Athena

[Myth]

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Zeus, fearful of a prophecy that a son would usurp him as ruler of the Gods, swallowed whole the titaness Metis, who was currently with his child. However, the child continued to grow within him, causing Zeus migraines. Hephaestos was summoned and split the side of Zeus's head, out of which lept Athena, fully clad in armour and ready for battle.

Athena is the goddess of civilisation, learning, craft and war. Her symbol is the owl, and she was an Olympian. Like Artemis, she was also quick to anger. Arachne boasted that she was as good a weaver as Athena, to which Athena immediately challenged her to a competition. Arachne won the competition, and in her rage(1) Athena transformed Arachne into a spider, where she and her children would weave forever more.

She is also the protector of heroes, and of children.

 

Prayer to Athena:

Athena, goddess of Civilization, Learning and War. Of all my patrons, your are my favourite, for I, like you was born from the head of a man. And I, like you, am a woman true.

Grant me the ability to see truth and clarity, to learn and appreciate new things, and to treasure and maintain the knowledge I already possess.

Allow me to be any person's equal, able to compete where I must, and to share when I can, in my culture and community.

Remind me that in being a woman, I still retain my reason and higher faculties, while allowing full reign of my emotions.

(1) Other versions of this story say that this was not done in rage, but in way of reward.

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