The Asteroid Vesta Points to the Sacred Dimension of Our Sexuality

While our modern Gregorian calendar begins on January 1, ancient Rome celebrated the new year near the Spring Equinox in March. In this timeline, February was dedicated to new year preparation and rituals that included purification, prayer, and cleansing-especially those related to fire. Eventually, the month became associated with the goddess Vesta, the goddess of hearth and home, and an ancient symbol of the sacred flame.

As one of the three virgin goddesses, Vesta reminds us of our holiness, wholeness, and the power inherent in our own life force energies separate from others-particularly romantic partners. In Greek translations, the word virgin meant “one unto herself,” as it referred to an unmarried maiden rather than the purely sexual connotation of our language today. However, this also explains Vesta’s claim to fame as a goddess who refused to marry powerful gods Apollo or Poseidon-though may have taken them as lovers, we can’t be sure.

Read me: Named for the Goddess of Marriage, This Asteroid Points to What You Need in a Relationship

Vesta became even more of a “household” name in ancient Roman times with the cult of the Vestal Virgins. These women kept the sacred fires burning that protected the city from strife and honored Vesta through their chastity. However, if any…