Inviting Vesta into Your Home
by Twilight Bard
~from Llewellyn's Magical Almanac 2005
Does the daily bump and grind of household chores get you down? Do you count dust bunnies among your household pets? Are you forming an intimate relationship with the pizza delivery guy? If household chores have been lower on your busy priority list than you like, it's time to invite some goddess energy into your home.
Vesta is the Roman goddess of the hearth, and the hearth is the heart of the home. She was worshipped by Romans at home and in her temple where her sacred fires were tended to by the Vestal Virgins. Keeping a shrine and calling to Vesta before performing domestic duties will inspire you to focus more on the efforts.
Start by setting more mundane goals for yourself. The goal can be to tackle one specific task (organizing a closet, preparing lunches, scrubbing the toilet) or to hit the dust and clutter head-on for only a specified amount of time. You would be surprised how you are willing to throw yourself into your work when you know you can stop in thirty minutes. And as with exercise or meditation, if you stick to your cleansing regime daily, things will improve over time.
To employ Vesta's aid, keep a simple shrine on your hearth. This may be a traditional fireplace or a modern stove or even the top of your microwave. A red candle, censer, and a small bowl will do nicely. When the time comes for mundane chores like cleaning or cooking, take a moment to center yourself before Vesta's shrine. Light the candle, and burn some cinnamon incense for energy or lavender for harmony. Place an offering of kitchen herbs to Vesta in the bowl, and say these or similar words.
Lovely Vesta of grand old Rome.
Goddess of the hearth and home, You who keep the home fires burning,
For all the feasts as the wheel is turning,
Of my own free will, you I serve
And give praise that you deserve.
Lady Vesta, in your name
I do light this sacred flame;
Please accept this humble token
As a symbol of my eternal devotion.
Dearest Virgin of purest light,
Bless our home both day and night
With love, peace, health, safety
Happiness, order and prosperity.
For these blessings I do beseech thee,
If it is your will, so mote it be!
Envision Vesta's energy descending upon you with the clarity and strength to compete the tasks at hand, them open the windows to let in natural light and fresh air. Turn on some music and get to it. As you work, notice the energies of Vesta empowering you.
Home
Membership
Shopping
Sagittarius
Dog