Vesta is the Roman Goddess of the home, hearth, and family. She was considered a guardian of the Roman people, and held an important role in Ancient Rome. Hers was one of the last non-Christian cults to be active when Christianity was imposed upon Rome, until her cult was forcibly removed by emperor Theodosius in AD 391. However, despite her great importance, there are very few tales of Vesta.
There are several interpretations of her name, which include 'standing by power', 'standing for ever', and 'burning'. Worship of Vesta originated in the home, and eventually became an established cult of the state.
Her main temple was the Forum Romanum, where only her Priestesses were allowed to enter. As a virgin Goddess, it was important for her Priestesses to take on a vow of chastity. Any Priestess who was found to have broken that vow would be buried or entombed alive as punishment.
However, despite this somewhat grizzly detail, Vesta herself was seen as a peaceful deity who abstained from the sometimes petty squabbles of the other Gods and Goddesses. She was rarely depicted in human form like other Roman deities, but instead by the fires of her hearth. Her sacred flame was tended to religiously in her temple by her Priestesses, and if it were to go out, it had to be relit from an 'auspicious tree' (most commonly believed to be an oak tree). Water was not allowed in her temple unless absolutely necessary, and even then it could only remain there for as long as it was needed.
There are several interpretations of her name, which include 'standing by power', 'standing for ever', and 'burning'. Worship of Vesta originated in the home, and eventually became an established cult of the state.
Her main temple was the Forum Romanum, where only her Priestesses were allowed to enter. As a virgin Goddess, it was important for her Priestesses to take on a vow of chastity. Any Priestess who was found to have broken that vow would be buried or entombed alive as punishment.
However, despite this somewhat grizzly detail, Vesta herself was seen as a peaceful deity who abstained from the sometimes petty squabbles of the other Gods and Goddesses. She was rarely depicted in human form like other Roman deities, but instead by the fires of her hearth. Her sacred flame was tended to religiously in her temple by her Priestesses, and if it were to go out, it had to be relit from an 'auspicious tree' (most commonly believed to be an oak tree). Water was not allowed in her temple unless absolutely necessary, and even then it could only remain there for as long as it was needed.
The main festival associated with Vesta was Vestalia, which was held between the 7th and 15th of June, and was considered one of the most important of the Roman festivals. Here, chosen women would walk barefoot through the city to her temple, where they would make offerings of food. Donkeys were seen as sacred to Vesta, and they would be crowned with garlands in celebration.
Despite her status as a virgin, she is involved in the tales of several notable births from the Roman period, including that of Romulus and Remus whose story began the founding of Rome. These were considered 'immaculate conceptions', and we can see through this that not only is she associated with fertility, but possibly also sovereignty.
Vesta is a great deity to work with if you practice kitchen witchcraft, or for any type of workings which involve the home or the family. With fire being sacred to her, candles are great to use to honour this deity, as are offerings of home-made food and crafts.
Despite her status as a virgin, she is involved in the tales of several notable births from the Roman period, including that of Romulus and Remus whose story began the founding of Rome. These were considered 'immaculate conceptions', and we can see through this that not only is she associated with fertility, but possibly also sovereignty.
Vesta is a great deity to work with if you practice kitchen witchcraft, or for any type of workings which involve the home or the family. With fire being sacred to her, candles are great to use to honour this deity, as are offerings of home-made food and crafts.
