Goddesses and Gods.wps - Welcome to Our Temple

Athena is the patron of craftsmen and the protector of cities. Her animal symbols are
the cock, snake, owl, and olive tree.
I begin to sing of Pallas Athena, the glorious Goddess, bright-eyed, inventive,
unbending of heart, pure virgin, savior of cities, courageous, Tritogeneia. Wise Zeus
himself bore her from his awful head, arrayed in warlike arms of flashing gold, and
awe seized all the gods as they gazed. But Athena sprang quickly from the immortal
head and stood before Zeus who holds the aegis, shaking a sharp spear: great Olympus
began to reel horribly at the might of the bright-eyed Goddess, and earth round about
cried fearfully, and the sea was moved and tossed with dark waves, while foam burst
forth suddenly: the bright Son of Hyperion stopped his swift-footed horses a long
while, until the maiden Pallas Athena had stripped the heavenly armor from her
immortal shoulders. And wise Zeus was glad. And so hail to you, daughter of Zeus
who holds the aegis!
-Homeric Hmyn #28
Aura
Greek goddess of the morning wind. See also Aurora.
Aurora
Greek goddess of the dawning morning. She gave birth to the morning star and the
winds (Zephyrus, Boreas, Notos, and Euros) by Astraeos, the god of starlight.
Bacchus
Roman god of fertility, mirth, merriment, revelry, wine, wisdom, and inspiration.
Bacchus was born of Zeus and Semele's union against the will of Hera, Zeus' wife.
When the jealous Hera learned of Semele's pregnancy by Zeus she angrily plotted
against them. She disguised herself and came to Semele, telling her she should ask
that Zeus appear before her in all his glory as the god of thunder. Zeus swore to grant
whatever wish Semele might have. Forced to abide by his oath, he appeared to Semele
as a display of lightening and thunder, which killed her. As Semele died, she gave
birth to Bacchus, who died as well. Zeus restored life to him and sent the child to be
raised by the nymphs, out of Hera's jealous eye.
As the god of spring, he is Bacchus is said to be in terrible pain during winter when
the flowering plants and vines wither and die.