The wisdom of Pallas Athena: Her myth, meaning, and strategic impact on your birth chart

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Episode 22

In this podcast, professional astrologers Chani Nicholas, Thea Anderson, and Eliza Robertson look to the sky to make sense of what’s happening here on Earth.

This special episode is entirely dedicated to Pallas Athena — the asteroid and warrior goddess known for her strategic genius. We start by unpacking her many myths, including the famous story of her birth from Zeus’ head, her role in the beheading of Medusa, and her origins in ancient Libya. Then we get into the astro of it all. We break down how Pallas Athena became one of the four asteroid goddesses, and how the archetypal warrior queen manifests in your birth chart. And finally, we look at the charts of major icons with prominent Pallas placements — like Amelia Earhart, Nina Simone, Issa Rae, and Britney Spears — and dig into the ways they each used intelligence, independence, and innovation to their advantage. Ready to enter your strategy era? Pull up your chart in the CHANI app (yes, your Pallas Athena readings have arrived), and welcome Pallas Athena into the chat.

Content warning: sexual assault, domestic violence

Timestamps:
(00:00) - Welcome to Down to Astro episode 22
(00:50) - An introduction to Pallas Athena
(11:16) - Mythological origins and evolution of Pallas Athena
(23:46) - Pallas Athena’s role in Greek tragedy
(25:00) - The complexities of Pallas Athena’s relationship with the patriarchy
(27:16) - Athena and the betrayal of Medusa
(36:31) - Pallas Athena and the archetype of the virgin goddess
(39:12) - Pallas Athena’s astrological significance
(41:06) - The astronomy of the asteroid Pallas Athena
(45:39) - Amelia Earhart: aviation and Athena on the ascendant
(54:15) - Audre Lorde: “poetry is my primary weapon”
(01:00:28) - Nina Simone: child prodigy and musical genius
(01:13:09) - Diana Ross: international icon and innovator
(01:15:17) - Issa Rae: “Insecure” and strategizing in community
(01:21:38) - Miley Cyrus: Pallas vs. Billy Ray Cyrus
(01:24:01) - Britney Spears: a legal battle for freedom
(01:27:24) - Tina Turner: superstar, sensation, survivor
(01:34:12) - Lucy Lawless: TV’s warrior princess
(01:43:02) - How to work with Pallas Athena in the CHANI app

This episode was recorded on 7/30/2025.

For more astrological insights, download the CHANI app: https://www.chani.com/

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The song “Midas,” featured in the podcast, was created by NISHA and is available wherever you listen to music. You can learn more about NISHA here: https://thisisnisha.com/

This episode also mentioned the following creative works:
- “Asteroid Goddesses: The Mythology, Psychology, and Astrology of the Re-Emerging Feminine” by Demetra George and Douglas Bloch: https://bookshop.org/p/books/asteroid-goddesses-the-mythology-psychology-and-astrology-of-the-re-emerging-feminine-demetra-george/9054693?ean=9780892540822&next=t
- “Circe” by Madeline Miller: https://bookshop.org/p/books/circe-madeline-miller/15276582?ean=9780316556323&next=t
- “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus
- “Hit Me Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears
- “Insecure” (2016-2021) created by Issa Rae
- “Metamorphoses” by Ovid: https://bookshop.org/p/books/metamorphoses-revised-ovid/14915128?ean=9780140447897&next=t
- “The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl” (2011-2013) created by Issa Rae
- “Mississippi Goddam” by Nina Simone
- “The Oresteia” by Aeschylus: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-oresteia-aeschylus/17064505?ean=9780140443332&next=t
- “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” (1993) directed by Brian Gibson

P.S. The transcript for this episode is available here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/2zrxccy3lg43ilcl1faop/ADYrmjRCIpZptv8D-qmeMBk?rlkey=ty69ale355txstwnkmo7gzqrz&e=1&dl=0