The Myth of:     Athena     Demeter     Persephone

Athena

Athena is the goddess of traditional wisdom, the noble expression of a woman's personal power and leadership. Athena's archetype represents the pattern of a logical woman who balances her head and heart harmoniously. She demonstrates feminine traits of developing strong tactics in the midst of conflict and remaining calm under fire. She forges strong alliances and turns superiors into mentors. She is pragmatic and rational. Her wisdom is the foundation of a woman's self-esteem, poise and power.

The most benevolent of all the goddesses, Athena taught the first rules of organized warfare and instructed military leaders before they went into battle. However, her wisdom extended beyond strategy and leadership to influence civilizations and cities, arts and literature. Artisans and tradesmen celebrated Athena as their patron, and women of ancient Greece revered her as the great teacher of domestic arts such as cooking, weaving and spinning. She gave the world the art of taming wild horses, the olive, the potter's wheel and the chariot. It is said that she invented the plow, the rake, the yoke, the bridle, the chariot, and the ship, as well as the flute and the trumpet.

Athena is the personification of a woman's success in a male environment. She is able to balance emotions and erotic feelings, which gives her the power to work well with male energy and maintain friendships without sexual interference. This characteristic allows you to travel in male circles without fear, guilt, or anxiety and gives you the confidence that a woman is as capable as any man. The power of Athena is within you. Allow your WisdomDoll^TM to bring forth your own individual Athena wisdom.

Athena's Story

Zeus, the mighty leader of all the gods and goddesses on Mt. Olympus, was plagued with doubt and fear about his marriage to the ocean nymph Metis. To deal with his insecurities, he swallowed his wife. Soon he developed a painful headache, and asked a Titan god to split open his head to relieve the pressure. His daughter Athena, a fully grown woman bound in golden armor, ascended from the top of his head.

Athena inherited her father's best traits, especially his linear or logical thinking, courage, intellect and wise counsel. She was her father's confidant, and she loved him deeply. She spent much time in his company. She loved to sit with the heroes on Mt. Olympus discussing politics and military strategy. It was Athena who encouraged the Greeks to fight the Trojan War. It was Athena who stood by Hercules as he performed his twelve labors. On her advice, Perseus used a mirror to behead the serpent headed monster, Medusa, without looking directly at her, which would have turned him to stone. She became a protector, advisor, patron and ally of heroic men.

Symbol: Shield

Athena is rarely depicted without her shield, the symbol of protection. She was the protector of Athens. The figure on her shield is the head of the terrifying Medusa, whom Perseus destroyed with Athena's help. The shield represents conquering our deepest fears.


See the Athena Doll