Matching 50 mythical creatures with each of the 50 states

Massachusetts: Circe

I am about to be a complete cliché and I have no shame. The monster/magical creature that is representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is Circe. And if you are wondering what makes this cliche, it is because technically Circe is a witch. (Still have questions, check out Hocus Pocus, The Lords of Salem, The Covenant, The Crucible, or even Motherland: Fort Salem for more details.)

So why is Circe the go-to creature of Massachusetts (at least for me)? As someone who grew up in Massachusetts and spent a lot of time in Salem as a teenager, it just feels like a witch needs to be the representative of the state. But that’s not all. It can’t just be some generic witch. No! We needed the ancient Greek sorceress herself, Circe.

One of the stories that have circulated about Circe is that she actually turned men into pigs at one point, and while she did transform them back, it doesn’t negate the fact that she proved her skills with the help of Odysseus’ men. I mean, if she can do that, then she deserves to be the solo magical being for the state, which is known for its witches and witch trials.

While there are perhaps other witches who could have taken up the mantle of the state (or maybe even some different monsters/creatures), it is hard to deny that Circe is one of the more powerful creatures out there and her legend has certainly remained strong. And considering the history of the state and how old it is, it just feels fitting to pair the sorceress of ancient mythology with the state that is known for its iconic history and legendary figures of its own.