Who Is Odysseus? His Myth, Story, And Astrology Meaning

Odysseus is one of the most famous heroes of Greek mythology and the main character in Homer’s epic, The Odyssey. If you’ve been wondering “who is Odysseus?”, his story is one of intelligence, survival, and a very long journey home.

Although he is a mortal, he is strongly loved (and favored) by the gods, especially the warrior goddess Athena. He and Athena have a kind of special connection. However, it’s not romantic in any way, which is actually very off-brand for many of the “special connections” we see in Greek mythology. Athena is more like his spirit guide, divine protector, and strategic ally. They share similar traits — cunning, cerebral intelligence, and masterful strategy — which is likely why she takes such a strong interest in him.

Originally, Odysseus is the King of a small (and politically insignificant) Greek island called Ithaca. This island is situated off the west coast of Greece, across the sea from southern Italy. When he takes part in the Trojan War, he travels across mainland Greece and the Aegean Sea towards Troy, which was located on the coast of modern-day Turkey. Odysseus is a significant figure in the Trojan War and is often credited with the idea of the Trojan Horse — one of the most famous strategies in Greek mythology.

You see, the Trojan War was long. Like… painfully long. The Greeks and the Trojans were stuck in a stalemate because both sides had incredibly strong heroes and backing from different gods. There were also a lot of interpersonal dynamics involved. Most of the stories from this period are told in The Iliad.

One of my favourite modern takes on The Illiad is the romantic fiction, The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. It follows the love story between Patroclus and Achilles (another key figure in the Trojan War). It’s a slightly indirect way of understanding the war, but it gives a really rich emotional perspective — and you also get glimpses of figures like Odysseus through a different lens.

So, when the Trojan Horse plan finally works, it breaks the stalemate and the Greeks win the war. Even though Odysseus has already been through a lot at this point, this is actually where his story— The Odyssey — really begins.

The Odyssey is essentially the story of Odysseus and his men trying to get back home to Ithaca, while facing trials, tribulations, and all kinds of mythological chaos along the way. And somehow… it takes another TEN YEARS.

There are many reasons for this delay — angry gods, magical sorceresses, impossible challenges — but there are also moments where you might wonder if Odysseus lingered a little longer than necessary. It’s open to interpretation, but it’s definitely a question worth asking.

A really interesting way to explore that idea is through another Madeline Miller novel, Circe. This book gives us insight into Odysseus through his relationship with the witch Circe, whom he encounters during The Odyssey. It adds a whole new dimension to his character.

Eventually, Odysseus does make it back home to Ithaca. Some versions of the myth leave it there, with a satisfying reunion between him and his loyal wife Penelope. Other versions go a bit deeper and suggest that after twenty years of war and survival, he was never really the same — honestly, how could he not have some PTSD?

It makes sense. After living in a constant state of high-stakes tension — first in the Trojan War, and then throughout his long journey — it’s hard to imagine settling back into quiet island life without feeling a bit… anticlimactic.

Now that we understand Odysseus’ story a bit more, we can start to look at what he represents from an astrology perspective.

Odysseus is one of those figures who could fit into several astrological archetypes, depending on which part of his story you focus on. But if we look at Odysseus as a character — his core personality — one archetype stands out more than anything else: Mercury (or Hermes).

Odysseus is deeply Mercurial. He’s known for his cunning way with words, his ability to persuade, and his talent for bending the truth to his advantage. As a war hero, he doesn’t rely on brute strength — he relies on intelligence, adaptability, and strategy. The Trojan Horse is the perfect example of this kind of Mercury-style thinking in action.

If I were looking for Odysseus in a birth chart, I’d immediately pay attention to strong Mercury placements. For example: Mercury in Leo (bringing in that heroic, expressive edge), Mercury in Aries (quick-thinking and decisive), or Mercury conjunct Mars in Gemini (sharp, strategic, and verbally powerful). Especially if Mercury is connected to one of the angles, this kind of placement really captures that blend of cleverness and action that defines Odysseus.