Pallas

Symbol:

Astronomy

Pallas is a minor planet located in the asteroid belt which orbits the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. It is the second largest planetary body in the asteroid belt. It has an estimated diameter of 501 to 574 km and an average distance to the Sun of 414.5 million km. Its sidereal orbital period is 4.61 years. It was discovered on 28th March 1802 by H.W. Olbers in Berlin.

Mythology

The planet was named after the Greek goddess Pallas Athene (Latin Minerva). She was an unusual feminine figure - something which was already evident at her birth: Zeus (Jupiter) had impregnated her mother the wise titan Metnis. At the same time it was prophesied that Metnis would give birth to another child more powerful than Zeus. In order to prevent this Zeus devoured her. However, Zeus was not able to digest the child which then grew in his head causing unbearable headaches. In order to relieve Zeus from his suffering, the divine blacksmith Hephaistus split his head with an axe and Pallas Athene emerged fully clothed in armour. She became the goddess of war, wisdom and the arts and was Zeus' great pride. She was an outstanding strategist - unlike the other god of war Ares who was more of a ferocious fighter. She was accompanied by an owl, the symbol of wisdom.

Pallas Athene remained a virgin and lived asexually. Nevertheless, she was only attracted by the company of men. She protected courageous heroes and fought in every military expedition. She was also relentless in pursuit of her enemies. She avoided women and remained uninterested in the fate of her own mother.

Interpretation

Among other things, Beate Metz describes Pallas as representing "the expression of our own ideas to the cost of our own femininity", together with "animosity among women". The difficulties with femininity that Pallas embodies do not only apply to women, but also to the feminine side of men. The individual who feels able to open themselves to the symbolism of Pallas can recognise the aspects in their lives where they find it difficult to admit to their feminine side. At the same time, Pallas represents the challenge of recognising the relationship between the feminine aspects of our being and courage, success, and intelligence - qualities which the patriarchal world-view has generally associated with the masculine archetype.

Pallas appears to be related to the zodiac signs of Leo, Libra and Aquarius and could be either the ruler of or exalted in one of these signs.