December 26th- Athena

Favourite daughter of Zeus, Athena was born from Zeus forehead (you just have to go with the stories about the gods... they made sense to the people of the time, and who are we to judge!). She's the goddess of wisdom, warfare and handicraft, specially weaving. 

Forever associated with the city of Athens, she won the right for patronage of the city over Poseidon by creating the first olive tree.She's also the patron goddess of heroic endeavour, helping Heracles, Jason, Perseus and Bellerophon. She also assists the Greeks in the Trojan Wars and acts as divine counsellor to Odysseus. 

This image from  480-470 BC showing Athena observing as the  Colchian dragon disgorges the hero Jason.

In the fable of Arachne Athena shows herself to have a temper just as volatile as her father Zeus. ////arachne was the daughter of a famous dyer of Tyrian Purple, and was a weaving student of Athena. She became so conceited that she claimed her skill was greater than that of the goddess. Athena disguised herself as an old woman, and warned Arachne not to offend the deities, but determined to prove her skill she insisted on a weaving content. 
Athena's tapestry showed her victory over Poseidon for the patronage of Athens, and the 12 Olympian Gods and their victories over mythological figures who challenged their authority. Arachne's showed all the episodes if the deities infidelity and the unfair behaviour of the gods towards mortals. 
In a taper Athena destroyed Arachne's tapestry and loom, and struck Arachne with her staff. Arachne hung herself in despair, but taking pity on her Athena bought her back to life in the form of a spider. 

This is the limited edition shade of Superfine Merino & Silk for today. You can find it in the online shop until stocks run out, and as always it forms part of the Buy 2 Get a third half price offer available on this fibre blend. I am happy to combine orders, but will need you to add a note when you purchase each day. I usually have a lot of orders to process on the first day back and without a note it's highly likely I will miss that you have multiple orders.