How to be a Domestic Goddess
For thousands of years, Greek goddesses have inspired women to develop their inner strengths. Aphrodite (Venus) was the goddess of love, romance and beauty; Hera was the goddess of marriage, women and childbirth and Hestia was goddess of the hearth and home. These goddess are believed to have influenced the issues of domestic life…they are our mythological domestic goddesses.
The Chief of the Greek goddesses, Hestia was the most influential and most revered. Hestia, which means ‘the essence’, the nature of true things is associated with the warmth and comfort of a home’s fireplace, providing security, comfort and peace. Hestia’s vision was that every house was a home.
In ancient times, Greek goddess Hera – meaning “Great Lady” — was known as the only Greek goddess to accompany women throughout their lives. She blessed and protected a woman’s marriage and Juno, her Roman name, was used to name June, a popular month for weddings. Her other duties included giving a woman fertility; protecting children and helping women find financial security.
Aphrodite, the goddess of romantic love is the original golden girl. With breathtaking beauty and impeccable taste, a new standard of goddesses was set. Her one and only divine duty was to bring love into the world.
So, if the domestic goddess was actually a combination of Goddesses, why do women today feel they have to embody all three Goddesses rolled into one? An impossible, unachievable task, perhaps…
Being a domestic goddess suggests a woman who is able to manage the household and be adored, as well as most likely holding a job down. Yet after a jam-packed day of being goddesses Hastia and Hera — looking after the children, cooking and cleaning — it’s all a woman can do not to crash out, never mind grabbing their hair straighteners, slicking on the lip gloss and getting ready for a bit of Aphrodite loving!
The key is not to aim for perfectionism – most men won’t notice if there’s a bit of dust on the TV or the pasta’s slightly overcooked! And if they do, then they can always learn for themselves where the duster lives!
In addition, being kind to oneself is crucial to one’s wellbeing. By indulging in a bit of ‘me-time’, women are then better able to look after others and manage busy lives. Try putting aside some time every day for a little something that’s just for yourself – make an appointment for a long, candlelit bath, go for a solitary walk in the park, indulge in a pampering massage, or even have half an hour curled up on the sofa with a good book. It can take quite a lot of discipline to give yourself that space, but by doing so, it will enable you to feel mentally and physically refreshed.
It’s a well-known fact among women that they strive for perfection, but instead of trying to be the perfect domestic goddess, try and remember that if everyone was truly perfect, life would be very dull!
