Sport

Pallas Athene was the epitome of sportswomanship: lean and strong, confident and coordinated, competitive and enthusiastic. Physically, she was the equal -- at least -- of any male, be he a man or a god, as she proved in numerous competitions.

While most women don't aspire to become heavyweight lifters, we are moving into arenas formerly reserved for men. In America, it's basketball. After seven years of being unofficial, the Women's Rugby World Cup was sanctioned by the International Rugby Board in 1998. Women drive race cars, race yachts, rope calves, golf and box. In most cases, women compete against other women, but that may change as more of us enter the sports world. Already some competitions, such as the 300-mile New Zealand Eco-Challenge, require at least one female member on each team.

Some of the most demanding sports are traditionally feminine. Figure skater Nancy Kerrigan and gymnast Kerri Strug both suffered traumatic injuries in their quests for Olympic gold; neither woman let it stop her from pursuing an athletic career.

Of course, most of us are not in their league. A weekly softball game with our co-workers or the occasional round of tennis with a girlfriend may be the extent of our participation in sports. As spectators, we often attend games or watch them on television with our male partners, or we cheer our children's school and community teams to victory.

But participating in sports makes us more confident and coordinated and can help keep us fit. You may not aspire to be the next Anna Kournikova, but you'd be surprised how beneficial your sports experience can be to the other aspects of your life. Sports hone our decisionmaking ability, develop our sense of strategy, and teach us to maintain our poise and dignity even in defeat -- important skills in both career and parenting. Even women who think they hate all sports can usually find something they like once they open their minds to the possibilities.

Pallas Athene's position in your birth chart can influence your choice of individual or team sports, how passionate you are about your chosen sports, and how good you become at them. Team captains often have a stronger dose of Pallas Athene in their lives.

More on Sports:

Sports by the Signs

Recommended Links on Sports:

iVillage Diet & Fitness Channel