I am an “Aphrodite person,” and while I have always had great respect for Hera and her work, I don’t think I really understood it until relatively recently. Last week Hera came into focus for me in a big way. (Last week, if you’re not reading this this week, was the US Supreme Court decision in favor of same-sex marriage rights.)
Because Hera is about lawful marriage. She is about the relationship, yes, about love and harmony and family, but she is also about the contract, the position of the married parties in relation to each other and to society, the responsibilities associated with marriage and the rights. The rights.
Because yes, you don’t need a “piece of paper” to love one another, to stay with one another, to maintain a loving and supportive relationship. But that piece of paper? It’s important. And Hera knows this. She always knew this. It informs so many of her myths, and we don’t see why she is angry. Not really. In any case, I didn’t see it. Until relatively recently.
I am, as I say, an “Aphrodite person”–but I don’t speak for her, and I surely don’t speak for Hera. However, I have a strong sense that both goddesses are well pleased by what happened last week.
