Ways of Worship: Hera

Hera is the Goddess of marriage, women, childbirth, and family. Hera is also the patroness and protectress of married women, presiding over weddings and blessing marital unions. She is the Queen of the Gods and one of the 12 Olympians. Hera is one of the Goddesses born of Kronos and Rhea. Her siblings are Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hestia, and Demeter. She married her brother Zeus, whom she reigns over Mount Olympus with. Her children are Angelos, Ares, Eileithyia, Enyo, Eris, Hebe, and Hephaestus. Her Roman form is Juno. Hera is known for her jealous rages as much as Zeus is known for his sleeping around. She always takes this rage out on Zeus's lovers, children, and mortals who crossed her. Usually, when there's conflict on Olympus, it's because Zeus and Hera are fighting over the latest "sex scandal turned murder."

In the legend of Lo and Argus, Hera finds Zeus cheating on her with Lo. When Zeus hears Hera coming, he transforms Lo into a white cow and says he was finding a present for Hera. Hera, not being fooled by this, took the cow far away from Mount Olympus and tied her to a tree. Hera sent Argus, who was covered in 100 eyes all over his body and a great amount of strength, to guard Lo. Argus was completely loyal to Hera and some even say he was her favorite of her servants. Zeus could not intervene without the wrath of Hera coming down upon Lo and anyone else nearby. He could not get past Argus either, as he never closed more than 50 of his eyes at any time and could see all around him.

Distraught he could not get to his lover, Zeus sent Hermes to lull Argus into an eternal sleep with his music. Hermes agreed, and ever so slowly, Argus closed his eyes and died. When Hera heard of her loyal servant's death she was distraught. To honor Argus, she took his eyes and placed them in the peacock's feathers—her favorite animal. To take her revenge, Hera sent a gadfly—a fly that bites livestock—to bite Lo as she wandered the Earth for eternity, forever lost to Zeus. This is where the myth of Lo and Argus ends. It is not where Lo's story ends, however. As a cow, she wandered into Egypt where the Egyptians worshipped the snow-white cow as the Goddess Isis. Hera finally permitted Zeus to turn Lo back into a human as long as he never lay eyes on her again. The now Goddess bore Zeus a son as the next King. Or so the story goes.

Altar, Offerings, and Symbols

General Symbols: Scepter, throne, peacock feather, diadem (crown), milky way, the seasons of the year, and spas/baths.

Plants: Pomegranate, lily, lotus, poppy, stephanotis, cypress, coconut, iris, white rose, waterlily, maple trees, and all white flowers.

Animals: Peacocks, cow, cuckoo, panthers, lions, eagles, crabs, and snails or other creatures with shells.

Colors: Rose, iris, myrrh, civet, jasmine, patchouli, and stephanotis.

Gemstones/Metals: Silver, pearls, garnet, citrine, amber, diamond, platinum, and star sapphire.

Scents: White, royal blue, purple, rose, dark green, silver, and grey.

Prayers

Things to consider praying about are luck/blessings in your marriage, safe childbirth, strong family, protection of your family, a good significant other for you, and protection of your wife. If you really want, you can pray for revenge or punishment towards an unfaithful or abusive husband.

Invocation of Hera

I call to Hera, queen of lofty Olympus, dark-eyed goddess, beloved of thundering Zeus, radiant daughter of Kronos and blessed Rhea.

In times of old were you well loved, in Argos and in Samos.

Many are the tales told of you; many are your temples, many are your honors, many are the blessings granted by your goodness.

Wise one, insightful one, you discern and devise the way most fitting to achieve your ends.

Hera, in the clear blue sky we recognize your favor, and in a warm spring rain; in a joyous wedding feast, a constant love, and a harmonious home we know you.

Stately and beautiful goddess, friend of women, friend of marriage, protector of home and family, most lovely and most exalted goddess, I call to you.

Prayer

I praise you bright and noble Hera, great ladyof Olympus, gracious queen of the deathless gods,

dark-eyed goddess, fairest of the children of Rhea,graceful and comely, cloaked in the starry skies,garlanded in poppies fragrant and blood-red,

crowned in brightest gold, the lotus wand in your hand,your form ever draped in the finest of silks,majestic one whose blessing is sought by all,whose gifts are treasured, whose favor is a surety

of good fortune. Hera, champion of great cities,

guardian of ancient Argos and the pretty isle

of Samos, warder of the bonds of marriage,protector of women in the old world and the new,unparalleled goddess, white-armed one, sovereignof the high-reaching heavens, I honor your might.