#vesta devotee

I would like to thank Vesta, during the colder months with Her presence in our homes ♡

© ᴀᴇᴛʜᴇʀ-ɴᴇʀᴇɨɖɛ. ᴀʟʟ ʀɪɢʜᴛֆ ʀᴇֆᴇʀᴠᴇᴅ.

what my altar looks like currently!

🪔 wood carved statue of Hestia

🪔 offering dish with citrine, carnelian, and fire agate

🪔 incense holder with rosemary incense

I’ve been hyperfixated on Proto-Indo-European lately so it was very exciting for me to learn that Hestia likely gets her name from the PIE root *wes meaning to burn, which in turn may come from *h₂wes meaning to dwell, live, reside, stay, spend the night. While it's generally agreed that Hestia and Vesta are deities unique to Mediterranean Europe, this is possible evidence for hearth cult reverence dating back to the Neolithic period. It's theorized that early forms of temples were places with central hearths. Hestia is typically viewed as a goddess over the hearth of the home and family, but this connects her to being a symbol of society and community as well.

It's beautiful to think that Hestia has been with us since the dawn of humanity. I wonder if there was a root or origin somewhere in a Proto-World language that's been lost to us.

Create a simmer pot to cleanse your home

🍏 Samhain is the witch’s new year! What better way to kick off the new year than by giving your home a fresh new start with this cleanse?

🍏 Pick and choose your ingredients: cloves, cinnamon sticks, vanilla extract, ground nutmeg, granny smith apple slices, orange peel, bay leaves (write intentions on them), pumpkin seeds, allspice, star anise

🍏 Start with about 6 cups of water (depending on size of pot) and replace water and ingredients as it evaporates for as long as you want to keep the simmer pot going*

🍏 Cast a cleansing spell/prayer to Hestia. Let the rising vapors be an offering to Her. Ask Her to help you cleanse your home and usher in prosperity, good health, etc. for the new year.

Mini ritual ideas

Prayer for Kitchen Tools* Hestia, bless these tools that they may guide me in making food that is good for the mind, body, and soul.

Prayer for the Stove

I pray you bless the warmth and food made here. Though the flame be a mere representation of your hearth light, your presence is felt here. May you accept the sweet scents and rising vapors as an offering, Beloved Hestia, and may you bless the stove that feeds us.

Prayers Before Eating** (can use just one for short or all together for a longer prayer)

I set a place at my table for the gods, and invite you, glorious Hestia, to join us. My home and heart are open to you. As we eat, may we feel nourished by your love.

From farm to table, this meal was the work of many hands, may gratitude reach them all. Hestia, we offer you a share. May you accept this gift and may you grant blessings upon our hearth.

Beloved Hestia may you watch over us and bless us as we eat. Bless this food, this bounty of Earth, we thank you.

Prayer For Cleaning Up*** (light a candle when using)

Hestia, bless this little kitchen. I love its every nook. And bless me as I do my work, wash pots and pans, and cook. May the soap cleanse our dishes so we may start anew, as we honor you again with every meal and brew.

O kind and gracious Vesta of the pyre. Bestower of hearth, primordial fire of creation. Daughter of Saturn, first and last of the gods. Enlighten us in the warmth of safety provided in our homes. You ever-eternal, many-formed rich in blessings is thine. Torchbearer of peace, we ask for your blessing.

© ᴀᴇᴛʜᴇʀ-ɴᴇʀᴇɨɖɛ. ᴀʟʟ ʀɪɢʜᴛֆ ʀᴇֆᴇʀᴠᴇᴅ.