an atmosphere of warmth and peaceful order. She is usually an in-
troverted woman who enjoys solitude. Recently I visited a Hestia
woman at home, and immediately felt the connection between her
personality, the ambience, and the Goddess of the Hearth. The house
was clean, cheerful, and orderly. Flowers graced the table, and freshly
made bread was cooling. Something intangible made the house feel
like a quiet sanctuary, a peaceful place, reminding me of the Zen
Mountain Center at Tassajara, California, where the outer world
drops away and a timeless calm pervades.
EARLY YEARS
Young Hestia looks very much like a young Persephone: both are
pleasant, “easy” children. Even the “terrible twos” come and go
with hardly a ripple of stubborness or assertion for either of them.
There are subtle differences between these little girls, however.
Persephone takes her cues from others and is eager to please. Hestia
may do what others tell her and appear to be just as compliant, but
when left on her own she contentedly plays without direction. Little
Hestia has a quiet, self-sufficient quality. If she hurts herself or gets
upset, she is as likely to go to her room to find comfort in solitude,
as to her mother. Sometimes people are drawn to an inner presence
she conveys, an “old soul” quality about the young child that be-
speaks wisdom or tranquillity.
A Hestia girl does little to draw attention to herself or to evoke
strong reactions from others. When she keeps her room in order,
she may receive praise for it. When she keeps to herself, she may be
prodded to join the family or to get out in the world.
PARENTS
The goddess Hestia was the first-born child of Rhea and Cronos,
the first one to be swallowed by Cronos, and the last one to be regur-
gitated. Thus she spent the longest time of any of her siblings captive
in the dark and oppressive bowels of her father, and the only one
to be there alone. Hers was hardly
Goddesses in Everywoman