Contemplative Living Series: Hestia’s Rule – Simplicity of possessions ⋆ Fabienne S. Morgana

Affiliate Advertising disclaimer The full list of the twelve rules of the Order of the Horae may be found here. I love Hestia and my home does maintain a minor devotion to Her but thinking as a Heathen, I had to give some thought to Whom I would give this “rule” and after a bit […]
Contemplative Living Series: Hestia’s Rule – Simplicity of possessions

Contemplative Living Series: Hestia’s Rule – Simplicity of possessions

I absolutely adore Galina’s horror at the idea of shared possessions – it speaks to me on an equally visceral level.

I do think her point about simplicity rings true for me in terms of the idea of the Simplicity of Possessions being an aspect of Hestia’s cultus.

“Avarice, vanity, and addiction to having things (including shopping addiction, inability to budget, carelessness with one’s possessions, buying into consumer culture, and lack of generosity) are deeply problematic and troubling vices for someone trying to cultivate devotion and clean spirituality. We should not be slaves to our possessions. I’ll admit, I struggle with this, because I the gifts loved ones have given me are memory holders. I don’t really have a visual memory and find the energy, the imprint of emotions and experiences in the things I own comforting. It’s less about the thing itself than the doorway to memory that it opens for me. With my dyscalculia I also need to see things that I’m working on – I like my piles, as my husband and housemate, having seen me preparing for comps, can attest. As an artist, I also think that a carefully curated atmosphere of beauty can be sacred, when cultivated as a devotion to the Gods. I like my sacred spaces lush, richly adorned, and beautiful. I don’t think there’s anything at all wrong with cultivating beauty or owning things. I do think the spirit in which we own our possessions makes all the difference in the world.

It comes down partly to what we prioritize. What is the connection between owning things and one’s devotional life, or buying things and the cultivation of virtue? Do these things nurture and nourish us as devout human beings in loving service to our Gods or do they pull us away from our spiritual life? Not every purchase is necessary but some feed the mind, heart, and soul and I think those can ultimately be positive. What work does the thing bought do? (Sometimes that might be as simple as keeping my sorry butt properly covered lol.). “Necessary” is a very different thing for each of us. For me, books and art are necessary to my emotional and spiritual health. What is necessary for you to sink into living devotionally? We are embodied creatures and the gifts of embodiment are just that: gifts. They can be problematic and challenging as well, but I see nothing amiss or wrong with using our sensorium and feeding it. How else are we to know the Gods if not through our senses and the senses of the soul? That ultimate telos just has to, I believe, inform the choices we make with everything else.”

I always get a great deal out of reading what Galina has to say and share, and I really resonate with how she breaks this down.

I will never be a minimalist, like Galina, I like my piles and my memory holders. I, too, enjoy lush environments, full of the things I love, colour, textures, books, and projects.

I don’t think that conflicts with the idea of simplicity. Post cancer, as I recover now, I am keen to go through all my belongings again (as I have capacity) and streamline further than I did in the frantic rush to move before surgery.

I’m actually hoping Hestia will help me with that process of discernment.

Prayer to Hestia for Sparrow
by G. Krasskova

I give homage to the Goddess of the hearth.
I will praise Her name so long as the heat of my heart
moves blood through my veins,
so long as the fire of my mind
turns that heart to devotion,
I will praise Her.
So long as my limbs are blessed
with the warmth of life
I will praise this Goddess,
She who renders every home a sanctuary,
and every fire sacred.

Hear now, these words, oh Gracious One:

You, Hestia,
Daughter of Time and the mighty Cosmos
are the fulcrum of order
around which my life revolves,
You Who are present
in the body of every altar, every shrine,
Whose power sustains
all acts of offering,
every sacred rite,
and our traditions,
daily will I praise You.

You, full of blessings,
Who brings wholeness
to every household
every polis,
every heart
where your cultus is maintained,
help me to be worthy of Your gifts.
Keep me clean, oh Goddess,
that I may ever approach You
and all things holy,
rightly and well.
Please hear my prayer
and bestow Your grace upon me,
that my devotions may be pleasing to You,
ever and always.

Hestia, first and last,
I praise You.