Pumpkin candles, sunflower petals and rainwater for Lady Hestia ❤️🌻
May Lady Hestia be with you and help you to find the light through the darkest times, and comfort when it feels hard to grasp 🧡
Hestia and her flame 🧡
I was first drawn to Hestia while I was in the seemingly hopeless depths of chronic illness without answers or compassion from medical providers.
She helped me find joy in the small things, see the many kindnesses in the world—big and small, and how to find hope again.
She was with me through the appointments begging to be believed, through the painful treatments, through the days of symptoms and side effects.
She helped me view each minuscule (yet oh so difficult) effort to clean and maintain my home not as something to feel bad about, but as something so profound as a devotion to myself and to her.
Perhaps that’s why I feel closest to her on my hardest days. That effort to still make myself a cup of tea and place another on her altar, to intentionally light a candle for her, to clean my home or find a way to be kind to myself and others despite the hardship. To find comfort and peace in the times that you have to look for it.
And there’s also something meaningful about leaving offerings in the good times too. A tribute to the times that those comforts felt hard to find. A promise to myself and to her that I’ve made it through those times and can do it again, as many times as I have to. ❤️
Got some flowers for Hestia’s altar ❤️
Moominmamma has such Hestia vibes ❤️
Bedridden Hestia Altar
For a few years I was mostly bedridden; only getting up to crawl to the bathroom or get driven to appointments and treatments. Worshipping Hestia brought me a lot of comfort through those times.
Because Hestia is the goddess of hearth and home it felt important to me that her altar remain tidy and dust-free. This simply wasn’t do-able at the time. I ended up creating a wall altar by pinning things to the wall near my bed.
The altar included:
- A marigold garland hanging above
- Devotional artwork
- Devotional poetry
- Prayers
- A small fabric pouch
- Small touches and things that reminded me of her (I added dried flowers as I got them)
How I used it:
It was really quite simple, and similar to how you’d use any altar. I’d face that wall, and look upon the altar.
- If I had something, I’d add a small offering into the pouch (beads, small crystals, spices, etc.) I didn’t always have a physical offering but always felt she understood; she knew my situation and knew I was doing my best. Sometimes I would hold an electric candle.
- I’d often read some devotional poetry aloud first, and then turn to one of the prayers if they were applicable, or speak my own. I’d thank her and spend some time in that energy after honoring and praying to her.
When I couldn’t use the altar:
There were some days that I wanted to worship but was too unwell to sit up or stare at a wall. On these days I’d simply read devotional poetry or prayers from my phone.
My altar now:
I now have a small corner shelf altar, it has candles, an offering jar (sealed jar with spices, crystals, flowers, etc.), crystals, and a small wooden offering bowl. I’m able to keep it clean and place small offerings on it or in the bowl. I’m still very intentional with having it set up in a way that if my health crashes, it’ll be okay sitting there for a while (keeping it clean so if it goes for some time without being touched it won’t be too dusty, avoiding perishable offerings, etc.).
Closing notes:
I know that the idea of wall altars isn’t a new one, but I wanted to share that your worship doesn’t have to look any certain way. We’re all unique and have certain things that influence the way we worship.
I’ve found Hestia to be incredibly understanding when it comes to my restrictions. I get the same warm, comforting energy when all I can do is whisper a poem from my phone as I do when I’m able to perform large devotional acts or offer something big. I do the best I can and I feel she appreciates that.
First and last born
“In myth Hestia was the first born child of Kronos (Cronus) and Rhea who was swallowed by her father at birth. Zeus later forced the old Titan to disgorge Hestia and her siblings. As the first to be swallowed she was also the last to be disgorged, and so was named as both the eldest and youngest of the six Kronides.”
Ways to honor Hestia this holiday season:
First of all, I firmly believe that Hestia wants you to put your health and happiness first. If any of these don’t fit with your life/are things that will make you unhappy, simply don’t do them! For example, not all of us were born into loving families, or have time/money to donate. I just hope this will inspire you to find your own ways to feel more connected to Hestia if you so chose this holiday season <3
Friends/Family (the loved ones in your life):
- Bake together.
- Have a potluck/feast where everyone brings what they have and you create a meal together.
- Have a harvest feast filled with local goods and produce. Support local businesses and your loved ones at the same time!
- Spend a day crafting together.
- Gift homemade/handcrafted items instead of store bought.
- Do a gift exchange - add limitations/themes that feel good and genuine!
- Give gifts to the people you love not because of social obligations but because you were thinking of them!
Day-to-day life when you’re out and about:
- Pay for someone else’s coffee.
- Find someplace cozy and sit there, enjoying the moment.
- Leave bigger tips than usual - especially during the holiday rush.
- Hold the door open for somebody.
- Buy some flowers and give them to people who look like they could use a smile (yourself included!)
- Help people with their groceries/bags (but be safe about it and use common sense).
- Practice kindness and patience while driving.
- Compliment others.
Day-to-day life at home + what to do on your own:
- Go to bed earlier than usual.
- Make yourself a cuppa and take the time to savor it.
- Make a hearth fire or light a candle.
- Bake yourself something yummy.
- Take advantage of the seasonal decor and use it to decorate your altar.
- Cuddle up under some blankets and enjoy some cheesy, heart-warming movies.
- Take up knitting or crocheting.
- Tidy up your home/living space.
- Turn of all the lights before bed and spend some time in candle light.
Ways to help others (not already listed):
- Donate toys or other gift-able items.
- Participate in a food drive.
- Offer to sponsor a kid for their holiday (small gifts and maybe a bigger one).
- Send cards/post cards to seniors or sick children.
- Write thank you notes and leave baked goods/sweets for trash collectors, mail carriers, and other people who’s work you often take for granted.
- Ask homeless people if they need any food or layers as the weather gets colder.
- Volunteer at a soup kitchen or somewhere similar.
I’ve found that the spirit of this season (thankfulness and caring) makes me feel closer to Her and I enjoy devoting acts to Her, creating Her altar and praying to Her during the cold winter months.
But, most importantly, do whatever makes you feel content, kind, happy, and closer to Her <3 I’d love to hear your ideas!
Similar posts:
Bedridden devotion to Hestia
A lot of you may know me and my bedridden posts from my main blog, @heatherwitch. For those of you who don’t: I’m both mentally and chronically ill and do a majority of my worship to Hestia from my bed!
- Burn a candle on your nightstand, or use an electronic one!
- Open your curtains and let the sunlight warm the room.
- Make a potful of tea and keep it in a large thermos.
- Watch movies that make you feel nostalgic and cozy.
- Make a spray that smells yummy and use it when things feel a bit stale.
- Set aside time to read a good book.
- Knit or crochet. Craft something with your hands.
- Say goodnight and good morning to her.
- Get an electric blanket and feel the warmth connect you to her.
- Cuddle with pets if you have them (or a stuffed animal).
- Make a blog/journal filled with cozy, homely things.
- Keep a few locally baked goodies nearby for when you need them.
- String up fairy lights and use them as your only light source.
- Whisper prayers and devotional pieces before you go to sleep.
- Use a Himalayan salt lamp to connect to feeling of a fire.
- Invest in little things (pillowcases, photos, curtains, etc.) that make your room feel welcoming and peaceful.
- Make a little bottle filled with herbs, crystals, and other things that remind you of her, and keep it near - like a portable altar!
- Listen to music that makes your soul happy and your heart content.
- Take care of yourself. Brush your hair, use a wet cloth on your face. Be gentle and kind to yourself.
- Flameless hearths and devotions