Athena of the steel-grey eyes and steady gaze,
goddess who sees the battlefield entire, who knows
each soldier on the field, who whispers
in each general’s ear, who hears each one who sits
at home and waits for word with hope and dread
and desperate prayers, I call to you. Athena,
a world at war is a fearful place, a place
of pain and woe, a place where all we understand
turns strange and terrifying, where all we know
of life and love is cherished all the more. Athena,
goddess who knows well of war and all it creates,
hear my prayers, hear the words of one whose faith
in you is full: I trust in your wisdom, goddess,
I trust in your righteousness. Athena, I trust in you.

Bright-helmed Athena of the steady gaze,
mistress of many skills, bearer of much knowledge,
ever-insightful one who cherishes reason,
who holds wisdom dear. Athena of the aegis,
spear-shaker, holder of the Gorgon shield, war-maid
who steps into battle with lightness and grace
as if it were dance, the clash of swords ringing
like cymbals to your ears. Athena who rewards
the clever and the brave with fair fame, friend of those
who face the world with open eyes and guarded heart,
for those who make their own luck will find their fortune
grows strong and stronger. Goddess, I praise you in all things.

Clear-eyed Athena, unrivaled in wisdom,
daughter of Zeus and Metis whose craft and wit
excelled among the mighty Titans: Athena,
I pray to you. Wise in all things you are, goddess;
your cunning and guile are well known. In time of war
you have no equal in tactics or in strategy;
many armies have you guided to victory.
In time of peace your blessings fall on those whose work
is of the mind–friend of the philosopher,
the scientist, the student. Advisor of kings,
patron of clever heroes and bold-hearted
adventurers, defender of the thinker,
mistress of reason and understanding, goddess
to whom a strong arm and a sharp sword are nothing
without the sense to wield them well and the insight
to know when words are worth more than weapons.
Athena, grant me a sound mind and steady temper,
bless me with good judgment, show me the long view.

Steel-eyed Athena, wisest of goddesses,
daughter of thundering Zeus and Metis of good counsel,
patron of great heroes and adventurers,
advisor of princes and kings, your favor falls
on the bold and the clever, on those who dare
and those who tempt the noble Fates. Athena,
weaver of the finest, fairest tapestries,
teacher of art and craft to mortal artisans,
worker of metals, your soft hands guide the flow
of molten ore. Leader of battles, warrior maid,
of tactics and of strategy you know all,
of clever trickery and wiles you are the master;
with words and wit you may win much, with strength of arm
and sharpened sword, at need, you take all contests.
Athena of wisdom, Athena of skills,
goddess of the agile mind, for your works I praise you.

Clear-minded Athena, bestower of wisdom,
granter of reason, judicious one whose agile mind
knows when to be prudent and when to be bold,
whose guidance is true, whose advice is ever sound.
I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings.

Great and good Athena, mistress of the city,
who finds beauty in clean-swept streets and well-planned squares,
who guards the gates of towns and cities large and small,
who hears all words spoken in market and assembly,
I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings.

Mighty Athena, whose able arm ever aids
the weak, who upholds our efforts, who sustains
our strength, who in battle is unsurpassed, you ward us
from all who would assail us, all who wish us harm.
I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings.

Clever Athena, contriver of cunning plans,
crafty one, artful one, who looks upon the game
half-played and sees the way to seize the win. Goddess,
you know that where might may fail, wit will ever succeed.
I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings.

Triumphant Athena, bringer of victory,
holder of the battle standard, sounder of
the war trumpet, granter of the spoils of strife,
wisest of strategists, wiliest of tacticians. Goddess,
I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings.

Athena Ergane, worker of art and craft,
weaver of tapestries so intricate and bright,
the world pales beside them; friend of the spinner,
the seamstress, the smith, friend of all artisans,
I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings.

Gracious Athena, patron of heroes clever
and strong, discerner of excellence, with a glance
you know the best of men and women and make them yours.
Challenge and chance fall to those you favor, goddess.
I praise and honor you, I thank you for your blessings.

Glorious Athena, whose spirit stands so tall
and strong in shining cities, whose comfort is sought
by great heroes and by those who aspire to greatness,
whose courage and cleverness are without equal,
gracious Athena, I honor and revere you.
Athena, advisor of kings and queens, granter
of wisdom to those with wit to seek it, goddess
whose eye is ever fixed on the horizon,
goddess who is open to all possibilities,
goddess who is aware of all options, goddess
who in every game thinks ahead to its every
ending. Athena, mistress of the long view,
I call to you to show me what will be, I call
to you to guide me through the world’s intricacies.
Athena, steel-eyed goddess, I sing of your might,
I praise your name, I thank you for your many gifts.

I call to Athena, clear-eyed daughter of Zeus;
from his head you burst forth, all in brilliant armor,
a warrior from your first breath, born with all the skill,
all the insight, all the guile of an old warlord.
In ancient times were you well honored, goddess;
in every town your name was spoken with love
and reverence; above all in Athens, that finest
of cities, did you receive the greatest devotion.
Bold Athena whose favor falls on the brave
and on the clever, who hones the wit of the scholar
and quickens the nimble fingers of the artisan,
who offers counsel reasoned and reflective,
farsighted builder of cities who leads humanity
toward concord and community, granter of
the gift of civilization, I call to you.

Athena, noble patroness of great Athens,
mighty daughter of lightning-wielding Zeus alone,
goddess of cities, of civilization,
of all the art and craft that men may devise
to build a hale and happy community;
goddess of clarity, goddess of deep thought,
of reason, of wisdom and of its pursuit,
of choices made with judgment and deliberation;
goddess of intricacies, of clever strategy,
of planning and perspective, of the long view,
of each option measured with skill and precision;
Athena, goddess upon whose understanding
and benevolence we may rely,
I honor you and thank you for your many gifts.