Athena: The Goddess of Wisdom, Sovereignty and Sacred Boundaries

Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, Defensive Warfare and Crafts, has walked with me these past few months during our sailing season in Greece.

She guides me towards remembrance and teaches me the difference between war waged to take from others and war fought to protect what we love. The importance of boundaries, not only in the physical, but also in the energetic and mental realms.

She often journeys with me in my deep meditations, where we remember timelines shared, experiences we've had, and the land of Greece we've protected together.

Sisters. Equals. Walking slowly together.

And so, when our family arrived in Athens, the sprawling city named after its patron goddess, I asked her where she would like me to visit.

The Parthenon. The Temple of Hephaestus. And most importantly, she showed me the Temple of Athena Nike, the small temple standing at the entrance to the Acropolis. Interestingly, my husband also felt particularly drawn to this temple.

Today, I went to honour the Parthenon and the Temple of Athena Nike, and I felt her presence walking beside me the entire way.

As with so many moments throughout our journey in Greece, I felt her helping to move obstacles, clear the path and arrange our visit in the most synchronistic of ways.

As we moved through the throngs of visitors and climbed the stairs towards the entrance of the Acropolis, I began to see visions of the temples in their former glory. They flicker over my eyes, like an overlay of memories. The vision is raw and visceral, a sharp contrast amongst the current-day noise and heat of the Summer sun.

People arrive with reverence and devotion, with the intention of connecting with Athena, immersing themselves in her energy, what she represents and the wisdom of her teachings.

They brought offerings, gifts for the owner of the house they were visiting.

I could hear beautiful singing, chanting, prayers and music. The delicate sounds of chimes accompanied by a deep, rhythmic beat.

I saw dancing at the entrance of the Parthenon, a central fire, and could almost smell the ritual oils and flowers.

In these visions, most visitors would pray and lay their offerings outside the temple. Only certain people, priestesses and those with pure intentions, were permitted to enter her inner sanctuary.

Inside her home.

And then, as the visions and sounds began to clear, I felt something shift.

Annoyance. Anger.

I felt it coming from Athena beside me.

Looking around, bringing my attention and awareness back to current-day, the masses of people traipsing through what had once been her home.

Selfies.

Photos and videos.

Tour guides sharing facts about construction, age and architecture.

But very little about Athena herself.

What was she about?

Who was she?

What did she represent?

I felt Athena's annoyance, and her dismissal of these temples as they are today.

These sacred places were once her earthly home. And like any home where people come and go without consideration for its owner, I felt that these temples were no longer being honoured in the way they once were.

She doesn't like it here anymore.

Athena prefers intentional energy. Clarity. Sacred spaces that are not distorted by the energy of those who enter without understanding or seeking connection.

She asks for pure temples. For sacred spaces.

Places where people come with reverence, rather than simply passing through for another social media photo opportunity.

And yet, beyond her annoyance, I felt the deeper message she wanted me to understand.

Remember who I am. Remember what I represent.

She is the Goddess of Wisdom.

A teacher. An inspiration. A guide.

A source of strength and courage for those who call upon her.

For those facing the greatest battles of their lives.

For those who have forgotten themselves.

Forgotten their power.

For those who wish to reclaim their sovereignty.

For those who feel their courage waning, who have forgotten their light in the darkness.

She is the leader. The Matriarch.

The divine expression of feminine strength, fiercely protecting those she loves.

A protector of justice. Of Truth. Of deep inner knowing and wisdom.

She teaches the power of I AM.

She is the golden light of the Sun, the Solar Plexus. The brilliance and radiance of one who knows who they are and stands firmly in their power.

She embodies the vibration of Inner Knowing. Of inner guidance. Of trusting oneself. Of being fully oneself.

She is the flame that burns through falsehood.

She stands against those who seek to take from others what does not belong to them.

She is the embodiment of boundaries.

Of sovereignty.

Of standing one's ground with conviction and steadiness.

She reminds us that strength does not always mean going into battle. Sometimes, it means knowing what is worth protecting, what is not ours to carry, and when to stand firm.

There is a profound difference between fighting to conquer and standing to protect.

And perhaps this is one of her greatest teachings.

So, by all means, visit the Parthenon, the Acropolis and the temples of Athena.

But perhaps, before you enter, pause.

Greet her at the entrance.

Introduce yourself, as you would when entering someone's home.

Bring a small gift, even if only an offering of gratitude, reverence or quiet intention.

Come with a desire to understand her.

To connect with her.

To remember what she represents.

And perhaps, for a moment, put that camera down.

You wouldn't like random strangers wandering through your home taking photographs without acknowledging you.

Neither, it seems, does she.

P.S. We did take a family selfie before I felt her annoyance. Sorry, Athena! 😂

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