How to Escape a Siren’s Call – A Guide for the Wary Soul

#1 Aesthetics: the ability to render the sound of an instrument or group of instruments especially beautiful, in terms of tuning, expression, timbre, and ensemble.

#2 Seduction: the ability to 'enchant' with their music, or to render the sound of (usually men’s) instruments irresistible to women.

#3 knowledge: the source of musical inspiration and creativity (usually in the form of new melodies), but also sometimes of understanding and knowledge more generally.

#4 Danger:the ability to cause illness, death, or insanity unless sirens are approached with adequate care, respect, courage, and strength.

#5 Exchange/Contract: the acquisition of the sirens’ powers is contractual; it requires some form of offering or sacrifice in return.

#6 Demonic powers: the association with Andeanized “devils,” darkness, night, and the inner earth.

#7 Altered consciousness: encounters with sirens, especially the acquisition of new melodies, often involve the listener entering into a dream- or sleep-like state and/or being intoxicated.

#8 Natural Landscape: the association with places in the natural world, rather than human habitation; association with clear (ch’uwa), flowing water, such as springs and waterfalls, or with rocks.