~ a look into the power of self-integration, care and solitude. Tending the inner flame.
Learn to inVEST in yourself first- learn how to be whole on your own. Can you sit with your amazing-ness? Can you be alone contentedly ?
Pandemic has truly been a time for self-reflection for many of us, a time perfect for manifesting and working with potent Vesta energy. A time to refine your daily self-care routine...including spiritual wellness.
The 6th house of self improvement is related to Vesta - so for me, growth through personal crisis or sickness, care of the body... for others, it could be daily work environment, self discipline, skills and craftsmanship, service as a means of healing self and others, love and care of animals.
It corresponds to the sign Virgo (virgin, chaste) AND Scorpio (sex) {Some of Virgo’s characteristics are analytical, organized, disciplined and helpful // some of Scorpio’s include magnetic, cathartic, psychological, regenerating and sexual.}
Priestess and Keeper of the Flame; Goddess of the Vestal Virgins, represents “our capacity to integrate and focus our energies, and experience wholeness of self” (Astrology For Yourself workbook).
She is the sacred fire of spirit within each and every BODY (vessel) and as such, she speaks to a place inside where we go to revitalize and cleanse our emotions so that we may integrate them wholly with our mind. Psychological repair or even re-programming alongside somatic healing.
“In pre-Hellenic times, Vesta was associated with unmarried temple priestesses who acted as channels for the descent of the Moon Goddesses during sacred sexual rites (need to learn more on this!) Later on, Vesta evolved into the chaste Vestal Virgins (Roman times) who gave up a life of pleasure for spiritual commitment. Unfortunately, throughout history and different religions, the separation of spirituality from sexuality has caused much harm physically and within our own psyches. This disconnect is not true to the human experience. It instead has served a sense of power by those (religious) populations that would stifle sexual freedom + expression (and thereby a huge part of the human experience), and has perpetuated violence characteristic of the patriarchy. The madonna-whore distinction, and the spread of STIs are some examples of modern Vesta issues within the collective.
One thing that struck home for me is the idea that Vesta corresponds to the moral health issues that surround the sexual interactions of single people (me, an unmarried mother living alone, also mega Vesta vibes).
Perhaps this next line will be an encouragement to those in the throes of extreme isolation: “For those who live alone by choice or necessity, Vesta is the recognition that ‘alone’ can be a precious friend and ally. She points to perfecting the self as prep for participation in the group mind.”
There is holiness in solitude (trust me, I’m there). But I cannot deny my own sexuality, my human appetite for pleasure and as someone who lives alone, I have to find ways to take care of my sexual needs, I have to get creative with routines and I have to devote myself to nourishing myself with proper nutrition (incl. sitting down for meals! Believe it or not, I have really struggled with this one since becoming a mom, and extreme circumstances made it all take a turn for the worse)..
My hope is for everyone struggling living on their own during pandemic, to please take extra care because this shit is HARD and if we can do this, we can do anything.
Sacred is my solitude. Even when it hurts.
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