Shrine of Hestia of the Hearth Fire A digital shrine of Hestia, the Hearth Fire, Virgin Goddess and Sacrifical Flame. Most of what will be on this page will be focused on Hestia, plus other deities related to her. This is a combination of historical and personal experiences and I will try to the best of my ability to cite everything that is historical/academical backed. Please don't take my word as fact and do your own research as well ^^
Hestia / Ἑστια is the the virgin goddess of the hearth (both private and municipal) and the home. As the goddess of the family hearth she also presided over the cooking of bread and the preparation of the family meal. Hestia was also the goddess of the sacrificial flame and received a share of every sacrifice to the gods. The cooking of the communal feast of sacrificial meat was naturally a part of her domain.
In myth Hestia was the first born child of Kronos and Rhea who was swallowed by her father at birth. Zeus later forced the old Titan to disgorge Hestia and her siblings. As the first to be swallowed she was also the last to be disgorged, and so was named as both the eldest and youngest of the six Kronides.
As the goddess of sacrificial fire, Hestia received the first offering at every domestic sacrifice. In the public domain, the hearth of the prytaneum functioned as her official sanctuary. Whenever a new colony was established, a flame from Hestia's public hearth in the mother city would be carried to the new settlement.
There were but few special temples of Hestia in Greece, as in reality every prytaneum was a sanctuary of the goddess, and as a portion of the sacrifices, to whatever divinity they were offered, belonged to her. There was, however, a separate temple of Hestia at Hermione, though it contained no image of her, but only an altar. Her sacrifices consisted of the primitiae of fruit, water, oil, wine, and cows of one year old. The Romans worshipped the same goddess, or rather the same ideas embodied in her, under the name of Vesta, which is in reality identical with Hestia; but as the Roman worship of Vesta differed in several points from that of Hestia in Greece.
Hestia is counted as one of the traditional Oikos or Household Gods, along with Zeus, Hermes, Hekate and Apollon.
Hestia is the Goddess who gave humanity the gift of the Home, and as such is the central divinity of the Oikos.
Her worship is of a primordial essence and its origins have been lost within the depths of time.
Most ceremonies at home begin with the evocation of Hestia, a phenomenon which is often extended to the public worship.
As a result of this, we inherit the following phrase which implies a good beginning:
ΑΦ ΕΣΤΙΑΣ ΑΡΧΕΣΘΑΙ (Commence from Hestia / Take your lead from the hearth)
This is a combination of historical epithets (from Hymns or other old texts) and modern epithets.
Things you can do to honour Hestia. This list is not a complete one and you're more than welcomed (even encouraged) to make up your own devotional acts or alter the ones I'm presenting to better suit your practice.
Queen Hestia, daughter of mighty Kronos,
mistress of ever-burning fire,
you dwell in the center of the house.
May you raise the holy initiates
in these sacred rites,
may you grant them unwithering youth,
wealth as well, prudence and purity.
Home of the blessed gods,
men’s mighty buttress, eternal, many-shaped,
beloved, grass-yellow, smile,
O blessed one, kindly accept these offerings,
waft upon us prosperity,
breathe upon us gentle-handed health.
Hestia, you tend the sacred dwelling
of the Far-shooting lord, Apollon, at holy Pytho,
as from your tresses flowing oil ever drips down.
Come to this house! Come in gentle spirit
with resourceful Zeus and give grace to my song!
Hestia, in the lofty dwellings of all,
both of immortal gods and of all the men who walk the earth,
you have attained an eternal abode and you have the place of honor,
together with a fair and honorific prize: for without you
there can be no feasts for mortals, if the man in charge does not
pour sweet wine to you first, and then again last at the end.
And you, Argeiphontes, son of Zeus and Maia,
messenger of the blessed gods, golden-staffed giver of blessings,
dwell with Hestia in beautiful houses, with loving hearts
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I ask you and revered and dear Hestia for help.
Since both of you know the good works
of the people of this earth, be their watchful and youthful
companions!
Hail, O daughter of Kronos, both you and Hermes of the golden wand!
I shall remember you and another song as well.
[Invocation to Hestia, as the goddess of the public hearth in the town
of Larissa :]
Gold-throned Hestia, you who increase the great prosperity of the
glorious Agathokleadai, those men of wealth, as you sit in mid-city by
the fragrant Peneios in the glens of sheep-rearing Thessalia .
Daughter of Rhea, guardian of parliaments, Hestia,
sister of all-highest Zeus, and of Hera who shares his throne,
welcome with goodwill to your sacred hall.
Hestia, tender of the hearth, first among the gods,
you sit at the center; steadily burns your flame.
Your warmth draws us, your gentle light guides us, leading
us sure-footed through cold and dark to our own place,
where your presence welcomes us and eases our hearts.
Without your touch our homes grow chill, our hearts empty.
Wherever family and friends are joined, you are there.
Wherever we are safe and content, you are there.
Wherever we are most comforted, you are there.
Wherever we find we most belong, you are there.
Revered Hestia, first and most necessary one,
gracious goddess, I praise you and ask your blessing.
Home-loving Hestia, fair maid who sits by the fire,
first-born of fearful Kronos and deep-souled Rhea,
goddess who is the beating heart of every home,
tender of the altar flame, guardian of the gate,
I pray to you this day, I ask your favor.
All who pass this threshold pass into your realm,
O goddess; may all who dwell within these walls
be under your protection. Hestia, eldest
of the deathless gods, I ask your blessing
on my home and on my family. May we live
our lives in joy and love, may our larder be full,
may we be sheltered from storms, kept safe from all ill,
may only those who wish us well make their way
to our door. Be ever welcome in our home,
O Hestia; be ever present in our hearts.
Beloved Hestia, queen of the hearth,
First and last among the deathless ones,
First and last child of old Kronos and lovely-haired Rhea,
First and last are the offerings you receive,
First and last are the blessings you provide,
First and last you are in holy rites and rituals,
First and last you are called upon as it is your right.
You have taught us the mighty secret, for long forgotten,
That home is in the people, the souls, the memories,
Thus we invite you into our makeshift home of good intentions,
We praise and honour you, O Great Hestia,
Goddess of the warm embrace of home!
We thank you for your blessings,
O Gracious Hestia, soul of the home!
Gracious Hestia, fire who maintains life,
People far and wide flock to your safe embrace
And dedicate to you every ritual,
For you are first and last,
First born of the great Mother of Gods, beautiful Rhea,
And last delivered from Father of Gods, wise Kronos.
As it is your right, we end our holy rite
By invoking your holy presence
Hear our prayers, O Beloved Hestia,
And taste our sweet offerings!
O Beloved Hestia! The fire that warms our homes,
Cooks our food, burns our offerings,
And lights our days and nights.
First born of the great Mother of Gods, beautiful Rhea,
And last delivered from Father of Gods, wise Kronos.
As it is your right, we end our holy rite
By invoking your holy presence
Hear our prayers, O Beloved Hestia!