Also called Vesta Mater, Hestia (Greek).
Their story
Ovid says that Vesta is nothing other than the living flame, which is why her round temple held no statue, only the fire. Her priestesses, the Vestal Virgins, tended it night and day, since if it went out Romans feared for the city itself. At the Vestalia, bakers and millers rested, and donkeys that turned the mills were garlanded with flowers and loaves.
Best times to give to them
- the Vestalia, 7 to 15 June
- the Kalends of March, when the sacred fire was renewed
- every day at the household hearth
- first and last in household prayers
What they like being given
- salted flour or a salt-and-grain cake (mola salsa)
- the first morsel of a meal
- olive oil
- fresh water
- bread
How to honour them
- Light a candle or lamp for Vesta at the start of your household prayers.
- Drop a pinch of salt and flour into a flame or onto the hearth for her.
- During the Vestalia, bake bread and give her the first piece.
- Keep your kitchen and home clean as an ongoing act of devotion.
How they can help you
- a safe and stable home
- family harmony
- purity of intention
- continuity and tradition
Symbols
- eternal flame
- hearth
- round temple
- donkey
- veil
Vesta has no weekday because she was honoured daily at the hearth, and in every prayer.
Festivals
- Vestalia 7 to 15 June
More Roman goddesses
- Juno Queen of heaven and protector of women
- Minerva Patron of craftworkers, teachers and healers
- Venus Mother of the Roman people and goddess of love
- Diana Lady of the woodland grove and the moon
- Ceres Mother of the grain and friend of the common people
- Luna The moon, shining through the night
- Libera Partner of Liber in the Aventine triad
- Proserpina Queen of the underworld and the returning spring