Pagan Paths

A blog dedicated to the renewal of the ancient Vesta tradition, the “spiritual focus of the home,” in modern households.

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Fashion & Faith: Wear Medusa, Honor Vesta

While I’m not what you’d call a “girly girl” – I prefer sci-fi movies to chick flicks and grey pencil skirts to flowered dresses – I do love jewelry.  And like most things I love, I’ve managed to find a way to integrate it into the way I honor Vesta.

Of course, wearing jewelry to symbolize one’s faith is nothing new.  Modern Christians wear crosses or crucifixes in the same way that the ancient pagans before them wore pendants, rings and bracelets that depicted the faces of their gods, goddesses and heroes.  And with the resurgence of traditions like Vesta, we are starting to see this happen again.  I, for one, am happy as a clam about it.

Many women who follow New Vesta wear either a “V” or flame-shaped pendant or charm, while men often wear a Roman-styled men’s seal ring with a “V” or an intaglio of the goddess.  That’s my husband’s choice, in fact.

Yet my favorite way to wear Vesta-honoring jewelry is a little different.  I like to have a bit more fun with it.  For that reason, I often wear either authentic or reproduction Roman jewelry of the type that was worn by Vesta’s faithful when her flame burned most brightly in the ancient world.  From beautiful glass beads to glittering gold earrings, wearing Roman-styled jewelry doesn’t just make a unique fashion statement – it also symbolizes your faith and worldview.

In antiquity, the men and women who worshipped Vesta often wore amulets – charms meant to ward off evil or bad luck – that depicted the face of Medusa.  As the most glamorous of the Gorgons, she was the obvious fashion choice for those who wanted to look sharp and stay safe at the same time.

And guess what?  She's back.  Today's Medusa bracelets and pendants are surprisingly popular and growing in popularity all the time.  As the symbol of Versace, many wear them strictly for high-fashion; indeed, the iconic designer was mesmerized by Greco-Roman mythology. Yet Medusa's face has started to pop up on all kinds of jewelry, much of it crafted by hobby jewellers.  I guess it's true that everything old eventually becomes new again.

Not only has Medusa and other pagan or myth-themed jewelry become mainstream, but it is being worn by both men and women.  I have a feminine Medusa bracelet, while my husband - who is a hard sell when it comes to jewelry - has a masculine one that even he is comfortable wearing. 

Our 12-year-old son recently asked me to order him one, too.  To him, it isn’t really about Vesta.  He just thinks Medusa is pretty cool (and probably wants to see whether he can turn his friends to stone). 

So if you’re looking for a “fashionable” way to honor Vesta and to have some fun while you do it, Google-search Medusa bracelets or pendants.  They’re widely available on Ebay and other online marketplaces. Depending on quality, they range in price from a few dollars (i.e. hand-made items or costume jewelry) to hundreds or thousands of dollars (i.e. Versace) so there’s definitely a choice for any budget.  They also come in about a gazillion different styles, so you’re sure to find out that catches your eye.

Just remember not to look right at it… :) 

All best, in Vesta. 

Visit NewVesta.com and follow Debra's New Vesta blog

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Debra Macleod, B.A., LL.B. is a couples and family mediator, a top-selling marriage author-expert and a popular resource for major media in North America. She is the leading proponent of the New Vesta tradition and order. Her New Vesta book series and Add a Spark women's seminars "spread the flame" into modern lives and homes.

Comments

  • BlondieWitch
    BlondieWitch Saturday, 28 March 2015

    Hi Debra,

    I am drawn to your blogs and knowledge of Vesta. I am a solitary green witch, and I feel honoring Vesta just makes sense! My home, hearth and garden is where magic begins at our little backyard homestead we call 5 Farms. Practicing in solitude has been trying at times. I have so much to learn. I will definitely be following you, and I wanted you to know how much I appreciate your offerings! Blessed be, BlondieWitch

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