Athena Career Woman in the world
Athena is a highly visible goddess, known for her extraverted, practical, and intelligent nature. In Greek mythology, she was hailed as the companion of heroes, and in the modern world, she works alongside men in various fields such as business, politics, and education.
She stands apart from her equally independent but more introverted counterpart, Artemis, who prefers the wild and rural places over the busy city.
Athena's extraverted nature draws her towards the bustling marketplace, the arena of political debate, and the creation and implementation of social reforms. Her spirit is reflected in the millions of women who work across all levels of society, embodying her characteristics.
Notable figures who fully embody the essence of Athena include Joan of Arc and Queen Elizabeth I. Like men, Athena is successful, driven, persevering, and single-minded.
She commands respect, equal responsibility, and autonomy. Artemis, her sister, shares similarities as both are armed goddesses without a lover or consort in Greek mythology.
Their unmarried status signifies their integration of masculine qualities within themselves. They do not require a male partner to reflect or embody contrasting traits such as aggressiveness, rationality, or authority.
If Athena were to have a partner, he would need to possess a strong integration of feminine attributes, taking care of his own emotional needs and engaging with her on an intellectual level.
A common image associated with Athena is that of a maiden clad in armor. The more energy she invests in developing her successful worldly persona, the more she conceals her vulnerable maiden aspect.
This creates a hidden tension between her tough outer self and her unexpressed self, becoming a source of insecurity in establishing her integral feminine identity—an aspect referred to as "Athena's wound."
Considered a "father's daughter," Athena operates primarily from her head, with her soft feminine side protected by a metal shield. She gained prominence and psychological significance with the birth of Athens—an aggressive and intellectually vibrant culture.
Athena sees education and intelligence as a means to compete in patriarchal society and be seen as an equal. However, she may experience chaos and confusion regarding her sexual identity.
Her consciousness of her body is often limited, and she may exhibit shyness in this area until she gains more experience. Archetypally speaking, she embodies the virgin archetype, embodying masculine energy, channeling her energy into mental and extraverted pursuits. This focus can lead to a lack of fulfillment of her body's deeper needs.
In her pursuit of success in the world, Athena tends to place motherhood on the back burner. The world of marriage, represented by Hera, only attracts her if it aligns with and supports her worldly activities.
Freedom and autonomy are essential to her, and marriage may be stormy until she determines her true desires in life and stops projecting her own uncertainty and secret vulnerabilities onto her partner—the maiden beneath her armor. She desires a sparring partner—an equal who can keep up with her.
Athena thrives in arenas where she can utilize her active and creative mind, pursuing and shaping ideals. These arenas include business, government, education, science, medicine, and law. As patriarchal restrictions dissolve in the modern world, Athena's influence becomes more pronounced.
Driven by a sense of conviction for the betterment of humankind, Athena psychologically armors herself, deflecting criticisms and attacks on her character and competency with her shield.
Athena's emergence often occurs when a woman leaves home for the first time in her twenties or at any stage in life when she ventures out from the confines of her home environment to seek financial independence—such as when a marriage falls apart or when children grow up and leave home.