I am all that is, that will be, and that has been. No mortal has ever known the depth of my heart. Long before the Parthenon rose above Athens, enduring symbols were set in stone in commemoration of divine wisdom. Athena: Birth of Wisdom, Ann Hinkle's lyrical exploration of an imagined coming of age for the legendary goddess of wisdom and courage, illuminates an inspirational story of compassion and healing. Bound and savagely beaten by her brother, Vulture Claw, the girl called Child of Serpents is cast into a cell deep within the earth in the aftermath of a palace coup. There, with the aid of her guiding spirit, the great serpent Coiled Light, she embarks upon a revelatory path of transformation and self-discovery. As the pages of this absorbing psychological novel travel through the Child's memories, confronting the pain, rejection, and physical violence of her early childhood, the world above is plunged into disaster with the onset of drought and famine. When another serpent, the cobra Shifting Sand, arrives bearing offerings from a temple altar, the Child's story becomes one of action and labor, as she uses simple tools furnished by her devotees to break the stone seal and dark magic that have imprisoned her. Emerging from beyond the gates of death, the thrice-born heroine can at last face her murderous brother and restore wisdom and prosperity to her land. At the heart of this remarkable and powerful story lie the mythic touchstones that sustain and encourage the countless future generations who will come to know her as Athena. Athena: Birth of Wisdom is a timeless tale of the journey within, exploring the process of reflection and consideration that ultimately cultivates compassion for ourselves and for those who have violated our trust. It is a truly heroic quest in which the key is the resolution of internal conflicts, and through that transformative experience comes the liberation to move forward with life and create a place of true wisdom, strength, and courage. Discover this thrilling interpretation of mythic archetypes and classical storytelling as Athena: Birth of Wisdom shares its message of self-awakening, awareness, and engaged presence.