Hestia

Hestia, Goddess of Hearth and Home



Ancient Bio:

Once known as "Chief of the Goddesses", Hestia is the Greek goddess of the sacred fire. She was once the most important and influential goddesses, although she is relatively unknown today. Scholars at times refer to Hestia as "the forgotten goddess" and does not have a story like most of the other gods and goddesses. There aren't many pictures of her, but pictures that do depict her always include her symbols: the sacred flame and a circle.

Hestia can be described more by her traits than her actions and can be described as a mild, gentle, forgiving goddess who is also welcoming, secure, stable, calm and well-centered. She was the first born of all of the gods and goddesses, and also the last born. She was the first child born to her parents, the Titans, Cronus and Rhea. After hearing a prophecy that one of Cronus' children would take his throne from him, he became fearful and swallowed Hestia as an infant, as well as her future brothers and sisters, to ensure that the prophecy would not come true. It was after the birth of Zeus that Rhea tricked Cronus to swallow a rock instead of the infant Zeus, causing him to vomit all of his children that he had swallowed. Since Hestia was the first one to be swallowed by her father, she was the last one to come back out, making her the first and last born. As Hestia grew up, she grew in grace and beauty and was able to catch the attention of Apollo and Poseidon, who both wanted to marry Hestia. She refused both offers, saying that she wanted to be a free spirit and create her own path to follow and swore on Zeus' brow that she would never marry. She later became known as "Aunt Hestia" and enjoyed being of service to her family instead of worrying about a husband. She was one of the three "virgin", or unmarried, goddesses along with Athena and Artemis. Her brother, Zeus, was thrilled by her decision to remain unmarried and stop all possibilities of war between Apollo and Poseidon that he stated that her name be mentioned first in all prayers, that she would receive the first portion of anything that was sacrificed and that she would be honored each of the temples of the Olympian deities. He also gave her the keys to Mount Olympus, the family home, and she became the manager responsible for running the entire estate while the rest of the gods and goddesses were off on their individual adventures. Remaining true to her character, Hestia stayed at home and welcomed any guests that visited Mount Olympus. She was also the "Keeper of the Reserves", making sure that their clothing and equipment was kept tidy and up-to-date and that there was an abundance of food and wine at the house for when the gods and goddesses returned from their adventures. She was able to effectively manage Mount Olympus and pleased all who entered the estate with her dependability and good housekeeping. She envisioned a house as a place where one could go that one's mind, body, and relationships would be nurtured; a place to call their own after being in the cold, harsh world on their adventures. She is associated with warmth and comfort, often what one would feel being in front of a fire, and brings security, peace, and comfort to those who enter the home.

One of Hestia's symbols is a circle, explaining her as a "complete" goddess and one who was "centered" both psychologically and as a representation of the center of the home, family and community. Since she was seen as the center of the world essentially, the fire symbol was created as a means to describe the molten lava found at earth's center, a place that is associated with great wisdom and spiritual energy based on the Oomphalos, or umbilical cord, to the city of Delphi. A living flame that represented Hestia was never to go out or it would invite the cold world in. The fire was later carried from town to town in order to light the fire of the new community and ensure its prosperity, similar to the modern day Olympic Torch. She became known as the Goddess of Architecture, basing her homes on the idea that they be built from the hearth out, being that the hearth of the home contained this sacred flame. Her homes included fireplaces, or temples at the hearth of the home, where the family would join together around the warmth and honor Hestia.



Modern Bio:

A more modern day Hestia would still be warm, caring, well-centered and act like a mother figure to those around her. I think she would still be the one to look out for everyone else and as much as I would like to say that the modern version of Hestia would be a housemaid, I don't think she would. What I picture of a modern version of Hestia would be more a caregiver and provider of the family and anyone else she might come in contact with. She would be attractive and well known, be friendly and put others before herself.

Sources: http://www.goddessgift.com/goddess-myths/greek_goddess_hestia.htm [] []