(also known as the Roman goddess Vesta) . . .
Hestia, First and Last . . .
Greek Goddess of Architecture . .
and the Center of the World . . .
The goddess who invented the town hall,
thus creating the foundation for democracy . . .
Hestia, a "forgotten goddess" in contemporary times . . .
How could this be?
We fear that, sadly, it is so.
Hestia was once known as "Chief of the Goddesses" and was
the most widely revered of all the Greek goddesses.
It is her characteristics, her traits, and not her actions, by
which we best know her.
Hestia
is usually defined by description, for she is known for these
virtues: calm, secure, stable, welcoming, mild,
gentle, forgiving, serene, and, above all else,
centered.
Hestia (and her counterpart, the Roman Goddess Vesta) were
viewed as the "complete" goddess, the goddess who was whole,
"one complete within herself". Fittingly, the circle was
her symbol.
The Greek Goddess
Hestia was seen as not only psychologically "centered", but
also as representing the center, the center of the home and
family, the city, and even the world itself.
