Day: January 27, 2024
Goddess – Athena Greek Goddess of Wisdom and War
Athena Greek Goddess of Wisdom and War
| Greek Name | Αθηνη |
| Transliteration | Athênê |
| Latin Spelling | Athena |
| Translation | Minerva |
| ATHENA FACTS | |
|---|---|
| Name(s): | Athena, Athene, Pallas Athena, Pallas Athene |
| Rules over: | Wisdom and War |
| Gender: | Female |
| Symbols: | Owls, Olive trees, Snakes, Aegis, Armor, Helmets, Spears, Gorgoneion |
| Sacred plants: | Olive Tree |
| Sacred animals: | Owl |
| Parents: | Metis; Metis and Zeus; Zeus |
| Siblings: | Artemis, Aphrodite, the Muses, the Graces, Ares, Apollo, Dionysus, Hebe, Hermes, Heracles, Helen of Troy, Hephaestus, Minos, Perseus, Porus |
| Roman name: | Minerva |
Athena is a Greek goddess known as both Pallas and Athene. In ancient Greek mythology, they often associated her with both warfare and wisdom as well as handicraft, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, and skill.
She also shares some things in common with Minerva from Roman mythology. Many refer to her as a protector or a patron of major cities such as Athens.
She is known most specifically for her strategic skill in warfare and is often portrayed as companion of heroes and is the patron goddess of heroic endeavour.
Athena was born from ZEUS after he experienced an enormous headache and she sprang fully grown and in armour FROM HIS FOREHEAD.
She has no mother but one of the most commonly cited stories is that Zeus lay with METIS, the goddess of crafty thought and wisdom, and then swallowed her whole as he feared she will give birth to a child more powerful than him because of a prophecy – but she had already conceived.
Etymology
Scholars believe that her name comes from the city of Athens. Legend says that she was the leader of Athenai. This was a group of women who followed and worshiped her.
There is some debate as to whether the citizens named Athens in honor of her or if she received her name after the city already existed. Many believe that she earned her name as she lived and led in Athens.
As early as 407 BC, PLATO mentioned her name and claimed that others followed her due to her wisdom and knowledge. He further claimed that her name came from the Greek word Athenoa, which can mean moon and earth or air.
Unlike other GREEK GODDESSES and GODS, there isn’t as much known about the early life of Athena. Early tablets called the Linear B tablets mention her name and refer to her as Lady of Athens. Some translate phrases in the Linear A tablets to mean Athena of Zeus as she was the daughter of Zeus.
There are also multiple fresco pieces that show her as a warrior. In one, she holds a shield in her hand and with two women nearby.
The other shows a woman standing in front of multiple rows of women. Some believe that this piece depicts a different or early version of the warrior goddess. Historians also found some early artwork that shows Athena as an owl, which might explain why she is occasionally called a bird goddess.
Patronage
Though not a patron saint, Athena is a goddess. Known for many years as a war goddess, she helped prepare men for the fighting ahead and provided them with the necessary tools and supplies.
She was unlike other GODS AND GODDESSES from ancient Greek tales who thought anything was worth a fight. Goddess Athena believed that people should only go to war as a last resort and only if they fought for a noble or just cause.
In later years, scholars associated her with both HESTIA and ARTEMIS. They also referred to her as Parthenos, which means virgin. Not only did she never marry, but she never took a lover either. Many today believe that the name of the Parthenon comes from the term used to describe her virginity. Citizens chose this name to honor the sexual modesty she had. They believed that her virginity paved the way for other women.
Outside of Athens
Though usually associated with Athens, Athena had followers in other cities. Known as panhellenic cults, these groups consisted of women who followed traditional rites. Most of her followers were young women who believed in socializing with others both in their hometowns and other cities.
While some used these events in the hopes of meeting a suitable man for marriage and citizenship, others simply wanted to make friends and connect with others. Her cults established several sanctuaries in her honor.
One of those sanctuaries is the Spartan Acropolis, which has an epithet dedicated to her. Originally made from bronze to show her connection to metal workers, locals later replaced it. The acropolis also has large bronze and terracotta bells.
Athena Polias is another dedicated to her, which Pytheos of Priene designed. ALEXANDER THE GREAT was on hand to dedicate the temple. An inscription that bears his words is now in the archives of the British Museum. This museum and others also have many sculptures of the goddess.
Other Epithets
As one of the most famous Greek goddess figures, Athena has multiple epithets such as Polias, which shows that she was the protector of Athens. She earned the Ergane name to reflect her role as the helper of artisans. When Orestes faced charges of killing his mother, Athena served as the judge who oversaw his case.
After finding him not guilty, she became known as Areia. There were others who simply referred to her as the goddess. Other epithets used in ancient Greece for her include:
-Hippa, which means equestrian. This refers to the bridle and her similar inventions.
-Aethyia is the name given to her by followers who lived in Megara
-Hygieia, which means health as she was a healthy woman.
Many of the descriptions of Athena come from Homer. He described her as a beautiful woman with bright or gleaming eyes.
Later translations changed this to mean her eyes were gray or blue and green. Historians believe that she likely earned her association with owls due to his description as it showed that she had the same type of face.
Others believe this association came from the artwork that shows her holding an owl in her hand. Not only did the owl become the Athenian mascot, but it also became associated with knowledge.
Athena appeared in the Odyssey as well as Homeric Hymns. Hesiod mentioned her in THEOGONY where he gave her an epithet that meant born in Triton. A popular myth claims that after Zeus abandoned her, Athena wandered the world and found TRITON.
Triton took her in as his own child and raised her with Pallas, his biological daughter. This led to some questioning whether who her father was, but most now claim that she was the DAUGHTER OF ZEUS and the adopted daughter of Triton.
Early myths also use the terms third born and triple born to describe her. This can refer to the fact that she was the third child Zeus had.
Though she did not have a mother, the terms may refer to the idea that it took both her father and Metis as well as herself for the goddess to come into the world. A later legend claimed that the terms came from the idea that three necessary things vital to human life all came from the goddess.
Birth of Athena
There are many legends surrounding her birth, but most claim that she was the third child born to Zeus and that she had no mother. The most common legend claims that she came into the world as an adult and sprang from his head.
Another story claims that the Greek god worked with the goddess of counsel, a woman named Metis. She was pregnant with Athena when Zeus swallowed the women, which led to her coming from him.
Almost all stories and legends say that she was his favorite child and that he loved her more than his other children. The Iliad states that she was his favorite because she was the only one he birthed.
Yet another version of her birth claims that Zeus and Metis had a relationship that led to marriage. When he learned she was pregnant, the god worried that he would lose his position to her due to an old prophecy.
This prophecy claimed that any children born to the women would be smarter and stronger than their father. He swallowed her not knowing that she was already pregnant with his child.
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January 27, 2024 Current Moon Phase for the Northern
You can use this link to go forward or backward in time for Moon phase information. If you are curious, you can even find out what phase the Moon was in when you or anyone else was born.
Source: MoonGiant.com
Northern Hemisphere
January 27, 2024
The Moon’s current phase for today and tonight is a Waning Gibbous. During this phase the Moon can be seen in the early morning daylight hours on the western horizon. This is the first phase after the Full Moon occurs. It lasts roughly 7 days with the Moon’s illumination growing smaller each day until the Moon becomes a Last Quarter Moon with an illumination of 50%. The average Moon rise for this phase is between 9pm and Midnight depending on the age of the phase. The moon rises later and later each night setting after sunrise in the morning.
Visit the January 2024 Moon Phases Calendar to see all the daily moon phase for this month.
Today’s Waning Gibbous Phase
The Waning Gibbous on January 27 has an illumination of 97%. This is the percentage of the Moon illuminated by the Sun. The illumination is constantly changing and can vary up to 10% a day. On January 27 the Moon is 16.35 days old. This refers to how many days it has been since the last New Moon. It takes 29.53 days for the Moon to orbit the Earth and go through the lunar cycle of all 8 Moon phases.
Phase Details
Phase: Waning Gibbous
Illumination: 97%
Moon Age: 16.35 days
Moon Angle: 0.49
Moon Distance: 404,496.59 km
Sun Angle: 0.54
Sun Distance: 147,315,003.53 km
Illumination: 97%
Moon Age: 16.35 days
Moon Angle: 0.49
Moon Distance: 404,496.59 km
Sun Angle: 0.54
Sun Distance: 147,315,003.53 km
Useful Moon Resources
Check the weather before a night of Moon gazing at weather.com
For a list of all the current meteor showers visit American Meteor Society
The 8 Lunar Phases
There are 8 lunar phases the Moon goes through in its 29.53 days lunar cycle. The 4 major Moon phases are Full Moon, New Moon, First Quarter and Last Quarter. Between these major phases, there are 4 minor ones: the Waxing Crescent, Waxing Gibbous, Waning Gibbous and Waning Crescent. For more info on the Moon Cycle and on each phase check out Wikipedia Lunar Phase page.
Divination Journal
Tarot Card
Source: The Celtic Dragon Tarot by D. J. Conway. With art done by Lisa Hunt. This deck is unique as the cards are never read in reverse. Copyright 2001
Two of Wands – Focus will and energy.
A man holds a crystal-topped wand in each hand, his arms stretched upward towards two Air dragons, one hovering on each side of him above. The man stands in a grassy, flower studded meadow with mountains behind him. Near his feat are small sacred stones craved with Celtic spirals. These spiral designs are repeated in a pattern on his vest. The two wands. or scepters, symbolize the man’s ability and willpower to harness both positive and negative energies to make changes in his life. This is essential, as both types of energy are needed for balance and manifestation. The two hovering dragons are another emblem of the male-female, positive-negative energies. The spirals in both the rocks and his clothing represent the constant moving, inexhaustible energies of the Universe. He has found his way through a series of spiritual gateways (the mountains) to the peaceful meadow of creativity (the three stones).
Divinatory Meaning: Focus your will and energy to accomplish your desires. Help with realization of a dream may come from a distance. A new endeavor requires courage and planning for the future.
Animal Spirit Guide
Source Messages from Your Animal Spirit Guides Oracle Cards by Steven D. Farmer Copyright 2008
Pueo (“P00-ay-OH,’ hawaiian Owl)
“Your ancestral spirit guides are offering you guidance now, so pay close attention to signs and omens from them.”
Associations: Dignity; Omens; Guidance; Protection; Wisdom; Knowledge; Inspiration; Mysteriousness; Silence; Sacredness; Diversify; ‘Aumakua (“OW-ma-KOO-ah,” ancestors showing up as a spirit animal)
Rune
Source: therunesite.com
Fehu
Sound: “f”
Stands for: Cattle
Color: Green (Brown)
Casting meaning: Fehu is a rune of power and control. It represents new beginnings and “movable” wealth such as money and credit. It is a rune that gives us the power we need to obtain wealth as well as the power we need to hold on to it.
Witches’ Rune
Source: summergoddess.wordpress.com
Crossroads
This rune indicates a more difficult path where things are not so easy.
The Crossroads represents not only quarrels and misunderstandings but also discipline and mastery over the self.
It is not necessarily bad luck, but rather slow, substantial gains.
The Crossroads suggest maintaining the status quo, understanding boundaries and limitations, make a sustained practical effort, practical matters and solid achievement.
Relationships may be on shaky ground when one of these elements is sacrificed at the expense of another.
This rune stresses basic concerns and could indicate feeling boxed in. There may even be a feeling of discouragement. But you will soon discover innate strength and resources giving your achievements more meaning.
Ogham
Source: learnreligions.com
Huath/Uathe
H is for Huath, or Uatha, and is symbolic of the Hawthorn tree. This prickly-thorned tree is associated with cleansing, protection and defense. Tie a thorn with a red ribbon and use it as a protective amulet in your home, or place a bundle of thorns under a baby’s crib to keep bad energy away. Because the Hawthorn typically blooms around Beltane, it is also strongly connected with fertility, masculine energy, and fire.
In folklore, the Hawthorn is associated with the land of the Fae. Thomas the Rhymer met the Faerie Queen under a Hawthorn tree and ended up in the Faerie realm for seven years. Despite its connection with female and goddess-centered pre-Christian belief, it’s considered unlucky to bring Hawthorn into your home. This may stem from the fact that some species of Hawthorn give off a particularly unpleasant –almost corpse-like–scent after they’ve been cut. No one wants their home to smell like death.
In Glastonbury, England, there’s a famous Hawthorn tree known as the Holy Thorn. The tree that stands there today is supposed to be a descendant of one that stood on Glastonbury Tor two thousand years ago, when Joseph of Arimathea brought the Grail to England from the Holy Land. When Joseph thrust his staff into the ground, it turned into a Hawthorn tree.
I Ching
Source: psychic-revelation.com
Hexagram Twenty/20
Name: Kuan.
Keyphrase: Observation.
Formed By The Trigrams: Wind over Earth.
General: Remaining alert to all that affects you and those around you will help you to understand your role in the world.
Love: This could be a time when you are feeling isolated. Make the effort to go out into the community.
Business: Refamiliarize yourself with the needs of your customers and clients. Go out into the community and meet with them.
Personal: Travel is a good way to combat any feelings of isolation.
Overview: Ku reminds you that although it is always wise to watch out for problems it is possible to become somewhat detached from reality by doing so. When concentrated on to the exclusion of all else there is a danger of the spirit becoming undernourished. Perception may become distorted and dangers go unnoticed. Isolation (meditative or otherwise) should always be balanced by traveling out into the community. Assessing the world both from afar and close up will give you an accurate assessment. If this advice is not followed you will only see a part of the overall picture.
Numerology
Source: worldnumerology.com
The 6 is considered the most harmonious of all single-digit numbers in numerology.
The Numerology Meaning of the Number 6: THE CARETAKER
The most important attribute of the 6 is its loving, caring nature. Aptly nicknamed the motherhood/fatherhood number, the 6 is all about sacrifice, healing, protecting, and teaching others.
No family or community can function without the attention of the 6 – it is the glue that keeps a family and community together.
Creating an environment of peace and harmony is always at the forefront.
Home, family, and friends are top priorities. People with a 6 in their core numbers often focus on the young, the old, and those less fortunate.
The 6 is sympathetic, favors the underdog, and has a keen sense of what is fair and just. Perceiving injustice, the 6 will sacrifice immense time and effort to set things straight. Highly responsible, the 6 can be counted on to show up and do more than their fair share of the work. People with a 6 can be demanding, but they will work in the background when needed, without an expectation of reward.
The 6 is graceful, warm, and has a good sense of humor.
They are well respected in the workplace due to their sense of duty and responsibility – but also because they are genuinely well-liked. Many 6’s can be found in teaching, healing, counseling, construction, the legal field, and law enforcement.
On the negative side, the 6 can be jealous and small-minded, often focusing on small details while ignoring the bigger picture (often to their own detriment).
Not always the best judge of character, the 6 has been known to sacrifice for a person or cause not worth the price.
At times, the 6 can become too involved in the lives of those held dear, to the point where concern becomes intrusive and meddling. On the other hand, the 6 – ever sacrificing – can become a doormat to be abused and trampled on. The 6 is idealistic, trusting, and easy to take advantage of.
The 6 can be conventional, and must be wary of adopting the opinions of others instead of using their own mind.
They can also be smug and arrogant, especially toward authority figures and institutions. Sometimes annoyingly self-righteous, the 6 can become an intolerant zealot. A disproportional number of people with OCD have the 6 prominent in their charts and can suffer from anxiety and other phobias.
The 6, while loving, caring, and full of sympathy for others, can be self-centered and egotistical if people at the receiving end don’t show the gratitude expected. Typically, however, those fortunate enough to receive the attention of the 6 genuinely appreciate and cherish them in return.
Numerology views no number as without weaknesses and faults; that said, the 6 remains the most harmonious and stable among them. Perhaps for that reason, when the 6 (occasionally) falls into discord, it can become the most destructive and dangerous of all numbers. Beware of a cynical or angry 6, who can become a merciless wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Angel Number
Source: informationseries.com
Two Hundred Seventy-Two
Meaning of angel number 272
272 messages
The meaning of the number “272” in angel number is “It’s important to believe. By believing strongly, you can go on the right path, and beyond that your wishes become a reality. It also implies that we will go. Believe that what you are aiming for will become a reality.”
The basic meaning of angel number “272” is to know that by believing strongly, you can make the right choices and the right actions, and your wishes will come true.
It conveys that it is important to believe strongly.
And with strong belief, you can make the right choices and the right actions.
Be sure to know that your wishes will come true beyond that.
A Thought for Today
Witches Of The Craft® 
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