Gabija- Lithuanian Goddess of Hearth and Flame

When thinking on domestic divinities, those gods and goddesses we can
invoke in our everyday lives, no better examples come to mind than the
various Goddesses of the Hearth found throughout the Indo-European world.  

Many of us may know of Hestia from our Greek brothers, however a lesser
known example of a hearth goddess can be found in the little Baltic nation
of Lithuania.  Known as Gabija, she was considered highly revered and
certainly no goddess to trifle with or displease, but one of immense
importance to the homestead.

Gabija lives within the flame in the family fireplace.  Offerings of salt,
bread and water are proper gifts to this Goddess: however, only water of
very high quality should be set to the side of the hearth as an offering. 
Because fire is Her abode, and fire purifying and holy, one must treat the
hearth with respect.  One must not spit into a sacred fire, trample it, and
when using water to put it out, use of only pure water acceptable for
drinking is proper for Gabija.  When rekindling fire, great care must be
taken with the coals so-as to not anger the Goddess.

All of this care was taken because Gabija, and the flame, were critical to
the survival of the family.  And even more, Gabija was seen as not only a
messenger of the Gods, but also as a messenger to the family’s ancestors.  

So next time you gather around the family fireplace, make an offering to
the Goddess of the Hearth.  Strong families are the lifeblood of our
people, and from whom better to receive such a blessing than Gabija?

-Hariwulfaz