Aphrodite: A Quick Witch’s Guide to the Goddess of love & Beauty

From Hesiod’s Theogony:

“Ouranos (the Sky) came, bringing on night and longing for love, and he lay about Gaia (the Earth) spreading himself full upon her. Then the son [Kronos] from his ambush stretched forth his left hand and in his right took the great long sickle with jagged teeth, and swiftly lopped off his own father's members and cast them away to fall behind him . . .

and a white foam spread around them from the immortal flesh, and in it there grew a maiden. First she drew near holy Kythera, and from there, afterwards, she came to sea-girt Kypros, and came forth an awful and lovely goddess, and grass grew up about her beneath her shapely feet.”

Aphrodite was said to be born near Cyprus of the white foam from the castrated genitals of the sky. We generally interpret this as “sea foam” and honestly, let’s keep it at that. There is a rock in Paphos, Cyprus called Aphrodite’s rock. Legend says because of her sea-based birth several coastal sanctuaries used to exist in her name.

She is the goddess of love, beauty, passion, pleasure. Being a goddess of love and sex she herself has had many suitors and many love affairs between both gods and mortals. Many had an interest in her but as an exchange for the release of Hera, Zeus arranged a marriage between Aphrodite and who has been deemed the “ugliest” god - which seems pretty harsh - Hephaestus, the god of fire and the forge. This also benefitted Zeus, as he thought it would get the rest of the gods to back off and be disinterested. Of course, that didn’t work.

Being a forced marriage, Aphrodite didn’t feel particularly interested in remaining faithful to it. She had a torrid and complicated affair with the god Ares. The two were literally caught in the act in a trap, a golden net, crafted by Hephaestus. Still, she had eight of Ares’ children. She also had an affair with Poseidon and Hermes, giving each of them a child as well. She is often seen with Eros, god of love & sex (the roman to Aphrodite being Venus and the Eros equivalent is Cupid). In some versions of the story Eros a primeval god and son of Chaos. In later versions he is described as Aphrodite’s son. It is undetermined whether the father is Zeus, Ares or Hermes. Perhaps he’s more of an adopted son.

She also loved a mortal man, Adonis. She loved him so much that she kept him in a chest and left him with Persephone, who also fell in love with Adonis and did not want to return him to Aphrodite. Adonis is later killed while hunting by a wild boar. In some versions of the story the wild boar is actually a jealous Ares. Upon his death, Aphrodite turns him into the windflower. His spirit remains half of the year in the Underworld, the other half as the short-lived flower and symbol of Aphrodite’s grief over her lost love.

Now, some will say that she has a short temper. It has been alleged that she would curse people if she didn’t get her way. There’s also an unfortunate trend I’ve seen online where people joke that a way to “curse” someone else would be to trigger her temper by saying the target is more beautiful than Aphrodite. Not only do I not personally believe this, but if I did I would also not personally try it. IF that was true, why would she only target the person you said was prettier and not also you for saying it? Anyway, she dealt out beauty and honored pretty people all the time! She even promised a man the most beautiful woman in the world in exchange for being gifted an apple! Of course, that apple was representing that she has the title of “most beautiful goddess” and unfortunately that woman was already married and allegedly that’s what started the trojan war… but that was so long ago. Let’s all agree to not rank people like we all fit on a universal “pretty” list somehow. Including the gods, yeah? Point is, I believe she gets an undeserved rough reputation. Honestly, it feels like the “well, she’s pretty so she must be a b*tch too” stereotype, which I think is just gross and wrong.

To create a closer connection with Aphrodite:

• Aphrodite is the goddess of beauty and passion and that can extend beyond just sexuality and into art, music and poetry. So creating something in her honor.

• Speaking of sexuality… your romantic time could be dedicated to her if you’d like. With a partner or alone. Interpret that as you will.

• Creating an altar space for her

• Who works with Aphrodite?

  Aphrodite may be calling to you if you notice any of the above symbols more notably or more than usual in your life. Not necessarily including like if it’s valentines day and the store is full of heart stuff, BUT if you feel strongly drawn to it could be a sign!

  You might also feel a little more sensitive and empathetic emotionally, you may suddenly develop strong feeling to act on or just about love, romance, relationships, OR beauty, fashion, art. You might be more moved by art, nature, or beauty. You may have dreams about her, love in general, or any of her symbolism.

  Most importantly, like most deities, you’ll just feel that it’s right to work with her.

Altar/Offerings:

• Mirrors

• Doves

• Dolphins

• Clam shell (from Botticelli painting)

• Hearts

• Jewelry

• Salt water or sea water

• Scents, flowers & fruits:

  • Rose

  • Lavender

  • Cinnamon

  • Honey

  • Strawberries

  • Cherries

  • Apples

  • Peaches

  • Myrrh

  • Myrtle

  • Marjoram

  • Rosemary

  • Incense, candles or perfumes in similar scent profiles

  • Wine, champagne, rose

  Crystals & Colors:

  • Red, pink, white, aqua/teal

  • Rose quartz, pearl, aquamarine, moonstone, opal