Athena was worshipped as Athens city's patron Goddess though modern scholars point out her influence predates Hellenic Greece, to Mycenaean times and possibly further back to prehistoric Africa. 
    Her ancient titles express the nature of this powerful Goddess: Promachos (Champion); Sthenias (Mighty); Areia (Warlike, or Companion of Ares). 

Scholars suggest Athena's warlike character is derived from the fact that she was first worshipped in Greece by warrior communities; and later because the Greeks were such excellent craftsmen and deep thinkers she also became a Goddess of handicrafts and wisdom and righteous morality. 

The birth of Athena is, in mythic legend, one of the most unusual; for the Greek poets told of how she sprang fully armoured up and carrying a spear from inside the skull of Zeus. However, an older tradition links her to Africa where she was identified with native Goddesses.  
     In truth Athena's origins are lost to history.

Athena is one of the fiercest of Goddesses and encounters with her are extreme. However team-members have also found her to be gentle; though this became so only after several years.
    Athena generally appears from a brilliant flame-coloured red light. She is tall, muscular and regal. Her eyes are brown, so too her hair. Most times she chooses to appear in battle-dress with leather military breastplate, short wide pleated skirt and nearly knee-length brown leather boots; and she carries a short sword at her side. The most striking feature is the great tasselled helmet of bronze she wears. Athena's face is set stern and she rarely smiles:

"It is time someone paid homage to me. I am the mightiest of all the Goddesses and I demand respect."
    Our team-member didn't know what to expect on first encounter: 
    '...She looked so fearsome I started shaking. 
    "Woe unto those who utter my name apart from honouring me or arranging to honour me. You now show the respect I deserve and for this I look kindly upon you. I have shown my anger to many who have spoken out of turn about me and those who mock me I take when they die. 
    You I see are in awe of me. You are very sensitive in your astral body. This is how it should be but I embrace you. I approve of you."
    She seemed to materialise more and I went half way up to meet her and was taken and given a hug.
    "Now I take you for tests of courage and to receive courage."

Most times Athena's tests take place on a battlefield. The following is the team-member's account of one experience:
    '...I was in open countryside and was running but I don't know why when suddenly my left foot went into a trap, not the type with teeth but a clamp and I couldn't move. I was fixed to the spot. 
    I tried to remove it but couldn't. Then in the distance I saw a crowd of warriors dressed in breastplates and helmets similar to what she wears. They were some way off but were charging towards me, armed with large swords. There was nothing I could do but stand as they came closer. I stood trembling just waiting for them to crash into me. I wanted to crouch but something made me stand up and face them and as I did so they got within an arms length of me and stopped. Then Athena appeared in front of them and spoke to me: 
    "You stood up straight and that showed courage. I give more to you. It is through these tests we know how dedicated you really are."

As already discussed concerning the tests, a God or Goddess can create any scenario in which to place you; and team-members describe them as extremely authentic. Encounters are generally divided into three parts, most times two are tests and the third an opportunity to talk. The following account we include to show there is a gentle side to Athena, but such experiences are not to be expected; our team-members earned it following countless more difficult encounters.

'...We were in some woods. She took off her helmet and sat down and motioned me to do so. I first thought she had short hair but it must have been pushed back because after she had removed her helmet she shook her head and her hair cascaded over her shoulders, just past shoulder length. It is quite wavy brown red hair that sparkled in the sunlight. All her fierceness seemed to have gone.

"Even a Goddess likes to rest. I am always associated with war, fighting and conflict; but I too like some peace. I am powerful, very powerful. Yet I have work which I have to do; but enjoy this moment of peace as I do." 

She leaned back against a big tree and the whole tree seemed to shake and the bark of the tree turned to a lovely gold. 
    Athena is not beautiful in the way other Goddesses are, but for those few moments she had a radiant look about her, something I have rarely seen.          
    "I am not a gentle Goddess and I do not often feel as kind as I do today. This is to show that you do not always have to fear me." 
    We sat in silence for several long moments before she spoke again:

"I know my presence has been felt in the temples and buildings I have taken over. It is early days yet but much will happen over the next few years. The Christians destroyed our temples, they destroyed our religions and they mocked us. They have much to answer for. Now mortals in many different countries have come to realise that we do exist. They do not realise there are as many Gods and Goddesses as you do; but many know of some of us, including myself. 
    Now you climb to the Parthenon. You join in the crowd going to celebrate my special day. This is my day and night." 

We left the woods and I found myself in ancient times and knew it was Athens for there were crowds of people flooding up toward the Acropolis. 
    It was very hot and one or two older people were stumbling as they went up. It was hard going. One old lady was sitting on a rock half way up, crying and she said she couldn't get up there, so I took her hand and helped her slowly up to Athena's temple. It looked beautiful. I stood staring at it, thinking that this must be perfection; and all around were canopies and tables with food and drink. 

Temple Diaries Athena

Festival of Athena:16th July