A muse, in the most basic sense, is a person who serves as an inspiration to an artist. The word itself dates back to Greek mythology, with Zeus’ daughters forming the nine Muses who presided over the arts and science. The term's ethereal character lends it weight and a sense of grandeur that may distort our idea of what a muse can be. "Invoking the muse" implies a spirit rather than a living being. An artist's muse is said to be a source of inspiration, but that "source" can come in so many different forms, from acting as a model to just giving counsel and encouragement while the artist is working on a project.