Athena

Athena

High Lady, Goddess of Wisdom. Warrior Goddess and Protectress.

She traditionally appears as a strong woman in full armour. Her breastplate sybmolizes earned wisdom and her helment, the protection of knowledge.

Goddess of War before Goddess of Wisdom. Her Energies are strong and direct.

Element: Air of Air	Colors: Sky Blue Yellow, Rose Gold (the color of the morning Sun	Divination: Tarot Cards, Channeling
Totem: Owl --Athena Noctua, Snowy Owl (recent - not historical)	Traits & Attributes: Compensation, consistency, decisiveness, discernment, integrety, judgement, law and order, partnership, poise, strong sense of duty	Stones: Topaz, Saphire, Blue Florite
Trees: Ash cypress, yew, olive	PLANTS: Tiger Lily, Gladiola	Festivals: New Moon in Air
Healing Techniques: Music, Prayer, Visualization	Musical Instrument: From Atlantis. Stimulates the Kundalini	Crafts: Weaving & embroidery
Incense/oils: Mints (spearmint, peppermint)	Magical Tools: Shield, spear, sword, wind	Sense: Hearing

Athena, the goddess of wisdom, was one of the most powerful of the ancient Greek goddesses. She was the daughter of Zeus, the Greek father god, and his first wife, Metis, whose name meant "wisdom." Metis warned Zeus that the first son they produced would grow to be more powerful than Zeus himself. Zeus was so agitated by this that when she became pregnant, he swallowed Metis and their unborn child whole. After this huge meal, he had a terrible headache, which was relieved only when he split his head open with an axe. From the wound rushed forth Athena, already fully grown.

Athena came to be revered not only as the goddess of wisdom but also as the goddess of war. Skilled without equal in the art of battle, she gave just protection to those in need of defense, especially to Achilles, the hero of the The Iliad. Her brillance of reason was said to be as penetrating as her clear, gray eyes; her artistry in all crafts, especially weaving and pottery, was unrivaled. Once, Athena was challenged to weaving contest by a women named Arachne. When Arachne lost, the goddess transformed her into a spider.

Often depicted with an owl as a symbol of enlightenment and a serpent as a symbol of fertilty, Athena is credited with the invention of the plow and the rake, which helped humans to cultivate food. She also inspired architects to create elegant temples. Many of these were strong enought to provide security in times of war for the citizens in whose towns they were built.

Athena gave her name to Athens, the capital city of Greece. The Poseidon, god of the seas, grew jealous of her popularity there and proposed a contest: whoever gave the most valuble gift to the Greeks would become patron to of the city. Poseidon gave a saltwater well. But Athene's gift of the olive tree provided shade from the hot sun, oil for lamps, and delicious olives to eat. From that time, all Athenian families have held the olive branch sacred as a symbol of Athena's generosity to them.

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