#priestess of hestia

[audreyscribes]

What is the nature of the relationship between Hunters of Artemis and flameskeepers of Hestia?

There's a sense of common beliefs, comradery and sisterhood. Both have similar beliefs and virtues, taking oaths in maidenhood and swearing off men and romance to dedicate themselves to their respective domains and goddess. I'd imagine they both respect the others' respective point of view and respect how both of their hands are calloused with hard work and dedication; even if one is calloused by the constant pulling of the bow and arrow and the other calloused by hardwork put into a home and food. Often you can find a priestess of Hestia and a huntress of Artemis conversing with each other. Maybe the huntresses bring the priestesses of Hestia game and things they have foraged in the wild, and in turn the priestess of Hestia repay them with a cooked meal with what they've caught and a place to sit by the fire to warm their shared calloused hands.

[stellacaerulea]

Behold, the true Chinese Barbie and her friends (???)

[lifebeingpolywannabe]

I just had a dream that i gaslit a poor soul trying to trust her intuition just to keep him in my life I'm the fuck out of here

[travelingthief]

Tarot Card Associations for Hellenic Deities

Fool - Dionysus, Hermes, Pan, Ate, Gelos, Momus, Horme

Magician - Hephaestus, Hermes, Hecate, Aristeaus, Circe, the Muses, Apollo

High Priestess - Hecate, Persephone, Hera, Circe

Empress - Hera, Aphrodite, Demeter, Hestia, Gaia, Rhea

Emperor - Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Ares

Hierophant - Demeter, Persephone, Hecate, Hestia, Hera, Gaia, Rhea

Lovers - Aphrodite, Eros, Dionysus, Adonis, Hera, Philotes

Chariot - Hermes, Charon, Iris, Morpheus

Strength - Athena, Ares, Heracles, Nike, Bia, Kratos, 

Hermit - Hades, Hestia

Wheel of Fortune - Hermes, Tyche, the Fates, Zeus

Justice - Athena, Themis, Nemesis, Astraea, Apollo

Hanged Man - Hermes, Harpocrates, Prometheus, Psyche 

Death - Hades, Thanatos, Dionysus, Charon, Persephone, Ares

Temperance - Athena, Demeter, Artemis, Harmonia

Devil - Dionysus, Pan, Comus, Ate, Priapus

Tower - Ares, Poseidon, Deimos, Phobos, Eris, Moros, Enyo, Hybris

Star - Aphrodite, Artemis, Astraea, Urania, Hermes, Eos, Hesperus

Moon - Selene, Artemis, Hecate, Nyx, Hypnos, Erebus

Sun - Apollo, Helios, Hemera, Hyperion 

Judgment - Zeus, hades, Athena

World - Hermes, Demeter, Gaia, Hestia, Harmonia, Pan, Tyche

[apiswitchcraft]

hellenic gods and the major arcana

the following are the 22 major arcana tarot cards and their associated hellenic deities. they are each sorted into two sections: gods associated with the literal interpretation of the card (for example, when the death card actually indicates death), and gods associated with the meaning of the card. I did not include the reversed meanings because there are several ways to interpret reversed cards, and therefore associations should be made on a case by case basis.

0 - THE FOOL

the card: Apollo, Hermes

the meaning: Hermes, Dionysus

I - THE MAGICIAN

the card: Hekate, Circe

the meaning: Hekate, Hephaestus, Athena, Hermes

II - THE HIGH PRIESTESS

the card: Hekate, Hera

the meaning: Hekate, Hera, Demeter, Persephone

III - THE EMPRESS

the card: Hera, Persephone, Aphrodite

the meaning: Hera, Aphrodite, Demeter, Rhea

IV - THE EMPEROR

the card: Zeus, Hades, Kronos, Poseidon

the meaning: Zeus, Ares, Athena

V - THE HIEROPHANT

the card: Hermes

the meaning: Dionysus, Hestia, Hekate

VI - THE LOVERS

the card: Aphrodite & Ares, Eros & Psyche, Hermaphroditus

the meaning: Aphrodite, Hera, Eros, Dionysus

VII - THE CHARIOT

the card: Artemis, Apollo

the meaning: Nemesis, Ares, Athena

VIII - STRENGTH

the card: Ares, Athena, Zeus

the meaning: Ares, Athena, Hestia, Artemis

IX - THE HERMIT

the card: Hestia, Hades, Hephaestus

the meaning: Athena, Cronus

X - WHEEL OF FORTUNE

the card: Hermes

the meaning: Hermes, Zeus

XI - JUSTICE

the card: Zeus, Athena

the meaning: Apollo, Zeus, Athena

XII - HANGED MAN

the card: Hermes

the meaning: Apollo, Hermes, Poseidon

XIII - DEATH

the card: Hades, Persephone

the meaning: Hekate, Hades, Thanatos

XIV - TEMPERANCE

the card: Apollo

the meaning: Apollo, Athena, Artemis

XV - THE DEVIL

the card: Dionysus, Pan, Hades

the meaning: Dionysus

XVI - THE TOWER

the card: Zeus

the meaning: Ares, Poseidon

XVII - THE STAR

the card: Apollo, Artemis

the meaning: Aphrodite, Hestia, Hekate

XVIII - THE MOON

the card: Artemis, Selene

the meaning: Artemis, Hekate

XIX - THE SUN

the card: Apollo, Helios

the meaning: Apollo, Aphrodite, Dionysus

XX - JUDGEMENT

the card: Hades, Zeus

the meaning: Apollo, Hades, Hekate

XXI - THE WORLD

the card: Rhea, Pan, Demeter

the meaning: Hermes, Demeter

divider by @vibeswithrenai

[huescoven]

VEILING

Veiling is a practice with both ancient and modern roots. While veiling was not universally practiced by all ancient Greeks, it held symbolic and practical significance in certain contexts, particularly in relation to specific Gods, rituals, and social customs.

As someone who practices veiling more often than not, I wanted to discuss the history behind it as pertaining to the religion, and show you some examples of different veils you can use.

Historical Veiling in Ancient Greece

In ancient Greece, veiling was not just religious but was linked to societal norms regarding gender, respect, and propriety. It was common for women to veil their heads when outside the home, though men could veil as well.

Veiling also had a ritual function in religious ceremonies. Priestesses often veiled during rituals or temple service as a sign of reverence and purity when approaching the Gods. In some festivals, such as those dedicated to Demeter or Hestia, veiling was particularly significant, reflecting the Goddesses’ connection to the home, modesty, and fertility.

In modern times, we can veil during rituals or daily life as a way to express reverence for the Gods, especially when in prayer.

The reasons for veiling vary among practitioners and may include:

1. Honoring Tradition: Veiling can be used as a way of honoring ancient customs, particularly when engaging in things regarding Hestia, Demeter, or Persephone.

2. Ritual Purity: Veiling can be used as a means of maintaining ritual purity, particularly when one wishes to separate the mundane from the sacred.

3. Modesty and Respect: Veiling can also reflect a personal choice to express modesty or respect, particularly in the presence of deities or during rituals dedicated to chthonic Gods.

Different Forms of Veiling in Modern Practice

Full Veil (Himation-style): The veil covers the head and sometimes drapes over the shoulders.

Partial Veiling: This veil covers just the top of the head or wearing a scarf. This can be a less formal or everyday expression of devotion, often used in daily prayers or minor rituals.

Face Veiling: In some instances, particularly in rituals involving the chthonic deities, one may veil their faces in addition to their heads. Sometimes known as Tegidion, This is done to show humility or to protect oneself spiritually when interacting with Gods associated with death or the afterlife, like Hades or Persephone.

God-Specific Veiling

Veiling can be done as a specific act of devotion to certain Gods. For example:

- Hestia (Goddess of the hearth)

- Demeter and Persephone (Goddesses of agriculture and the underworld)

- Hekate (Goddess of witchcraft, crossroads, and the underworld)

As always, I can discuss this more in depth if anyone would like :)

[peggy-sue-reads-a-book]

Ok, but make it mythical:

Dionysus as a little fae child in the wilderness vs Dionysus after beheading Pentheus.

Medusa in her priestess attire vs all snakey

Odysseus

Demeter hopeful and pregnant vs the raging crone of winter

Paris holding staring sadly at the shepherd’s crook he’s about to leave behind vs Paris staring in horror at the arrow he’s just pulled from Achilles’ heart.

Callisto vs. a glorious fat happy bear

Aphrodite fresh from the ocean, tasting an apple for the first time vs Aphrodite spattered in blood and wishing she could get rid of the golden apple that so many Trojan lives

Little Achilles smiling with his arm around Pat vs ✨ the rage ✨

Hestia with a single flame on the tip of one of her fingers like a match in the dark from inside Kronos’s innards vs Hestia getting to tend a whole alter fire for herself.

Narcissus before and after — you could do something clever with the pool

Nervous Icarus trying on his wings vs sopping wet, hair smoking, tarred and feathered trashcan of a lad giving himself a big grin and a thumbs up

[obsidian-pages777]

Asteroid Vesta in your Astrological Chart. Where are you Dedicated?

In Mythology,Vesta is the Roman goddess of hearth, home, and family. Her Greek counterpart is Hestia. Vesta's domain includes the fire at the center of the household and the community, symbolizing warmth, safety, and continuity. Her worship was fundamental to both private homes and the state.

In Roman mythology, Vesta is a virgin goddess, embodying purity and the sanctity of domestic life. The Vestal Virgins, her priestesses, maintained the sacred flame in her temple in Rome, ensuring it never extinguished. This flame represented the heart of Rome itself, and its continuous burning was believed to guarantee the city's eternal life.

Vesta's festivals, like the Vestalia in June, involved rituals that underscored her role in protecting the home and ensuring communal harmony. Her influence extended to everyday Roman life, emphasizing the importance of the hearth as the center of family and civic stability.

In astrology, Vesta is an asteroid associated with themes of dedication, service, sacred space, and focused commitment. It represents where we invest our energy and devotion, as well as areas of life that hold sacred importance to us. When interpreting Vesta's placement in the natal chart by house, it indicates the area of life where these themes are most prominent.

Vesta in the 1st House

Focus: Personal identity, self-expression, and physical appearance.

Themes: Dedication to self-development, personal integrity, and maintaining a strong sense of identity. You might be seen as devoted to self-improvement and personal goals.

Vesta in the 2nd House

Focus: Finances, personal resources, and values.

Themes: Commitment to building financial security and valuing material possessions. You might find a sacredness in your personal values and be dedicated to preserving and enhancing your resources.

Vesta in the 3rd House

Focus: Communication, learning, and immediate environment.

Themes: Devotion to acquiring knowledge and sharing information. You might be dedicated to your siblings, neighbors, or local community, finding importance in staying informed and connected.

Vesta in the 4th House

Focus: Home, family, and roots.

Themes: A strong commitment to family and creating a sacred space at home. You might be dedicated to your family’s wellbeing and have a deep connection to your ancestry and heritage.

Vesta in the 5th House

Focus: Creativity, romance, and children.

Themes: Dedication to creative pursuits, hobbies, and self-expression. You may be deeply invested in romantic relationships or feel a sense of sacredness in your role as a parent or mentor.

Vesta in the 6th House

Focus: Work, health, and daily routines.

Themes: A strong commitment to your work, health, and service. You might find a sense of purpose in your daily routines and be dedicated to maintaining good health and being of service to others.

Vesta in the 7th House

Focus: Partnerships, marriage, and one-on-one relationships.

Themes: Dedication to partnerships and maintaining harmonious relationships. You might place great importance on your marriage or close relationships, seeing them as sacred commitments.

Vesta in the 8th House

Focus: Shared resources, transformation, and intimacy.

Themes: Deep commitment to transformative experiences and shared resources. You might find sacredness in intimate connections and be dedicated to understanding deeper psychological or mystical truths.

Vesta in the 9th House

Focus: Higher education, philosophy, and long-distance travel.

Themes: Devotion to higher learning, spiritual pursuits, and expanding your horizons. You might be dedicated to exploring different cultures, philosophies, or religious beliefs.

Vesta in the 10th House

Focus: Career, public life, and reputation.

Themes: A strong commitment to your career and public standing. You might find a sense of purpose in your professional achievements and be dedicated to attaining your goals and ambitions.

Vesta in the 11th House

Focus: Friends, groups, and social causes.

Themes: Dedication to friendships, group activities, and social causes. You might be deeply invested in your social networks and find sacredness in collective endeavors and humanitarian efforts.

Vesta in the 12th House

Focus: Spirituality, solitude, and the unconscious.

Themes: Commitment to spiritual growth and inner work. You might find solace and purpose in solitude, meditation, and exploring the subconscious mind, dedicating yourself to understanding and healing hidden aspects of your psyche.

Understanding Vesta’s placement in your natal chart can offer insights into where you feel a sense of duty and sacred dedication in your life, guiding you towards areas that hold profound meaning and significance.

Celebrity Examples:

1. Oprah Winfrey – Vesta in the 10th House

Focus: Career and public life.

Themes: Oprah is renowned for her commitment to her career and her influence in the media. Her dedication to empowering others through her platform and maintaining a strong public presence aligns with Vesta’s influence in the 10th house.

2. Albert Einstein – Vesta in the 9th House

Focus: Higher education, philosophy, and long-distance travel.

Themes: Einstein’s dedication to higher learning and the pursuit of knowledge in the field of theoretical physics reflects Vesta’s themes in the 9th house. His work transformed our understanding of the universe, showing a deep commitment to intellectual exploration.

3. Princess Diana – Vesta in the 7th House

Focus: Partnerships and marriage.

Themes: Princess Diana's life was marked by her dedication to her roles in her marriage and her public relationships. Her commitment to humanitarian causes and her efforts to maintain personal relationships are indicative of Vesta’s influence in the 7th house.

4. Steve Jobs – Vesta in the 6th House

Focus: Work and daily routines.

Themes: Jobs’ dedication to his work at Apple and his meticulous attention to detail in his daily routines highlight Vesta’s presence in the 6th house. His commitment to innovation and excellence in his work is a hallmark of this placement.

5. Frida Kahlo – Vesta in the 5th House

Focus: Creativity and self-expression.

Themes: Frida Kahlo’s intense dedication to her art and self-expression aligns with Vesta in the 5th house. Her work often explored personal and emotional themes, reflecting a deep commitment to her creative process.

6. Nelson Mandela – Vesta in the 12th House

Focus: Spirituality and solitude.

Themes: Mandela’s long imprisonment and his profound inner strength and dedication to the fight against apartheid align with Vesta’s themes in the 12th house. His commitment to justice and his spiritual resilience were central to his life and legacy

[superkooku]

Seeing @sarafangirlart 's post about Kaos made me notice a new trend :

It's slightly better than dumb drunk but still removes the best elements about him: the frenzy, the madness, the terror, the liberation. Also, Dionysus participated in three mythological wars (Gigantomachy), two that he led himself (against Perseus and against India).

Dionysus, as the liberator and against inhibiting structures and figures of authority, immediately enters in conflict with every mortal king he meets (Pentheus, Lycurgus, Proteus, Labdacus, Perseus...) and always DISRUPTS the peace when he comes to their city.

He's not like "Hello my friends, can you worship me please 🥺 ?" His punishments are wild, seriously, some Eldritch horror stuff.

Also his great grandfather is literally ARES, I'm not even joking.

He's literally one of the worst candidates 😂.

Also, in Hades II, it's used as an excuse to remove him from the plot, which made me super upset (maybe the worst decision in the game. Right besides wrecking OdyPen).

For the peaceful god/goddess, choose Hestia, Eirene, Hypnos, Hebe, Asclepius idk, some chill deities that don't like to be involved in fights or exclusively helped people or stayed in the corner doing their own thing. Not the god who has crazy beast women as priestesses.

[jabberstar]

⋆.˚ ☾ .⭒˚ chb / cabin 0 – Hestia.

Cabin 0, more commonly known as Hestia cabin, is unlike most cabins in the sense of Hestia not having any biological children. Instead, she takes in unclaimed campers and others who don't have a designated cabin, with the counselors being her priestesses.

A night in Hestia cabin would include baking from scratch with the older campers, sitting around the fireplace to talk, and being tucked into warm covers.

The cabin feels cozy, the decor reminiscent of a 70-90s, "tacky" feel. There are wood cabinets, an old looking stove, and mismatched pots, cups, plates, and silverware.

You can always expect there to be at least one or two comfortable blankets on the sofa, which, of course, don't match anything else and will be the most comfortable you sleep with.

The abilities of the campers who live in this cabin generally only fall to their biological parents. However, the counselors have minor powers with fire. They are unable to be burned and can be seen during campfires tending to the burning wood.

The goddess herself is sometimes present at camp. She has close relationships with some of her longer staying members of her cabin.

— Happy shifting! ☆

[galacticnikki]

A Baby Witch's First Grimoire

Grimoire Entry 21 - Persephone Correspondences

The Kidnapping of Persephone

Zeus had three sisters. Hera was the goddess of marriage and queen of the gods. Hestia was the goddess of the home and hearth. His third sister, Demeter, was in charge of the harvest. Every god/goddess' job was important. Demeter's work was extremely important however. If she was upset, the crops could die.

Everyone, gods and mortals, worked hard to keep Demeter happy. Her happiness came from spending time with her daughter Persephone. Persephone had matured into a stunning young woman. One day, while collecting flowers in the fields, Hades, the god of the underworld, noticed her. Hades was usually an unhappy person. But Persephone's beauty had mesmerized him. He fell quickly in love. Before anybody could intervene, Hades grabbed Persephone and retreated to the darkest depths of the underworld, carrying her with him.

Persephone sobbed uncontrollably while imprisoned in a room in Hades' Hall. She refused to speak with Hades. She refused to eat. According to legend, if you ate anything in Hades, you would be unable to leave. She wasn't sure if the rumor was true, but she didn't want to take the chance in case someone arrived to save her. Nearly a week had passed. Finally, unable to stand her hunger, Persephone ate six pomegranate seeds. It seemed her fate was sealed. She'd have to live in the Underworld forever.

Meanwhile, back on Earth, Zeus was concerned about the crops. People would die if the harvests failed and he needed to do something. Zeus did what he normally did. He dispatched Hermes, his youngest son as his messenger, to make a deal with Hades. When Hermes learned that Persephone had consumed six pomegranate seeds, he had to think quickly. He made a bargain with Hades: if Persephone married him, she would serve as queen of the underworld for six months of the year.

However, Persephone would have to come back every spring to spend the other half of the year on Earth. Hades agreed. Zeus agreed. Persephone agreed. At last, Demeter finally agreed. Demeter promised that each spring all the flowers bloom to greet her daughter, the Queen of the Underworld, upon her return. Demeter cries every autumn as Persephone makes her way back to Hades, allowing all the harvests to perish until April, when the cycle begins anew.

Associations

Torch

Sheaf of Grain

Wheat

Asphodel

Pomegranate

Seeds of grain

Narcissus

Wildflowers

Modern Offerings

Crystals

Amethyst

Onyx

Obsidian

Topaz

Citrine

Pink Tourmaline

Incense

Frankincense

Vanilla

Anything Floral

Colors

Black

Green

Blue

Purple

Magenta

Yellow

Food & Drinks

Red Wine

Olive Oil

Water

Fruit

Honey

Milk

Grains

Bread

Pomegranates

Herbal or Floral Tea

Dark Chocolate

Mint

Tarot Cards

The High Priestess

The Hermit

Miscellaneous

Images of what she's associated with

Flowers (Real or Fake)

Sheaf of Wheat

Freshly Harvested Fruits

Fake/Decoration Fruits

Crowns

Bones (Real or Fake)

Jewelry

Feel free to check out my master post for more information!

[audreyscribes]

HESTIA & FLAMESKEEPER ASKS DUMP

A/N: Hi so I got these three Hestia and Flamekeepers asks in mass so I'll just be all answering them all in here cause they're all related more or less. Prepare for lots and lots of text:

Anytime some child or woman sits by a fire source, a fireplace, a little campfire in the woods or in the streets, Hestia is there in spirit, making them warm like they have been personally been wrapped in a warm blanket by her that lulls them to sweet dreams and when they wake up, they'll find a little gift; whether it's a bit of money, food, or when they soon find help. If that child is particular, they'll find tiny holes in their clothes, made by tiny embers that provide them a blessing from the goddess herself. When they come across the Flameskeepers and they choose to keep their old clothes, they don't mend the holes the Embers made. Any new clothes they were given to them, weaved, mended, and fitted, many instinctively, and deliberately let the embers create tiny holes in them as a reminder. Even if they do not choose to remain with the Flameskeeper, they continue to stoke the fire in honour of Hestia and her flamekeepers, and all their clothes have the smell of fresh bread, smoke, and fire on them.

 mentioned something to this in this ask here: https://www.tumblr.com/audreyscribes/746629501264576512/how-are-hestias-flamekeepers-im-going-to-call?source=share

Like the Huntresses who have their silver palkas and gear, when enough time has elapsed and when they pledge to Hestia, they’re gifted with a veil. It not only as a minor protection, it also has minor invisibility that lets the wearer hide away from evil, harm, and such. It's not as invincible as wearing the Nemean Lion hide or powerful with the invisibility as the Helm of Darkness of Hades, but for a priestess of Hestia? That’s more than enough.  You can wear it on your head like a veil or a headcovering (i.e. tichel, hijab, dupatta, so forth), a shawl, a scarf, to wrap around your waist, or whatever you like you find comfortable. It’s been weaved together with the help of all the sisters within the Flameskeepers with little ember hole marks by Hestia. If the Flameskeeper don’t have the beads from Camp Halfblood or Tattooed by Camp Jupiter, they have (also) the veil. Each year you all get together to embroider your veil with a design, helped by your sisters or by yourself, showing everyone. It can be elaborate or as simple as you like. 

First and foremost, there’s no real obvious emphasis on status with Hestia’s priestess. Other than ‘high’ priestess, the seniors, and so forth, much like the actual priestess of Hestia, it’s pretty much equal. The only external/physical way you can probably tell who is senior and how long they’ve been around is with their veil and the amount of embroidery they’ve added every year since they’ve been a Flameskeeper. Otherwise, it’s your years of service, knowledge, skills, and your character, that prove to others but you won’t see any show-offing because your fellow Flameskeepers and priestess are your family and community.

Other than the veil, there's no real strict or specific dress code that the Flameskeepers have to follow in terms of pieces... What they do have to wear is more a general suggestion and follows more common sense; like you're going to need to wear clothes that are suitable for work around the house and hearth. Like you're free to wear shorts and t-shirts if you want but don't wear anything that is flammable (i.e. polyester, nylon) cause you will go up in flames, and you're lucky that Hestia saved you, and you're going to get a lecture from not only her, the children of Apollo, and the other older Flameskeeper on fire safety. Just wear clothes that are appropriate, practical clothes that are appropriate for the work you're doing and it'll be fine.

In terms of vibe: There's a sense of modesty, and simplicity with nothing explicit that resonates Hestia or aligns with her virtues. Some of the older flamekeepers vibe with the Ancient Greek wear "Chiton- a tunic of two different styles, Doric and Ionic, worn by both sexes" , "Peplos - a garment worn mainly by women over a chiton or instead of one", paired with the veil/shawl that acts as the "Epiblema-a shawl worn over a chiton or peplos by both men and women"; otherwise, you do you, you can also go full lumberjack, cottagecore, or whatever. As for Make-up, you're free to wear makeup if you want but nothing overly excessive; mostly because it’ll be wasted effort. You’re going to be sweating it off, grime and dust, the heat and smoke of the fire is going to mess with it, among other things and there are things to do to get done. Besides with the minor blessing of Hestia, with her bestowing her flamekeepers with youth and vigour to them, the need for make-up is not entirely necessary. 

Accessories are fine like for the clothes, just as long as they’re not excessive and don’t get in the way of work. If you’re working on the looms or doing any weaving, just remove or roll up your bracelets and charms so they don’t get caught, or make sure the metal doesn’t sting and burn you if you’re working by the fire. 

Okay I've never made a playlist or recommended songs based on a theme before, and I have limited music tastes so hopefully these are alright. Don't expect me to recommend many songs cause again, limited music tastes. Hope this will suffice Tyche demigod/ Clover anon!

“Smokes Rising Like Lifted Hands” - The Oh Hellos 

“A Kindling, of Sorts” - The Oh Hellos

“Hestia” - Greek Mythologist 

“Homesick” - Noah Kahan

“Bloom- Bonus Track” - The Paper Kites

“Concerning Hobbits” from Lord of the Rings 

“Ashes” by Celine Dion 

“Orphic Hymn to Hestia” by Queenie

“Hestia” - the Citrus Trees

[virgo-vestalis]

temple navigation

greetings traveller. i am a solitary witch of over 10 years cultivating a sacred space for my devotion of the goddess Hestia-Vesta. disclaimer: i am not and will not claim the title of priestess. i treat this blog like a pocket shrine and collection of resources to refer back to, and you can too!

First, if you are new to Queen Hestia, learn about her here.

Sing praises to Our Lady of the Hearth with hymns here and here.

Find devotional act ideas here and here.

Prayers can be found here.

Support real human artists and find Hestia-Vesta art here!

Devotional music can be found here.

Sometimes we feel distant from Hestia, Full of Blessings. Reminders that She loves you are here. 🧡

Into kitchen witchery? Check that out here. Hearth and home witchery can be found here.

[aliciavance4228]

Quick Question: Why are there so many people who describe gods as "feminists"?

I remember myself writing last month at 2AM while drunk (romanians are just built different) an entire Bible about why Athena being labeled either as a Feminist or a Misogynist is wrong in both cases and that because we're talking here about a figure that was firstly mentioned hundreds of years ago when people had a completely different mentality than ours and blah blah blah. Yes, I'm the idiot who brought back the "Ovid is a faniction writer meme", but I'll let you beat the shit out of me later.

But I've discovered how a lot of greek gods are suddenly labeled as "feminists". And my genuine question is... how?

Ares: Many people claim that he was the protector of women and that he never raped any woman in his entire life just because he murdered his daughter's rapist. People forget the fact that just because there are few to no surviving written works in which he rapes women that doesn’t mean that he didn't do that at all; there are already two discovered myths in which he rapes a woman disguised as a shepard despite the fact that she was one of Artemis's huntress and one in which he sleeps with another woman in secret, respectively. Also, aside from his mother, lovers and daughters he doesn't protect any other woman that isn't close to him from being raped.

Apollo: Many people consider that just because he was a certified bisexual who deeply loved his mother and twin sister (and saved both of them from being raped in different myth versions) that makes him a feminist as well. Wrong: he raped Chione in her sleep and Dryone in the form of a snake.

Hermes: Hermes raped Chione in her sleep and Apemosyne after slipping on skinned hides that he placed on her path.

Dionysus: He raped Aura while she was drunk and Nicaea while she was unconscious. Also, people often forget that his own cult itself is the main reason why he cannot be a Feminist in the first place, and that because his priestesses usually had to get drunk during the festivals and rituals dedicated to him, which made them completely vulnerable to any man who wanted to take advantage of them.

Hades: On one hand, he lets his wife rule over the Underworld and have just as much authority as him. On the other hand, he still kidnapped her and then forced her to eat those pomegranate seeds. And because it's very uncertain wheter or not he actually raped her in Homeric Hymn to Demeter, some people may argue that the pomegranate seeds are supposed to symbolize his seed, and by extension him forcing Persephone to eat them is a metaphor for him forcing himself on her.

What is next: Telling me that Zeus was a feminist as well?

Now, I know that Greek Mythology is completely messed up and the desire to either change or erase some myths is justified. Also, it's really hard for a person who feels deeply connected to a certain deity to recognize that the respective deity has done some things that by modern standards would be considered immoral and/or completely disturbing. But that isn't an excuse for not admitting that yes, [Name] has done some horrible shit just like any other deity from the Pantheon. Save for Hestia, we all love her and she must be protected at all cost.

Now, I have absolutely no problem with your headcanons about the greek gods or depicting them in a better light in your fanfictions, comics, fanarts etc. etc.

However, claiming that your headcanons or retellings are mythologically accurate is a problem.

[randowitchythings]

Tarot Card Major Arcana Deity List

0 - The Fool: Loki, Pan, Zeus (rarer), Dionysus, Hermes (rarer), Aeolus

I - The Magician: Loki (Rarer), Odin, Hermes, Thoth, Nephthys, Asteria, Circe, Selene (rarer), Medusa, Medea, Cerridwen, Rhiannon, Brigid, Pazuzu, Vasago, Paimon

II - The High Priestess: Persephone, Nyx, The Morrigan, Hekate, Frigg, Selene, Isis, Artemis, Feyja, Ganesha, Daphne, Eir, Nicneven, The Virgin Mary, Guan Yin

III - The Empress: Aphrodite, Persephone (Rarer), Nyx, The Morrigan, Frigg, Hera, Freyja, Isis, Hathor, Astarte, Demeter, Ishtar, Leto, Rhea, Artio, Rashoon, Gremory, Guan Yin

IV - The Emperor: Hades, The Morrigan (rarer), Odin, Ares, Lucifer (semi-rare), Zeus, Horus, Osiris, Ra, Sobek, Beelzebub, Anubis (rarer), Morpheus

V - The Hierophant: Apollo, Hekate (rarer), Osiris, Thoth, Athena, Horus, Hermes (rarer), Odin, Brigid, Saraswati, Ganesha, Dionysus, Prince Stolas, Orobas

VI - The Lovers: Loki (Rarer), Aphrodite, Anubis (Rarer), Hera, Frigg, Rhea, Gaia, Demeter (rarer), Ishtar, Parvati, Hathor, Isis, Brigid, Freyja (semi-rare), Osiris, Cernunnos, Freyr, Dionysus, Pan (semi-rare), Eros, Psyche, Furfur, Gremory, Lilith

VII - The Chariot: Apollo, Ares, Athena, Hades (Rarer), Thor, The Morrigan (Semi-rare), Nike, Astarte, Ishtar, Freyja, Bast, Odin, Hebe, Helios, Eos, Rhea

VIII - Strength: Athena (Rarer), The Morrigan (Rarer), Thor, Hestia, Bast, Sekhmet, Brigid, Isis, The Dagda, The Virgin Mary, The Muses, Heracles, Nike, Sigyn, Fenrir, Malphas, Vapula, Archangel Michael

IX - Hermit: Persephone, Loki (rarer), Hekate, Odin, Isis, Hestia, Hades (rarer), Brigid, The Muses, Hermes (Rarer), Saraswati, Asteria, Nyx, Circe, Erebus, Ceto, Morpheus, The Morrigan, Cerridwen, Vesta

X - Wheel of Fortune: Tyche, Fortuna, Odin (rarer), Hekate (rarer), Frigg, Zeus, Hathor, Isis, The Dagda, Loki (rarer), Fortuna, Jormungandr

XI - Justice: Athena, The Morrigan (semi-rarer), Hekate (rarer), Hera, Lugh, Nemesis, Themis, Nike, Zeus (semi-rare), Fenrir, Skadi

XII - The Hanged Man: Loki (Rarer), Odin, Lucifer (rarer), Artemis, Osiris, Persephone (rarer), Ishtar, Buddha, Jesus, Green Man, Poseidon, Arachne, Anubis (rarer), Apolla (rarer)

XIII - Death: Hades, Nyx, The Morrigan, Hekate, Odin, Lucifer, Persephone (rarer), Isis, Hel, Freyja (rarer), Anubis, Osiris, Thanatos, Morana, Nephthys, Cerberus, Melinoe, Santa Muerte, Baron Samedi, Jormungandr, Medusa

XIV - Temperance: Selene, Hekate (rarer), Aphrodite (rarer), Artemis, Isis, Apollo (semi-rare), Hestia, Iris, Sigyn

XV - The Devil: Loki, Lilith, The Morrigan (semi-rarer), Odin (semi-rare), Lucifer, Dionysus, Pan, Set/Seth, Cernunnos

XVI - The Tower: Loki (Rarer), Odin (semi-rare), Eris, Ares, Sekhmet, Hel, The Morrigan (rarer), Horus, Ceto, Poseidon, Beelzebub, Malphas, Kali

XVII - The Star: Aphrodite (Rarer), Nyx, Hermes, Lucifer, The Star (rarer), Thoth, Ishtar, Astrea, Isis, The Virgin Mary, Nuit, Hebe, Fama/Pheme, Psyche

XVIII - The Moon: Selene, Hekate, Nyx, The Morrigan, Artemis, Chang'e, Rhiannon, Isis, Phoebe, Thoth, Anubis (rarer), Hypnos, Cerberus, Morpheus, Leviathan

XIX - The Sun: Apollo, Amaterasu, Ra, Helios, Artemis, Athena, Lucifer (rarer), Lugh, Helios, Brigid, Bast, Sekhmet, Ra, Horus, Freyr, Eos

XX - Judgement: Anubis, Athena, The Morrigan, Odin, Hera, Persephone (rarer), Osiris, Hephaestus, Isis, Horus, Hades (rarer), Nemesis, Archangel Michael

XXI - The World: Konshu, Aphrodite (Rarer), Gaia, Hermes, Demeter, The Dagda, Isis, Gaia, Cernunnos, Green Man, Iris, Antheia, Skadi, Guan Yin, Eos, Tyche, Jormungandr

[jelzorz]

lady justice and Vestal Virgins: religion on the human side of the border

Hoping to keep this relatively short BC I'm like 90% certain I'm the only one who cares

We don't get a lot about religion in the show, particularly on the human side? The most obvious reference we have to any known religion is the royal family being pretty heavily Jewish coded but whether that's Judaism in terms of religion or culture or both is unclear. How far it extends in-universe is something different, and the only religious figure we actually get is Lady Justice, but again, how far she extends into the religion of Katolis is to be seen.

Some things we (I) have had to assume include:

That Lady Justice is a religious figure

That she's supposed guide morality and decision making

That she is served by her clerics

That Opeli and her torchbearers are the Katolis equivalent of nuns

However there are some things in canon we have observed that we can make note of including:

The role of fire in their religious rites (specifically funeral rites)

That fallen kings are supposed to be mourned for 7 days before a funeral

That Opeli, as high cleric, is the one who performs these rites (coronation and cremation)

That there are (minimum) five clerics (Opeli + the four torchbearers at Harrow's funeral)

I lied this got long

This meta has no point except that I've been listening to a podcast called The Ancients and there was a whole episode dedicated to the Vestal Virgins and also worldbuilding is fun, but there are some real-world practises we can note here.

I mentioned above that the royal family is pretty heavily Jewish coded which is inclusive of the the tradition to mourn for seven sunsets after someone's death, but Judaism, generally speaking, doesn't have an equivalent for nuns. Women in Judiasm don't have particularly large roles outside of the family (I think??? I did do a pretty good google before I wrote this but I'm not Jewish, so please correct me if I'm wrong), so it's probably safe to say that the coding doesn't extend that much into Opeli et al in their religious roles, HOWEVER, I do want to bring your attention to another group of women who bear some similarities: allow me to introduce the Vestal Virgins.

Vesta (Greek equivalent Hestia, at least probably) is the Roman goddess of the hearth, home, and family in ancient Roman religion. She is a virgin goddess but rarely depicted in human form, and more often represented by the fire in her temple. Sources say that her worship predates the Roman Empire (Kingdom, even!), and her temple (before it was moved by Augustus) stood in the very heart of Rome, a literal hearth of the city. She was served by six virgin priestesses who tended to her fire and guarded her sacred hearth, whose attire is described on Wikipedia as:

a long linen palla over a white woolen stola, a rectangular female citizen's wrap, equivalent to the male citizen's semi-circular toga.[69] A Vestal's hair was bound into a white, priestly infula (head-covering or fillet) with red and white ribbons, usually tied together behind the head and hanging loosely over the shoulders.

So, like. We don't actually know if Opeli and her girls made vows of celibacy, it's just something we assumed? But like, if she has, then yeah, it would track. The Vestals also held some political power: they were personnae sui iuris, or sovereign over themselves for one, which was a pretty exclusive right for Roman women, and they represented the State of Rome themselves, and so could give testimony in trials without swearing the customary oath to the State, pardon the condemned by touching them, and were the only women able/allowed to address the Senate directly.

So like. There's stuff there. Vestals were powerful, politically involved priestesses who performed religious rites for the State of Rome. We should note too that Opeli and her torchbearers are women. We've never seen a male cleric, so we can only assume that this role is exclusive to women, and if we run with the idea that they serve Lady Justice, a female religious figure, then this would track also. It's not uncommon for female deities to only be served by female clerics/priestesses/what have you. The role the Vestals had in the politics and justice, in trials, in addressing the senate, and in the pardoning of the condemned, feels pretty relevant to Lady Justice also.

I did also also briefly mention the role of fire in Katolis' religious rites, specifically their funerary rites. Once again, we've only ever seen this scene in regards to their other ceremonies, but something else to be noted is how the novelisation refers to the other clerics:

So they're not just clerics, they're also torchbearers, which may or may not just be for the ceremony but they're referred to as torchbearers twice in this scene and not even once as clerics. We can probably assume that this isn't the only time they carry torches either, and that the flame represents something sacred to them.

A quick caveat: Fire being a sacred ceremonial thing is obviously not unique. Fire's been special to us as humans forever, because it's hard to make without the right tools, and if you stole it from like, a forest fire or some other existing source, then you would 100% treat that as something you had to keep burning a la sacred flames in many cultures—but it's the combination of priestesses and flames and red and white robes that make me wonder if there was inspiration taken from the Vestals.

Then there's the circlet. Very few people in TDP are ever seen with one. There are the rulers: King Atticus, King Harrow, and then King Ezran (Viren too, I guess, but he's a jerk); their consorts: just Queen Sarai to our knowledge so far; and then, for some reason, Opeli???

This has a couple of implications: the first is that she's on a separate ladder. Opeli demonstrably has a fair amount of power over the council and the Katolis army (see: 2x09). She can't overrule anything Ezran says (which is fair, as he is the King), but she seems to be the default substitute for the Kingdom of Katolis when he's unavailable. The second is that this is likely Katolis' way of separating the State from the Church and the Judiciary (which may or may not be the same thing in Katolis). If we refer, once again, to the Vestals, this also tracks: the Vestals performed the religious rites under the the Pontifex Maximus or supreme pontiff. The guys on the Senate were purely just the senate and left the religious stuff up to the guys (and girls) in charge of religion. Idk what the go is in Katolis, but it's pretty well implied from the way Opeli does the crowning of new monarchs that ceremonial things are her jobs, while ruling is the king's.

One last Vesta thing: Vesta (or Hestia) is the goddess of the hearth and home. When everyone else has gone, when everything has gone to shit, the hearth remains. She is, as Rick Riordan likes to call her, the Last Olympian. As long as Vesta's hearth is going, Rome still stands (which is why it's such a big deal when it goes out). And when our heroes are out on their adventures, who remains?

Anyway, in case it wasn't clear, Opeli is my favourite adult and I Love Her, your Honour. This exists because I like history and meta-analysis, but also because world building is fun and people rarely worldbuild on the human side of the border. If you're wondering about other goddesses that could exist in Katolis, Rome had Iustita (Justice), who often appears in a pair with Prudentia (Virtue), Clementia (Mercy), Pax (Peace), and Ananke (Necessity), among many, many others. Happy world building! Hope you found this fun and interesting!!