Athena of the Seven Directions

While in Delphi, I honored Athena at the Temple each day, reflecting and listening in each of the (Celtic) directions. This is my meditation on Athena. All photos are mine, from Delphi.

Athena of the East

Residing in the house the East and the power of Air, the time of the Sunrise, Spring and new beginnings.
Be with me.

In the early hours before the dawn, 
as the deep blue sky fades,
as the wind whispers to the mountain tops
you listen to the calls, 
the counsel of the owls,
waiting for their wisdom,
fully in this moment,
in nature and quietude.

Athena,
each morning as you rise to 
stand in the growing light of the
ascending sun, you 
ask and 
listen:

How shall I serve?
How shall I grow?
How shall I lead today?

Athena of solitude
Athena of service
Athena of the breath of the heart
Guide me to listen to the wisdom of my own heart fire

May I have 
Clarity to hear the wisdom
Courage to follow the call
Tapas to face each day in its raw and holy truth

Aho
And so it is.

Athena of the South

Residing in the house of the South and the power of Fire, the time of the noonday Sun, Summer. Light of illumination, fire of transformation, Growth.
Be with me.

Athena,
Warrioress
Protectoress
Taker of no bullshit
Wise
Inventive
Practical.
Fierce.

Athena of decisiveness
Inner wisdom moving outward 
through courage
and power
into Action.

Clearing paths
Destroying wayward energies
Carving a path for truth and light.
Leader.

Unfraid? 
No, because with wisdom comes 
Acknowledgement of risks
Burden of responsibility
Fear.
Fear of failure
Fear of success
Fear of letting people down.

And yet

In your wild goddess 
Bad-assery,
the fire in your belly and in your heart
Moves you forward,
toward the Divine flame
that will light and transform
Toward battles
inward and outward.

Leading,
Fighting relentlessly in the scorching midday Sun with 
strength and courage.

May I fight the necessary battles
Standing for truth, justice, freedom, love, and belonging for 
All.

Aho
And so it is

Athena of the West

Residing in the house of the West and the power of Water, the time of the setting Sun and Autumn.
Be with me.

Athena,
Warrioress
Freedom Fighter
Peacemaker.

Returning from
Necessary battles
Feeling the injuries
trauma and
harm from the day,
Grieving what was lost, what
Harm has been inflicted, taking
Responsibility,
Owning what must be owned,
Repairing what can be repaired.
Forgiving
Breathing
Clearing space for that which is to come.

Washing away the blood and dust of battle
Cleansing, refreshing, blessing with the waters of the
Castalian Spring, the
Waters of life.

Athena of the flowing waters.
Not of still ponds,
But of raging rivers.

Athena of love,
Not the soft love of Aphrodite,
But the powerful and wild love of the crazy yogini.

Goddess of righteous anger,
Shakti as Shiva
Shiva as Shakti
Kundalini rising
Inhale, exhale,
Strength and softness in a single breath.

Athena of feminine power, soft power,
Underestimated Power.
Misunderstood by so many as
Weakness. 

Athena, goddess of
Wisdom,
Baptized in the fire of battle and the holy waters of the moon.

Athena, innovator,
Sailing by the silvery moonlight,
Flowing away from ego and
toward peace and one-ness,
Bless my path.

May I embody my soft strength
Take responsibility for my actions,
Hold myself accountable,
With compassion.
Wash myself clean,
Refresh myself, body, mind and Spirit

Aho
And so it is

Athena of the North

Residing in the house of the North and the power of Earth, the time of the dark of Midnight, Winter, the time of the Crone.
Be with me.

Athena of the city of Athens
Of the Temple of Delphi
Of this sacred Earth.
Goddess of half-truths, of stories half-told, history without Her Story, 
aggression without contemplation,
war without peace.

Like the Oracle of Delphi 
you were made a fairy tale, a myth.
Like Gaia before you, your story and your power
Distorted, 
Buried.

Athena
Your devotees 
descended from the worshippers of the Earth, Ge, Gaia, Great Mother
Defender of the Land.
Wise crone, standing the test of time like an ancient olive tree

Divine Ancestor
May I live in wonder, respect and reciprocity with the Land
Defending Her from harm.
May I be a devoted partner of the Cosmos
A keeper of the fire.
May I become a wise Ancestor.

Aho
And so it is

Athena of the Above

Goddess
Celestial being
May your story and your Spirit inspire generations to come

Athena of the Below

Of the Bones and Stones
May your history be honored
May your memory be Eternal

Athena of the Great Within

Athena
Of this present moment

May your Spirit be with me
Kindle my heart fire
Light my path

Athena of the 7 Directions

Athena of the Dawn
Athena of the Light
Athena of the Dusk
Athena of the the Night 

Athena of the Sky
Athena of the Earth
Athena of my own tender Heart

Be with me in the sacred circle
of Life and Death

Open,
Unbroken.

Aho
And so it is.