WORK
The competitive workplace does not reward Hestia women. A
Hestia woman lacks ambition and drive; she does not want recogni-
tion, she does not value power, and strategies to get ahead are foreign
to her. As a result, a Hestia woman is likely be found holding a tra-
ditional woman’s job in an office, where she is either unseen and
taken for granted, or appreciated as “a jewel” who works steadily
and dependably, stays out of office politics and gossip, and provides
an ambience of order and warmth. A Hestia woman enjoys serving
coffee and adding a woman’s touch to the office.
Hestia women may excel in professions where stillness and pa-
tience are required. For example, a photographer’s favorite model
is a Hestia woman, because there is something “inward-looking”
about her eyes, as well as an unself-conscious gracefulness and a
stillness reminiscent of “a self-possessed cat,” completely absorbed
in her pose.
Many Hestia women also do well on the other side of the lens.
Hestia’s patience and stillness are qualities that reward a photograph-
er who must wait for the right moment, the expressive gesture, or
the spontaneous composition. Hestia may “team up” with other ar-
chetypes within a woman, thus adding a Hestian quality to her work.
For example, the best nursery school teacher I have heard of seemed
to be a combination of maternal Demeter and Hestia. Her collegues
marvel at the underlying order she effortlessly seems to create
around her: “She’s never frazzled. Maybe the kids catch serenity
from her—all I know is that she somehow transforms a roomful of
kids who are competing for attention into a lively, warm group. She
never seems hurried, as she gives her full attention here, a hug there,
suggests a game or a book, and the kids settle down.”
RELATIONSHIP WITH WOMEN
Hestia women often have a few good friends who appreciate being
with them from time to time. Chances are these women have some
Hestia qualities themselves and look to their Hestia friend as a
sanctuary where their own Hestian
Hestia: I Goddess of the Hearth and Temple, Wise Woman and