Hera, the Greek Goddess called the Queen of Heaven, was a powerful
queen in her own right, long before her marriage to Zeus, the mighty
king of the Olympian Gods. The Goddess Hera ruled over the heavens and
the earth, responsible for every aspect of existence, including the
seasons and the weather.
Honoring her great capacity to nurture the world, her very name
translates as the "Great Lady". Our word galaxy comes from the Greek
word gala meaning "mother's milk" . . . legend has it that the Milky
Way was formed from the milk spurting from the breasts of the Greek
goddess Hera, Queen of Heaven. Where drops fell to earth, fields of
lilies sprung forth. She was also worshiped as the Roman goddess
Juno, and the month of June (which is the most popular month for
weddings) is named in her honor.
It is partly on account of Hera's great beauty, and particularly her
beautiful, large eyes, that she is linked to her sacred animal, the
cow, and also the peacock with its iridescent feathers having "eyes".
The cow symbolizes the Goddess Hera's nurturing watchfulness over her
subjects, while the peacock symbolizes her luxury, beauty, and
immortality. In ancient times Hera was revered as being the only one
the Greek Goddesses who accompanied a woman through every step of her
life.The goddess Hera blessed and protected a woman's marriage,
bringing her fertility, protecting her children, and helping her find
financial security. Hera was, in short, a complete woman, overseeing
both private and public affairs.
More than any of the other Greek Goddesses, the Goddess Hera reminds
us that there is both light and dark within each of us and that joy
and pain are inextricably linked in life. The Greek Goddess Hera
represents the fullness of life and affirms that we can use our own
wisdom in the pursuit of any goal we choose.
The pomegranate, an ancient emblem of the Great Goddess, remained an
emblem of Hera: many of the votive pomegranates and poppy capsules
recovered at Samos are made of ivory, which survives burial better
than the wooden ones that must have been more common. Like many
Goddesses, Hera may be displayed wearing a diadem and be veiled.
Symbols of Hera: Milky Way (our galaxy), the seasons of the year, diadem (diamond
crown) or tiara, spas and baths
Herbs and Plants: Lily, poppy, stephanotis, cypress, coconut, iris, white rose,
waterlily, maple trees, and all white flowers
Incenses /Scents: Rose, iris, myrrh, civet, jasmine, patchouli and stephanotis
Gems and Metals: Silver, pearls, garnet, citrine, amber, diamond, platinum, and star
sapphire
Colors: White, royal blue, purple, rose, dark green, silver, and gray
Posted by Lady Abigail
FB Ravensgrove Covenhttp://bit.ly/cCTxbo
Today is August 23 - Nemesea
Sacred to the Greek goddess of the dead.