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October Full Moon Altar: Hestia-Vesta

[This post is also linked to the prompt "Fire"

at this week's Thursday Art Date With Rain]

The virgin Olympian Goddess Hestia personifies the Sacred Fire of Life which burned at the centre of every hearth, home, and temple throughout Greece. Hestia always received the first sacrifice or libation of gratitude and worship both at home and in public. Since Hestia is essentially an abstract, conceptual deity, she was rarely directly or figuratively portrayed in art or statue form. And because Hestia was already present in every temple's sacred flame (regardless of which god or goddess the temple was dedicated to), she also had few temples uniquely dedicated to her. Yet her ubiquitous presence and worship made Hestia one of the most popular deities.

Her Roman counterpart Vesta did, however, have her own central temple in the Roman Forum, in which the Sacred Fire burned 24/7. Vesta's temple could be entered only by six full-time priestesses called the Vestal Virgins, who conducted rites and rituals while continually tending the flame of the goddess.

In keeping with tradition, there is no statue of Hestia present on this month's altar. She is represented by the burning beeswax candle in the glass-and-mirror-mosaic altar bowl. The altar's colour scheme comprises the reds, oranges, and yellows of sacred fire imagery.

I purchased the handcrafted altar bowl here in Edmonton, but it was made by artisans in Bali.

[Photos © Debra She Who Seeks, 2025]

The Joy of Autumn

This Year's Halloween Costume Reveal!

"The Bug-Eyed Creature from the Cataracts Lagoon" --

So I had my cataracts surgery a week ago. Thanks for all your well wishes on my last post!

Because the surgery was done under general anesthetic, the doctor did both eyes at the same time. I had to wear these plastic eye shields for the first day and then every night while sleeping for the next week. This lovely post-op photo was taken by The Rare One, who picked me up at the hospital, took me later that day for my follow-up at the doctor's office, and stayed overnight on the post-anesthetic 24 hour stroke watch.

Everything went well. Now I'm on the multiple-eye-drops-per-day regime for one month. For my eyes, the doctor did not recommend the upgraded lens that would correct my astigmatism in addition to my distance vision, so I will still need new prescription glasses to see properly once all is said and done. I'll have them by the end of November and will be able to drive again then.

This means my vision remains blurry, it's challenging for me to read or type for any length of time, and I'm subject to eye strain if I'm on the computer too long. I'm hoping to manage two or three posts per week to celebrate Halloween this month, but reading and commenting on others' blogs will still be very limited, alas. But I'll drop in when and if I'm able.

Blogging Break

Hi everyone --

I'm off to visit my sister and then when I get back,

I will be having my cataracts surgery. So I will not

be blogging for the month of September at a minimum.

I don't know yet how great a limitation on screen time

I'll have to observe during my recovery period of

October and November. So blogging may be

sporadic and/or non-existent during those months too.

But regular blogging will resume when I am able!

See ya later!

MEN! Help Undermine the Patriarchy!

Here's some handy-dandy ideas

about how to do it, guys!

C'mon, Perk Up!