[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]
Beautiful bowl and altar. I never knew (I don’t think) that Hestia and Vesta were the same.
ReplyDelete...Debra, I send best wishes to you.
ReplyDeleteOhhh yes!
ReplyDeleteI always remember Vesta, but not Hestia. The whole Vestal priestesses and all that.
XOXO
The return of the goddess! This is lovely and I think I like the abstraction as much as the figures of other goddesses. A burning flame is so meaningful in many ways.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post. I love the alter. The colors are perfect as is the candle. Enjoy your day.
ReplyDelete💫🦸♀️ And don't forget that Wonder Woman's Lasso of Hestia will get truth from you as you feel the heat of her sacred flame!! So there's that! 💪🤩
ReplyDelete@ Cleora Borealis -- Oh, I didn't know that detail about Wonder Woman's Lasso of Truth -- thanks!
DeleteI always look forward to your altars ... the altar bowl is beautiful! The placement is simple yet powerful!
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be wondrous awesome! We will be doing a ritual effigy burning of he-who-shall-not-be-named under this Harvest Moon. Hoping it will help harvest that plague from the earth.
ReplyDeleteI love that fall colors are fire colors!
ReplyDeleteHaven't know her, only the Roman and Greece goddesses are familiar.
ReplyDeleteHave good time 👍🏼🍁
so dee mum woke up at 4:30 am an it wuzza so brite owtside she got up to look owt between dee blinds and dat moon wuzza up there in all its aggressive aries glory doin itz thing
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful and feels so homely. 💖
ReplyDelete-Quinley
I like the apple-shaped candle you chose for this alter since it reminds me of harvest bounty. The autumnal colours are also lovely!
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful bowl.
ReplyDeleteHello Debra, That bowl is remarkable--what are those little tiles made of? I saw the beautiful moon tonight also--the clouds were taking a one-day break, but they will come back tomorrow!
ReplyDelete--Jim
@ Parnassus (Jim) -- The mosaid tiles are coloured glass. The "white" tiles are mirrored glass. You can see how some of themare reflecting the yellow candlelight.
DeleteThe bowl is lovely
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful, Debra.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of either.. thanks for sharing. Lovely altar.
ReplyDeleteYour altar is like a radiant embodiment of Hestia’s quiet strength and eternal flame
ReplyDeleteThe bowl is beautiful as is the altar.
ReplyDeleteHope your eyes are healing well, Debra. Here both eyes are not done the same day. It is a good idea though.
I love paganism.
ReplyDeleteThat bowl is exquisite and one gazing into it from above could get dizzy.
ReplyDeleteI’ve always wanted a small hestia to place above my fireplace. Now I know why I could never find one. Your alter, as usual, is beautiful
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bowl.
ReplyDeleteAnd nice one on the hestia. I've never seen her on greek vase painting. she's not on the more famous gods/godesses.
Abstract and conceptual. Just what I would expect from a deity.
ReplyDeleteI love that bowl, too!
ReplyDeleteYou know how to create beautiful still life arrangements Debra.
ReplyDeleteLong ago, I heard about "vestal virgins" in "A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum.
What a lovely autumn-inspired vignette!
ReplyDeleteLovely bowl and beautiful flowers.
ReplyDeleteThe bowl is exquisite - I love it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful altar and a lovely way to honor Hestia and Vesta. xoxo ~*~
ReplyDeleteI love your bowl, it's very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful altar! The bowl is gorgeous, the flowers represent the flames very well.
ReplyDeleteI have a ceramic vessel on a marble brick on my hearth that is dedicated to Hestia. It lives there permanently, has done in every house I've lived in. I must remember to burn her a candle more often...
These yellows. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThe altar is beautiful and that bowl is something else - so very very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteVery good fire entry with Goddess Hestia.
ReplyDeleteSomehow I have lived a full life without knowing about your Goddess Hestia or her Roman conterpart Vesta. I always feel a day has been worthwhile when I learn something new ... I thank you for that. It makes sense that fire would be a source of worship as it is a source of warmth in our lives. Very interesting Debra :)
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From the Sol
Gorgeous bowl and one candle in flame. Really nice contribution to Rain's TADD.
ReplyDeleteOh those Vestals! They have had recent bad press these days. Once they were admired for their sacrifice and calling; now they are seen as products of the patriarchy
ReplyDeleteYour new altar bowl is lovely..nice find!!
ReplyDeleteHi Debra! ♥ Your altar is beautiful. And that bowl! What a feast for the eyes!
ReplyDeleteSuch a unique and wonderful deity dear Debra 🥹
ReplyDeleteShe sounds exceptional and powerful through her vibrant and inspiring presence 🥰👍
Your bowl is really fascinating and pretty too🤗♥️
Love 🥰