The Greek goddess Hestia was the virgin goddess of fire and the hearth. She was born to Rhea and Cronus and is the eldest sister to Zeus. She is one of the only three (Athena and Artemis) who are immune to Aphrodite’s enchantments, though Apollo and Poseidon attempted to woo her. As the goddess of the hearth, the center of Greek life, she represented personal security, happiness and hospitality, and every domestic hearth was her altar. Her temples were circular and were attended to by virgin priestesses and furthermore, each city had a public hearth devoted to Hestia which were never allowed to extinguish. Blood sacrifices were never required for purity of the soul was a far greater gift. Hestia was probably the gentlest of all the Olympians, often charitable to all those who fled to her for protection, and never got involved in any divine conflict or wars. Though she remained separated from the disputes, was rarely depicted in art, and played no major part in the myths, both Greeks and Romans held her in the highest honor. When depicted, she was portrayed as a stern woman wearing a long dress, her head covered, her right hand at her side and left hand holding a scepter. She represents the “chaste fire of divinity that burns deep within each person”. Her Roman counterpart is Vesta.
Herbs sacred to Hestia: Aster, Lavender.
Animals sacred to Hestia: Donkey
References:
-The Encyclopedia Mythica
-Mythman.com
-Gerina Dunwich /Wicca Craft/ Paperback / Carol Publishing Group / May 1991
-D.J. Conway /Maiden, Mother, Crone/ Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / July 1994
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