Athena is Ulysses' special patron. The bond between them arises from the similarities of their natures; as the Goddess herself puts it in Book 13: We both know tricks, since you are by far the best among all men in counsel and tales, but I among all the Gods have renown for wit (metis) and tricks. ¹
   In Book 3 Nestor speaks to Telemachus about the wondrous character of this relationship and hopes that Telemachus will enjoy similar protection from the Goddess: Would that bright-eyed Athena should care to love you as once she cherished mighty Ulysses in the land of the Trojans, where we Achaeans suffered woes -- for I never saw the Gods showing such open affection as Pallas Athena stood by him for all to see. ²
   At Troy, Athena constantly stood by Ulysses, loving and supporting him. In the action of the Odyssey, from the time Ulysses leaves Calypso's isle to the final truce in Ithaca, Athena likewise aids her favorite, both directly (after his arrival on Ithaca) and indirectly (among the Phaeacians). ³
   And Ulysses' long voyage home has become a paradigm for the journey of self-discovery which finally leads back, after many trials and confrontations with strange humans, monsters, Gods, and giants, to the center where one really belongs. ⁴
   The Name of Athena is mentioned 162 times in the Odyssey: 
 

• 1) 1.44 - Athena questions Zeus about Ulysses 
• 2) 1.80 - Athena proposes the return of Ulysses to his own home 
• 3) 1.118 - Telemachus invites Athena and clasps her right hand
• 4) 1.125 - Telemachus bores the spear of Athena
• 5) 1.130 - Telemachus leads and seats Athena herself on a chair
• 6) 1.156 - Telemachus speaks to Athena holding his head close
• 7) 1.178 - Athena prophesies the return of Ulysses 
• 8) 1.221 - Athena criticizes the shameful acts of Penelope's suitors
• 9) 1.252 - Athena prophesies the punishment of Penelope's suitors
• 10) 1.314 - Athena asks Telemachus to stop her no longer
• 11) 1.319 - Athena puts strength and courage in his heart
• 12) 1.327 - The minstrel sings the sorrowful return from Troy which Pallas Athena laid upon the Achaeans
• 13) 1.364 - Athena casts sweet sleep upon Penelope's eyelids
• 14) 1.444 - Telemachus ponders in his mind upon the journey which Athena had shown him
• 15) 2.12 - Athena causes a wonderful grace to fall upon Telemachus 
• 16) 2.116 - Athena endowed Penelope with knowledge of fair handiwork and an understanding heart, and stratagems
• 17) 2.261 - Telemachus prays to Athena 
• 18) 2.267 - Athena incites Telemachus to prepare his journey 
• 19) 2.296 - Telemachus did nor delay long after he had heard the voice of the Goddess 
• 20) 2.382 - Athena goes throughout the city, and to each of the men she draws near and speaks her word 
• 21) 2.390 - The Goddess makes more cheerful each man 
• 22) 2.396 - Athena incites Telemachus to start his journey 
• 23) 2.405 - Telemachus follows in the footsteps of the Goddess 
• 24) 2.416 - Athena seats down in the stern of the ship, and near her seats Telemachus 
• 25) 2.420 - And Athena sends them a favorable wind 
• 26) 3.10 - Athena leads the way 
• 27) 3.14 - Athena incites Telemachus not to feel shame
• 28) 3.25 - Athena tells Telemachus that he was born and brought up with the favor of the Gods
• 29) 3.29 - Telemachus follows in the footsteps of the Goddess 
• 30) 3.42 - Libations and prayers are made to the immortals
• 31) 3.51 - Athena prays to the God Poseidon
• 32) 3.76 - Athena puts courage in Telemachus heart 
• 33) 3.145 - Agamemnon wants to appease the dread wrath of Athena,--fool! 
• 34) 3.218 - "Ah, would Athena might choose to love you even as then she cared exceedingly for glorious Ulysses" 
• 35) 3.222 - "For never yet have I seen the Gods so manifestly showing love, as Pallas Athena did to him, standing manifest by his side" 
• 36) 3.229 - Easily might a God who willed it bring a man safe home 
• 37) 3.330 - "Even now it is not fitting to sit long at the feast of the Gods" 
• 38) 3.343 - When they had poured libations, then truly Athena and godlike Telemachus were both willing to return to the ship 
• 39) 3.356 - Athena goes to the ship and heartens her comrades 
• 40) 3.371- Athenadeparts in the likeness of a sea-eagle 
• 41) 3.385 - Nestor prays to Pallas Athena, and she hears him 
• 42) 3.394 - Nestor bade a bowl be mixed, and ardently he prayed, as he poured libations, to Athena 
• 43) 3.419 - "That first of all the Gods I may propitiate Athena, who came to me in manifest presence" 
• 44) 3.435 - Athena comes to accept the sacrifice 
• 45) 3.446 - Then Nestor begins the opening rite of hand-washing and sprinkling with barley grains, and ardently he prays to Athena 
• 46) 4.289 - Pallas Athena leads away Helen from the Trojan horse 
• 47) 4.341 - "O father Zeus and Athena and Apollo" 
• 48) 4.502 - Aias hated of Athena 
• 49) 4.752 - "Pray to Athena, for she may then save him even from death" 
• 50) 4.761 - Penelope prays to Athena 
• 51) 4.795 - Athena makes a phantom and sends it to Penelope 
• 52) 4.828 - The phantom speaks to Penelope about Pallas Athena
• 53) 5.5 - Athena speaks to the Immortals about Ulysses 
• 54) 5.108 - The offense of the warriors against Athena 
• 55) 5.382 - Athena helps Ulysses on the sea
• 56) 5.427 - Athena puts a thought in Ulysses' mind 
• 57) 5.437 - Athena gives prudence to Ulysses
• 58) 5.491 - Athena sheds sleep upon Ulysses eyes 
• 59) 6.2 - Athena goes to the land and city of the Phaeacians 
• 60) 6.13 - Athena contrives the return of great-hearted Ulysses 
• 61) 6.22 - Athena speaks to Nausikaa 
• 62) 6.41 - Athena goes to Olympus 
• 63) 6.112 - Athena takes the counsel that Ulysses might awake and see the fair-faced maid 
• 64) 6.140 - Athena puts courage in the heart and takes fear from the limbs 
• 65) 6.229 - Athena makes Ulysses taller to look upon and mightier, and from his head she makes the locks to flow in curls like unto the hyacinth flower 
• 66) 6.233 - Athena sheds grace upon the head and shoulders of Ulysses 
• 67) 6.291 - Ulysses rests in the goodly grove of Athena 
• 68) 6.322 - Ulysses prays to Athena in the glorious grove, sacred to Athena 
• 69) 6.324 - Athena hears Ulysses prayer; but she does not yet appear to him face to face 
• 70) 7.14 - Athena with kindly purpose, casts about Ulysses a thick mist 
• 71) 7.19 - Athena meets Ulysses in the guise of a young maiden
• 72) 7.27 - Athena speaks to Ulysses 
• 73) 7.37 - Athena leads the way quickly, and Ulysses follows in the footsteps of the Goddess 
• 74) 7.40 - The heart of Athena is kind towards Ulysses 
• 75) 7.47 - Athena advises Ulysses 
• 76) 7.78 - Athena departs over the unresting sea and enters the well-built house of Erechtheus
• 77) 7.110 - Athena gives to women above all others skill in fair handiwork, and an understanding heart
• 78) 7.140 - Ulysses is wrapped in a thick mist which Athena sheds about him 
• 79) 7.311 - "O father Zeus, Athena and Apollo" 
• 80) 8.7 - Athena goes to each man's side, speaks and rouses the spirit and heart of each man 
• 81) 8.18 - Athena sheds a wonderful grace upon the head and shoulders of Ulysses 
• 82) 8.193 - Athena in the likeness of a man speaks to Ulysses 
• 83) 8.493 - The Trojan horse was made with Athena's help 
• 84) 8.520 - Ulysses braved the most terrible fight and in the end conquered by the aid of great-hearted Athena 
• 85) 9.317 - Athena grants glory
• 86) 11.547 - Ulysses had won the contest for the arms of Achilles; and the judges were the sons of the Trojans and Pallas Athena 
• 87) 11.626 - Hermes and Pallas Athena were the guides of Hercules when he went to the house of Hades
• 88) 13.121 - Ulysses sets out for home through the favor of great-hearted Athena 
• 89) 13.190 - About Ulysses the Goddess, equable Pallas Athena, sheds a mist that she might render him unknown, and tell him all things
• 90) 13.221 - Athena draws near Ulysses in the form of a young man 
• 91) 13.236 - The Goddess Athena answers Ulysses 
• 92) 13.251 - Ulysses is glad, and rejoices as he hears the word of Pallas Athena 
• 93) 13.287 - Athena smiles and changes herself to the form of a woman, comely and tall, and skilled in glorious handiwork 
• 94) 13.300 - Pallas Athena "ever stands by your side, and guards you in all toils" 
• 95) 13.329 - Athena answers: "I cannot leave you in your sorrow"
• 96) 13.360 - Athena answers again: "Be of good cheer"
• 97) 13.370 - Pallas Athena sets a stone at the door of the cave 
• 98) 13.374 - Athena urges Ulysses to take thought how he may put forth his hands on the shameless Penelope's suitors
• 99) 13.389 - Athena answers Ulysses: "I will be with you, and will not forget you"
• 100) 13.420 - Ulysses answeres Athena: "Your mind knows all things "
• 101) 13.429 - When Ulysses and Athena had taken counsel together, they parted
• 102) 14.2 - Athena  shows Ulysses the place where to go
• 103) 14.216 - Ares and Athena give courage, and strength that breaks the ranks of men
• 104) 15.1 - Pallas Athena goes to spacious Lacedaemon to remind the glorious son of great-hearted Ulysses of his return, and to hasten his coming
• 105) 15.9 - Athena urges Telemachus to return home 
• 106) 15.222 - Telemachus prays and offers sacrifice to Athena 
• 107) 15.292 - Athena sends a favorable wind 
• 108) 16.156 - Athena appears near Ulysses in the likeness of a woman, comely and tall, and skilled in glorious handiwork 
• 109) 16.166 - Athena makes a sign with her brows, and Ulysses perceives it, and goes forth from the living room, and stands before her 
• 110) 16.172 - Athena touches Ulysses with her golden wand 
• 111) 16.207 - The return of Ulysses is the work of Athena 
• 112) 16.233 - Ulysses follows the advice of Athena 
• 113) 16.260 - The two helper Gods, Athena with father Zeus, rule over all men alike and the immortal Gods
• 114) 16.282 - Ulysses acts when Athena, rich in counsel, puts it in his mind 
• 115) 16.298 - Pallas Athena and Zeus, the counselor, delude Penelope's suitors
• 116) 16.451 - The Goddess Athena casts sweet sleep upon Penelope's eyelids
• 117) 16.454 - Athena taps Ulysses with her wand 
• 118) 17.60 - Wonderful is the grace that Athena sheds upon Telemachus 
• 119) 17.132 - "O father Zeus, Athena and Apollo" 
• 120) 17.360 - Athena rouses Ulysses to go among Penelope's suitors and learn which of them were righteous and which lawless
• 121) 18.69 - Athena draws near and makes greater the limbs of  Ulysses
• 122) 18.155  -Athena sets in bonds Amphinomus so that he might be slain outright at the hands of Telemachus and by his spear
• 123) 18.158 - The Goddess, bright-eyed Athena puts it in the heart of wise Penelope, to show herself to the suitors, that she might set their hearts a-flutter 
• 124) 18.187 - Athena gives Penelope immortal gifts, that the Achaeans might marvel at her
• 125) 18.235 - "O father Zeus, and Athena and Apollo" 
• 126) 18.346 - Athena does in no wise suffer the proud Penelope's suitors to abstain from bitter outrage
• 127) 19.2 - Ulysses plans with the help of Athena the slaying of Penelope's suitors
• 128) 19.33 - Pallas Athena bearing a golden lamp, makes a most beautiful light 
• 129) 19.52 - Ulysses plans with the help of Athena the slaying of Penelope's suitors
• 130) 19.479 - Athena turns Penelope's attention 
• 131) 19.604 - Athena casts sweet sleep upon Penelope's eyelids
• 132) 20.30 - Athena comes down from heaven and draws near to Ulysses in the likeness of a woman, and she stands above his head, and speaks to him 
• 133) 20.44 - The Goddess Athena speaks to Ulysses 
• 134) 20.72 - Athena teaches skill in famous handiwork 
• 135) 20.284 - Athena does in no wise suffer the proud Penelope's suitors to abstain from bitter outrage 
• 136) 20.345 - Athena rouses unquenchable laughter 
• 137) 21.1 - The Goddess Athena puts it into the heart of wise Penelope, to set before the suitors the bow and the gray iron, to be a contest and the beginning of death 
• 138) 21.358 - Athena casts sweet sleep upon Penelope's eyelid 
• 139) 22.205 - Athena draws near Ulysses, like unto Mentor in form and voice, and Ulysses sees her, and is glad 
• 140) 22.210 - Athena, the rouser of hosts 
• 141) 22.213 - Agelaus rebukes Athena 
• 142) 22.224 - Athena grows angry 
• 143) 22.256 - Athena deflects the spears 
• 144) 22.273 - Athena deflects the spears 
• 145) 22.297 - Athena holds up her aegis, the bane of mortals 
• 146) 23.156 - Athena sheds beauty on Ulysses' head and shoulders
• 147) 23.160 - Hephaestus and Pallas Athena teach all manner of craft, and full of grace is the work human being produces
• 148) 23.242 - Athena holds back Dawn 
• 149) 23.344 - When Athena judges that the heart of Ulysses had had its fill of dalliance with his wife and of sleep, straightway she rouses from Oceanus golden-throned Dawn to bring light to men
• 150) 23.371 - Athena hides them in night, and swiftly leads them forth from the city
• 151) 24.367 - Athena makes Laertes better to behold in comeliness and in stature
• 152) 24.376 - "O father Zeus, and Athena and Apollo" 
• 153) 24.472 - Athena speaks to Zeus 
• 154) 24.487  - Zeus rouses Athena 
• 155) 24.502 - Athena draws near them and Ulysses is glad at sight of her
• 156) 24.516  - Athena says to Laertes to make a prayer to the bright-eyed maiden and to father Zeus
• 157) 24.520 - Pallas Athena breathes into Laertes great might 
• 158) 24.529 - Athena refrains the men of Ithaca from grievous war 
• 159) 24.533 - Athena speaks and pale fear seizes them 
• 160) 24.541 - Athena orders Ulysses to stay his hand and make the strife of equal war to cease 
• 161) 24.545 - Athena speaks and Ulysses obeys, and is glad at heart 
• 162) 24.547 - Then for all time to come a solemn covenant between the two is made by Pallas Athena 

Notes:
 

1. Homer, Odyssey 13. 296-299.
2. Homer, Odyssey 3. 218-222.
3. Clay, Jenny Strauss. The Wrath of Athena - Gods and Men in the Odyssey, Littlefield Adams Books. 1997, chap. I, pp. 42-43.
4. Nichols, Sallie. Jung and Tarot - An Archetypal Journey, Samuel Weiser, Inc. 1980, chap. 10, p. 140.