Become a Love Goddess in 30 Days

Athena, born out of the head of her father, represents the positive male aspect of ourselves -- our feminine strength. She is bright-eyed, shrewd and brilliant. She is also resourceful and inventive. Athena gives women permission to travel in male territory without guilt, fear or anxiety. She brings mercy, wisdom and soulfulness into the masculine world, and with it the confidence that a woman is as capable as a man.

Athena always meets us at our point of greatest need. She instills us with courage and reminds us that we must be brave. As we undertake a difficult assignment or experience -- either at work or in our personal lives -- and encounter stumbling blocks along the way or come up against a wall of doubt, Athena whispers in our ear, "Be strong, and mighty forces will come to your aid."

Athena represents self-government. She reasons that if humanity would learn to govern itself, the world would be a better, more peaceful and more balanced place. How wonderful it would be if, at the moment when we feel ourselves losing control, we could remind ourselves of the wise voice of Athena, urging us to stop and think before we act. Just imagine how this could help you in your romantic relationships when conflicts arise or, in your single life, when a man hurts or mistreats you. Athena women trust their intuition. If they see red flags in a relationship, they act on them. Such women don't waste time obsessing over men who aren't interested, and they don't stay in unhealthy relationships. They know to let go and cut the cord.

Athena's influence in your life will inspire you to be who you are without compromise or apology. Athena's mantra is: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." Athena leads us to a greater sense of inner balance by giving the mind authority over the heart.

To get in touch with Athena, try the exercises on the next page

If you are in a relationship, identify the vision of your relationship -- not how you wish it to be but how it is right now. Make a list of its qualities, then consider what you want more of. What will enhance and enrich your relationship? Make these items your goals. Feel free to express your dreams and preferences to your partner.

If you are obsessing over a man who is not responding, want to get out of an unfulfilling relationship or need help getting over heartbreak, it's time to let go. To do this, start a 32-day "fast." By that, I mean that you must get away from the man in question -- do not interact with him and do your best not to think about him. When his image enters your head, replace that picture of him with someone or something else that you love -- something that gives something back to you (unlike this man). Why 32 days? Studies indicate that that is the amount of time needed to break any sort of cycle.

If you get into an argument with your partner or become angry or upset with him, employ Athena's power of self-government and think before you act. Consider how your words will affect him and the situation. Before you say anything, be sure the words you have chosen will truly express your thoughts and feelings in a clear, useful way.

Visit the Goddess Power center for more goddess goodies. Plus, find out how other women are discovering their inner goddesses on the message board.

Next: Bring Hera, the goddess of equal partnership, into your life.