Did you know that marriage didn’t exist before Hera? That’s what Greek myth tells us, anyway.
Zeus had several partners before Hera. He fathered Athena with Metis, the Muses with Mnemosyne, the Hoirai (Hours) and some say the Moirai (Fates) with Themis, Kore (Persephone) with Demeter, and Apollo and Artemis with Leto.
He desired Hera, but she refused him. Repeatedly. Now some say it was because of his reputation of not staying with any one woman for very long. Others say that she knew her own worth, and would not settle for second best.
Zeus promised to make Hera his queen, and still she refused him. She would settle for nothing less than being his wife. Zeus disguised himself as a cuckoo, and came to her window during a rainstorm. She took pity on the poor bird, and cradled it to her chest.
Zeus then revealed himself to her, and expressed his passionate desire, asking what it would take for them to be together. Hera replied that she would only consent if Zeus would marry her. She went on to explain that marriage meant that not only would she be his queen, they would be bound together forever.
Zeus agreed, and they planned the first, and most magnificent, wedding ceremony, the Heiros Gamos, or sacred marriage. All of the Gods and Goddesses, humans and Titans, were invited. The ceremony was presided over by the Fates, and it is said that the honeymoon lasted for 300 years.
Ever after, Hera ruled the heavens alongside her husband, Zeus, and also blessed marriages among gods and men. She delights in happy unions, and is the protector of women. Marriages that take place in June, the month sacred to her (via her Roman counterpart, Juno), are especially blessed.
Prayer to Hera for a Happy Marriage !
https://www.facebook.com/370511119627622/posts/prayer-to-hera-for-a-happy-marriage-hera-queen-of-olympos-bride-of-thundering-ze/1149285578416835/
Hera, queen of Olympos, bride of thundering Zeus,
protector of marriage, of the joining of hearts
and the creation of bonds, of the building
of home and the finding of family. Great Hera,
whose presence honors any wedding day, whose favor
graces any marriage, I pray to you, O goddess,
grant to me a joyous union, a love to last,
a harmonious home. I ask your blessing
on my household, O Hera – may it be a place
of happiness and affection. I ask your blessing
on my marriage bed – may it be a place of joy
and pleasure. May my mate and I share our lives;
may we grow old together, merry and content;
may our words be honey-sweet, may our love be
ever strong. Shining Hera, I ask your blessing.
*Nemanja Danilovic (??????? ???????????)*
Blessings,
Mary