Ways of Worship: Hestia

Hestia is the Greek Goddess of the hearth, home, architecture, the state, and family. She’s also one of the virgin/maiden Goddesses who is seen as a protector deity. Her Roman form is Vesta. She is the daughter of Rhea and Kronus (Cronus). Her siblings are Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Hades, and Demeter. She is the first born child of Rhea and Kronus but after Zeus freed her and the rest of her siblings from having been eaten by their father she was the last to be spit out. This makes people regard her as both the oldest and youngest of the siblings. She has no husband or children, being a maiden Goddess. However, Hestia was such a crucial part of worship that she was pictured and honored in every temple of every God or Goddess.

In lore, Hestia is only really known for two myths. The first being that she was originally one of the 12 Olympians. this myth is very inconsistent as different parts of Greece was shown to have Hestia included in the 12 in the Eastern portions and Dionysus in the West. However, it's said that given her more passive and peaceful nature she stepped aside and gave up her seat among the Olympians when Dionysus came along. Dionysus, by nature, was more ambitious and "loud" if you will and fighting had begun to break out over who the seat should belong to.

In her other lore, Hestia wasn't originally a maiden or virgin Goddess. She decided to take that rout when both Apollo and Poseidon began competing for her hand in marriage. Hestia refused and went to her brother Zeus asking him to let her remain an eternal virgin. Zeus agreed and she took her place at his hearth. Her position there allowed her to tend to the sacrificial flame where a piece of every sacrifice made to the Gods was received by her Hestia is not predominately seen in many other myths.

Altar, Offerings, and Symbols

General Symbols: Hearth, home, living flame, architecture, bowl, veils, pantry, keys, pictures of houses you’ve lived in/cool architecture you like, kettles, family (chosen family counts) and ancestor stuff

Animals: Donkey and pigs

Plants: Angel’s trumpet (datura), California poppy, goldenrod, hollyhock, purple coneflower, yarrow, and chaste tree

Scents: Angelica, iris, lavender, and peony

Gemstones/Metals: Amethyst, garnet, gold, silver, and brass

Colors: Gold, dark rose, lavender, silver, and black

As always, these are just suggestions. Go with your gut and if it really comes down to it then you can always pray to her and ask. It's always recommended to use what you feel is right and most importantly use what you have on hand. This Goddess, in particular, won't be upset or mad if it's not something specifically linked to her. Really I think she would even like freshly baked foods that you make.

Prayers

Things to consider praying for are protection, inspiration, happiness, guidance, and help getting rid of negative entities in the home, peace in the home, good food, an abundance of food, independence, help to start/tending to the hearth, and strong family bonds.

Invocation of HestiaHail Hestia,Ancient heart MotherGoddess of the Spiritual Flame,We thank you for your constant love and care.We ask that you come and dwell here.Make of our home your home.

Make of our hearth your hearth.Make of our temple your temple.

Make of our hearts one heart, your heat.Hail Hestia!

Prayer To HestiaBlessed Lady of the Hearth

Keeper of the sacred flames of Olympus

Enter this home and make it your own

Enter and be welcomeBless all who enter here with peace

Bless all who dwell here with your protection

Grant me and mine your protectionThat we may always find our way to you