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]
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