Book 1: Meeting with Athena

The Odyssey begins with the story of Athena asking for and gaining permission to journey from Olympus to the mortal realm in order to meet with the young Telemachus, first born son of Odysseus. Odysseus had been missing for many years and his family was eager to have him home. Suitors were pressuring his mother to choose a new husband, and Telemachus knew he needed to find his father in order to expel the unwanted suitors from their home.

Working Method: Guided Meditations

Athena traveled from Olympus to meet with Telemachus, first born son of Odysseus, to encourage his journey to find his father and expel the unwanted suitors from his home.  Today, we’ll travel outside the fire to meet with her ourselves to begin this journey.

Take a seat in front of your flame, and relax your body.  Gaze into the fire. See the flames dance and move. Watch the light dance on your skin.  Now close your eyes. Breath in...and out. Smell the smoke in the air, dancing around you.  Breathe in...and out. Feel the heat on your skin, warming and comforting. Breathe in...and out.  Hear the crackle and snap as the flame grows. Breathe in...and out. See the flames, brilliant and exciting.  

Looking around, you see the large fire in front of you, surrounded by shadows. In the darkness outside the fire light, the figure of a woman approaches the fire, quiet and graceful. From the shadows, you see glints of light, like golden armor reflecting the flames.  She grows nearer and you can make out a powerful bronze spear in her hand. As she grows closer, her shape begins to shift and swirl. As she steps into the light of the fire, you see before you a robed figure, still holding the bronze spear, the hint of a smile on her face.  Approach the figure and listen to the words she has to share with you.

<Pause>

As your conversation ends, the space around the fire begins to brighten.  You see many different paths leading away from the fire in many different directions.  See these paths and know you have many choices to make as we move forward. Breathe in...and out.  Feel your body resettle into this space. Breath in...and out. Move and stretch, feeling your body firmly connected to the ground below you.  Breathe in...and out. And now, open your eyes.