Feast for Our Protectors December 4th, 2006 Color of the day: Lavender Incense of the day: Myrrh December 4 is feast day for Pallas Athena, Chango, and St. Barbara. All three of these are associated with warriors and offer protection against lightning. This protection can be extended to include protection from fire, explosions, and sudden deaths of all sorts, including on the battlefield. The Greek goddess Athena is the patroness of not simply war but also of strategy. Like her Roman counterpart, Minerva, she is also associated with wisdom and knowledge. St. Barbara was a girl who was locked away in a tower by her father because of her extreme beauty. Her father was struck down by lightning after having her beheaded for her spiritual beliefs, whereas Athena sprang forth from her own father’s head after he tried to kill her by swallowing her mother, Metis. On the other hand, Chango is the playboy of the Orishas and a man of passion and power, war, and dance. Like Athena’s father Zeus, he controls lightning and thunder. Set up a feast in honor of these protectors—including olives for Athena, cornbread, okra, bananas, and apples for Chango, and a chalice of dry, red wine or juice for St. Barbara. Invoke your preferred deities, and invite them to dine with you. Make up a separate plate and chalice for them and place it across the table from you before you eat. As you sit there, express your anger and your concerns with the world and its future. Ask the protectors for their strength, protection, and guidance on the occasion of their feast day. By: Lady MoonDance