Goddess Aphrodite

Last Updated on December 18, 2017 by Coven of the Goddess

Aphrodite, the beautiful goddess of love, was the only goddess who had neither a father nor a mother. Nobody knew from where she had come. The West Wind had first seen her in the pearly light of dawn as she rose out of the sea on a cushion of foam. She floated lightly over the gentle waves and was so lovely to behold that the wind almost lost his breath. With soft puffs, he blew her to the flowering island of Cyprus, where the three Graces welcomed her ashore. Grass and flowers sprung up from beneath Aphrodite’s feet as she walked.

The Graces, goddesses of beauty and joy, became her attendants. They dressed her in shimmering garments, perfumed her with the essence of roses, bedecked her with sparkling jewels, and placed her in a golden chariot drawn by white doves. Then they led her to Olympus where all the gods rejoiced in her beauty, seated her on a golden throne, and made her one of them. Aphrodite became the queen of prosperity, inspiring fertility with her beauty and ensuring the survival of the plants, the animals, and the tribes.

Zeus was afraid that the gods would fight over the hand of Aphrodite and, to prevent it, he quickly chose a husband for her. He gave her the hand of Hephaestus, the most steadfast of the gods. Aphrodite did not care for Zeus’ choice, and although Hephaestus loved Aphrodite and made her gifts of jewels and gold, she never forgave Zeus for imprisoning her in a marriage not of her choosing.

Aphrodite did not allow her marriage to sway her from her desires and she enjoyed passionate affairs with many of the gods, including Ares, Hermes, and the horned god Pan. And from her couplings sprang forth new gods and goddesses and life on earth. Her son Eros, or Cupid as he is known by the Romans, carried forth her wishes to bring love to all who were shot by his magical arrows.

Hephaestus, angered at Aphrodite’s adultery, conspired to trap her and her lover Ares in a magical net. But even when he revealed the lovers to the other gods of Olympus, they lovingly refused to pass judgment against the goddess, instead acquiescing to her ability to choose love for herself.

Aphrodite does not allow the strictures of judgment to stop her for reaching for what she wants or for exploring her sacred sexuality. While she brings love and joy to the world, she also brings love and joy to herself. She is the Queen of Pleasure, who inspires us all to love each other, to love ourselves and our own sensuality, and to explore and celebrate our passion. It is in the season of spring, the season of earthly abundance, the season of fire, that we celebrate Goddess Aphrodite.

Goddess of roses, Aphrodite personifies every aspect of love, romance, sexuality, sensuality, inspiration, fertility, beauty, and pleasure. Known as She Who Binds Together, Aphrodite brings your heart’s desires to fruition. Independent and strong, Aphrodite teaches all women of the strength and power in their femininity.

Aphrodite reminds us to live not in our minds, but in our hearts. She reminds us to allow our inner feminine wisdom and dynamic beauty to rise to the surface. Cherish its power and meaningfulness. No matter what our physical body looks like, it has the power of the inner feminine that nurtures us and guides us with intuitive principles. Now is the time to become aware of, take excellent care of, and celebrate our magnificence!