The Muses are the Greek Goddesses who preside over the Arts and Sciences and inspire those who excel at these pursuits. Daughters of Zeus, ruler of the Gods, and Mnemosyne ("memory"), they were born at Pieria at the foot of Mount Olympus. Their name denotes 'memory' or 'a reminder,' as in earlier times poets, having no books to read from, relied solely on their memories. The original number of muses and their names varied as they evolved through Greek mythology, but nine were eventually settled upon: Calliope, muse of epic poetry, Clio, the muse of history, Erato, the muse of love poetry, Euterpe, the muse of music, Melpomene, the muse of tragedy, Polyhymnia, muse of sacred poetry, Terpsichore, the muse of dance, Thalia, the muse of comedy, and Urania, muse of astronomy.

The literary & art magazine of George Mason High School, we publish student art, photography, fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, drama, and whatever else we find interesting. Only GM students need-apply! A free, review-type edition is published for each of the first three quarters of the year, followed by a larger and more expensive one in the last quarter, which may feature best-of selections from the previous three editions in addition to new artwork and writing. We were formerly known as Tempo magazine. We need as much art and writing as possible, whenever possible - so please, please, PLEASE send in all the brilliant and sublime artwork you've got laying around your room. Don't be shy. Either have your English teacher relay it to Ms. Mears (our noble and bright magazine sponsor) of Room A132, or deliver it there yourself. Thank you and good luck.

We also extend the invitation, for students interested hi the future of creative endeavor, of a position on the magazine staff. It's not as formal as it sounds - 9 Muses, as a club, just edits the magazine and generally has fun. Not that it's anything to laugh at, of course - although we don't take ourselves very seriously, colleges do.

9 Muses meets Mondays after school in Room A132 (next door to the English computer lab)

So if it sounds appealing in any way, please stop by of a Monday afternoon and see what you think. If it doesn't sound appealing in any way, stop by anyway. You've got nothing to lose and it might turn out to be worth your time. We hope it does. Shantih.