Shield of Wisdom: A Devotional for Athena and Minerva

By Rebecca Buchanan, Amanda Artemisia Forrester, Jason Ross Inczauskis and 5 more

Wisdom. Weaving. Warfare.

Known to the Greeks as Athena, and to the Romans as Minerva, she leapt fully grown from the skull of the Lord of Thunder. Frighteningly intelligent, quick-witted and fiercely loyal, she is a Goddess who watches over heroes, warriors, and artisans alike. A Goddess of the mind, she admires and rewards cleverness and creativity. And, while she inspires intense devotion in ancient and modern polytheists, she also inspires passionate debate. Is she a friend to women, or does she always favor the father? When she transformed Medusa into a gorgon and Arachne into a spider, was she motivated by compassion or something else? And what of her relationships with her fellow Deities, such as Hephaistos, Ares, and Aphrodite? Are they adversarial, antithetical, or complementary?

Within these pages, you will find poems of praise and rites in her honor. You will also find essays and personal reflections that question the Goddess, that challenge her, that analyze the myths around her and what they mean to us, and what they reveal about the Goddess herself. All of these are offered to her with an open heart, and a sincere questioning mind — which we hope she will find as pleasing as any reverent hymn. 

All hail Athena, Keen-Eyed and Ever-Curious.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bibliotheca Alexandrina
• Release date: Nov 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201844899

Book preview

Athene by K.S. Roy

Dedication

Dearest Goddess Athena,

Ever present in our lives,

Delight of our minds and hearts,

Insightful maiden, guiding us with Your boundless wisdom,

Crafty and creative champion of civilization,

Awe-inspiring warrior,

Terror of the unjust,

Innovative strategist unequaled in battle,

Overwhelming in Your glory,

Numinous benefactor of the most glorious Heroes,

True paragon of Justice and Virtue,

Owl-eyed keeper of art and knowledge,

Armored in steadfast courage,

Temperate lady, abstaining from all vice,

Heavenly in mind and beauty,

Eternal, incorruptible maiden,

Nearer to our hearts than the blood within,

Accept these, our humble offerings, and our love.

Acknowledgments

I would like to acknowledge the assistance of all who have helped to make this book a reality. I could not possibly name everyone individually.

First, I would like to thank all of the generous individuals who have contributed their writings and artwork to this book. Without you, this book wouldn’t have been possible.

Second, I would like to thank the editorial board of Bibliotheca Alexandrina, who have been immensely patient and helpful.

Third, I would like to thank the members of Neos Alexandria for their interest and support of this project. I apologize for the delays that have beset this project, and I appreciate the patience you have all shown.

Finally, and most importantly, I would like to thank Athena Herself. Without Her, there would have been no need for this book at all.

Jason Ross Inczauskis

Table of Contents

Athene by K.S. Roy

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Table of Contents

Introduction: Athena, Goddess of Many Things

by Jason Ross Inczauskis

Introduction: My Winding Journey with Athena

by Amanda Artemisia Forrester

Personal Daily Prayer

by Odysseus G. Osborne

Hail Athena

by Grey Weiss-Markward

Orphic Hymn 32 (To Pallas Athene)

by Zachariah Shipman

Minerva by Hendrick Goltzius

The Many Faces of Athena

by Heaven Marie Walker

To Athena

by Héctor Lugo-Gonzalez

Daughter

by Eileen Rosensteel

To Athena

by Ariadni Rainbird

Re-Imagining Athena

by Heather Kohser

Athena In America: A Poem in Two Parts

by Grant

Nine Virtues: Prayer to Athena

by Rev. Amber Doty

Offerings to Athena

by Literata

Goddess of Bright Mind

by Amanda Artemisia Forrester

Athena’s Relationships with Other Gods and Goddesses

by Chelsea Luellon Bolton

Parallels

by Rachel Iriswings

Athena by Lykeia

Guide Me

by Rev. Amber Doty

The Story Behind the Face Upon the Shield

by Merit Brokaw

Hail to Athena

by Amanda Artemisia Forrester

Bright-Eyed Athene, Most Noble and Serene

by Chelsea Luellon Bolton

Athena’s Charge

by Viannah E. Duncan

Awaken Wise Weaver

by Chrystal Lynne

Athena Altar by Devon Power

Spinnerets

by Fern G. Z. Carr

Athena and Breaking Gender Boundaries

by Literata

Athena of the Flashing Eyes

by Amanda Artemisia Forrester

Athena and the Heart of Truth

by Edward P. Butler

Prayer to the Capitoline Triad

by Grey Weiss-Markward

Minerva Capta

by P. Sufenas Virius Lupus

Of Dragon’s Blood, Cinnamon, and Lavender, I Sing

by Amanda Lee Morris

Lady of the Battlefield

by Amanda Artemisia Forrester

Streetside Prayer

by Jennifer Lawrence

Goddess Athena the Olympian at Olympus

Hymn I

by Jen McConnel

Hymn II

by Jen McConnel

Guide & Guardian

by Rev. Amber Doty

A Weekly Greco-Egyptian Ritual of Adoration for Athena

by Amanda Artemisia Forrester

Athena of the Heroes

by P. Sufenas Virius Lupus

Hard Lessons

by Jennifer Lawrence

War on a Blood-Soaked Field

by Jason Ross Inczauskis

Another War? A Prayer Born of Frustration

by Amanda Artemisia Forrester

Athena by Ariadni Rainbird

A Ritual of Freedom Dedicated to Athena

by Heaven Marie Walker

To Athena on Panathenaia

by Rev. Amber Doty

Finding Athena

by Jennifer Lawrence

Let Me Be Yours

by Jason Ross Inczauskis

Arakhne and Athena

by Amanda Artemisia Forrester

Arachne’s Prayer

by Jen McConnel

Visitation

by Jennifer Lawrence

Minerva Britannia: Some Syncretisms of Minerva in Roman Britain

by P. Sufenas Virius Lupus

Minerva Medica

by Grey Weiss-Markward

A Song of Courage

by L. E. White

Athena by Sara Croft

Hymn to Athena

by Lykeia

Travels with Athena: How to Build a Portable Shrine for the Goddess of Crafts

by Rebecca Buchanan

To Athena

by Galina Krasskova

The Snake Goddess Reborn

by Harita Meenee

Glaucus

by Jennifer Lawrence

Deconstructing  Arachne

by Ashley Horn

Prayer to Athena for Tolerance, for Pagan Day of Remembrance

by Ariadni Rainbird

Athena Soteira: An Acrostic

by Jason Ross Inczauskis

The Wrath of a Goddess

by Frances Billinghurst

Minerva and the Bell-Ringers

Hymn to Athena

by Zachariah Shipman

Athena of Farmers

by Amanda Artemisia Forrester

Athens of the South

by Sunweaver

Pallas Athena by Parmigianino

More Than Enough

by Jennifer Lawrence

Thrice-Born Athena

by Barbara Ardinger, Ph.D.

The Lament of Odysseus

by Jason Ross Inczauskis

Minerva by Jacques Louis Dubois

Athena, Defender of Cities

by Suz Thackston

Not a Mother, But the Mentor

by Grant

Owl Revealed

by Eileen Rosensteel

Athena Altar by Devon Power

Athena’s Favorite Citizen: Hadrian, Athens, and the Cultus of Athena

by P. Sufenas Virius Lupus

You Stand Strong

by Amanda Artemisia Forrester

Goddess of Compassion by D.L. Wood

Ritual to Athena

by Chelsea Luellon Bolton

At the Feet of the Goddess

by Jen McConnel

The Many Faces of Athena: Warrior, Artisan, Guardian

by Amanda Artemisia Forrester

Athena, Lost Then Found

by Christa A. Bergerson

Athene’s Grace

by Merit Brokaw

Daughter of Zeus

by Jason Ross Inczauskis

Appendix A: Festivals of the Goddess Athena

compiled by Chelsea Luellon Bolton

Appendix B: Epithets of Athena and Minerva

compiled by Chelsea Luellon Bolton

Appendix C: House Shrines, Symbols, and Offerings to Athena

compiled by Chelsea Luellon Bolton

Appendix D: Our Contributors

Appendix E: About Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Introduction:

Athena, Goddess of Many Things

by Jason Ross Inczauskis

The Earth and Heavens shake, booming with the suffering roar of Loud-Thundering Zeus. The Cloud-Gatherer’s head threatens to rupture of its own accord, His pain echoing for all to hear. Fearing a prophecy, the Sovereign of the Deathless Gods had swallowed Wise Metis, lest a son born to Her be the source of His own downfall. For this folly, the Great Father now suffers a fate known previously to womankind alone — the agony of childbirth. With a gilded axe, the Fiery and Skilled Hephaistos leaps to His aid, cleaving the offending skull. A new roar echoes through the Heavens, the battle cry reverberating throughout the firmament. The other Olympians gaze in wonder as the Owl-Eyed Goddess, clad in gleaming armor with a keen-edged spear and stalwart shield in Her hands, steps out of Her Father’s head and into their unending lives, changing Olympos forever.

This tale is well known.

Athena, counted among the twelve Olympian Gods, is a Goddess of many attributes. Widely worshiped in ancient Greece, the heart of her cult was located in the city that bore her name. Myth tells us that Athena won Athens from Poseidon in a contest to be its greatest benefactor. With a great shaking of the Earth, the ground cracked open where Poseidon’s trident struck, bringing forth a great spring of saltwater. Athena responded with the gift of the first olive tree, and though Poseidon was angered at his loss, the citizens of Athens embraced their chosen Goddess with all their hearts.

Seen always as a source of wisdom, She is shown in myth to outwit God, mortal, and monster alike, and Her prudence is praised in the works of both Homer and Orpheus. To heroes, She appears often in the form of a friend or acquaintance to grant the guidance that they require. Even Mighty Zeus looks to Her for counsel. 

As the Goddess of Civilization, She watches over the cities of humanity and teaches them useful arts and crafts. She is credited with many inventions, including the flute, the plow, and the bridle. Her mastery of the crafts practiced predominantly by women, especially weaving, was legendary. She is a champion of law and justice, treasuring such prudence over the emotional wrath of the mob.

The arts of war are no less Her domain than the arts of the civilization, however. Her strategic mind and skill in battle are celebrated in the hymns of Orpheus and Homer, and She plays major roles in the War of the Gigantes and the Trojan War. Myth depicts her glorious defeat of the Gigantes Enkelados and Pallas, and even Mighty Warlike Ares is depicted falling in battle against her.

Heroes seeking to forge legends of their own can ask for no greater patron, as She has been known to stand beside such legendary figures as Herakles and Perseus, giving advice, equipment, and even direct aid. Clever-minded Odysseus was among Her favorites, which She demonstrated by aiding him during the Trojan War and throughout his long journey home. Even Her punishments are inscrutable as, depending on the source, they can be interpreted as petty vengeance or kindly mercy. Examples of this include the transformation of Medusa from a beautiful woman into a terrifying monster and Arachne into the eternally spinning spider.

To this day, Athena — and Minerva, the Roman deity considered by some to be the same Goddess seen through another culture’s lens — is a potent symbol even to those who do not believe in Her. She is depicted on the state seal of California, and Her presence graces numerous institutes of higher learning worldwide.

This book has been written by many talented contributors in honor of our beloved Goddess Athena. Each of these works reflects the thoughts and feelings of the individual contributor, and you will find that their perspectives and experiences vary greatly. Some of them will use different spellings for Her name, others may call Her by a different name entirely. Some of them actively worship the Goddess, while others may merely respect Her or what She represents to them. Those who now read this book will of course have their own reasons for doing so. Whatever they are, I sincerely hope that you will find works within that will delight your mind and inspire fresh thoughts and new perspectives.

Introduction:

My Winding Journey with Athena

by Amanda Artemisia Forrester

This devotional is being published at an interesting time for me. I am at a crossroads in my relationship not only with the Goddess, but in my entire spiritual life in general. There was a time when Athena meant literally everything to me. She was my first Deity, the Goddess I worshiped in my heart before I realized what I was doing, what that meant, before I had any inkling that there were others like me, before I knew with my mind what I already knew with my heart and soul – that the old Gods are alive, that They are real, and They work in our lives.

I think I have always been a Pagan. I was raised Christian, but from a young age I would sometimes feel or sense a Godly Presence surrounding me, loving me, protecting me, especially during my dark moments (and without getting into detail, I had a lot of dark moments in my childhood). I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that this Presence was female. My mother told me it was a guardian angel. But somehow, that didn’t feel like the right description at all. I knew, somehow, knew, deep in my bones, my soul, that it felt much more powerful, that ‘angel’ just wasn’t the right word, but I lacked the vocabulary to articulate my experience and the wisdom to truly understand.

It was a few more years before I read the Greek myths and was finally able to put a name to the Presence that my mother called my guardian angel. My soul just sang when I heard Her name. Athena.

It wasn't until I was a teenager that I embarked on the journey of actual worship and so began to know Her personally, but Athena has literally been with me my entire life.

Which is why I have felt the few periods of Her absence as excruciatingly painful. She was my polestar, my one constant in a frequently shifting spiritual landscape. She was always there.

When Isis came into my life at around age twenty-four and forced me to reconsider if I was purely a Hellenic Polytheist or not, I looked for what the Greeks in Egypt wrote, and found comfort when they found their beloved Athena along the sandy shores of the Nile, too — veiled in the name and guise of the Kemetic Goddess Neith. Throughout all incarnations of my much-evolving spirituality, some version of my Goddess was always there.

Four years ago, my life began to change again, almost against my will. I was snatched up by another God, a half-crazed wildman from the North whom some call Odinn, and with Whom at first I wanted nothing to do. But the Allfather was persuasive, and, well …. Now I read runes professionally. Without asking, Odinn has completely taken over my spiritual life. To say my entire spiritual working system has undergone a complete overhaul is an understatement.

I used to consider myself Athena's priestess, and, in fact, from 2009-2012, I ran a Greco-Egyptian Temple of Athena the Savior out of my home. Much of my poetry submitted to this volume was written during this time. But I no longer feel as if I have the right to call myself by that title, and not just because the Temple is now defunct, thanks to living like a nomad for too long.

For a few years, I lost my faith. I doubted the existence of any of the Gods, and I stopped practicing entirely. I now recognize that the family member I was living with at the time (who I am no longer in contact with) was a toxic influence, mired in the worst of spiritual miasma, the sort that comes from the willful choice to do evil, what the Romans called nefas. Most miasma is the spiritual equivalent of dirt — just the byproduct of living, and must be cleansed in much the same way that we cleanse our bodies by taking showers and washing our hands. Normal miasma is easy to cleanse, and not a big deal. Nefas is an entirely different story. It is dark, it is highly contagious, and it cuts us off from the Gods. For two years, I couldn't feel a thing, despite my prayers and offerings. After a while, I became bitter and depressed and stopped practicing entirely.

It's taken some time, but I was able to repair my relationships with most of my Gods after my dark night of the soul. Athena, however, was different. We never quite got back to where we were before. I sometimes wonder if She took personal offense to my doubting Her existence, when we had been so close. But for whatever reason, She never quite came back in full force. Maybe Her lessons with me are just done, although that is hard for me to accept. I don't want it to be true.

So, here I am. At another spiritual crossroads in my life. And yet again, Athena has taken a step back. This has happened before, as She stepped back and allowed another God to come to the fore for a time to serve as teacher. This happened a lot with Dionysos, there was a dance between them, where one would become large in my life while the other withdrew, and then They would switch places and She became prominent once more. But this time feels different, although I can't say for sure why.

For some reason, this feels more like She is retreating into the background for good, and that frightens me. I have been wrong before, but this thing with Odinn feels lifelong. It feels like I am His. And if I am His, can I also be Athena's?

These are all questions I do not have the answer to at this moment. And perhaps this is too much navel-gazing for you, in which case I apologize. I guess I felt it important to put a context on what I am submitting, since many of the poems I include name me as Athena's priestess, but I no longer feel I deserve that title. I don't call myself a priestess of Odinn, either, because I don't think I've earned that one yet. Instead I've settled on Polytheist Mystic for now, as that seems most accurate.

But whatever I am, Whomever I belong to, I knew that I had to work on this devotional, as it is the fulfillment of an Oath I took to the Owl-Eyed Lady long ago.

So, let us hail Her in all Her names and guises, Athena, Minerva, by whichever Holy Name You prefer, we dedicate this book to you. May my Oath be now fulfilled.

Personal Daily Prayer

by Odysseus G. Osborne

Hail to thee, Great Athena!

Friend and Master!

May the blessings

Of all heaven

And all earth

Be at thy feet!

May Victory

Forever be in thy right hand,

May Happiness

Be thy handmaiden.

May the planets turn for you.

May the stars shine for you.

May the bumblebees buzz their wings for you,

And the flowers glow.

May all good things embrace you with gentle adoration.

Hail Athena

by Grey Weiss-Markward

Hail to you, who is sharper than a razor, Architect of Man’s Designs, you who is the lightning in the thunderous mind of Zeus.

Hail to you, soaked in blood. She of the Cold Lance and Lethal Precision. I beseech you, slay every monster within my heart so I may shine clear.

Hail to you, Weaver of Yarn and Innovation, She Who is the Soul of the City and State, you make men of beasts and heroes of men.

Hail to you, Spear of the Gods and beloved among men, who gave the olive tree to man and the inventions of its use.

Relentless, chaste, bright-flashing, cunning, far-seeing, Brazen Daughter of Zeus, may there always be peace between us.

Orphic Hymn 32 (To Pallas Athene)

by Zachariah Shipman

(Translation inspired by Thomas Taylor)

Only child among the divine spring of Zeus,

Holy and stern, who dwells within the caves.

O’ Battle-Ready Pallas,

Whose likeness is too great for mortal mind,

Generous One and Many Named,

You who wander atop mountains and peaks,

You rejoice in battle and empower even the strong-hearted Erinyes and cruel man.

Warlike Maiden who strikes into wicked man,

Who looks upon mankind with gracious eyes.

Patroness of Soldiers and the battlefield alike,

You inspire madness upon sinners, but abundant wisdom upon the good.

O’ Many-Formed Serpentess, Goddess,

March upon the battle-torn hills,

Rouse the enemy with ill intent,

For you alone were born of Zeus,

Clad in clanging armour!

You, Dissolver of Evil, Victorious One,

Hear me Athene, that you may grant me

peace and prosperity.

That I may share in your bountiful Victory.

Defend my home with good intent,

O’ grey-eyed Maiden!

Minerva by Hendrick Goltzius

The Many Faces of Athena

by Heaven Marie Walker

Introduction

Athena has often been perceived primarily as the Greek Goddess of War and Wisdom. Although she is viewed as a powerful female deity she is portrayed by Greek dramatists as an avid supporter of patriarchal culture. There is no mother who gave birth to me and I approve the male principle in all things… (Aeschylus, 657-667). However, her mythology has been recorded primarily by men who had a vested interest in using her image to support male supremacy. There are many faces of Athena and one must peel away the layers of misogynistic thought to truly understand this Goddess and reclaim her matriarchal identity as a Goddess of women’s liberation and freedom. 

Athena’s Origins

In popular mythology Athena’s birth is a triumph for patriarchal society, as she is born without the aid of a woman. The sky God Zeus swallows Athena’s mother Metis and Athena springs forth from Zeus’s head fully armored, and fully grown. This myth is not questioned, and neither is Athena’s Greek heritage. However, there is a submerged belief that Athena is actually from Africa.  In Black Athena, Martin Bernal claims that Hellenistic culture or Classical civilization has Afro-Asiatic roots. He also states that even the classical Greeks themselves were aware that philosophy, religion, and many other parts of their culture originated from Egypt.

In regards to Athena, the patron deity of the Greek capitol city, Bernal traces her roots back to Egypt and Libya. Bernal points out that there are great similarities between Athena and the Egyptian Goddess Nt or Neit. In fact, the ancients saw Athena and Neit as the same goddess (Bernal, 52). Both Neit and Athena were virgin Goddesses of wisdom, weaving, and warfare. He also points out that the cult of Neit was centered in the city of Sais, whose inhabitants felt a special affinity for the Athenians. Sais was located on the frontier of Egypt and Libya and was sometimes part Libyan (Bernal, 52). The religious title of the city of Sais was Ht Nt which means temple of Neit. Furthermore, the vocalization of Ht Nt would sound something like Atanait which is very close to Athena (Bernal, 50-51).

Lucia Chiavola-Birnbaum also alludes to the African origins of Hellenism when she mentions Marie Durand-Lefebvre’s discovery that classical Greco-Roman writers described Isis, Cybele, Diana, Hera, and Dionysus — all prominent Egyptian or Greek gods — as black (Birnbaum, 136). This statement corroborates Bernal’s statement that even the classical Greeks understood that their religion derived from a black source.

Chiavola-Birnbaum also discusses the shared values of dark woman divinities. She references a postcard that was sent to her by Michele Radford that described the similarities of the rituals performed for the Black Madonnas of Europe and the rituals performed to honor Kali. Kali is lit up with neon lights and is paraded through the