My favorite number is seven, the heptad. According to the great Pythagorean teachings, seven is symbolized by the goddess Athena. Because seven cannot be divided by any number than itself, it represents a fortress or acropolis.

Seven brings order to nature, there are seven phases of the moon, seven Pleiades, seven parts of the body- head, neck, torso, arms and legs. The lyre has seven strings. The life of a human has seven ages- infant, child, adolescent, young adult, adult, elder and old person.

Athena is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, just warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, crafts- especially weaving, the arts and skills. She is the protectress of agriculture.

Although I realize the goddess is one of the original virgin goddesses, I chose her name for my main character. Also, many of her attributes I wanted Athena Sparrowhawk to possess.

Athena is courageous and inspired, wise and just. She is strong and artistic, though mathematics are a struggle for her creative way of thinking.  Agriculture is in her blood, she is born and raised on a super-farm, on another planet, 27.3 light years away from Earth.

Athena is friendly to all, though her affections are strongest for her family and close friends. She is a loyal friend and fierce protector.

Athena’s strongest drives are kindness, and a desire to create beauty, and to use her art for the good  of all life, everywhere.

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