Hera, the Greek goddess called the Queen of Heaven, was a powerful queen in her own right, long before her marriage to Zeus, the mighty king of the Olympian gods. The goddess Hera ruled over the heavens and the earth, responsible for every aspect of existence, including the seasons and the weather.
Honouring her great capacity to nurture the world, her very name translates as the "Great Lady". Our word galaxy comes from the Greek word gala meaning "mother's milk" . . . legend has it that the Milky Way was formed from the milk spurting from the breasts of the Greek goddess Hera, Queen of Heaven. Where drops fell to earth, fields of lilies sprung forth. She was also worshipped as the Roman goddess Juno, and the month of June (which is the most popular month for weddings) is named in her honour.
It is partly on account of Hera's great beauty, and particularly her beautiful, large eyes, that she is linked to her sacred animal, the cow, and also the peacock with its iridescent feathers having "eyes". The cow symbolizes the goddess Hera's nurturing watchfulness over her subjects, while the peacock symbolizes her luxury, beauty, and immortality. In ancient times Hera was revered as being the only one the Greek goddesses who accompanied a woman through every step of her life.The goddess Hera blessed and protected a woman's marriage, bringing her fertility, protecting her children, and helping her find financial security. Hera was, in short, a complete woman, overseeing both private and public affairs.
Persona:
- Goddess that represents commitment-maker and wife
- Known as the great lady
- Assertive and angry at betrayal
- Represents steadfast commitment to values and institutions
- Has a deep instinct to protect and nurture
- Embodies the instinct for the deep mutuality of the sacred marriage
- Needs to be fully met, matched, mated sexually, intellectually and spiritually
- Goddess of choice and containment in one's life
- Has the ability to make a lifetime commitment and can be faithful
- Said to be the Milky Way, the milk that keeps relationships going
- Can be jealous, bitter and frustrated at mate's betrayal
- Represents the image of clinging possessiveness
- Represents the wife who expects the find fulfillment exclusively in her role as Mrs. Zeus
- Represents jealousy that demands revenge
- Stays in a commitment until the end; even if the commitment is destructive
- Wants to be loved because of her sacrifice
- Loyal friend
- Spouse
- Helpmate, friend
- Confidante
- Assistant
"Act as if everything you think, say and do determines your entire life - because in reality, it does!"
