Inviting Hera In

[Austadophilus]

Greetings everyone, I’m still new to the study of magick, but I’ve always had a fascination with goddesses and I spend a lot of time reading up on various stories. But none of them have the appeal that Hera does. Both her roles as the triple goddess and even the way she was portrayed in Greek mythology always drew me to her. I always wanted to understand more of her, no matter how she was demonized or said to be a bad influence. I guess, in a way, it taught me that a person or even a goddess could have many faces and that despite how she had been demonized in Greek mythology, she still lives on and perseveres today.

So, being that I am so drawn to Hera, I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to open myself up to her and invite her into my life. I’ve never tried to send out to see if a goddess would be my matron goddess, so I am very new to this aspect.

Of course, when I talk to a few others about worshiping Hera, they look at me like I’m trying to get to know a terrible person. Or that Hera’s an unworthy goddess because of her portrayals in popular mythology, rather than seeing her as the Great Mother from before.

Any advice?

[Siona]

I think the problem with Greek mythology is that many of us are brought up hearing these stories, but we lack the context they actually had in ancient Greece. Many end up assuming these stories were taken literally, as actual accounts of the gods, but that's very often not the case. The gods of mythology didn't always match up to the gods in actual state or personal religion, for various reasons.

I think, because of that, if you want to know Hera, it is also good to spend some time learning about ancient Greek culture and religion so you can have some of that context. Without the context, understanding myth, symbols, and so on, often becomes a bit shallow, and you sometimes lose a lot of the deeper meaning to some of these things. Look at her ancient attributes, what was sacred to her, what was offered to her, what she presided over, what her titles were, etc. Get to know her, and the culture she came from. (Theoi.com has a lot of great information on Hera.)

Beyond study, a lot of people find it helpful to make a small altar or shrine to the deity they want to establish a relationship with. This gives the deity a space in your home, and also acts as a visual reminder for yourself. You might make some offerings to Hera, and perhaps spend a few minutes each day praying to her. One way some Greek pagans introduce themselves to a deity is by making a small shrine for them, purifying themselves in a traditional way (although you could probably use whatever way you like), reciting one of the ancient hymns to the deity, and then really just saying who they are, and why they want to contact the deity, and that sort of thing, and usually they end by making some sort of traditional offering to that deity.

[Austadophilus]

Thank you for the site recommendation! I'm looking into more information now from the webpages.

As for purification, is there anything you can recommend? A lot of books state to take a bath with rose pedals, but the fact is while I'm in college, I only have access to a shower. I know about purifying space, so is that all that would be needed?

[Siona]

As for purification, is there anything you can recommend? A lot of books state to take a bath with rose pedals, but the fact is while I'm in college, I only have access to a shower. I know about purifying space, so is that all that would be needed?

The traditional method is to make something called khernips, or lustral water. There are a few different ways to make this, but basically, you just need a bowl of water, a candle (or other source of fire), and some dried herb leaves... verbena is traditional, bay is very commonly used in modern practice, but you might also choose to use something sacred to Hera. The dried leaves are lit on fire, allowed to burn a fair bit, and then dunked into the water (sometimes with a simple blessing, like saying "be pure.") The idea is combining all the elements into one. You then wash at least your hands, but some wash their hands and face, and you can also sprinkle yourself with the water before a ritual. This can also be used to purify ritual space. (Purifying with barley was traditional, but that doesn't always work inside.)

That said, I know that burning things isn't always an option for folks at college, either. If that's the case you could steep the herb in the water, and simply use the water that way - you can even pour the water slowly over yourself at the end of your shower, after scrubbing and all that, as a way to purify.

[AdastraJunction]

Go to Google and under "the more search options" click on Scholar option then do your search. There are many University papers and archaeological information on greek gods that would be very helpful. I believe Yale University also has class videos for free on Youtube that might possibly have have Greek anthropology (the lives and culture of ancient people of Greece). Found some amazing Roman Architecture lectures from Yale on Youtube.

[Nightwatcher]

The traditional method is to make something called khernips, or lustral water. There are a few different ways to make this, but basically, you just need a bowl of water, a candle (or other source of fire), and some dried herb leaves... verbena is traditional, bay is very commonly used in modern practice, but you might also choose to use something sacred to Hera. The dried leaves are lit on fire, allowed to burn a fair bit, and then dunked into the water (sometimes with a simple blessing, like saying "be pure.") The idea is combining all the elements into one. You then wash at least your hands, but some wash their hands and face, and you can also sprinkle yourself with the water before a ritual. This can also be used to purify ritual space. (Purifying with barley was traditional, but that doesn't always work inside.)

Oh, I didn't know that! I'll definatly be writing this into my Hellenistic Information Grimoire. ^-^

[Austadophilus]

Go to Google and under "the more search options" click on Scholar option then do your search. There are many University papers and archaeological information on greek gods that would be very helpful. I believe Yale University also has class videos for free on Youtube that might possibly have have Greek anthropology (the lives and culture of ancient people of Greece). Found some amazing Roman Architecture lectures from Yale on Youtube.

I didn't even know Google had that option. That's embarrassing.

And @ Siona- That's incredible advice! Thank you! I was really having trouble when reading up on purification options.

[Lillady]

Hera is one of those who is always looked differently upon and sterotyped just like Hecate. If you think about it even we as humans have some kind of darkness to us and in order to know the light we have to embrace the dark (to a certain extent of course). The following site is an excellent resource has general information but altogether useful.

http://www.greek-gods.info/greek-gods/hera/

[Nightwatcher]

I always felt Hera got a lot of flack. I feel like, after she lashed out at Zeus' lovers, she would feel guilty and sad because, while angry, she didn't really blame them because they are fellow wives and mothers like she is.

[Austadophilus]

I always felt Hera got a lot of flack. I feel like, after she lashed out at Zeus' lovers, she would feel guilty and sad because, while angry, she didn't really blame them because they are fellow wives and mothers like she is.

She could never hurt Zeus because he was invincible as well.

But yeah, no one ever talks about the good side of her, and how she protected women whose husbands did abandon them. But oh well...people demonize things they do not understand. So, I always felt drawn to Hera with how she's survived over the years.

[Nightwatcher]

I always felt Hera got a lot of flack. I feel like, after she lashed out at Zeus' lovers, she would feel guilty and sad because, while angry, she didn't really blame them because they are fellow wives and mothers like she is.

She could never hurt Zeus because he was invincible as well.

But yeah, no one ever talks about the good side of her, and how she protected women whose husbands did abandon them. But oh well...people demonize things they do not understand. So, I always felt drawn to Hera with how she's survived over the years.

I actually never gave Hera much thought until I stumbled apon Zelda's MYth; her own retelling of the myths. It's a manga by the way. Besides the STUNNING art, I liked how she showed Hera, not just all vengful and a bitch, but a woman who loved her husband and was hurt by his constant cheating. And a woman who tried to protect and nurture others. It made me really sympathize with her and re-reminded me about the duality in all the Greek pantheon.

[Xiao Rong]

Austa, you might be interested in Hera as a Goddess Archetype. I know archetypes aren't for everyone, but I found that it was a powerful new way to look at Hera, especially when there are so many myths where she's a vengeful shrew. And in Jean Shinoda Bolen's Goddesses in Everywoman, Hera represents that deep, instinctual yearning for a mate, a divine union. Whereas Aphrodite's union is that of a sensual, passionate, even ecstatic nature, Hera represents the deep loyalty of a sacred, mutually fulfilling partnership that stands the test of time. At her best, she is truly a Queen, a wise and powerful matriarch. It's easy to see why even when Greek patriarchal myths slandered her and cast her as a vindictive, petty woman, most women continued to revere her as sacred. In the Tarot, one website (PersephoneandHecate.blogspot.com) suggests that she is the Queen of Wands and the World cards.

I used to have kind of a negative impression of Hera, but understanding her as a Goddess Archetype has helped me come around and see how beautiful and powerful she really is (not to mention recognize how much of her I have in me).

Just some musings I have had about Hera!

[Austadophilus]

Thank you for the PDF resource, Xiao, I heavily appreciate it. And you are truly great for keeping an open mind to all different sides of Hera.

Bookmarking each resource now.

[Lover of War]

Um not trying to sound rude, but you do realize Hera wasn't considered a triple goddess? She's the goddess of marriage.

[Siona]

Um not trying to sound rude, but you do realize Hera wasn't considered a triple goddess? She's the goddess of marriage.

A lot of people equate Hera with the triple goddess concept because she is Pais (girl), Teleia (adult woman), and Khera (widow, or perhaps divorced is more accurate in some contexts), and those three particular concepts played a role in one of her cults in southern Greece. Robert Graves used Hera as one of his main examples of evidence that there was a sort of single Triple Goddess of Europe (which while triads play a role in many areas that is for other reasons, and there was not some single triple goddess), which became the modern Triple Goddess concept, but Hera doesn't have any lunar link or many of the other aspects of the modern Triple Goddess... but it wouldn't necessarily be wrong to label her as a classical example of a triple goddess in that particular cult's view.