History of Aphrodite

Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love, seduction, and mischief.  Mythology lists her as the daughter of the sky god Uranus, the result of his genitals being castrated and tossed into the sea by his son Cronos. Aphrodite arose fully formed from the sea foam, a glowing goddess of beauty and grace, and became a part of the Olympian pantheon. She is attended by the Graces (Aglaea, Euphrosyne and Thalia) who supply her with beautiful adornments and aid the spread of happiness over humanity. It is said Aphrodite’s beauty surpassed that of all other goddesses, and she is the embodiment of grace, pleasure, and sensual love. The Romans referred to her as Venus, and some scholars state Aphrodite’s worship may have originated from the Mesopotamian Goddesses Astarte and Ishtar.

She is said to incite feelings of love, lust and passion wherever she goes. Aphrodite is irresistible to any one she sets her attention on; this skill is aided by her golden girdle, which when worn, caused human males and gods to fall hopelessly in love with her. Though she was married to the god Hephaestus, she has many lovers of both mortal and divine origin, one of the most infamous being Ares, God of War.  She bore children from many of her liaisons, though none from her husband. As such, she technically falls into the realm of a Mother goddess; her domain, power, and rule over love and sensuality however, places her in the archetype of Maiden.

In many myths Aphrodite’s loving and gentle attributes are countered by her vanity, temper, and fondness for conflict. Though she has power over marriages and the love within them, this attention pales in comparison to her influence over passionate affairs (illicit or otherwise) and her association with war, battles, and drama. She is known for her quick and sometimes unscrupulous responses to petitions,  as well as her wrath when she feels ignored or slighted.

Often referred to as “The Golden One,” she teaches the pleasures of being human, as well as dedication and love of the self.  She has been depicted in many forms, but is most often seen as a beautiful, semi-nude, fair haired maiden, dressed in silks and golden jewelry.

 

Correspondences

Colors: ocean blues and greens, pink, red, golden yellow

Metaphysical properties/rules over: passion, attraction, love, sensuality, grace, beauty, anger, retribution, war, seduction, creativity, inspiration

Crystals: aquamarine, rose quartz, turquoise, garnet, pearl, opal

Symbols: ocean, doves, apples, roses, mirrors, fish and all ocean life, perfumes, lingerie, artist tools, gold

Offerings: flowers, perfumes, fish, pistachios, berries, cinnamon, myrrh, red teas, jewelry, gold, seashells, small stones, eggs, sea water, bodily fluids

 

Understanding the Work of Aphrodite

 

Aphrodite is the energy of passion and love in their most carnal forms. While she can enhance pre-established romantic relationships, her true domain is physical attraction. She is the magnetic connection of soon to be lovers, the ache within our hearts which longs for the one we can call our own. She creates, fulfills, and soothes longing and sexual desire, and is the essence of what binds people together. Her embrace is one of love, of longing, of comfort, of joy. As the “Golden One,” her light shines the radiance of love and desire into your life, and the hearts of those around you. She teaches charm, gracefulness, and how to express your sensual/sexual nature without compromising your worth. With Aphrodite’s arrival, life becomes exciting and full of passion; practitioners often experience lively and vivid dreams, as well as enhanced senses. Smells seem richer, lights brighter, smiles come easier.

At her root, Aphrodite is sex. Good sex. Licking the sweat from a lover’s back sex. Daydreaming so hard you forget what you are saying midsentence sex. Make you forget your phone number sex. But with Aphrodite it isn’t just about the carnal act; it’s the entire experience. The romance of holding another’s hand, of couch cuddling and hot chocolate; the sweet taste of another’s mouth, the smell of perfume and pheromones, the sight of light and shadow playing across a lover’s skin – all these experiences are Aphrodite’s gifts. All acts of sensuality are a part of Aphrodite’s realm, and enjoying your body and the pleasure it can bring you – whether you have a partner or not – brings her honor.

It is of the utmost importance that practitioners who call forth the energy of Aphrodite understand her complete nature. In recent years, Aphrodite’s domain and temperament have been abridged, the focus on her powers of love and seduction taking the forefront of her worship. While her influence in this area is formidable, her role in the creation of the Trojan War and other erroneous myths cannot be forgotten. Aphrodite, at her heart, is a troublemaker. It was Aphrodite who sparked the love and desire in Hades’ heart for Persephone, leading to the Maiden’s kidnapping/descent into the Underworld. Patricia Monaghan sums up Aphrodite perfectly in her book the Goddess Path: “In all her myths, Aphrodite is the force of attraction and connection, of passion and of the juiciest form of love. Such love can grow and become lasting, but that’s not Aphrodite’s concern. Broken hearts? Ruined lives? Troy in flames? Not her problem. Aphrodite doesn’t care about the consequences, so long as there is passion.”

This goddess is more concerned with the aspects of sex and the power of passion than she is with marriage or compatibility. If you are looking for a happy and healthy marriage, she is not the goddess to call on (remember her marriage to Hephaestus is filled with infidelity and punishments).  The relationships and connections she blesses you with can develop into marriage and/or lasting commitments, however these ‘fairytale’ results do not interest her. Her energy, her focus, is the about the experience, the happiness, the growth, the all consuming desire, love, and lust and the act of reveling in it. She wants all to feel that overwhelming rush of passion that fills the lungs and body when we are in love, making every aspect of life beautiful and wonderful, as often as possible. And Aphrodite, like love, is unpredictable at best.

Because of this, it suffices to say that calling in Aphrodite’s energy to bring forth a lasting, true love is a bit like killing a mosquito with an axe. She simply doesn’t work that way. If we are to study her myths in their entirety, it becomes clear that Aphrodite does not care about the consequences of her actions. She will answer your prayer in the most passionate way possible, and makes no guarantees on the end result. Petition Aphrodite for a loving relationship and she will grant it, but it’s possible your intended may already be married. Or abusive. Or a mental patient.  This is not to say that everyone and everything she brings into your life will be negative – these examples are simply to illustrate that Aphrodite does not discriminate, and the romances she creates are not guaranteed to be lasting, or even healthy.

By working with Aphrodite, you will most certainly have a joyful, lust-filled, sensual experience, but keep in mind it’s the circumstances that she has no concern over. Her goal and purpose is to make life more invigorating, more exciting, in the quickest way possible. There is no bargaining with her energy, no list-making (I want a partner who is this, this, and this) because she may simply ignore your intention to give you exactly what you ask for, regardless of who it hurts. Calling forth her energy with even an hint of a specific person in mind is treacherous, because Aphrodite has no moral dilemma about enchanting an unwilling lover (the equivalent of psychic rape). As such, a successful petition to Aphrodite should contain phrasing like: I want an experience that is this and this and this…

Aphrodite’s energy is about hedonism, living in the moment, appreciating things for what they are in the time that you have them, and understanding that things sometimes take a turn for the worst because that’s the way of the world. But all in all, she gives you what you ask for. She’s not going to warn you about the potential cost, about looking toward the future – these are things you should have already considered before invoking her, before asking her favor. There is no malice in her answers to petitions, and the positive or negative results are just the way of things. You have a romantic experience that is good for awhile, and if/when it ends, you move on to the next experience. It is easy to imagine Aphrodite saying, “Yeah I know everything fell to pieces, but you got what you asked for didn’t you? You had fun for awhile, didn’t you? Then what are you bitching about?”

If you are committed to this goddess, she will hold you near and dear to her heart, and supply you with endless opportunities to create, obtain, and enjoy love (see the story of Pygmalion). It is your choice whether to accept the opportunity or not, your responsibility to accept the consequences. The question of morality in your affairs is yours to answer as well. Once you call in Aphrodite, it is also your responsibility to honor her on a regular basis. She is not a goddess to be forgotten, and devotion to her can be shown in a variety of ways. Expressing your fondness of her in large rituals, or in simple offerings of fresh flowers and fruits is acceptable. Also, adorning yourself with luxurious fabrics, scents, and jewelry is a way to honor the goddess. Even a small daily whisper of “Thank you, Aphrodite” will suffice.  If she feels slighted or ignored, her exciting whirlwind of passion will blow out as quickly as it came. She is not easily offended, but she does demand her due.

As Aphrodite insists on devotion, loyalty, and consideration from you, she will supply it in return; though her brand of justice can border unethical behavior. She has a wicked temper, and is skilled at deception and manipulation, as witnessed in the myths of the Women of Lemnos and Diomedes. If you are the one who is slighted in love, trust that Aphrodite will reap retribution on those who have wronged you without your even having to ask.

Aphrodite is attraction and passion in all its forms, including creativity. She is the feeling that swells in us when we are inspired by art, our infatuation with a beautiful song or affecting novel. Musicians, writers, painters, and artists of all kinds are stirred, driven by new-found loves and heartbreaks of various subjects. She is the longing that drives us to create, the power behind the muse, giving true meaning to the term ‘passionate artist.’

Aphrodite teaches her worshipers the art of confidence and the value of self worth, as well as how one can recognize and appreciate not only the beauty of the world, but the physical and emotional beauty of the self. Followers of Aphrodite become skilled in gaining admiration, maintaining self confidence, and achieving whatever they set their minds to.  She teaches us to express our sexuality without shame, to laugh, cry, and love without fear. These lessons include the art of seduction, the allure of grace, and the exquisiteness of being naughty. In Aphrodite’s hands, the truth and deep-seated passions of the human heart are tempting, and completely attainable.

 

 

Journal Questions

 

• Are you happy in your romantic/sexual life? What you like to change, if anything?
• What are you willing to sacrifice for romantic love?
• Do you find yourself disregarding the feelings of others in order to get the things you want?
• What are you unwilling to sacrifice for romantic love?
• If you loved someone, and they did not feel the same for you, would you try to “make them love you”? Why or why not?
• List five things (sights, smells, etc) that enhance your sensuality.
• Do you feel skilled in the arts of seduction? Explain.
• Are you a good physical lover? Emotional lover? Why or why not?
• In reference to your everyday life (career, hobbies, etc) what is your passion? Are you following those desires?
• What film/book inspires passion in you?
• Find a picture/artwork that embodies sensuality, romance, and/or lust for you. Describe why this image has such an effect on you. Place it somewhere you can see it daily for at least a week.

 

Bonus Assignment: Invocations and Evocations

 

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