Your Goddess Archetype is Athena

Goddesses and Personal Archetypes

Archetypes are inner images that embody universal characteristics and experiences. They are responsible for the persistent themes we see surfacing in our own lives. Myths and fairy tales, many artistic images, and many of the characters we encounter in our dreams are expressions of these archetypes. As inner guides that exist in your personality, the goddess archetypes influence how you behave, how you think and feel, and how you relate to others. Since the goddess stories that are passed on in the mythology of human cultures embody the expression of female character, they provide us with a rich and fascinating way to gain access to the personal archetypes that are active in our lives.

How to Use Your Personal Goddess Type:

The interpretation of your goddess quiz begins on the next page. Each section starts with a brief guide to understanding the information, followed by your personal results. Before you begin to study it, take a few minutes to review a few basic concepts that will help you use the goddess report to:

• Understand/accept yourself as the unique goddess you are meant to be.

• Learn how to use the guide on the goddess path to personal fulfillment.

The results of your goddess assessment can be used in several different ways. One is to treat your report simply as interesting reading to be enjoyed. As the 100-year-old woman answered, ‘ Sure, Sonny, I believe in horoscopes. At my age I believe in anything that makes life more interesting!’ Have fun with the report. Use it, and information available at the website, as an entrance to the fascinating world of mythology and personality type. Learn to recognize patterns of behavior among your family, friends, and coworkers while you gain a better picture of your own strengths, abilities, and vulnerabilities.

A second approach is to use your results to learn to relax and accept yourself for who you really are. Recognizing the strength and beauty of your own personal goddess type can be a deeply empowering experience. If your goddess type is not one that is valued highly by society, your sense of self-esteem will almost certainly have been threatened. Take comfort from learning about the richness of your goddess type and realize that, even if it seems you are often ‘marching to the beat of a different drummer’, you share your type with many others and don’t have to try to force yourself into the mold of a more socially acceptable type. You are not alone.

The third approach is to use the report as a guide on your path to personal growth. It can help you see and understand the underlying reasons for the patterns of your life. Each goddess type has both strengths and weaknesses. Knowing about your goddess type, you can capitalize upon those strengths (and guard against the weaknesses) while you begin to work on your underdeveloped traits. The more you function within your inherent goddess type, the stronger and more confident you will become, the more control you have over your life, and the better prepared you are to make the choices that create the life you want. You can enlist the help of other, less well-developed goddess types, thereby enlarging your repertoire of attitudes, feelings, and behaviors. You will be less rigid and more flexible, better able to meet the wide variety of challenges and demands that your life may present. Your report highlights ways you can assist this process of ‘becoming’.

Your Personal Goddess Type:

Her Story and Her Symbols

Each one of us is born with an inherent temperament that predisposes us to develop as one of a number of goddess types. These ‘goddess gifts’ reveal themselves at an early age and remain fairly constant throughout our lives. They influence how you learn and think, how you decide and act, who you select as friends and mates, even where your talents lie, in short, everything that makes you unique and guides the direction of your life. This gift, your personal goddess type, is your favored, most trusted style in dealing with the outer world.

Athena

Goddess of Wisdom, Strategy, and Crafts

It was the headache to end all headaches! Zeus, the mighty king of the Olympiandeities, regretted having swallowed his first wife, Metis. When Zeus had learned that shewas pregnant, he feared that she was carrying the son that had been prophesied to supplanthim on the throne. Though swallowing Metis had seemed a good idea at the time, it was nowcausing him great suffering which eventually proved to be totally unnecessary. Ready torisk anything to get rid of the pain that tormented him, he allowed one of the other godsto split open his head, and . . . Voila! Out came, not the son he feared, but a beautifulfull-grown daughter, dressed in golden battle armor, who instantly became the “appleof her father’s eye”. A motherless child, she quickly became his favorite. Shewas the only one of his children that he ever entrusted with his magic shield and thesecret of where his lightening bolts were stored. Athena remained his constant ally andfierce protector, promoting his interests, serving as his advisor.

Athena is usually portrayed as one of the most benevolent goddesses — strong,fair, and merciful. She is known as one of the three virgin goddesses, referred to asvirgin because they were able to remain independent, unswayed by the spells of Aphrodite,the goddess of love, and the consequent pull of marriage and motherhood. Romance andmarriage did not feature in her mythology. In essence, she was the prototype of thecontemporary “career woman”.

Although usually depicted holding a spear, her golden helmet pushed back to revealher elegant beauty, Athena was known more for her role as judge, diplomat, and mediatorthan for actually fighting in battle. Her decisions were renowned for their fairness andcompassion. She was a superb strategist and many of the Greek myths recount tales of herhelp given to various gods, goddesses, and heroes as they went into battle or facedseemingly impossible tests. Although Athena is known as the goddess of war, it was as amediator and a planner that she excelled. She always worked to prevent war, but once warhad been joined she fought tremendously for her side. To prevent the Trojan War Athenadescended from Olympus and walked between the two armies, making both sides swear oaths tokeep the peace. Unfortunately a Trojan soldier named Pandaros, in an act of greatcowardice, violated his oath and let loose his arrow, thus starting the Trojan War. Athenathen helped the other side to emerge victorious. Remember the Trojan Horse? Just one ofher great ideas!

She championed many heroes, offering them her advice and protection, helping themto win their battles. In one of her most famous adventures she would assume the shape ofvarious men, women, and children to guide the wandering Odysseus. Her protection of himallowed the suffering hero to finally return safely to his home and family. Nike, thegoddess who personified Winged Victory, often accompanied Athena. Not surprising, sinceAthena was the goddess of war who never lost. Other women, however, seldom feature asallies in the stories of Athena: she seems to have been firmly accepted as part of thepatriarchy. The most notable exception was her childhood friend, a girl called Pallas. Thetwo, both somewhat tomboys, were inseparable as children, practicing their fighting skillsand sharing playful adventures. Once during a practice session, Athena accidentallywounded Pallas and the injury eventually proved fatal. In deep grief over the loss of herfriend, Athena took Pallas’ name to add to hers. Thereafter she was often referred toas Pallas Athena, in honor of her childhood friend.

Athena was frequently called upon to settle disputes between the gods or variousmortals. As the Goddess of Wisdom, she was known for her superb logic and intellect.Athena’s decisions were usually well-considered, highly ethical, and seldom motivatedby self-interest. Not only did her decisions show her wisdom, but they revealed her greatcompassion as well. Once, when a man called Teiresias accidentally walked in upon Athenawhile she was bathing (an act usually punished by death), Athena took pity on the poormortal. Not wishing his death, she instead covered his eyes with her hands, thussimultaneously blinding him and giving him “inner sight”, i.e., the gift ofprophecy. As a result he became one of the most revered oracles in ancient Greece.

Athena identified with the patriarchy and usually cast her power and support ontheir side during any dispute. In the first jury trial in recorded history, she cast thedeciding vote to acquit Orestes of the murdering his mother to avenge his father’sdeath. Athena was persuaded by Apollo’s argument in Orestes’ defense that thedeath of a mother was of less importance than a father’s death since the woman simplynurtured the seed while it was actually the man who planted it. Motherless herself, Athenausually placed patriarchal principles above maternal bonds.

Logical by nature, Athena rarely lost her cool. One exception where she became”hot-headed” and again sided with the male power structure, is told in the storyof Arachne, a young mortal woman who challenged Athena to a contest to see who was thebest weaver. Athena was not at all upset about being challenged by a mortal and fairlyjudged Arachne’s creation to be as flawless as her own. But the subject matter ofArachne’s tapestry offended her greatly for Arachne had depicted the amorous andadulterous adventures of Zeus, Athena’s father. Livid that Arachne would dare to mockauthority in such a way, Athena slashed the tapestry to shreds and drove Arachne to hangherself. When she had quieted her emotions, Athena took pity on the poor woman and let herlive on by transforming her into a spider, weaving her beautiful webs for eternity.

A goddess of many talents, Athena was also the Goddess of Crafts. As an expertartisan herself, she was celebrated as the patron of weavers, potters, goldsmiths,sculptors, musicians, and horsemen. She was credited with the invention of the yoke andthe bridle, the sailing ship, and the flute and trumpet.

Her name remains with us to this day since Athens, Greece, was named in her honor,in appreciation of her gift to them, the olive tree. Athena is recognized as the protectorof cities. One of the most powerful of the goddesses, Athena remains a symbol ofcivilization, useful knowledge, noble reasoning, logic and wisdom. Athena reminds us thatwe can successfully use our intellect and creativity in the pursuit of any goal we choose.

 

Athena’s Symbols

 

General: Sun, golden shield and helmet, spear, spindle, bowl, snake, the Parthenon, the seven auras, Number 7  

Animals:

Owl (wisdom), dove (victory), ram, eagle, tiger, leopard, and other cats  

Plants:

Geranium, tiger lily, oak, cypress, olive tree, Hellebore (Christmas and Lenten roses), citrus trees  

Perfume/Scents:

Patchouli, dragon’s blood, musk, indigo, orange blossom, cinnamon, cedarwood  

Gems and Metals:

 

Onyx, ruby, star sapphire, turquoise, gold, lapis luzuli, and ivory

 

Colors:

 

Gold, orange, yellow, emerald green, royal blue

 

 

The Athena Archetype

Every woman’s personality is actually influenced by numerous different goddesses (traits that exist in her personality, or roles that function in her life). One goddess, however, predominates. It is this goddess, your personal goddess type, that is detailed in this report because she represents the core part of your personality that establishes your identity and most influences how you express it to the outer world. Think of it as your own personal ‘comfort zone’ . . . your personal goddess type represents your basic, in-born core, the way you ‘really’ are. When you are functioning within the boundaries of your goddess type, you feel ‘at home with yourself’. Anxieties will be dissolved, priorities clearer, and you will feel energized, resilient, and capable. If your circumstances are well matched to your goddess type, your normal coping mechanisms will work well, and you will feel a sense of control over your destiny.

Athena Characteristics

Athena’s basic driving force is her need to lead. She has a strong urge to provide structure wherever she is and to harness people to meet distant goals. Athenas tend to plan carefully, but pay much more attention to the broad view (policy, goals, and strategies) rather than the more narrow focus on rules and regulations. She was the goddess most renown for her thinking and places greater emphasis on knowledge and strategy than on her impressions or personal feelings. Whether at home or at work, an Athena is quiet and serious, with incredible tenacity.

Athenas usually have a wide circle of friends, and they are usually friends for life. An Athena is quick to go to bat for her friends, but if one betrays her trust she may be cut out of the Athena’s life forever.

Athena’s reverence for truth and fairness was manifest in her role as judge. When a woman’s Athena archetype predominates, she enjoy the righteousness of their struggles to make sure that justice is upheld and that the weaker members of the community are well-served and protected.

An Athena doesn’t mind having a good argument, and is usually an expert at debate. She quickly senses the weaknesses in others’ thinking and uses it as a weapon. Sometimes she will argue, even when she really agrees with the other person, just for the sake of arguing.

Although outgoing and friendly, Athena may not always be as responsive other’s points of view or their expression of emotions. At times, she may have a tendency to jump to conclusions too quickly and to be a bit impatient with individuals who take too long to develop or present their viewpoint or proposals. She is especially vulnerable to this tendency when she occupies a position of authority. Athena types should make an extra effort to remain open to input from those who are dependent upon them, whether it is their children, their spouse, or their employees.

In keeping with her fame as a warrior, an Athena can be quite heroic for she is not the least fainthearted or squeamish. She can function efficiently and bravely in dangerous situations without being fearful or horrified. She is able to keep her ‘cool’ in the middle of a crisis or emergency situation. Many Athena types are athletic and enjoy the rough-and-tumble of competitive sports, participating as player or fan.

For Athena there must be a good reason for doing something; she is superbly rational. People’s feelings are usually not seen as a sufficient reason to change a course of action. Although she is usually perfectly willing to stick with established methods, she is not rigid in insisting that they be followed (indeed she will quickly abandon them) if they prove not to be working. She especially hates inefficiency, and can become rather impatient when others refuse to correct their performance.

Given these abilities and her superb organizational skills, it is not surprising that many Athena women end up in positions of authority. They make excellent administrators. Their greatest gift is their ability to see where the organization is going (or ought to be going) and to communicate their vision to others. They organize their areas of responsibility into efficient, smooth-running operations. They plan in advance and kept both short-term and long-range goals in mind, preferring that decisions be based on data and well-conceived plans. They expect effectiveness from other personnel and do not find it terribly difficult to dismiss an employee who does not measure up.

Sometimes an Athena’s career rises quickly (even so quickly that she is mystified about how it happened), and she usually finds that she enjoys being ‘the boss’. Athenas are tireless in their devotion to their work, and may neglect other parts of their life for the sake of work. An Athena’s tendency to discount the importance of socializing and personal feelings may lead some co-workers (especially females) to think of her as overly ambitious, cold and unfeeling. An Athena is more bound to the institution than to her colleagues and does not feel particularly obligated to go out of her way to ‘give them a hand up’. Because of the natural ease with which she moved into a position of authority, she assumes that others will find it equally simple if only they will work as hard, or efficiently, as she did.

Unlike other goddesses who are high achievers in the world of work, an Athena is well-suited to the traditional organization which is thought of as ‘male-dominated’. She tends to work well with men in authority, for she tends to think much as they do. Male colleagues are seldom threatened by her competence, which many of them admire. She is often a first-born daughter and a bit of a ‘Daddy’s girl’-one who received his support and approval for her achievements even when those activities weren’t typically considered to be very ‘feminine’. If fortunate, she is able early in her career to find a senior colleague who will play a similar role by serving as her mentor/sponsor. She usually has little difficulty in avoiding romantic entanglements with her male colleagues, since an Athena uniquely able to be a companion or confidante without developing erotic feelings.

An Athena is generally loyal to her place of work (as she is to family and community). Her natural affinity is for the established, the time-honored institutions and their ways. Usually comfortable with efficient routine, she doesn’t hesitate to force change should the right issue arise.

Your Personal Characteristics

Like the Athena that you are, you are extroverted, friendly and sociable. You enjoy being with other people and find that it energizes you, heightening your natural enthusiasm for life and all its possibilities. Exuberant, optimistic, and energetic, you are at your best in a social situation.

The goddess Athena in many ways represented the ideal of the ‘golden mean’, doing everything in moderation. As the
goddess of war, she would throw herself wholeheartedly into the excited fray of battle. But in her many other roles
as a peacekeeper, she seemed quite content to live and work without needing a lot of companionship or excitement in
her life. There is no doubt, however, that she much preferred the busy life of the city to the isolation of the
distant woods. Like Athena, you enjoy being with people, are full of energy, and tend to be enthusiastic. You
genuinely like other people and openly demonstrate your positive feelings toward them. It is easy for you to form
close relationships, and you tend to make friends quickly.

Like other Athenas, you usually find the company of others pleasantly energizing and enjoy the company of others and
the excitement of crowds, needing little privacy and time for yourself.

Like your goddess Athena, you have a rather unconventional soul. Although at times you may seesaw between adhering
to the traditional and the unorthodox, the practical and the idealistic, you are by nature rather independent . .
.imaginative, creative, and somewhat individualistic.

Tolerant and broadminded, you have considerable impact on the people you encounter, even though you seldom may
recognize it. Your tendency to be freedom-loving and somewhat independent leads you to insist upon living your own
life as you see fit, even if that means ignoring convention.

Although you care a reasonable amount about other’s opinions of you and crave love and acceptance as much as anyone
else, you are neither as expressive of your emotions (or as sensitive to those of others) as Athena usually was. You
have an average level of emotionality.

Like Athena, you place a great value on your personal freedom and are somewhat adventurous by nature. At times you
find the routine and limitations of daily life too constraining. Consequently your style may sometimes be rather
‘informal’. At times some of your decisions can be hastily reached and poorly thought through. On the positive side,
you are usually spontaneous and enthusiastic. By nature you are curious and are attracted by anything you see as
special, eccentric or mysterious. You require a considerable amount of variety in your life and enthusiastically
embrace opportunities to travel, to meet new people, and to collect new experiences.

Like Athena, your levels of excitement- and thrill-seeking are average, indicating you have neither a tendency
toward either high or low levels of risk-taking behavior.

Much like Athena, you are moderate (or average) in your preference for the security and stability brought by
conformity to tradition. You aren’t particularly prone to challenging authority, convention or traditional values.
But neither do you demand a safe, predictable routine to feel secure. You are also average in the extent to which
you experience ambiguity, chaos, and disorder as stressful.

Many of the legends of Athena recount stories that demonstrate her conscientiousness, her wisdom, and caution. Highly
conscientious, Athena was able to avoid danger and to achieve success through her purposeful planning and her
persistence. Most Athena women tend to avoid impulsive behavior that would diminish their effectiveness and subject
them to undesirable consequences.

This ability to foresee the likely outcomes of one’s behavior is a hallmark of intelligence. The ability to
contemplate long-range goals, to plan and organize routes to these goals, and a willingness to persist in their
efforts even when they would rather be doing something else, is one of an Athena’s goddess gifts, one that gives you
the ability to successfully undertake projects that require organized effort in sequenced steps or stages.
Consequently, Athena women are often regarded as being intelligent and reliable.

On the negative side, some women of the Athena type can become compulsive perfectionists and workaholics who set high
(sometimes unrealistically high) standards of performance for themselves and others. Furthermore, Athena types are
sometimes so focused on their goals that they find it difficult to relax, not to mention play. Acting spontaneously
and impulsively in play can be fun. Others usually see spontaneous people as colorful, wacky, and fun to be with.
Give yourself permission to act in a carefree and careless manner every once in a while-at least no one will accuse
you of being stuffy or boring.

In her myths Athena is usually depicted as someone who is fairly confident in her ability to accomplish her goals,
someone who believes she has the common sense, the drive, and the self-control to overcome the obstacles in her
path. Your level of confidence in your ability to succeed is high.

You are well organized and like to live according to routines and schedules, your attention keenly focused on what
you have to accomplish. But short of spontaneity, sometimes you may be so bound up in your lists of ‘Things To Do’
that you overlook valuable opportunities to enrich your life.

Athena was widely known for having a strong sense of duty and moral obligation. Like hers, your sense of obligation
is fairly high. You honor your commitments and do not find contracts, rules and regulations overly confining.

Athena usually thought things through carefully before she sprang into action. She was deliberate and cautious when making decisions. Like Athena, you tend to take your time before deciding and seldom do or say the first thing that comes to mind without deliberating your alternatives and their probable consequences. The goddess Athena was seldom impulsive. Your level of impulsiveness is low, like hers. You usually take your time before speaking or making decisions, considering your alternatives and carefully weighing the consequences of your actions. Impulses are not inherently bad; acting on our impulses can be an effective response in situations requiring snap decisions. Additionally, acting spontaneously and impulsively makes play possible. People who are impulsive are often seen as being colorful, exciting, and fun. Nonetheless, excessive impulsivity can lead to trouble – examples include using illicit drugs that eventually destroy one’s health, responding with an insult during an argument leading to the destruction of an important relationship, or excessive socializing that results in being fired from one’s job.

How An Athena’s Mind Works

Your goddess type is largely determined by the neurological hard-wiring you received at birth. It governs the way you think and learn. Unfortunately, most of us have been exposed to a ‘one-size-fits-all’ educational system that fails to take into account that not everyone has the same style of learning. Understanding how you think and learn best can help you be more productive at work or in school.

An Athena thinks in broad terms, is forward-looking, and progressive. They have a natural facility for thinking in symbols and abstractions and may greatly be moved by music and the visual and performing arts as well as the raw beauty of nature. Undisturbed by complexity, ambiguity, or subtlety, they tend to enjoy novelty, variety, and change. They usually have several different “projects” underway at the same time, though you may leave some of them incomplete when they abandon them for newer interests.

Sometimes Athenas form an opinion of a person or situation without much factual knowledge, and their intuition is often correct. It may be hard to explain to others but intangible forces seem just as real to them as anything in the concrete world. They are quick to sense the possibilities in any given situation and are more likely to focus on them that on any of the specific details of “what-actually-is” that others observe. They tend to have restless minds and a thirst for mental stimulation, preferring to see the “big picture” and what it might mean rather than discovering how all the little pieces fit together. This “broad-stroke” approach can become a bit sloppy at times, so in some situations it’s a good idea to have a co-worker one can rely upon to handle any details that require technical precision.

Athena is generally portrayed as being a realistic, practical, and down-to earth type who was also quite imaginative
and inventive. Your quiz reveals that you are also imaginative and creative. Your quiz reveals that you are oriented
both to facts and fantasy. You are also able to use your imagination, and keen sense of what is possible, to create
a richer, more interesting world.

True to your nature as an Athena, you are open-minded to new and unusual ideas and like to play with ideas and
debate intellectual issues. You probably enjoy riddles, puzzles and brainteasers. Like her, your level of ability
and comfort in thinking abstractly is high.

Self-discipline or will power was a prominent feature of the goddess Athena’s personality. Your level of
self-discipline is also high. You are able to overcome any reluctance to begin a task (even a disagreeable one) and
to stay on track despite distractions. You seem to find it easy to persist at difficult or unpleasant tasks, seeing
them through to completion.

An Athena is born with a hunger for knowledge and a burning desire for competence. She wants to be competent and to
understand . . . able to predict, explain, and control her world. Her eye is always focused on finding the way to
gain mastery of her self and her environment, constantly seeking solutions to problems, no matter how complex they
might seem. She is typically involved with projects that call for innovation, creativity, and vision. An Athena
enjoys learning for its own sake. Never satisfied, she is motivated to continually improve, always raising the
standard by which she judges her own success. Typically she is her own worst critic.

Lectures that are logical and evidence-based appeal to most Athena types . . . even more so if they are followed by
assignments requiring relevant, long term or extensive independent papers or projects. Intellectual exploration
through experimentation, analysis, and problem solving are her forte. She collects theories, laws, principles, and
concepts to give structure to her understanding of the world.

Athena At Work

Just as your inborn goddess type impacts the way you think and learn, it also greatly influences your life at work.
When your goddess-given strengths and patterns of behavior have become habitual, certain jobs or careers will be
more ‘natural’ for you. When your job allows you to capitalize on your goddess type, it is interesting and
energizing, almost fun. So if you’re about to enter the job market, use you knowledge of your goddess type as a
guide to selecting an ideal position that is a good match for your goddess type.

None of this means you can’t be happy in other fields. Lots of other factors influence job satisfaction, your boss
and coworkers, the pay, the dress code, for example. Most people manage to adapt, to develop and strengthen their
less developed skills and interests when working in a job, unless other factors introduce too many problems in the
setting.

Finally, if you aren’t satisfied at work or don’t feel you’re very effective, you can use what you learn about your
goddess’ strengths to examine the match between your goddess type and your current job and career.

You, like the goddess Athena, are high in your quest for achievement. Those with a drive to be recognized as
successful often have a strong sense of direction in their lives and strive hard to achieve excellence in their
chosen pursuits. Taken to the extremes, high achievement-seeking may result in an individual who is too
single-minded and obsessed with her work. At the other extreme, is an individual content to get by with only a
minimal amount of work, even if it means being seen by others as lazy. Your level of achievement striving is high.

 

Athena at work tends to be:

 

Analytical, Objective

Goal-directed

Bold

Honest

Competent

Logical

Creative

Organized

Decisive

Outspoken

Demanding

Strong-willed

Efficient

Take-charge

Like Athena, you are usually attracted to what is new and different. The fact that something is unproven isn’t likely to put you off. Simply taking someone else’s good idea and making it work isn’t your style. You’d rather do the creating and leave the mundane chore of working out the details (or following the procedures manual) to someone else. As an Athena your interest dissipates once a task becomes repetitive or routine . . . after all, an Athena prefers a challenge!

You are an innovator in your approach. Your strength lies in the very way you can make intuitive leaps, instinctively sensing what might work best in a given situation. You may sometimes err when success depends on detailed factual data or on accuracy. For you, by nature, are seeing the ‘big picture’, not the little details.

An Athena type is usually well organized and likely to be a bit lost without her list of ‘Things To Do’. Very aware of time, you value punctuality and tend to be very productive, planning your work schedule down to 15-minute time slots to get the most done. With a tendency to be a ‘workaholic’, you’ve probably accumulated more annual leave time than you’re ever likely to use.

You work more effectively when you’re allowed to work on one project at a time, focusing on it clearly and seeing it through to completion. You like for your work environment to be fairly predictable. You probably try to maintain a tidy workspace (or at least have a system that helps you find your ‘stuff’ even if it is all in a pile!) You work better when you have clearly defined goals and systems already worked out.

As an Athena you rarely procrastinate and feel comfortable making decisions fairly quickly. You will be happiest in jobs that give you a lot of control over how you go about getting your work done.

Solitary work is not for an Athena woman. For one thing, you tend to ‘think out loud’ and may actually need to talk to be able to do your best thinking. Brainstorming sessions and committee meetings are often where you have your best ideas. It’s as if a thought forms in your head but becomes ‘fleshed out’ as you discuss it with others.

Your business-like demeanor and professional approach often inspires others to look to you for leadership. You tend to be fairly assertive, matter of fact, and impersonal . . . getting right to the point without a lot of chitchat. As a result some of your coworkers or customers may think you are blunt, or even tactless. Your natural abilities in logical analysis and objective decision making allow you succeed in a competitive environment. You don’t mind working at a rapid pace, moving quickly from one task to another.

 

Athena Women Often Find Careers in These Fields Rewarding:

Administrator

Franchise owner

Attorney

Investment banker

Biomedical engineer

Investment consultant

Business consultant

Judge

Chemical engineer

Labor relations specialist

College teacher

Management consultant

Computer systems analyst

Management trainer

Corporate team trainer

Mortgage broker

Counselor

Network integration specialist

Credit investigator

Office manager

Economic analyst

Personnel manager

Educational consultant

Program designer

Entrepreneur

Psychologist

Environmental engineer

Public relations

Executive

Real estate developer

Financial planner

Sales manager

 

Athena’s Relationships

When we encounter people whose god or goddess type matches our own, people who have similar traits, we are usually attracted to them and often make them a part of our social circle. This is not surprising for they tend to think like you, have similar interests, treat you as you treat others, and are easy for you to communicate with. You feel comfortable and energized when you are with them. When you spend much time with someone of an opposite type, you may feel drained of energy if it becomes a struggle to find common ground. Other types truly see the world through different eyes and approach life from a very different perspective. Depending on the situation in which you find yourselves, you may be able to recognize your differences and essentially ‘agree to disagree’.

Try to learn more and use your understanding about different god and goddess types, remembering that even though they differ, each type has its unique strengths and beauty. After all, it is the incredible diversity that makes life so colorful!

You are freedom-loving, strong-willed, and independent; and you insist upon living your own life as you see fit, even if that means ignoring convention and tradition. In personal relationships you cannot be ‘owned’. While you are willing to share yourself with another, you do not always adjust easily to the emotional give and take of an intimate relationship. Though intellectually open, you can be enormously stubborn, opinionated, and inflexible on a one-to-one level. You have strong convictions and feelings about fairness and equality, and you try to live by your ideals. However, your ideals about how people should treat each another don’t always take into account their human weaknesses, differences, and needs.

Since you rely considerably on your rational judgment, you do not naively trust others to have good intentions and to behave honorably; hence you are unlikely to find yourself being frequently ‘victimized’ by others.

You usually take a friendly, cooperative approach rather than a forceful ‘we-should-do-it-like this’ position.
You’re more likely to use your charm in an understated, non-combative fashion to try to reach your objectives. But
if all else fails (or if the stakes are high or you’ve just been pushed-too-far) you are perfectly capable of being
assertive since your quiz reveals that your assertiveness level is high.

Beware of your tendency to become too impersonal and too intellectual at times. Deep empathy doesn’t come easily for many Athenas. They are more apt to think, analyze, and respond rationally in emotionally charged situations where others are apt to lose their heads. This “coolheadedness” is very useful in situations requiring tough or objective decisions, but it can make it difficult to develop intimacy with others. You may need to learn that logic and reason, valuable as they are, are only part of the story-that the subjective and emotional (sometimes even the irrational) are often equal in importance as the pure “facts” of the matter.

Other people tend to see Athenas as strong and decisive women and are attracted by this quality, seeking to make them leaders, sometimes conferring upon them a responsibility that they may not wish to have. An Athena’s tendency to be so task-oriented that her impatience to reach the goal may unwittingly trample on the feelings of others. On the positive side, an Athena’s levelheaded, logical approach is often exactly what is needed to help others find solutions to their problems. It is important, though, that Athenas be cautious with this power and try to be sensitive to the possibility that what other’s want and need from them may simply be a sympathetic audience and not an actual solution to their problems.

Athena was not one of the goddesses who were well known for being altruistic, always helping others in times of
need. Unlike her, you find helping other people genuinely rewarding and have a strong need to be of service to
others. For you, helping others is a form of self-fulfillment rather than sacrifice. Your level of altruism is high.

Athena was not noted for her agreeableness, her desire to participate in group efforts. Nor did she mind facing
conflict or confrontation. Unlike her, you are very concerned with getting along well with others. You have a
pleasing, agreeable manner that others find appealing. You tend to use tact and charm, rather than strategy, to
accomplish your goals. Rather unlike your personal goddess type Athena, you place great value on cooperation and the
avoidance of conflict and greatly dislike any kind of confrontation. Some of the time you seem perfectly willing to
deny your own needs in order to get along with others. Your ability to tolerate confrontations is average. You are
usually cooperative, but you will not easily abandon your own needs and interests just to avoid a confrontation In
other words, you are not a ‘push-over’.

You are more tenderhearted than your personal goddess type Athena who was seldom strongly affected by the suffering
of others. Unlike her, you sense the pain and neediness of others and are fairly easily moved to compassion.
Strongly affected by human suffering, sometimes you may lose your objectivity and impartiality.

Athena As a Child

What you were like as a child and the messages you received from your parents have undoubtedly influenced your development, for better or worse. Lucky for you if your family enjoyed and encouraged you to develop naturally as the Athena that you are. Chances are you felt good about yourself and got a big head start in developing all your Athena strengths.

Sometimes, however, having ‘too much’ family support can cause a problem. When parents give their little goddess unlimited approval for the traits of her natural goddess type to the exclusion of helping her develop the helpful traits of the other goddesses that exist as potential in her personality, she can grow up too one-sided. Take, for example, the young Artemis who is a natural athlete and fierce competitor. While her parents are busy applauding her for all her trophies and carting her to competitions, they may forget to similarly encourage her to keep up with her assignments and she fails to sufficiently develop her intellectual skills.

Also unfortunate is the girl whose goddess type meets with her parents’ disapproval. Their opposition won’t change her inborn type; it just leaves her feeling bad about herself for being who she is, feeling inauthentic if she tries to conform to their expectations by pretending to be ‘the other girl’ that she sensed they would have preferred, or even making her rebellious.

Naturally curious, a little Athena is constantly seeking information and trying to figure out how things work. Your room was probably full of books, and it’s not at all unusual for an Athena child to learn to read long before her playmates do. It’s a lucky little Athena whose father (or father figure) welcomes her to “his” world, for she’s not usually as intrigued with the stereotypical ‘womanly arts of baking, housekeeping, or even dressing up. Unless it requires her to use her intellect or logic, once she’s mastered the task, she’s no longer interested in it.

As an Athena child you were probably highly energetic and determined. Already concerned with issues of justice the plaintive phrase ‘But that’s not fair!’ could have been coined just for you. Even as a young child you were probably assertive, maybe even so outspoken that you could be intimidating. You were always direct and honest, but could also be very blunt at times. A calm and logical child, you probably did very well in school for you had a strong drive for competence. Hopefully your parents respected your high energy level and supported your constant drive to develop your personal and intellectual competence.

Remember that your parents, like most, probably assumed that you, their child, were pretty much like them. All parents have a different view of the ‘right way’ to rear a child, one that reflects their own god or goddess type.

Athena As a Parent

Armed with your new understanding of how the goddess types work, you will not be surprised to hear that one other factor, the goddess or god-type of your child, will play a big part in how well you will fare in your role as a parent. Bear in mind that, whichever little gods or goddesses reside in your pantheon, the wise goddess avoids trying to reshape them and allows them to grow into their true goddess-given selves with her understanding and support.

Loyal, caring, and involved in the lives of her children, the Athena mother can sometimes be overprotective. Some Athena mothers have been described as ‘hover mothers’, arriving at school with the lunchbox the child left on the table, long before the child has even realized he’s forgotten it!

Athena’s children have little doubt about who is in charge. They know what is expected of them and will be expected to obey. Some Athena mothers can be a bit rigid and demanding or controlling of their children, but rather than making an angry or tearful scene that provokes guilt in the child, the Athena mother is likely to issue a low-key, but firm reprimand which she expects to be followed without hesitation.

The children (and partner) of an Athena may frequently find her ‘absent’, emotionally if not physically. Her job or career often takes precedence to family life. Even if she decides to make ‘quality time’ with her family, her mind and spirit may keep wandering back to the office. An Athena does not find it easy to rest or play.

Athena and Her Mates

Is there one perfect match for your goddess type? Some types may be naturally better suited than others. After all, the more similar two types are, the more they understand each other for the more values and interests they have in common, the easier they can communicate, and the less work they have to do to get along. They may, however, have to make an extra effort to stay interesting to each other.

But what about opposites? Opposites may attract, but too often they don’t manage to stay together. When a person from a very different type comes into a romantic relationship with you, you may find yourself drawn to them because you are intrigued by their difference. (Sometimes this may be a sign that they have a quality or strength you admire that isn’t a part of your goddess type and that you need to develop in your self.) Too soon the magical courtship stage is over and you begin to notice that the differences between you are less appealing, maybe even a source of annoyance and conflict. Perhaps you start seeing signs that there isn’t good chemistry between you, or that you need to pull back and not invest so much of yourself. If you think there is enough positive about the relationship and can thoughtfully examine the differences objectively, you may decide to live with the differences between you. Sometimes, though, the differences are just too great to overcome or do not justify the amount of energy it takes to maintain the relationship. If you choose not to deal with the differences, it is wise to move on and find other mates who are more compatible with your goddess type.

But if you’re already deeply invested in such a relationship, or if you simply like a challenge, much can be gained in a mating of opposites. Rather than unintentionally turning your differences into a source of frustration and dissatisfaction, you can learn to celebrate them. Unfortunately, the tendency is to instinctively follow the path of the Pygmalion archetype. In this legend the sculptor Pygmalion, unable to love any of the women he met, carved a statue . . . a perfect and beautiful image of his ‘ideal woman’. Over the course of his labors he grew madly in love with her, but fell into despair because, as a lifeless statue, she could not love him in return.

Like Pygmalion, we (in ways subtle, and not so subtle) try to make our partners change, to become more like us. Chipping away at our loves and marriages with constant tension, criticism, and complaints, we try to pull our partners out of their own god- or goddess- types. Such efforts are destined to fail. Even if it could be successful, it would extinguish their personality, leaving them as lifeless and cold as a statue. Although Aphrodite took pity on the poor sculptor and brought his statue to life in the legend, we must make our own miracles . . . by understanding our differences and seeing them not as problems but as incredible opportunities to breathe life into our own relationships.

This section will guide you to a general understanding of how your goddess archetype exerts a profound influence on the course of your love life. Perhaps the most important aspect of this report is the recognition that the very same differences that attract a woman and her mate to each other can also be the cause of most of the conflict between them, and that it is how these differences are handled that really matters.

Casual, superficial relationships don’t interest an Athena at all. You are cautious and serious about love and really desire a deep, genuine, lasting love. You are old-fashioned about courtship and love, and will remain faithful to your loved one in good times and in bad.

In love, an Athena is most interested in a person’s sense of humor and intelligence. She likes a partner who is mentally lively and who keeps her guessing a little bit for she becomes restless and bored with someone who never asks questions, never changes or surprises her. Talking, sharing ideas, going places together, and learning new things together are very important to her happiness. She needs lots of social stimulation and likes to have many friends of both sexes. A possessive, jealous partner is very stifling for her.

As a mate, Athena is usually an excellent companion . . . an independent type, helpful and interesting but never clinging and seldom critical or nagging. At the very worst, she might seem too emotionally distant… after all has so many fish to fry! Athena’s commitment is lifelong. Loyal and faithful, she takes her wifely responsibilities seriously. Duty is her motto, so understandably she is a steady, dependable partner.

The successful type who can attract an Athena’s romantic attention usually has a good position at work and an adequate income. Conflict can occur if her mate is threatened by her financial independence or success, especially if there is an expectation that she sacrifice her career to become a housewife. The home of an Athena woman is usually a pleasant place for she has a way of promoting harmony. Fortunately, this couple seldom has to manage on a ‘shoestring’ since the Athena woman expects her home to be attractive, well-organized, and in good repair and meals served punctually. Much of this is accomplished through the execution of well-organized routines. The employment of a housekeeper, if at all possible, is ideal lest the competent Athena exhaust her self attempting to manage all her various roles while adhering to her usual high standards.

Athenas love tradition and take particular delight in festive occasions, especially if there is ritual involved. She can be counted on to create new family traditions as well as adhere to the ones she inherited.

With a strong need to be in charge and to have her home organized, an Athena partner can be rather overwhelming. Although she likes to confront problems immediately so that they can be resolved and allow her to move on, she tends to be impatient and unwilling to take the time to listen patiently and give her partner the chance to fully express a viewpoint. In addition, many Athenas are uncomfortable dealing with emotions so they may dismiss their partner’s feelings when they do not seem to her to be logical.

For the Athena woman to feel successful, it is important for her to reach her overarching goal of creating a harmonious family system that supports a devoted and companionable relationship with her mate and provides a setting where her children can be raised to be healthy and productive.

Visit the reference section at www.goddessgift.com to find valuable resources that will help you ‘love the one you’re with’, getting past the ancient conflicts and behavior patterns that have the power to destroy relationships. Learn to appreciate, even honor, each other’s complementary, but differing, ways of being. By developing insight into the ways the god and goddess archetypes interact, you can learn how to make your differences complement one another as intensely as they might otherwise clash.

Athena Under Stress

Your goddess type impacts every aspect of your life, including your health and sense of well-being. In fact, recent research suggests a direct link between personality and illness. Your goddess type represents the orderly arrangement of your personality that helps you deal with life. If your life is highly compatible with your goddess type, all is well. If, however, your circumstances force you to function largely outside your personal type, you will view your life from a negative perspective and experience stress and emotional discomfort. Our thoughts and emotions are deeply intertwined. Negative thoughts provoke negative feelings that rob the body of the energy it needs to remain in healthy balance, leaving us susceptible to illness.

Consider this example: Amy’s goddess type is one that finds it very difficult to say ‘no’ to anyone. Consequently, she is always trying to do too much and is frequently behind schedule. Missing deadlines and being late for appointments causes her to feel guilty, so every time she is late creates additional stress for her. That stress results in a negative chemical reaction in her body, which, if continued over a long period of time, can ‘wear down’ her body’s natural defenses, leaving her accident prone and vulnerable to infections and a number of other stress-related illnesses.

Another body of fascinating research suggests that each personality type is linked to its own specific areas of vulnerability, or ‘weak sites’, within the body . . . an Achilles’ heel, so to speak. It is thought that these particular areas may be more sensitive to stress-related chemical imbalance.

This section will help you identify:

• Typical ways your type functions under stress

• Characteristic negative thoughts (fears and anxieties) that produce stress

• Vulnerable areas of the body and major health issues for your goddess type

• Behavior patterns that may put you ‘at risk of developing a specific health problem

For an Athena, the search for perfection is a major source of stress. As an Athena you tend to work hard, continually pushing yourself, often to the point of exhaustion. Consequently your health behaviors may be less than adequate – skipping meals, ignoring the need to stretch or empty your bladder, finding it hard to fall asleep with so many thoughts in your head. You probably even find it difficult to relax when you’re on vacation!

Constantly pushing yourself and others for improvement, and having a deep inner fear of failure, an Athena’s life can become very stressful. Her preference for innovative solutions predisposes an Athena to becoming bored and eager to move on to something ‘more challenging. Combined with your tendency to underestimate the time needed for a project, you are apt to find yourself overextended and sometimes behind schedule. With her ability to focus intensely on one thing, her tendency to overwork and inability to relax, an Athena woman under stress can become extremely judgmental and critical of herself and others.

Being quick-witted and tough-minded, an Athena tends to ‘bulldoze’ her way through to a solution, often without slowing down to take the thoughts and feelings of others into account. Unfortunately, when obstacles to her goals arise her response is often overly argumentative. With her attention keenly focused on how a decision will affect the final result, casual conversations appear to her as frivolous ‘small talk’, and others can feel ‘pushed’ or even disregarded.

An Athena finds it very stressful to deal with people she feels are being over-emotional or illogical, anyone who questions her integrity (or otherwise suggests she does something unethical), or any situation that pushes her to make a decision before she’s had time to fully analyze the options. You frequently find yourself caught in a conflict between your heart and your head.

When an Athena senses she is losing control, her need for resolution of the problem increases. If the stress is not resolved, she may start to compulsively seek solutions. Feeling thwarted, she may also resort to redirecting her attention to other, simpler but less meaningful, tasks (such as suddenly starting a major housecleaning when she’s making little progress on a term paper due the next day). Since the feeling of incompetence is intolerable for an Athena, this sort of behavior can be temporarily helpful in reducing her anxiety. But it is basically self-defeating for it does little to fulfill her basic drive for achievement and competence.

Situations involving the possibility that you might face criticism, intimidation, a loss of autonomy, or appear incompetent are very stressful for you. When operating under high levels of stress, an Athena woman’s self-confidence may suddenly abandon her, leaving her feeling full of self-doubt.

Your typical reaction when stressed is to become ‘nit-picky’ and even indignant. At times, an Athena may change her behavior abruptly, becoming very aggressive and openly hostile, surprising those who are frustrating her. Your natural inclination is to withdraw into yourself. Those close to you may find it hard to understand that you need to do this to restore your sense of balance.

The most vulnerable areas of an Athena’s body include her central nervous system, digestive system, immune system, and musculoskeletal system, especially her midback (thoracic spine). Muscular tension, skin disorders, allergies, autoimmune diseases, liver disorders, indigestion, ulcers, tendonitis, and headaches are potential health issues of special concern.

Situations most likely to trigger an Athena’s level of stress are those that evoke:

• fear of being rejected or criticized

• fear of failure

• frustration at feeling restricted, controlled or otherwise manipulated

• feeling entrapped in a relationship that is emotionally complex or ‘needy’.

Major stressors that arise in the lives of an Athena are often related to her:

• tendency to expect perfection from herself and others

• attempts to resist regulations and control over her behavior, which she experiences as a loss of freedom, and

• tendency to be single-minded and focused, living little time or energy for relaxation or other people.

Athena’s Personal Goddess Path

While your goddess type is the strongest, most developed, preferred, and ‘natural’ to you, you potentially have aspects (or traits) of all the goddesses in your personality. They are willing to come to your rescue if needed. As your life unfolds over time, you will be presented with different challenges that are not in your goddess’ ‘area of expertise’, challenges that another goddess would be better equipped to handle. You can recognize when this occurs because you may feel drained of energy, ‘mentally fuzzy’, and less sure of your ability to cope. Your life may feel out of control, or you may even have a strong sense of being ‘numbed’ or detached from what is going on around you. Here is where those other goddesses can come to your rescue.

Athena’s Allies

Psyche and Aphrodite are your allies. Already present in your personality, they can be called into play to help you adapt and grow. Which goddess is active at any given time depends on a combination of factors that interact-how many (and which) goddesses are in your repertoire and your predisposition to use them. The situation you find yourself coping with and the roles it calls forth in you, even your hormones, and your stage of life are also important factors.

Think of your life as an improvisational play with several actresses in the cast, each with a different role. One actress (your personal goddess type) will play the lead and be on-stage most of the time since she is your strongest, most experienced performer. However, the others will be called on-stage occasionally when the play takes a direction that calls for their ‘special’ skills or attributes.

You can also activate a goddess archetype intentionally, by consciously focusing on her (through study, meditations, rituals) or by ‘doing’ those activities with which she is associated, such as taking a college course to ‘activate’ the logical Athena. All you need do is honor her and consciously invite her presence – a process called ‘invoking’ a goddess. This section identifies the other goddesses in your makeup and some of the ways you can summon, or invoke, these goddesses in your life-to solicit their aid during times of crisis or to strengthen their impact and increase your psychological flexibility.

Without meaning to, when they are so task-focused that they don’t slow down to consider how other people feel about an issue or a decision, Athenas sometimes act insensitively, failing to notice the emotional impact they have on others. Since an Athena is extraordinarily strong-willed and focused on problem solving, she can be quite intimidating. Once Psyche’s presence is invoked, an Athena develops more patience in dealing with the feelings of others and can find it easier to improve communication and develop genuine intimacy.

Like you, your ally Aphrodite is high-energy, friendly, active and sociable. She enjoys a busy lifestyle. But she can offer an Athena help in learning to become more spontaneous and playful and give her the motivation to live a bit more in the present moment and to take the time to enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

To develop a healthy balance you need to integrate characteristics of each of the goddesses into your life. By so doing, you can recognize needs you’ve left unfulfilled. Then by attending to those needs, you can become happier and more self-confident. Visit the website again (www.goddessgift.com) to learn more about the different goddesses and to learn specific ways to strengthen their presence in your life.

Recognizing Your ‘Missing Goddess’

Just as your goddess type is dominant in your makeup, there is also one specific goddess that will be the weakest in you. Persephone is your missing goddess. Recognizing this goddess, and honoring her presence, is critical to your well-being because, if she remains neglected, she is apt to appear at the most unexpected time to create havoc in your life.

Most of us have witnessed, at one time or another, an acquaintance who, in the face of some seemingly trivial irritation, explodes into a tirade, ready to ‘take the skin off’ the offender. Normally a sweet-natured, compliant and somewhat self-effacing type, she pays for ignoring her missing goddess (in this case one who is more demanding or judgmental than her own goddess type). Had she acknowledged these needs within herself and developed a few simple assertiveness skills, she would have been spared this embarrassment.

You’ve probably encountered the motif of the ‘uninvited guest’ that appears in many fairy tales and legends. Usually the story begins with a celebration to which everyone in the kingdom is invited, everyone that is except for one certain person (often a witch or a troll who is disliked because they seem ugly or evil). This uninvited guest, understandably miffed at having been excluded, invariably shows up anyway and places a terrible curse on the hosts, the infant who is being christened, or even on the entire kingdom! The terms ‘uninvited guest’ or ‘missing goddess’ refer to the neglected or rejected side of our selves we’ve forced out of our conscious awareness. In Jungian psychology, these disowned aspects of the self, forced to reside in the darkness of the unconscious mind, are called the ‘shadow’. It is the part of our self that we feel least comfortable with and have rejected as not being a part of ‘who we really are’.

An Athena can easily become a tyrannical ‘control freak’, needing to control her relationships and her environment. Persephone can help you to become, like her, more of a ‘free-spirit’, allowing you to more graciously accept your dependence on others and turn you towards strengthening your self while resisting the impulse to control others.

Approaching the Triple Goddess

Before the Titans and the Olympians (the gods and goddesses with their very human-like traits and personalities) appeared in Greek mythology, and long before the 5,000 year reign of male deities, people recognized a Triple Goddess who symbolized the three faces of the original Great Goddess. Often depicted in association with the changing phases of the moon, the Triple Goddess moves between her many roles with the changing seasons of her life. In Greek mythology her three faces are described as the:

Maiden/Virgin            Skilled,self-defining, achieving, and focused

Mother/Matriarch       Relationship-oriented,nurturing, loving, generous

Wisewoman/Crone     Contemplative,spiritual, compassionate, able to                                      laugh,an agent of transformative change in society

In Native American mythology the Triple Goddess was represented by the benevolent Changing Woman who could change back and forth from an infant to a young or old woman at will. She reminds us that a full life is rooted in our own nature as well as the seasons of our particular stage of life. Although recent social changes such as our ability to control the timing of childbearing have loosened the ties of the various stages to a woman’s chronological age, it is still common for most women to develop psychologically following this age-old sequence.

The major developmental task of the young woman, in her maiden stage, typically is to claim and embrace her own personal goddess and to fully develop and strengthen the character of her personal goddess type. Having done so, at mid-life (the phase of the mother/matron), her personal growth is enhanced by nurturing the presence and the strengths of the other goddesses who have remained less developed in her personality. With her primary goddess now strong and experienced, she can now afford to attend to the areas of her life she has heretofore neglected. And in the third phase of her life, generally occurring when she is postmenopausal, she reaches the stage of the wisewoman or crone. Her task at this stage is to pull back some from the more external and active involvement of her earlier years, to integrate all that she has learned, and to draw inward, finding her own voice and purpose. She emerges more spontaneous and less restrained by convention, more contemplative, more compassionate and self-accepting. She can be quite outspoken, in touch with her anger on behalf of herself and others. She is fully capable of forcing social changes that are needed. Using the wisdom she has gained, she now is able to weave her unique perspective into a tapestry that is a full expression of the sacred feminine.

Ways to Grow

As an Athena it is likely that you have developed the side of you which is independent and goal-focused and in line with patriarchal values (at some sacrifice of the more tender, nurturing qualities that are considered to be ‘traditionally feminine’ traits.) Your journey toward completeness will center on the need to develop your potential for emotional awareness and relationship orientation.

Other Recommendations:

• You are unusually able to accurately sense other people’s needs. Sometimes your “giftedness” in this area can be overwhelming to others. So, rather than jumping right in to help them solve their problems, it is often better to ask them what they really want first. Express your desire to help, communicate how you think you could help, but be willing to accept a “No Thanks”. They may just want a sympathetic audience, not someone to “fix” the problem.

• Given your ambition and desire for self-development, you can drive yourself and others to exhaustion in your relentless pursuit of your goals. Be sure to take rest periods in which you refresh and reconnect with yourself more deeply. Sometimes taking a few deep breaths is all it takes to recharge your batteries and improve your outlook on life.

• Desiring to be admired by others, some Athena women adapt themselves so much to the expectations of others that they lose touch with what they are really feeling in a situation. It is important that you resist being a “people pleaser” at the expense of discovering your own core beliefs and values.

• You have much to teach others and are probably a good teacher, but you may expect too much of others. Some will agree with you in theory, but for various reasons (perhaps they’re not as self-disciplined as you) do not find it easy to change right away. Your words and your example probably do more good than you realize, but you need to be patient with those who do not move as quickly as you.

• Learn to relax, taking some time for yourself. Saving the world does not depend on you alone, even though you may often feel that it does.

• Remember that your true power lies in your ability to uplift and inspire people, not in asserting your will upon them. You are at your best when you are taking charge and helping everyone through a crisis, and you will do more to win the loyalty and devotion of others by showing the size of your heart than you ever can by wielding raw power.

• Athenas occasionally find it difficult to yield to others. Learn to evaluate the situation you find yourself in. Frequently there will be  very little at stake, and you can allow others to have their way without sacrificing your need to stay in control.

• It is likely that many people in your life really care about you and admire you, but you may not always make this easy for them since you may often feel that the entire world is against you. Try to accept affection more readily by taking stock of your allies and letting them know that you appreciate them.

• Getting in touch with her own feelings is not always an easy thing for an Athena, because she tends to spend so much time “in her head”. It is important for you to be aware of your feelings, especially any that you may find uncomfortable, including sexual and aggressive ones. You might find it helpful to keep a journal. Or group work might be beneficial since it can both to help develop your emotional side and learn that others will not think less of you for having needs and limitations like the rest of the human race.

• Athena women pride themselves on their independence and self-reliance. But in truth, no one is truly independent. Acknowledge that you, like everyone else, must depend on others. Use your strong capacity for leadership to develop cooperative relationships, at home and at work, and learn to let others “share their part of the load”.

Closing the Circle: Finding Completion on the Goddess Path

Even before the appearance of the Triple Goddess, humankind recognized the existence of a ‘Oneness’, a creator, a ‘giver of life’, a spiritual presence who was complete, in and of herself. She was known by many names, among them the Great Goddess, Ishtar, Gaia (Mother Earth). All powerful, she was life energy itself, and a goddess unafraid to venture into the underworld, the symbol for the soul. She reminds us that we must ground ourselves in the reality of our nature and incorporate all sides of ourselves, whether they be light and pleasant or dark and wrathful. She demanded that we connect to the inner wisdom inside our selves and that we manifest that wisdom in the world.

A Final Note

Although in contemporary times we are more likely to speak of mental health, self-actualization, or even spiritual enlightenment, the quest remains the same – growth that leads to personal authenticity. Recognizing and nurturing your goddesses within is a good beginning. As you continue on the goddess path in your quest for a meaningful life, we at Goddessgift wish you good luck and . . . well, Goddess-speed!

We wish to gratefully acknowledge the contribution of Dr. John A. Johnson for allowing the use of comments he authored concerning the description of personality traits measured by the IPIP items contained in the goddess quiz, and to Steven E. Brenner who authored the original IPIP analysis program on which our program is based..