“But—” Zeus smiled now “—everything else in the world is theirs to enjoy. They may travel to every corner. They can sail Poseidon’s oceans, seek Demeter’s help in sowing seeds and growing food, learn from Hestia the arts of keeping a home, discover how to keep animals for their milk, fur, and labor, and they can learn the arts of hunting from Artemis. Hermes can teach them guile, Apollo can instruct them in the arts of music and knowledge. Athena will teach them how to be wise and contented. And Aphrodite will share with them the arts of love. They will be free and happy.”
—Stephen Fry, Mythos
One thing (among many) that I love about the Gods is that everyone’s relationship with them is different. Like for me, my relationship with Apollon is quite formal and he’s pretty firm and strict with me. But I know for others he’s more gentle and light-hearted. I know someone who works with Dionysus and with them he’s quite imposing and harsh whereas with others he’s fun and casual. Sometimes I’ve wondered why I scarcely get a jovial Apollon and for a brief period I thought I was doing something wrong.
But I like to think that the Gods know what it is we need them to be. For whatever reason, Apollon thinks that I need a strict mentor who will tell me how it is. For other people, they need a friend. And to be honest, I think it’s rather beautiful that the Gods care enough about us that they see what it is we need from them and then they take that mantle. I just think that’s pretty neat.
A guide to worship of Hestia- cheat sheets
Hellenic cheat sheets
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HYMN TO HEPHAISTOS
Indomitable Hephaestos, mighty, great-hearted spirit, glittering one, shimmering one, great god who illuminates the lives of mortals, strong-handed lord who lives in your works, great craftsman of the cosmos, perfect element, highest, all-consuming, all-taming, all-commanding—you are the sun, the moon, the stars, and the sky, all the pure lights: these things are the parts of you seen by the world. You may be found in every nation, every city, every home; and you reside in the bodies of humans, mighty giver of a multitude of blessings. Hear me, holy one, as I call you to this sacred libation, please come gently to the rites of welcome, tame the savage anger of wild fire, even as nature burns in our own bodies.
—A Year of Pagan Prayer, compiled by Barbara Nolan
For those of you that can't offer physical offerings/can only leave certain physical offerings and it makes you feel like you're not worthy as a result:
You're doing enough.
Recognizing what's around you is enough.
Working around/Trying to work around setbacks to show your devotion is enough.
Just being there and being yourself is enough.
Whether you're leaving offerings to deities, spirits, nature, ancestors, whatever... you're doing enough.
It's hard but you're not alone and you're recognized for your efforts.
When things get bad or gets me to a point of almost crying, all I can do is go and sit in front of Hades’s altar. I don’t even think sometimes he even realizes how much I adore him. Hail Hades! 🖤
🔥 Subtle Hestia Worship 🥖
Clean your room/house; keep your home in good condition
Make your space your own; decorate your room/home in a way that makes you feel good
Help out with household chores
Bake pastries for those you love, especially those topped with honey or cinnamon
Drink a soothing tea or hot chocolate; any sort of comfort drink; add honey to it if you can
Eat comfort food, especially from childhood
Have a picture of her in your wallet
Make a bonfire for her; gather around it with loved ones
If you have a fireplace, spend time around it
Have a candle that reminds you of her (no altar needed)
Wear jewelry that reminds you of her
Have a stuffed animal of a pig, cow, or donkey; have any stuffed animal, really
Have imagery of cranes, fire, or kettles around
Try veiling in honor of her, if able
Try growing poppy or hollyhock flowers
Volunteer at a homeless shelter
Make a warm meal for someone in need
Give baked goods to neighbors
Learn how to cook or bake
Care for yourself physically and mentally
Be as kind to yourself as you are to others
Practice modesty (this does not mean never celebrating or taking pride in yourself)
Host parties/celebrations at your home, especially those that welcome in family (found family works just as well)
Read a book to relax
Wear comfortable clothing; robes, slippers, sweaters, etc.
Learn how to make homemade bread
Learn how to crochet, knit, sew, etc.
Support local food banks; donate to them, if able
Donate toys to children in need
Donate clothes to others in need, especially warm clothes
Cook yourself/loved ones a delicious meal
Practice body positivity
Relax and decompress after a long day
Watch comfort movies or shows; engage in media that comforts you
Seek out wholesome stories online; humans helping one another, rescue animal turnarounds, cute puppy/kitty vids, etc.
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May add more later on! For the time being, this is my list of discreet ways to worship Hestia. I hope it helps someone, and take care, everyone! May your hearth fires always be kept warm. ❤️🔥
Link to Subtle Worship Master list
Discovering that stuff in your life aligns a lot with correspondences of the deities your worship is so weird and comforting at the same time.
Like, you've been there all my life and you didn't tell me you sneaky bitch, I love you.
Somedays I gotta really love my dyslexia cause last night I was trying to write something along the lines of “she was engaged to him” but I instead wrote “she was endangered to him”
☀️Deities☀️
I see so many people criticizing others over their relationships, or lack thereof, with their deities, so here are some reminders:
Not having deities is okay.
Having just a devotional relationship with your deities is okay.
Having a working relationship with your deities is okay.
Playing games with your deities is okay.
Harmless jokes with your deities are okay.
Doing fun things with your deities is okay.
Doing devotional offerings for your deities is okay.
Giving physical offerings to your deities is okay.
Not being able to do certain offerings for deities is okay.
Having an altar for your deities is okay, no matter the size.
Not having an altar for your deities is okay.
Laughing with your deities is okay.
Crying with your deities is okay.
Having genuine conversations with your deities is okay.
Being unable to hear/see deities is okay.
Being able to hear/see deities is okay.
Not being able to communicate through divination is okay.
Using divination as a key element in communication is okay.
Not calling on deities during spellwork is okay.
Asking deities to help during spellwork is okay.
Asking deities for help in general is okay.
This is your relationship with your deities in your practice. Don't let anyone tell you what you can and can't do. 🫶
It's 2am, please forgive me if there are any mistakes!