Chapter 1: Embracing Origins

Reflecting on creation myths, I am reminded of how chaos can become a treacherous realm, where we risk losing our way. We have strayed from the ancient understanding of creation emerging from chaos, a concept once embodied by Chaos, the mother of Gaia, Eros, and Nyx (Earth, Love, Night). It is crucial to discuss our beginnings—what we are composed of and what nourishes and shapes us.

In her essay "Hestia the Origin: A Mythic Craft Essay," Sylvia Linsteadt encapsulates this sentiment beautifully.

During the early days of quarantine in 2020, I stumbled upon Kalliope's Sanctum, a podcast crafted by author Sylvia Linsteadt, known for her narratives steeped in Greek mythology. As I delved into her stories, I was transported to Crete, resonating with the struggles of an ordinary woman who, despite losing her family, found resilience and redemption while standing firm against invading forces.

The female characters in her narratives are powerful figures who endure traumatic upheaval, ultimately leading them to a mythical transformation that left me feeling validated and uplifted. I could almost feel the cold and hunger of a young girl in a cave, mourning her lost family, haunted by the distant sounds of soldiers and the acrid scent of smoke.

Hestia, or "εστια" (es-tee-ah), represents home, the source of warmth, and the essence of fire—the heart of the Earth. She is the "living flame," never depicted in human form; she simply exists. Born to titans Rhea and Kronos, Hestia was devoured by her father along with her siblings, only to emerge as the first and last, symbolizing purity and virginity.

Every hearth serves as her sanctuary, and she receives the family's initial offering. Hestia takes pleasure in the crafts traditionally associated with women. In domestic temples, one might discover looms, pottery, and various acts of creativity, signifying that women's work is sacred and central to the home. Linsteadt emphasizes that homes were originally constructed around a central flame, providing light, warmth, and nourishment.

Section 1.1: The Wild vs. The Domestic

Linsteadt also explored Artemis, the virgin goddess of nature, who thrives independently without a partner. She embodies purity and wildness, which Linsteadt describes as a "source point for profound creative energy."

Can our homes also embody this wildness? A place that is safe, sacred, and whole—a central flame that is also untamed?

Embracing the wildness within us can unlock creativity that is often subdued by the mundane. If we acknowledge the animals, trees, rivers, and the earth's core, we can harness this untamed energy and reconnect with our true selves, which often feel constrained by daily life.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Writing Workshop Experience

When I learned that Linsteadt would be hosting a writing workshop in Crete, I eagerly signed up. I eagerly anticipated the chance to join a Zoom call that spanned multiple time zones. The pandemic had led to an increase in global Zoom gatherings, allowing me to connect with people through meditation and shared experiences.

This workshop was unique, as it focused on genuine expression rather than commercial gain. We wrote together, sharing our innermost thoughts and feelings, reaping rewards that far exceeded any monetary ambition.

Chapter 2: Creative Expression Through Writing

The first video, The COMPLETE Mythology of Hestia, Greek Goddess of Sacred Fire, delves into Hestia's rich mythology, exploring her significance in Greek culture and spirituality.

Following this, we engaged in our first writing exercise, wherein we celebrated our inner selves—our personal sanctuaries. Inspired by the "Gloria" section of Odysseus Elytis's epic poem The Axion Esti, we crafted poems that echoed our inner praises.

After learning about the temple of Vesta and the "Vestal Virgins," Linsteadt recounted a tradition where mothers would walk barefoot to the temple to retrieve an ember, ensuring their household flames never extinguished.

Next, we imagined a journey to this sacred space, seeking to reignite our inner flames. The spark within me felt dim, barely an ember that yearned for revival. My inner mother was tasked with bringing back an ember from my ancestral hearth, ensuring my spirit remained vibrant.

We transitioned from loving our homes to welcoming a wildness that nourishes and inspires us, merging our essence with the natural world around us.

The second video, Hestia: The Goddess of Sacred Fire & Hearth, provides insights into Hestia's role and influence in the divine realm, emphasizing her significance as the keeper of the sacred flame.

As we continued, we envisioned our homes as sentient beings, alive and flourishing around the central flame we had rekindled. Linsteadt encouraged us to compose love songs to our local landscapes. Participants shared imaginative visions, such as walls adorned with beehives or bathtubs filled with moonlit silver water.