Pallas Athena in astrology

Pallas, with a diameter of about 535 km, is the second largest of the four main asteroids. It
was discovered in 1802 by the German astronomer and physician Wilhelm Olbers. The mean
distance of Pallas to the Sun is 414 million kilometers (258.5 million miles), and has an
orbital cycle of 4.61 years. The orbit is inclined at a heavy 35 degrees to the ecliptic.

It was named after Pallas Athena, the Greek warrior goddess of wisdom.

Pallas Athene (the Greek goddess Athena) was born from Zeus's forehead having no mother
at all. Athena was Zeus's favorite child and in return, she was a dedicated daughter despite
the fact that she possessed a very strong-will. She would always listen to her father's advice,
but often acted upon her own wisdom that yielded excellent results.

Athena was the Goddess of Wisdom and fought many battles when necessary, but favored
diplomacy above conflict when they arose. She hurled one of the Giants into the sea who
fought with Zeus, out of which rose the island of Sicily. She taught Bellerophon how to
control the winged horse of Pegasus and received from Pegasus the Gorgon's head and
fastened it to her shield. Hercules (Heracles) was assisted by Athena in his fight with the
Minyae and in driving away the Stymphalian birds. To avoid conflict, Athena returned the
Golden Apples procured by Hercules from the Garden of Hesperides. She sent the shipbuilder
Argus a sacred oak beam, which could speak, and was inserted into the front part of a ship
called Argo to guide Jason and the Argonauts.

In a famous Greek city, strife arose between the sea-god Poseidon and the wise goddess
Athena as to whom should be its protector. To win guardianship, the gods decreed that each
should present a gift to the city and that it should belong to whichever gave it the best
present. Poseidon's noble horse was deemed inadequate for the city's stony ground, but
Athena's olive tree would flourish and be useful to the citizens in many ways. Thus, the city
of Athens was named after its guardian Athena.

Individuals who show courage and wisdom can fall under the domain of Pallas Athene. Our
confidence, creativity, resourcefulness and ability to aspire to be the peaceful warrior may be
dependent upon this asteroid's position in our birth charts.

As in mythology, this Asteroid can govern the father-daughter relationship, which in turn
extends to how a woman deals with her male counterpart. The dark or challenging side of
Pallas Athene can depict incestuous relationships, parents who abuse children, and women
who abuse men. By extending the warrior image too far through hostility, brutality, and
bitterness only leads to self-destruction, which is contrary to the example Pallas Athene sets
for us.

As a minor planet, Pallas Athene may not have a significant impact in all charts