Pallas 2
Pallas was an alternate name for the goddess Athena, who took the name in honor of her foster sister Pallas, whom she accidentally killed during an athletic competition. Athena is the goddess of wisdom, craft and war strategy, patroness of heroic endeavor. Many Greek heroes sought her advice or active assistance, including Jason and Perseus. Athena was the daughter of Zeus, who had swallowed her mother Metis after she conceived, as he was fearful of a prophecy which stated that Metis’ children would be more powerful than their father. But Athena continued to develop inside him, causing Zeus a frightful headache. Seeking to relieve the pressure, Hephaistos cleaved Zeus’ head with an axe, and out popped Athena, fully grown, garbed for war.
Athena never had a husband or lover, and is known as a virgin goddess, though not the shrinking violet type by any means. Majestic and confrontational, warlike and aggressive, Athena was also gifted with a powerful intellect and skills such as weaving and craftwork, and was noted for her acute perception, wisdom and forthright, helpful advice.
The great Greek city state of Athens was named for her, in the following manner. At the city’s founding, no name had been chosen, and no patron god established. Poseidon and Athena competed for the honor, and the citizens made their choice based upon the gifts each offered. Poseidon struck his trident into the earth, and a salt water spring spouted, giving the people access to the sea and trade. But Athena proffered an olive tree, a staple of the Greek diet, and this was judged to be the more valuable gift, so Athena was chosen as the patron, and the city named for her.
Athena found her way into many myths and legends, including the Trojan War; a noted counsellor, she often participated in these events from afar, as it were, but guided them with her wisdom and advice.
The asteroid Pallas was the second to be discovered, in 1802, and is the third largest, containing fully 7% of the total mass of the Asteroid Belt.
Astrologically, Pallas represents wisdom, counselling, sage advice and the ability to strategize. Perceptual gifts and pattern-seeing are important manifestations of this energy, and natives with Pallas prominent often have the ability to see further ahead than others, and to plan accordingly. Pallas can also indicate manual dexterity and skill with crafts or artisanal ability.
