Artemis

A statue of Aphrodite

A Parian marble statue of Aphrodite, from Baiai in southern Italy. 2nd century CE copy of a Greek original of the 4th century BCE. (National Archaeological Museum, Athens) Mark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA).

“I will sing of stately Aphrodite, gold-crowned and beautiful, whose dominion is the walled cities of all sea-set Cyprus. There the moist breath of Zephyros the western wind wafted her over the waves of the loud-moaning sea in soft foam, ad there the gold-filleted Horae welcomed her joyously.” — Homeric Hymn 6 to Aphrodite

Aphrodite (a-fruh-dai-tee) is an Olympian goddess associated with love, beauty, pleasure, and sex. She is generally depicted as naked.[1] Hellenic polytheists typically interpret the domain of love as an umbrella realm that includes all sort of love; romantic, queerplatonic, familial, platonic, and sexual all fall under her protection and influence.

Godly Characteristics

Aphrodite is said to be extremely beautiful and graceful, and there is shared doxa that she appears differently to different people. This can either be because of the person looking for a beauty they're attracted to (aesthetically or otherwise) or because Aphrodite believes they need to see a certain type of beauty. Beautiful women have historically been compared to Aphrodite[1], though Aphrodite devotees may find her beauty in other genders, too.

Aphrodite is a goddess of not only sex but procreation and fertility. She is also a member of the group of deities known as the Theoi Gamelioi (gods who preside over marriage, including Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite, and some lesser known deities).[1][2] While Hera is the goddess of marriage, Aphrodite has domain over the consummation of marriage.[1] Additionally, she is the protector of sex workers.[1][3][4]

Her love domain is shared with more than just the Theoi Gamelioi; Eros and the Erotes are all related to love as well, each with their own specialization. Love poetry overlaps with Apollo, and she has some relation to partying (primarily Dionysus's area).[1]

In general, Aphrodite (as seen in her epithet "Pandemos") is a goddess of unity, bringing together romantic and/or sexual partners (of different genders or the same gender), sex workers and clients, and the people within a city. She may also be seen as uniting the sky and sea (because of her nature as an ouranic goddess and being of the sea).[4] Because she is a goddess of all love, she can also be seen as a uniter of friendships, too, or queerplatonic partners.

Because of her birth by sea myth, sometimes sailors would pray to Aphrodite for protection.[2][4] Love and war are also sometimes tied together in mythology and Aphrodite historically has been associated with war (in Locri cultus even being seen as a goddess of death).[4] In human history, love has often been a source of conflict, so this concept makes a lot of sense to me. Aphrodite can also be seen as a goddess of peace, as she soothes her lover Ares the war god, and even gave birth to Harmonia.[1][4]

It should be noted that Aphrodite does not require her followers be fashionistas, allosexual or alloromantic, or female. Aphrodite is a multi-dimensional goddess and has much, much more to her then "pretty sensual woman" (not that there is anything wrong with honoring this aspect of her!).[5] Also, I would argue that Aphrodite revels in the nebulous nature of queerplatonic love and attraction, given it's highly personal definition usage. It's as good a love and attraction as any other.

Aphrodite is associated with the planet Venus (♀). She has a jewel-encrusted, golden chariot that is drawn by a team of doves. For sacred animals and plants, she is associated with doves, white geese, sparrows, swans, shellfish, apples, pomegranates, myrtle and myrrh, poppies, red roses, and pearls (the sea-born stone of love). The conch shell and mirror are both symbols of Aphrodite. Her messenger is Peithos.[1] Rabbits may also be associated with Aphrodite due to their tendency to have lots of kits frequently.[5]

Her colors are the azure-blue of the sky[6], seafoam green, and corals and pinks.[5] Swine/pigs are considered offensive to Aphrodite, and I do not offer anything related to them to her as her lover Adonis was killed by a pig.[7]

Notable Epithets

  • Aphrodite Aphrogeneia – Foam-Born[1]
  • Aphrodite Apostrophia – Averter of Unethical Desires[1]
  • Aphrodite Morpho – of Shapely Form[1]
  • Aphrodite Ourania – Heavenly, Divine[1]
  • Aphrodite Pandemos – of All People[1][4][8]
    • This refers to her role as a uniter within community. Aphrodite has at points been a very political goddess which can also be seen within this epithet.[4][8]
  • Aphrodite Pontia – of the Sea[1]
  • Aphrodite Symmakhia – Ally (in Love)[1]

Altar/Shrine Ideas & Offerings & Devotional Activities

Altar/Shrine Ideas Offering Ideas Devotional Activity Ideas
Candles. A portion of food[9] Meditating or praying while listening to ocean sounds
Incense holder Incense Creating art of her
Imagery of Aphrodite Libation Creating art of beautiful things with her in mind
Imagery of her lovers Poetry about beauty or love Writing love poems or songs
Imagery of beautiful things. Chocolate[5] Creating genuine compliments
Imagery of the sea Ocean sounds Doing self-care
Imagery of her sacred animals Love letters Writing romance
Seashells Roses, poppies, or other flowers Doing your make up
Pearls Love songs Dressing up
Sea glass Art of her
Roses or poppies Art of things you associate with love or beauty
Make up Water from the sea
Rose quartz Perfume
Jewelry[5] Strawberries[5]
Mirror

Physical Descriptions

Aphrodite wears shining jewelry and a magical girdle woven with the powers of love and desire. She wears twisted brooches and shining earrings shaped like flowers and lovely necklaces. She is sometimes said to wear a crown. Her skin has golden undertones. Her clothes are often described as gleaming and shining in colors of gold, silver, fire, and/or spring colors.[1]

With that said, many Aphrodite devotees believe she can change how she appears, and may pick a form based on what the beholder associates with beauty (or what they need to associate with beauty).[5]

Relationships to Other Deities, Spirits, and Heroes

This section is based on our personal interpretations of the attested relationships of mythological beings to Aphrodite. Many gods have contradicting relationships within their mythology and so as a follower it is up to you to determine what you believe.

Direct Familial Relations

  • Uranus — After Uranus was cut and pieces of his genitals fell into the sea, Aphrodite was born of the resulting seafoam.[1][3]
  • Eros, Himeros, Pothos — Aphrodite was born from the seafoam pregnant with these godlings[1]
  • Hermaphroditus — born from Aphrodite and Hermes[1]
  • Anteros, Deimos, Harmonia, Phobos — born from Aphrodite and Ares[1]
  • Hedylogos — Born from Aphrodite and Ares[10]

Lovers and Love Interests

  • Ares — Aphrodite had an affair with Ares during her marriage to Hephaestus (and beyond that)[1]
  • Hephaestus — Aphrodite married Hephaestus at Zeus’ urging after Hephaestus freed Hera from the cursed golden throne. The two did not have a happy marriage and later divorced.[1]
  • Hermes — Hermes seduced Aphrodite and they had a child, Hermaphroditus.[1]
  • Adonis — Adonis is one of Aphrodite's lovers. He was killed by a boar and lives in the Underworld, but is allowed to spend six months a year with Aphrodite in the upper world.[1]

Allies and Companions

  • The Erotes — Eros, Himeros, Pothos, and others[1]
  • The Horae — The Horae (goddesses of the seasons) brought Aphrodite to Olympus at her birth[1]
  • The Charites — The goddesses of grace, including Thalia (good cheer), Aglaia (beauty, and Euphrosyne (mirth and merriment)[1]
  • Some nymphs — Specifically some naiads and oreiades[1]

References

  1. Theoi Greek Mythology [Internet]. [cited 2023 Aug 21]. APHRODITE - Greek Goddess of Love & Beauty. Available from: https://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Aphrodite.html
  2. Mikalson JD. Ancient Greek Religion. 1e ed. Blackwell Publishing Ltd; 2005.
  3. Cartwright M. World History Encyclopedia. [cited 2024 Jul 10]. Aphrodite. Available from: https://www.worldhistory.org/Aphrodite/
  4. Ogdon D, editor. A Companion to Greek Religion. Blackwell Publishing Ltd; 2007.
  5. Shared doxa.
  6. Armyras E, Panopoulos CP, Panagiotopoulos P. Hellenic Polytheism Household Worship. Madytinos MR, Madytinou L, editors. LABRYS Polytheistic Community; 2014.
  7. Who is Adonis in Greek Mythology? - [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2024 Jul 10]. Available from: https://www.theoi.com/articles/who-is-adonis-in-greek-mythology/
  8. Parker R. Polytheism and society at Athens. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press; 2005. 544 p.
  9. HellenicGods.org - Offerings to Gods in Hellenismos [Internet]. [cited 2024 Jan 19]. Available from: https://www.hellenicgods.org/offerings-to-gods-in-hellenismos
  10. Personal doxa.
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