her both before she had the run-in with Poseidon and Athena. Unfortunately, not much information exists about these ancient Deities, nor about the Demon Algol.

A few weeks ago, I decided that research about Him was in order and discovered that He represents the Head of Medusa in the Perseus constellation (see the picture above). To me, this means that Algol is the masculine form of Medusa – I want to make it very clear that this is my understanding – and invoking him proved quite an interesting experience.

I offered three black candles because the Algol star is not one, but three stars, some oil, and spiced hard liquor. I stood while invoking him, using an invocation I found online. I repeated the invocation three times, once for each star and candle, and after I finished, stood in front of the altar, calling on Him. My hands began to get hot, then the rest of my body to the point I felt like I was on fire, as well as feeling prickly heat all over my body. I took this as a sign that Algol accepted me, even as Medusa. The Demon Star Algol is a wonderfully powerful, dark entity with which to work, but like Medusa, is not for beginners.

Rena V – Stergalia Noctura