Vestalia was a Roman festival that honored Vesta, the goddess of hearth and home. Her name comes from a Sanskrit root that means “shining one.” Because landlords and mortgage companies have zero interest in shining goddesses, the sacred element of our home is usually missing until we create it ourselves.

At noon today, stand before your home altar with a candle of your favorite color. As you light the candle, invoke Vesta:

Gentle Goddess, Shining One—
Bless my home and hearth
Today and every day.

After the candle has burned down safely, clean your home. Clean out the fridge, clean out your closets, give away clothes you no longer wear. Honor and celebrate Vesta by making your home shiny-clean. If you can, bake a loaf of bread. Invite friends for lunch. Ask them to bring food and candles and together create a new ritual to honor Vesta.