Goddess Circle - A night with the Goddess Athena

A little while ago I was lucky enough to attend one of Julie Parker's Goddess Circles. 

The goddess we would be working with was the Goddess Athena. One of my favourite Goddess and one of the first goddess I really connected to. The circle was happening on my birthday, so I took that as a sign that I needed to attend. 

Athena is the Greek Goddess of Wisdom and of War. She is fiery, fierce, generous and compassionate. However if angered she could be ruthless and unforgiving. She often appears in myths alongside Heros and is associated with courage and heroic endeavours. Athena is a patron of the arts and crafts, in particular spinning. Her sacred animal is the owl and the Goddess Minerva is her Roman counter part. 

As a teenage I was very drawn to Athena and had her permanently represented on my altar. She represented to me, strength and independence. She was wise and didn't seem to tolerate any BS. A rather strong role model for a teenager.  When I hit University and traveling after most of my spiritual stuff took a back seat. I still considered myself spiritual and would connect back in sporadically.  I still held to some practises when I moved in with my now husband, but it has only been in the last 2 years that I have really dived back in to what I used to know and connecting back. One thing I have really been drawn to are Women's circles.

Women's circles feel so sacred and ancient to me. They make me feel connected to not only to the other women in the circle but all women who have held circles before  and to come. Julie's circle was all things divine and sacred. I can't explain how powerful it is to sit with other women in this way. To be held an guided in this way and Julie is a phenomenal Priestess. 

Julie warned us that Athena is a force to be reckoned with and she is a strong warrior goddess. When Julie lead us through our meditation, I can only say that to me it felt like a home coming. I felt Athena's presence as a mother like feeling, a reconnection. I know that must sound strange, but that is what it felt like. 

While the feeling was soft, the message I received was loud and clear. It was time to use my voice. To stop hiding behind the stories of not being qualified or good enough (any one relate?). It has been a big them for me recently. I even physically lost me voice earlier this year. I think this a theme for lots of women.

Now is the time to use our voices. To speak up, to write and to sing. 

It was a beautiful way to spend a birthday. Although I am still processing and implementing,since it has taken me a few months to actually write this! 

So if you get the chance to attend a circle of Julie's (or any other that you feel called to) I highly recommend you do. I had such a beautiful experience and I'm sure the other ladies there would say the same.