Hestia, Goddess Of The Hearth And Home
By Anne Baird, BC, Canada

Hestia is the “unknown goddess.”
The few statues that exist of her
show a sturdy matron,
dressed in a sensible toga,
her face often shadowed by a cowl.
Her anonymity is deliberate.
She embodies all those women
who choose to stay at home,
and keep the home fires burning.
She is the one we come home to.
The one we pray will be there, and always is.
She is the heart and soul of the family.
The solid core of civilized society.
Where would we be without Hestia?
Her groundedness allows her children to fly.
And to fly home again.
Blessed Hestia, of all the goddesses,
You are the most essential.

    
Hestia’s Fire Haiku
By Lorraine Margueritte Gasrel Black, NY
 
A cord of wood piled
to warm the hearth, home sweet home
mice take residence

Hestia Poem
By Melia Suez, CO
 
Hestia, maiden pure,
Has no desire for love.
First and last born,
Her hand was sought
By Sea and Light.
Completely unwilling,
Stubborn even,
She refused to be a matron,
Swearing on the head of the Father
To be maiden all her days.
Given was she, honor high,
A place in every home and temple
And the richest offerings,
both first and last.
Hail Hestia, Chief of the Goddesses
May you warm my home
And make all who enter welcome.

To Hestia
By Hesiod 

Hestia, you who tend the holy house of the lord Apollo,
the Far-shooter at goodly Pytho,    
with soft oil dripping ever from your locks, come now into this house,
come, having one mind with Zeus the all-wise
draw near, and withal bestow grace upon my song.

***
The Queen welcomes questions concerning all issues of interest to women in their mature years. Send your inquiries to thequeenofmyself@aol.com.

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