Hestia
Goddess of Hearth & Home
Parents: The first-born daughter of the Titans Cronus and Rhea.
Lovers: Apollo and Poseidon both courted her at one time, but Hestia accepted neither (see: the Courtship of Hestia); Priapus once tried to rape her but ultimately failed (see: Attempted Rape of Hestia). Hestia is a virgin goddess who was never married and never took on a lover due to her own choice.
Children: None.
Domain: Middle World. Hestia is the hearth, the heart of the home, and the spirit of community within households, families, and communities. She was given the keys to Mount Olympus and spends the majority of her time taking care of the massive home of the Gods.
Powers: Goddess of the hearth, the home, altars, cooking bread, preparation of the family meal, sacrificial fires, family, households, feasts and banquets, and the community as a whole (macrocosm) as well as the individual (household and family as the microcosm). Call upon Hestia under the following circumstances:
- The Hearth & Altars. Erecting a new altar, feeding an existing altar, performing altar maintenance - especially lighting sacrificial fires, establishing any permanent altar area, erecting sacred space, creating candles or lamps, lighting purification incense, building outdoor fires in a fire pit, barbecue, fire festivals, building a fireplace in a fire, hearth maintenance.
- Home & Household. Making blue prints for a home, making an addition to your home, remodeling, redecorating, moving, relocating, selling your home, finding a new home, helping the homeless, a new addition to the household, family or social group (through marriage, dating, pregnancy, birth, becoming a godparent, becoming a foster parent, getting a new pet, etc), to get rid or say goodbye to someone in the household, family, or social group (through divorce, breaking up, moving out, moving away, death, re-homing a pet, etc), physically cleaning your home, house cleansings, transforming your home into a loving, warm, welcoming environment of which you can be proud, creating a happy environment, creating domestic bliss, welcoming domestic blessings, improving communication within the household, preparing meals for yourself, the family, household, and groups of people, hosting gatherings, tending to domestic responsibilities (such as mending clothing, washing clothing, repairing items, baking, cooking, basic cleaning, taking household inventory), general household and property maintenance, help with paying the bills and general survival, creating a stable home and home-life, budgeting, stocking the pantry, personal security, happiness.
- Purification & Solitude. Purification of space, purification of self, alone time, ritual baths, ritual itself, meditation, asceticism, quiet reflection, active meditation (usually through cleaning), silence, alone time, private time, self-care, domestic hobbies (sewing, knitting, crocheting, etc), focusing on a task before you, unlocking doors and barriers within your own life, putting up boundaries, finding your passion, discovering your purpose in life, dealing with celibacy, doing only what makes you happy, being beholden to no one but yourself, being happy and complete with yourself, dealing with being an old maid, accepting that you may never marry, coming to terms with infertility, becoming grounded.
- Community & Others. Politics, acting as a intermediary, calming down rough waters, finding the middle ground of a situation, dealing with matters of morality, ethics, kindness, order, and general "goodness" and "positivity," healing, nursing the ill, accepting your role in the community, giving time to charitable donations and community situations, parting ways from lovers, spouses, family and friends, dealing with authority and control, establishing expectations and rules, learning not to indulge in gossip and slander, keeping out of other people's businesses, listening to those who need to speak, giving sage council and advice only when asked, when attempting to build bridges between communities and groups of peoples, activism for social injustice, understanding between different cultures, community-building, breaking down of barriers between different groups, finding and focusing on similarities between groups (rather than differences).
- Traits & Aspects. Invoking traits of hospitality, generosity, reciprocity, independence, comfort, nurturing, charity, maintaining your own independence within a relationship, self-reliance, self-sustainable living, seeking support, protection, purification, safety, coming to terms with self-sacrificing your own needs for the good of all, practical, efficient, frugal, virtuous, pleasant demeanor, happiness, personal security.
- Community & Others. entering politics, acting as a intermediary, or trying to come to a middle ground in any situation, dealing with matters of morality, ethics, kindness, order, and general "goodness" or "positivity," caring for friends and family, healing, nursing the ill, coming to terms with being single, finding wholeness within yourself, independence, the idea of being an old maid, facing the fact that you may never marry, divorce, breaking up, coming to terms with authority, control, rules, etc
Colors: Warm, fire-related colors, such as shades of yellow, orange, and red. The Vestal Virgins who honor the Roman counterpart of Hestia (as Vesta) wore white, and this color is also associated with Hestia, who is a goddess of virginity (both in the literal and spiritual sense) and purity. Purple - especially in lavender tones - are also excellent colors for this goddess, for the color symbolism of spirituality, the connection to the third eye and crown chakras, and its associations with magick, ritual, spellwork, divination, and meditation.
Symbols:
- The Circle & Coins. Hestia was known as the "complete" goddess, one who was whole, and one who as "complete within herself." Hestia was seen as not only psychologically centered, but also representing the literal center of the home and family, the community, the city, society, and the world itself - she WAS the flame within the hearth and sacred fire bowls. The ancient Greeks accepted the notion of centricity in the earth as well as the universe, all the way down through the smaller, more intimate level of the home and even in one's self. In ancient Greece, all of her temples and altars were round in shape, thus circles are her symbol both literally and figuratively. Because coins are circles, and represent everything that a circle does, and because Hestia was traditionally represented upon coins, coins are also sacred to this Goddess.
- Fire, Torches & the Hearth. The biggest symbol of Hestia is fire - the eternal flame. The fire itself represents life, the warmth of the home, the passion that Hestia held for maintaining her sacred space (the home and community in general), purification, transformation, and being the central figure of authority (as in ancient times the hearth was located in the center of the home). The flame was an eternal symbol that could never go out, though the ancients did follow this as a literal interpretation. Every altar had a source of fire on it - a candle, an oil lamp, an hearth - and Hestia herself was known to spend her days joyfully tending the hearth of the Gods in Mount Olympus. Every community had an altar with a hearth dedicated to Hestia - when a new settlement was created, a runner would take a torch from a pre-established communal hearth fire to the new one; this is where we get the tradition of the torch within the Olympic Games. The hearth served as the center of the home; it's where the warmth flowed, where food was prepared, where Hestia was honored, and where the family gathered. More importantly, Hestia was seen as more than just a Goddess, but the actual embodiment of all that the flame represents - she WAS the flame within the heart, within the fire bowl, within the candle or oil lamp. One of the most powerful ways to honor Hestia is to utilize a fireplace, or otherwise create an altar with a candle - and if you can, have an LED candle light that you never allow to go out to represent her eternal flame without endangering the house to a disastrous fire.
- Bowl. As a domestic goddess, Hestia spends a lot of time in preparation of feasts and dinners for her family and friends. Thus, the bowl is highly sacred to Hestia, as are all things related to what is now known as kitchen witchery. In ancient Greece, fire bowls were also common - and this can be an excellent alternative to a hearth inside the home. Mixing bowls, offering bowls. chalices, and cauldrons are all excellent symbols to use for this goddess. In addition, the bowl often represents the womb; while Hestia was a virgin goddess who did not involve herself in sex and romance, she was always a nurturing goddess who spent her days taking care of others simply because she enjoyed it. She may not have given birth, but she acts just as much a mother as any other goddess who has.
- Altars. Hestia is the goddess of altars, especially those featuring a sacred flame. All altar creations, maintenance, and adornment are typically done with her favor and honor. Hestia had an altar within every house, business and governmental building in ancient times; to erect an altar for her within your home or business is to honor her in one of the most ancient ways possible.
- Veil. Whenever Hestia was depicted as a human form (most of the time, she was considered to be the literal representation of the heart of the home and community), she was always dressed and depicted as demure and chaste. Part of this virtuous appearance included a veil that covered her hair. This often represents her decision to not focus on her love life and ability to not let her ego and pride get the better of her - she had no one to impress and please but herself. As such, she had no need to show skin or advertise her beauty through her crown (hair), because that was not what she wanted out of life. Many pagans incorporate a veil when working with Hestia as they enter the circle, and remove the veil as a symbol of nakedness, of removing all layers of pride, ego, lies, and false appearances. To her Hestia, they are raw, honest, and trusting.
- Keys. Hestia was given the keys to Mount Olympus, meaning that she had complete authority and control over all aspects of the Gods' home. The keys here represent that same authority within your own home, and also symbolically the key to your own potential and the opening of new doors. It can also symbolize the shutting of doors and windows, i.e. letting go and cutting ties.
- Scents & Oils. Lavender, chamomile, peony, iris. Making an infused oil of these scents are great, but lavender essential oil in a carrier oil is best, due to its calming and intuitive effects.
- Herbs & Plants. Parsley is purifying, grounding, transformative, and brings in happiness - this is the perfect herb to use as an offering to Hestia. Lavender brings in peace, calm, and harmony to the home, and is quite appropriate. Lemon is a purifying and cleansing fruit, traditionally used in cleaning, and can do wonders to lift the vibrations of the entire home. Chamomile is soothing, calming, and relaxing, perfect for embodying what the home should be. Cinnamon is an energetic herb that is use to warm the house, make it feel welcoming, draws in love, happiness, and wealth, and reminds us of the scent of baking. Frankincense and myrrh are often used in combination with each other for house purifications, as they are energetically strong energetic transformers. Basil is excellent for consecration, protection, harmony, peace, courage, and prevents theft within the home.
- Stones & Metals. White stones are great for Hestia, since they represent the purity and virtuous aspects of the goddess. Orange and fiery stones are also great, since she is considered a warm, caring fire goddess. Clear quartz is an excellent stone, since it is known as a universal healer and instills great clarity - and since Hestia is a logical goddess who helps where she can, this is perfect. Cherry quartz represents new hope, acts as an anti-depressant and anit-stress relief tool, dissolves tension, and a great healing and balancing stone. Rose quartz is also ideal, since it can aid in bonds, strengthens relationships, and gives a soothing, calming atmosphere to the home. Amethyst is an excellent for this goddess, since it emphasizes spiritual connection, aids in meditation, and boosts the third eye chakra. I find brass to be the best suited metal for this goddess, though some also say that silver and gold are just as appropriate.
Offerings: First fruits, oils, libations of water, cakes in the shape of calves, cows (or beef). Aromatic herbs are always appropriate. When creating a family meal, it is common to take a portion of the meal and drink before the meal has started, and to take some leftovers afterwards in honor of Hestia (but you may feed these to pets, such as cats or dogs, eaten later by you, given to nature, or gifted to someone in need of food). A LED candle is a good offering to this deity, as you can leave the candle burning day and night, and change the batteries out as part of your altar maintenance duties (which are sacred to her to begin with) to represent the eternal fire of the goddess that can never be extinguished on the earthly plane. A good alternative to candles for Hestia are also oil candles.
Hestia is the first and last born of the Olympian gods, eldest daughter and child of Cronus and Rhea, and sibling to the other Olympian gods (Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera). Because she is known to be first born of her mother, and last to be born through the regurgitation of her father, she is honored first and last in everything.
Physically, she is a mature woman who is perfectly demure. She always wears long dresses, with her hair tucked back under a veil. Hestia is never seen as provocative or sexy, but she is viewed as confident, demure, peaceful, and kind.
As a virgin goddess, Hestia has chosen a path of solitude, and often, celibacy. This is not the traditional interpretation of virginity within Ancient Greece, but this is the route that Hestia chose for herself. Rather than care for a husband, she proclaimed that she would be beholden to no man; however, her generosity and hospitality leads to her serving them out of sheer enjoyment and kindness. This is a goddess who does nothing but what makes her happy - and tending the hearth fire, maintaining the home, and being the perfect hostess is what makes her most content in life.
She is considered the embodiment of the sense of community and devotion to one another both within households, families, and communities at large. Hestia is often seen as a political goddess, and a very efficient mediator, always working on the side of good and morally pure. She gives help and comfort to those who seek it, and never demands more than one can give in return, even if that is nothing more than a thank you or a donation of energy. On a more personal level, she is the goddess that presides over the harmony within the household (as well as the community), and can be the one to call on to improve communication and relationships with those you live with, are related to, or associate with. Hestia is rarely seen as a person within ancient art because she was considered a more abstract deity - the very embodiment of the faith, devotion, and moral obligations that we all feel to ourselves, our families, our households, and our communities. She was the sacrificial altar flame that was never permitted to burn out - if a new village was established, it was common practice to light a torch from a pre-existing communal fire (which existed in all political and governmental structures), carry it to the new village, and light the communal fire from the torch there. There is evidence that the original fire - or when one did not have access to a communal fire, but needed the fire to be lit - they would use the power of the sun on mirrors to create the flame rather than through the more mundane method of rubbing sticks together. The eternal flame has always been a symbol of Hestia, but it also represents our own inner passion and devotion, as well as that of the divine.
Hestia is honored first and last, as already established. Just as all oaths are sworn to Zeus, so too are they sworn to Hestia - and Hestia likes to see oaths and promises kept. To light a candle or other open flame on an altar is to evoke Hestia herself - for she is the eternal altar flame. She presides over all rites and rituals, even those as mundane as cooking and eating as a family - she should be honored before and after the ritual (some give offerings of food and drink before it is consumed, and again afterwards).
She is attributed to the creation of houses as structures, and as such, is sacred to those involved in architecture, building structures with your own hands, remodeling, redecorating, and moving. As such, her domain is centered within the home and is related to all responsibilities and duties typically performed within a domestic lifestyle - being self sufficient, taking inventory, making the things you need, shopping, canning, baking, cooking, get-togethers and parties at the home, cleaning, house cleansing, chores, organization, decoration, and making the home a warm, welcoming place.
Few temples and shrines existed in honor of Hestia, because every governmental building, business, and home had an altar that everyone tended to. This goddess is sometimes paired with Hermes, in order to offer a balance between feminine and masculine, but also to represent the home and within oneself (through Hestia), and the world outside and the people there (represented by Hermes).
There is something peaceful and calming about Hestia. She forever strives to maintain a harmonious balance among all those she meets, and takes pride in her work - no one forces her to clean or act as hostess. She willingly chose her lot in life, and is completely fulfilled and content with what she is doing. This encourages us all to find what it is we love to do, and to do it frequently.
Myths
The First & Last Born. Hestia is the first child and daughter of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. When Cronus discovered from an oracle that his own son would someday overthrow him, he began to eat his own children, just to be safe, starting with Hestia. Rhea tricked Cronus with her last born, Zeus, by giving him a rock to eat instead; he had horrible stomach pains, and regurgitated all the children he ate in reverse order, thus "giving birth" to Hestia last. Zeus then overthrew his father, and his siblings all took their place as the Olympians and ruling gods.
Attempted Rape of Hestia. While at a merry gathering hosted by Hestia's mother, Rhea, all ate, drank, danced, and were merry. Hestia, quite tired from the day's events, and quite tipsy from the amount of wine consumed at the banquet, decided to lay down for a rest. Priapus, seeing the goddess sleeping to soundly and beautifully before him, not knowing that she was Hestia rather than a common nymph, is overcome with love and the desire to rule her; and as he approached her sleeping form with nothing but ill intent, the braying of a donkey woke the sleeping Hestia. The goddess woke suddenly, screamed upon seeing Priapus hovering over her, and brought the attention of those within the party. Priapus promptly flees, fully embarrassed.
Courtship of Hestia. While this is not a historical myth, it does a lot to demonstrate the personality of the goddess. Poseidon and Apollo both fell in love with Hestia, and both attempted to enter a courtship with her with the intent of marriage. When each found out the other had an interest in the same goddess, the forces of sky and sea began to be turbulent. Hestia, as a political woman intent to follow her own bliss, approached Zeus and informed him that she desired neither as a husband, but instead would prefer to remain a virgin goddess, beholden to no one but herself. Relieved at avoiding such a disastrous war among the gods, Zeus accepted Hestia's wishes and gave her the keys to Mount Olympus, to which she had complete control as her primary domain.
Abdication of an Olympian. While this is not historically accurate, there is a myth used for Hestia within pagan communities, especially those that honor Dionysus. This myth includes the rising popularity of Dionysus as the god of the Wine and Merryment, wishing to take his place within the circle of Olympians as a powerful deity. There were, however, no seats available, and Zeus refused to change the order of the ruling universe to incorporate Dionysus as the 13th Olympian. Hestia, feeling compassion for the God, decided to abdicate her throne to Dionysus in favor of tending the hearth fire.
The Spoken Word
Homeric Hymn to Hestia. A beautiful, rhyming invocation of Hestia, to be used while lighting her sacred flame upon her altar.
Hestia, in the high dwellings of all,
both deathless Gods and men who walk on earth,
you have gained an everlasting abode and highest honor:
glorious is your portion and your right.
For without you, mortals hold no banquet -
where one does not duly pour sweet wine in offering to Hestia
both first and last.
Orphic Hymn to VestaHestia. A non-rhyming alternative invocation of Hestia, to be used while lighting her sacred flame upon her altar.
Daughter of Saturn [Cronus], venerable dame,
Who dwell'st amidst great fire's eternal flame;
In sacred rites these ministers are thine,
Mystics much-blessed, holy and divine.
In thee, the Gods have fix'd their dwelling place,
Strong, stable basis of the mortal race.
Eternal, much-form'd ever-florid queen,
Laughing and blessed, and of lovely mien;
Accept these rites, accord each just desire,
And gentle health, and needful good inspire.
Meal Prayer to Hestia. A prayer requesting Hestia's blessing over a meal.
Sacred scents of Sky and Earth
Fill our home with health and mirth.
Bless our travels, return to heart,
Hestia's blessings to impart.
Peace and safety, love and light,
Respite, solace, compassion bright,
Warmth of family, steadfast and true,
Laughter of friendships, old and new
Gentleness, kindness, glowing flame,
Hestia, Hestia, I call your name!
Veiling Prayer {Hestia}. A prayer said while veiling and unveiling one's hair for intense spiritual reasons.
Beloved Hestia,
Please bring your flame of Divine Love into this household
And light the fire of kindness, compassion, and understanding
Within everyone who lives in and visits this our home.
Help us burn away any fears concerning love,
And to feel warm and secure.
Daily Prayer to Hestia. A prayer that is said as one rises and goes to sleep, requesting blessings from Hestia.
Beloved Hestia,
Please bring your flame of Divine Love into this household
And light the fire of kindness, compassion, and understanding
Within everyone who lives in and visits this our home.
Help us burn away any fears concerning love,
And to feel warm and secure.
Magickal Activities
Domestic Bliss Powder. Use to encourage harmony and openness in relationships, both as a preventative measure and after arguments. This can also be used as an offering to Hestia.
Sprinkle in a room, leave in a small glass or bowl, burn on a charcoal dish, or use as an offering to the goddess Hestia.
Ingredients
1 part lavender
1 part sage
1 part rosemary
1 part salt
Instructions
Hold each ingredient in your hand. Feel its energy. Take a few deep breaths, aligning yourself with those energies. Speak to the herb, requesting that it awake and use its essence aligned to your intentions. Add each to the mortar and pestle, stating the properties you want to awake.
"Lavender, I ask that you aid me in this working, and lend your calming, healing, and protective energies to this concoction."
"Sage, I ask that you aid me in this working, and lend me your purifying, cleansing, and transformative energies to this concoction."
"Rosemary, I ask that you aid me in this working, and lend me your purifying and banishing energies to this concoction."
Focus on your intent of purificaiton, transmutation of negative energy, and encouraging positive calmness (domestic bliss). Grind the herbs clockwise until a find powder has appeared.
Chant "domestic bliss" while visiualizing, holding the mortar and pestle full of the herbs in your hands.
Charge the powder with your personal energy by holding your hands in a triangle over the herbs. Breathe deep. With each pulse of the heartbeat, send energy into the herbs.
Charge the herbs under the dark or full moon, if possible.
This powder may be combined with salt to transform negative energy into positive energy, much like a sieve. If using the salt, you should not burn the concoction as an incense.
Household Protection #1. To keep the energies up and happy between house cleansings, specifically to protect against outside energies and forces.
If you find that your household is being rocked by an outside influence, try the following potion. This is for minor disruptions, to add an extra layer of protection around your home, and to uplift the energy. If you have experienced a major argument or other energetic shift, you may need a full-blown house cleansing.
Ingredients
Dried parsley
Pot of water
Spray bottle or bowl
Instructions
Hold the parsley in your cupped hand. Speak to it, asking the parsley to work with you. Feel the energies of the parsley, and align with those energies while breathing deep.
"Parsley, I ask that you aid me today in this working, and lend your protective, purifying, and happy energies to this concoction. I ask that you create happiness within my home through your transformative powers of purification."
Add the parsley to a pot of water boiling water. Take off the fire immediately; allow the water to steep for 9 minutes, or until cooled. Strain the water and add to a spray bottle. Spritz this potion around your house, concentrating on rooms where disturbances have been lately, and especially around doorways, windows, chimneys, and other openings to the outside world. Alternatively, you can pour the water (strained or unstrained) into a bowl and asperge the home.
Hestia Dinner Ritual. Invoke Hestia while cooking and ask her to infuse your food with blessings. For specifics, see the same listing under the Celebrations section below.
Lemon Wash. Spray on doorknobs, doors, doorways, floors, in rooms, and a little down drains to dispel negativity and bring in peaceful, calming vibrations.
As part of a monthly cleansing ritual around the full moon, you can create your own lemon wash to dispel negativity and invite peace, love and calmness into your home. This is best used when paired with a ritual cleansing, but can be effective alone.
Ingredients
1 lemon
2 cups water
3 drops lavender oil
Spray bottle
Citrine
Instructions
On the full moon, hold the lemon in your hand. Connect to its energies. Ask the lemon to work for you, and awaken its energies.
"Lemon, I ask that you aid me today in this working, and lend your powerful cleansing and purification energies. I ask that you raise the vibrations within my home, driving out negativity, and leave behind fresh happiness and content."
Peel the lemon, saving the rind. If you have no immediate plans for it, simply bag it up and throw it in the freezer.
Add water to a bowl. Squeeze all of the juice from the lemon into a bowl. Visualize the lemon's cleaning powers infusing the water around it, making it all glow yellow, then a brilliant golden-white. Mix clockwise. Strain into a water bottle. Add a citrine to the mix and remember to shake before use.
Use this mixture to dissipate negativity around the home by spritzing the room, or otherwise spraying on doorknobs, floors, windows, and doorways. Pour a little of the remaining water down every drain in the home.
Hospitality. While this isn't exactly a magickal activity, it is a strong virtue that is associated with Hestia. Hospitality is the act of showing kindness and sharing with others, usually guests.
Following is an excerpt to my rough draft article on hospitality, written in connection to Hestia.
Hospitality is about being welcoming and at someone else's service, usually guests. A hospitable person will greet someone at the door, treat the guest pleasantly, invite them inside, and offer food and drink. If the guests is in need, and the host or hostess has the ability to provide, hospitality says it should be done.
Historically speaking, refusing someone hospitality could mean ultimate death for that person - it was saying that they did not care if one lived or died out in the cold. This was a time where the weather was harsh; there were far fewer houses than there are now, and no convenience involved in lighting, warmth, and comfort. Many powerful gods took on hospitality as a virtue - such as Odin and Zeus - and encouraged their followers to engage in hospitality.
This sort of thing could come in the form of being a good host or hostess, or go as far as inviting someone to stay the night in your home. Caring for the ill also falls under hospitality, but usually when dealing with those that do not live in your home. Generally speaking, hospitality means sharing the best of what you have with someone who is in need - and this doesn't have to necessarily be money or material possessions. Giving someone insight and help in a dire crisis, even if it's just emotional support, is critical. Kindness, generosity, reciprocity, and social justice can all be part of the act of hospitality.
While having hospitality is a good thing, especially in an age where everyone seems to be extremely excluded socially from one another, having healthy boundaries are a must. Respect should be given within your home and with what you offer; someone who continuously takes advantage of your kindness should not be permitted to do so. Knowing how far you're going to help someone is key - giving someone the last bit of food in the house is perfectly fine if you're able to procure more; but if you're flat broke and have no access to food, but the person you're being hospitable to does, then there should be no guilt or shame associated with setting your boundary on that one thing. You should never put yourself, your family, your household, etc in jeopardy while trying to help someone.
Likewise, you can only help someone if you are in a position to do so. If you are desperately in need, but have the ability to help someone else, by all means, do it if you feel called. But if you're in a position where help would be much appreciated, there is no shame in admitting it. The Law of Attraction states that like attracts like; by being hospitable, you attract hospitality. You should never be ashamed of accepting hospitality when you are the one in need.
Hospitality isn't done to get anything back; if this is why you're exercising hositality, then you are approaching the situation from the wrong point of view. Hospitality is about helping your fellow man, about connecting with others, and being charitable to those in need of your help. It's about service to others, showing your appreciation. For those who practice hospitality for a deity (such as Odin, Zeus, Hestia, etc), the very act of hospitality is a way to honor that deity and to become closer to them.
Odin's Rites of Hospitality touch on this virtue in the Hávamál, as well. The Hávamál states the rules and expectations regarding hosts and guests, generosity, reciprocity, and charity - all virtues with which can be incorporated into one's path on a daily basis.
Likewise, the hospitium (Greek for hospitality) was a virtue that was used in ancient Greece, and possibly by modern reconstructionalists. Hospitium is a concept of hospitality as a divine right of the guest and a divine right as a host.
Cleaning Chant. This can be chanted to oneself while cleaning, especially when you want to infuse your home with loving energies (rather than negative ones from a bad attitude about cleaning).
I circle my hearth from without
And I focus the work of my hands;
I circle my hearth from within
And I focus the work of my heart;
Every work of my hands is a victory won
Everything that I do is another thing done.
Prayer to Hestia. A simple prayer that you can say to this goddess at any time. I prefer to use it as a closing prayer after invoking or otherwise spending time with Her.
Hestia,
Keeper of the flame
Goddess of the Hearth
Gentle Hestia,
Eternal Virgin,
Sister, Daughter,
Veiled one
Bless this the hearth
Of Thy sister,
She who comes
Veiled before you
May the flame
Never be extinguished
May your blessing and spirit
Always abide here.
Celebrations
There aren't many days reserved for honoring Hestia, since she was honored on a daily basis in everyday life. Just remember: all celebrations in Hestia's honor typically involve a sacred fire of some sort, and usually homemade food.
Hestia Daily Cleaning Ritual. This ritual is attached to a daily cleaning routine in order to bring in a more spiritual atmosphere to cleaning.
Purification of Self. Shower or otherwise bathe as normal. Get dressed, throw on some makeup, spritz yourself with body spray, brush your teeth, and put on deoderant. For your last step, wrap your hair in a veil (or, if you don't have one available, just put your hair up in a ponytail) while saying the Veiling Prayer {Hestia}:
Hestia,
Keeper of the Flame, Goddess of the Hearth,
Gentle Hestia,
Eternal Virgin, Sister, Daughter,
Veiled One,
Bless this the hearth of they sister,
She who comes veiled before you
May the flame never be extinguished
May your blessing and spirit always abide here.
Gathering of Items. Use this time to gather all of your cleaning supplies - your cleaning caddie, toothbrush, scrubby, microfiber cloth, cleaning cloth, all-purpose cleaning spray, glass cleaner, and Lemon Wash, as well as anything else you might need to accomplish your goals today.
While you're at it, throw the cats, dogs, or any other pets that will interfere, outside. By doing this you will ensure that there is no troublemaker batting at open candle flames, incense, or knocking over other sensitive objects.
Honor Hestia. Take a moment to go to Hestia's altar and tend to it. Remove any ash that may be there, trim the candle wick, remove any offerings that need to be removed, wipe off the counter/area. Choose an incense and set it up on the altar.
Anoint yourself on the forehead and wrists with oil dedicated to Hestia. This should be done in her symbol.
Lightly tap the gong to signal the beginning of the ritual. Light Hestia's sacred candle and invoke her using the Orphic Hymn to VestaHestia:
Daughter of Saturn [Cronus], venerable dame,
Who dwell'st amidst great fire's eternal flame;
In sacred rites these ministers are thine,
Mystics much-blessed, holy and divine.
In thee, the Gods have fix'd their dwelling place,
Strong, stable basis of the mortal race.
Eternal, much-form'd ever-florid queen,
Laughing and blessed, and of lovely mien;
Accept these rites, accord each just desire,
And gentle health, and needful good inspire.
Hold the incense in your hand. Give the incense intent - to make a clean, loving, comfortable, supportive home environment. Light the incense from the flame of the candle.
Give Hestia an offering of an herb of some sort or perhaps a bit of the Domestic Bliss Powder while reciting the Daily Prayer to Hestia:
Beloved Hestia,
Please bring your flame of Divine Love into this household
And light the fire of kindness, compassion, and understanding
Within everyone who lives in and visits this our home.
Help us burn away any fears concerning love,
And to feel warm and secure.
Sit down and meditate on Hestia, preferably while holding a crystal or other item that has been dedicated to her. Perform any exercises or meditations that you choose to connect with Hestia at this time. When you're ready, rise, stretch, and start your cleaning routine.
Lightly tap the gong to signal the end of the ritual.
Grab your cleaning caddy and get to work cleaning the home, following your typical daily routine. Each time you finish cleaning a room, take out the Lemon Wash and spray the room to reset the energy.
Hestia Dinner Ritual. A ritual designed around cooking to bring in and ask Hestia to bestow blessings upon my meals.
Clean your space - you should never intentionally call in a deity to a messy place.
Ground and center. Anoint yourself with appropriate oil dedicated to Hestia, making her symbol on your wrists and forehead. Invoke Hestia by lighting her candle and reciting the Oprhic Hymn to Vesta/Hestia.
Daughter of Saturn [Cronus], venerable dame,
Who dwell'st amidst great fire's eternal flame;
In sacred rites these ministers are thine,
Mystics much-blessed, holy and divine.
In thee, the Gods have fix'd their dwelling place,
Strong, stable basis of the mortal race.
Eternal, much-form'd ever-florid queen,
Laughing and blessed, and of lovely mien;
Accept these rites, accord each just desire,
And gentle health, and needful good inspire.
Light incense from the candle's flame. Begin to prepare your meal as normal, taking the time to hold each item and infuse it with your intentions as you go along. Add spices to the meal for magickal purposes as well as culinary.
I add these spices to the meal,
Let our home mend and heal.
Bring us love, bring us peace,
May our hearts be at ease.
Once the meal is complete, say a prayer over it, such as the Meal Prayer to Hestia.
Sacred scents of Sky and Earth
Fill our home with health and mirth.
Bless our travels, return to heart,
Hestia's blessings to impart.
Peace and safety, love and light,
Respite, solace, compassion bright,
Warmth of family, steadfast and true,
Laughter of friendships, old and new
Gentleness, kindness, glowing flame,
Hestia, Hestia, I call your name!
Remember to reserve a small portion of your meal for Hestia, right off your plate, before serving. To represent the offering that comes last (remember, she is honored first and last!), leave a little leftovers in the pots and pans. Feed these leftovers to the cats, or eat them yourself at a later time to imbue yourself with Her sacred energy.
House Cleansing. Hestia can be the recipient of honor through a ritualized house cleansing, performed either on a monthly basis, or according to the season. You could ask Hestia to be present, and guide you to embody all of her positive qualities in order to make a loving, warm, harmonious environment for you and yours, and to invite in all the blessings of domesticity.
Fire Festivals. As a fire goddess, you could honor the goddess Hestia during the times of the year that are traditionally associated as fire festivals - Imbolc, Beltane, Lammas, and Samhain.
Good Friday. In modern Greece, a similar rite to the Pryataneia still takes place on Good Friday, when people light candles from a central flame at church and carefully bring home the lit candle. This flame is considered to be especially sacred and purifying. Perhaps this could be converted into a purification ritual - start a fire in the hearth (or light Hestia's candle), and have a white candle for every room of the house at the ready. Ceremoniously light each white candle from the central flame, and bring it to the appropriate room with the intention of burning away all negativity and unwanted energy. Allow each candle to burn down to nothing. This would be especially good with white chime candles that have been charge with purification and transformative energy.
Pryataneia. Essentially, this is a celebration of the birthday of Hestia, or the foundation of the communal fire within a permanent Greek colony within Egypt. This festival was celebrated through a feast in Hestia's honor, with homemade bread, pork, in-season vegetables, eggs and cheese, figs, cake, and a garland made for her honor. Because this festival is about the foundation of something, you can realistically use Pryataneia to celebrate the day that you moved into your apartment, bought your own home, or started your spiritual path. This could be just as effective by having a mini feast featuring roasted pork (perhaps a crock pot meal, or maybe even barbecued pork with potatoes, onions, and carrots), a cake, and deviled eggs. I could do a ritual later on that day celebrating the spirit of the house, and thanking Hestia (as well as the household spirit) for working with me. This would be a good time to remember any major events that have happened over the past year and to reflect on how to better work with both Hestia, the household spirit, and the rest of the household to maintain a better harmonic atmosphere.
Vestalia. This is a celebration for Vesta, the Roman coutnerpart of Hestia, from June 7 through the 15th. While I'm not saying that Vesta and Hestia are the exact same goddess (both have a different energy to me), this celebration could be modified to fit in as a celebration of Hestia. Vestalia was celebrated by:
- Open Temple. The temple was made open to the public at this time, so that those who wished to honor Hestia could do so. Only women were permitted to enter the temple, and must take off their shoes before doing so. Any offerings that they would like to give were accepted at this time. I'm not really sure how this could be incorporated in real life, other than creating a temporary altar outside of the home in a secluded area, or in a main room of the home, sectioned off for privacy. Perhaps putting up a temporary honorable area dedicated to Hestia - instead of having a general altar, have one dedicated solely to her at this time? Perhaps a sort of art gallery type of thing to honor and represent the goddess?
- Sacred Cakes. Water for this was carried in consecrated jugs from a holy spring, and was never permitted to come into contact with the earth. These cakes were made by hand, and cut into 8 slices, each given as an offering to the goddess each day of the celebration. Ideally, this cake would be round (though in the historical sense, a cake could actually be a loaf of bread, a muffin, or our idea of a modern cake). This could realistically be accomplished today by perhaps purchasing a gallon of purified spring water and infusing it with full moon energy - thus using this in all baking that is dedicated to the Goddess, and to give to her as a libation alone.
- Mola salsa. Mola salsa was a mixture of coarse-ground emmer flour and salt prepared by the Vestal Virgins and used in every official sacrifice. Mola salsa was sprinkled upon the altar, thrown into fires, and used to anoint all things that were going to be sacrificed to the goddess in ancient times. You could make your own at this time by purchasing wheat and salt, grinding it yourself, and keeping it in a jar for use throughout the year to be used as an offering (rather than for sacrifice), and to ritually purify a sacred space. In ancient Rome, this concoction was often burned in the turibulum, or incense burner that is used for household worship.
- Ides of June. The last day of Vestalia - the Ides of June - became a holiday for people who worked with grain, such as millers and bakers. They took the day off and hung flower garlands and small loaves of bread from their millstones and shop stalls. While I'm not one such worker, this could be a time in which I prepare dough to be frozen - a year's worth of baked goods to honor the goddess - and other hand-made things to be offered to Her for the duration of the year, such as ritual incense, domestic bliss powder, ritual candles, ritual oils, clay items for ritual use, etc. I could also create garlands in her honor, or other ritual jewelry and tools that would be dedicated to Her.
- Temple Cleansing. At the end of Vestalia, the temple virgins (the Vestales) thoroughly cleaned the temple in its entirety - a spring cleaning, if you will. This could be done as the date set for a summer cleansing ritual, which would focus on an intensive, detailed cleaning of the home accompanied with a ceremonial house cleansing to purify the area of any unwanted energies. A blessing broom could even be used for this energetic cleaning, something traditionally made around Litha. Perhaps this would be a good time to consecrate and dedicate (or re-consecrate and re-dedicate) any objects that belong to this goddess.
- Gratitude. While this not a historical practice, the practice of gratitude could be incorpoated into this holiday. It is, after all, a celebration of the Goddess - why not thank Her formally for all that she has already done for you throughout the year? This would be a good time to make offering stones, art work, and crafts that show your appreciation, rather than requesting any one thing - though that could also be done at this time as well. Truly, though, I feel this celebration is geared more toward honoring the presence of Hestia within our lives at this time.
Feast of the Ass. Though the name is rather laughable, this festival takes place upon January 15th, and celebrates the donkey that saved Hestia from being raped by the God Priapus.
Hestia's Day. This is a ritual that is dedicated to honoring Hestia in the kitchen (as such, the ritual should take place there rather than at the altar). She is remembered for being the goddess of the pantry, and is asked to make our homes warm, thriving, and sacred in Her name.
Light a red candle for Hestia. Make an offering of incense. Set out freshly baked bread, milk, and salt. Do any kitchen work that is required at this time, including cleaning, preserving, baking, cooking, or other miscellaneous kitchen witchery. When ready, invoke the goddess.
Flame of the Heart, Keeper of the Inner Circle
Faceless One, Eldest of the Olympians
Lady of the Pantry whose open hands
Dispense hospitality, chimney, and cooking fire
Lady of routine and dailiness,
To miss your quiet strength in the rush of our sudden lives
would be a great disservice as forgetting the air we breathe
You who are the comforting hearth where we began
And the inner warmth that we will come home to,
Make this place home for all of us.
Make this hearth a home of the every day,
The ordinary morning and noon,
The expected evening and the consoling night.
Teach us to take our time, Lady.
Teach us of the holiness of step after step, chore after chore,
Moving in small circles around the hearth of our own beings.
Chant:
Circle round the hearthfire
Join our hands as one
Remember the Virgin Flame burns
Ageless as the Wheel turns
The place for which the heart years
Since the tribe has begun.
If any other magickal working, consecration or dedication needs to be done in Hestia's name, now is the time to do it. Afterwards, feast upon the fresh bread sprinkled with salt and upon the milk.
Day of Hestia Tamia. Typically celebrated on Septemeber 9th, this is a harvest celebration in honor of Hestia. This ritual honors the charity and generosity of Hestia, and is done with a charitable heart. Canning, baking, and other gifts are made at this time with the intention of giving them away to others. Doing charitable work with soup kitchens is greatly encouraged at this time, as well as inviting visitors over for drinks and food.
A brown candle should be lit to honor Hestia (preferably a fire in the fireplace) and any incense appropriate to the goddess. The table should be laid with freshly baked bread. Lay out the table with any canned or boxed food that you would like to donate to charity. Have supplies ready for your charitable baking and crafts. Invoke Hestia:
Call: Hail Hestia Tamia, Lady of the Pantry!!
Response: Hail, Keeper of the Storehouse!
Call: Hail, Lady who counts each grain, that each of your charges may eat, that there be no waste and no greed,that there be no inequality in hunger.
Response: We must sacrifice to Hestia!
Call: This is the saying of our ancestors, but they did not mean food thrown into flames, or rivers;
this is not the way of the Lad of the Storehouse.
To sacrifice to Hestia is to put that foodin the bellies of others than yourselves.
To sacrifice t Hestia is to bring in strangers from the cold and the wet, and offer them food and drink, no matter how little you have.
To sacrifice to Hestia is to remember the Law of Hospitality, and how the Gods all love that Law, and that the stranger most soiled and tattered may be a vessel of the Gods in disguise.
Response: We must sacrifice to Hestia!
Call: For the counting of one's resources is a holy act, sacred to Hestia Tamia and her never-emptying pantry.
May our own pantry be as generous, Lady whose face is never shown, as she would rather be known by her deeds and her gentle presence.
Response: Hail Hestia Tamia!
Spend the rest of the day taking inventory, planning meals, and making food, drink and crafts to give to others. If you have harvested anything from your garden, now would be the time to prepare those items for drying, or if they are already dried, to put them in jars, cans, herbal blends, etc. If you can, donate your time at a soup kitchen and drop off the food that you wish to donate to a charity drive.
Heath Blessing. Celebrated January 28th, this is a nice little ritual honoring the hearth, and asking Hestia for protection from fire-related disasters upon the home.
Build an altar before the hearth with a red cloth and a single red candle carved with the rune of Fire. Anoint yourself with ashes, either from the hearth or from the incense offerings for Hestia. Light the candle and incense. Invoke the Hearth Goddess:
Hestia of the warm hearthstone
Hestia of the naked flame
Vesta of the rising smoke
Lady who warms us as you warmed our ancestors,
Lady whose touch cooks our food,
Lady around whom we gather on the coldest nights,
Fire that draws us in, fire tamed, fire who is our friend,
Never let us forget your care lest you become wild and strike back.
Stay here in your hearth and protect our home form your anger.
Speak truth to us and let us bear your truth on our tongues.
Never leave us for long lest we fret to whom we owe
The next winter's comfort and salvation.
Chant: Ken Ken Ken.
As everyone chants, each stepsfor ward and draws the rune of Fire, Ken, on the hearth with their finger. The hearth is ceremoniously re-lit with the candle, and dinner-making commences.
Feast of the Kitchen Goddess. Celebrated on the 8th of November, this ritual asks forgiveness for all acts of pettiness that go against the hearth, home, and particularly kitchen that year. The old protector of the kitchen is ceremoniously burned, and a new one takes its place.
Decorate the altar in red and blue colors. With offering ready to be made to the new kitchen goddess. Have a pot of honey placed nearby. Invoke the Kitchen Goddess:
Lady who watches over the heart of our home,
Lady who fills our bellies and who observes all our faults,
Today we send you to heaven on a curl of smoke from your hearth.
We ask you, be generous, and speak well of our faults,
Have compassion on our humanity.
Lady who guides our hands, send us pots that do not burn,
And enough love and peace
To infuse every morsel of nourishment that we here consume.
Each person comes forward, dips their finger in the honey, and touches it to the Kitchen Goddess while asking them silently or aloud to forgive whatever pettiness occurred in the kitchen that year, be it actions or thoughts. Take the Kitchen Goddess to the hearth and ceremoniously burn her while everyone claps and chants rhythmically.
Fire of the hearth, Fire of the wine,
Fire of the heart, Fire of the mind,
Fire of the Art, Fire out of time.
Bring out the new kitchen goddess to replace the old. Anoint her, and giver her offerings of food, drink, and incense. Give her the place of honor at your table while you eat.
