Home is Where Heart is I


Hestia, Greek Goddess of the Hearth and Home
Her parents are the Titans, Lord Cronus & Lady Rhea. She is their first child. But Cronus, made fearful by a prophecy that one of his children would grow up to usurp his throne, quickly swallowed the infant Hestia (as he did the brothers and sisters that followed) in order to prevent the fulfillment of the prophecy.
Later, following the birth of Zeus, the grieving goddess Rhea tricked her husband into swallowing a rock wrapped in swaddling instead of the infant, causing him to vomit up all the babies he had swallowed. First in, Hestia was the last to be disgorged. 
The Goddess Hestia grew in grace and beauty and soon caught the attention of the gods Apollo and Poseidon who both sought her hand in marriage. But Hestia wasn't having any of it . . . saying that Aphrodite's and Queen Hera’s ways (romance and marriage) were not her way, she placed her hand on Zeus' brow and swore an oath that she would not marry. More than anything else, she wanted to follow a path that was true to her nature and was of her own choosing. She didn't require the trappings of power or adventure (like Athena and Artemis, the other virgin, i.e. unmarried, goddesses). She was perfectly content and fulfilled, being "Aunt Hestia", and enjoyed being of service to her family and community.
Zeus, grateful that Hestia’s announcement had averted the possibility of war between the rival suitors, not only supported Hestia’s wish to remain single but decreed that Hestia’s name should be mentioned first in any prayer and that she should receive the first portion of any sacrifice and be honored in the temples of each of the Olympian deities.
So delighted was he with Hestia's decision, that Zeus handed her the keys to the Mount Olympus and offered her the position of manager, and with it the responsibility of running this vast estate while the rest of the gods and goddesses wandered about in the larger world having all sorts of adventures. She has of nymphs and minor gods who take care of the housekeeping and the cooking. Hestia is famous her delicious ambrosia recipes and world class cooking.
True to her nature, Hestia stayed at home, never leaving Mount Olympus, always there to welcome the others and enjoy their “homecomings”. Hestia is associated with the warmth and comfort of the welcoming fireplace. Just as the flames glowing from the hearth soothe us with their warmth and glowing light, the goddess Hestia gives us security, peace, and comfort and helps us accept the truth of our lives with inner grace.

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