nobody has the right to make you feel or believe you are not beautiful. not even yourself. if you lack self love, it does not, and never will, make you unlovable. // this is my digital altar for the goddess aphrodite.
(note: you do not have to worship Aphrodite to do so. You do not even have to be religious. I don't know why I'm even mentioning this.)
Eudaimonia (εὐδαιμονία): fulfillment, happiness. To live a full life, to have enjoyed life untill the very end, to live in the moment. Now is time to start.
Hedone (ἡδονή): pleasure, sensuality, emotion. There is nothing wrong with seeking pleasure, or being emotional, or doing it the easy way. As long as it makes you happy. Do it because it makes you feel good, not others.
Arete (ἀρετή): virtue, morals, goodness. Be a good person. Help others. Embody virtue. No one will define morality for you, you will define your own morals. Then live by it.
Adhara's post introduction: Hello, lovebugs! Today's post is about epithets! Hope you guys like it! I've always found Epithets something essential in my practice, so I wanted to share some knowledge and information for you guys!!
🎐What are Epithets?
🦢 Throughout ancient Greek writing and mythology, there is something known as epithets. The definition of epithet is repeated descriptive adjectives or phrases linked to a specific character, either a God or Hero, that are used to describe a specific characteristic of they hold.
🎐 What is the importance of the Epithets?
🦢 Epithets are important not only to know more about your Deity, but also to know what type of works they do with their devotees, and also to know which energy you may resonate more with.
🎐 How to know which Epithet I'm working with my Deity?
🦢 First, I recommend you to do multiple researches about your Deity, then see which one resonates more with you, then you ask them for confirmation, it's best if you have the Epithets in hand and go through it with your Deity, especially if you don't feel your intuition pushing you towards an specific epithet.
🎐 What are examples of Epithets, and what they can mean to me?
🦢 Here's some examples of Epithets and their meanings and what they could mean in works (from my perspective, of course):
- Aphrodite Areia, the warlike. A surname of Aphrodite, when represented in full armour like Ares, as was the case at Sparta: It can help at getting more confident in yourself and getting through challenges.
- Athena Paeonia(Paiônia), i. e. the healing goddess, was a surname of Athena, under which she had a statue at Athens, and an altar in the temple of Amphiaraus at Oropus: It can help through mental and physical traumas and how to live past them.
- Hekate Atalos; the tender-hearted, or Hekate the delicate: Helps through understanding that even if you're powerful, you can still be kind and soft-hearted.
- Ares Aphneiós; rich, wealthy: It can help with finances, such as saving and controlling your money better.
- Demeter Brimo;(Brimô), the angry or the terrifying, occurs as a surname of several divinities, such as Hecate or Persephone: It can help understanding where your anger comes from.
🎐 Are all Epithets usable in our worshipping?
🦢 That's a tricky question, some Epithets were used in a specific part of Greece or another place, so they may not be fit for some of us.
I’ve been adding to my altars the past couple of days, now that I’m home from holiday traveling. I’ve been feeling a bit disconnected from my practice because of said traveling and just general end of the semester bullshit, and my way of dealing with feeling distant usually involves gifts lol. I added a few things to my Aphrodite, Apollo/Artemis, Athena, and healing altars, in addition to giving food offerings, which has helped me to start feeling more grounded 💕
In my last studies about the Goddess Aphrodite, I was very curious to research her many epithets, despite knowing some of them, these were my last ones listed here:
Places of worship and worship:
Acidalia: Inspired by the city of Idálion, in Cyprus, one of its places of worship.
Amathusia: Venerated in the ancient city of Amathus, in Cyprus.
Amyklaios: Honored in Amicleia, in Laconia.
Aphakitis: Related to the city Aphace, in Syria, where she was worshiped in an oracular temple.
Arakynthia: Originating from Arakynthus mountain, one of her places of worship.
Argennis: Worshiped by Argenus, a friend of Agamemnon, who built a temple in her name.
Cythereia: From the island of Cythera, one of her supposed birthplaces.
Erykina: Referring to Mount Éryx in Sicily, associated with the worship of Venus.
Idalia: Venerated in the city of Idalion, in Cyprus.
Kastiniê: Due to Mount Castius, a place of worship.
Knidia: Associated with the city of Cnidus, where she was also worshiped.
Kôlias: Venerated in Colias, in Attica.
Kypria: From Cyprus, one of her supposed birth locations.
Kyprogenese: Born in Cyprus.
Melinaia: Venerated in the city of Argos.
Aphrodite Syria Thea: From Syria, revered in a temple syncretized with the Goddess Astarte.
Aphrodite Zephyritis: Invoked on the promontory of Zephyrus in Egypt.
Aphrodite Zêrynthia: Revered in Zerintia, Thrace, as a Goddess worshiped in the region.
Maritime protection
Euploia: Related to safe sea travel.
Limenia: Protector of ports and navigators.
Nauarkhís: Protector of navigators and their vessels.
Aphrodite Pontía: Lady of the Headlands, with temples strategically located along the open sea.
Birth (associated with the sea)
Anadyomenê: The one who emerged from the sea, being born in a scallop shell.
Aphrogeneia: Denotes its birth from sea foam.
Equória: Due to its birth in the sea, linked to maritime locations.
Haligenes: Born from the depths of the sea.
War
Areia: Evoking your connection to war, love and violence.
Hôplismenê: Armada, related to his relationship with Ares.
Androphonos (Mankiller)
Hekaergê: One who acts from a distance, without direct confrontations.
Summakhia (Ally in war)
Vegetable world
Antheia: Friend of Flowers, as she was known in Knossus.
Kêpois: Related to gardens and flowers.
Love and sex/Prostitution
Apostrophia: Connotes the illicit and forbidden love that she often represented.
Dôritis: Reflecting your generosity and giving of love.
Epistrophia: Suggesting that she is the facilitator of love.
Hetaira: As a lover, reflecting your connection to love and pleasures.
Kataskopia: Suggesting your ability to watch love blossom.
Melaines: The Dark One, related to nocturnal loves under the starry sky.
Migôntis: The one who unites loving hearts.
Aphrodite Pandêmos: The Goddess of the People, referring to her connection with earthly and common love relationships, daughter of Zeus and Dione.
Psithyristês Aphrodite: The Whisperer, who gently whispers to passionate hearts.
Aphrodite Pothôn Meter: The Mother of Desire, whose presence incites sensual and lascivious passions.
Aphrodite Praxis: Related to the sexual aspect and acceptance of the complexities of libido.
Aphrodite Symmakhia: She Who Remains in Love, because it is love that perpetuates and inspires her actions.
Despoena: Meaning lover, as it was known in some traditions.
Porne (Fleshy; Prostitute)
Sky
Alilat: Known as Aphrodite Urania by the Arabs, symbolizing her celestial nature.
Alitta: Another Arabic reference to Aphrodite Urania.
Aphrodite Ourania: The Celestial, alluding to her origin as the daughter of Uranus (the Sky) and Thalassa (the Sea).
Childbirth/fertility and marriage
Gamêlioi Theoi: The Goddess of Marriage, one of the five main deities who bless marriages.
Genetullis: Protector of Births, linked to the protection of births.
Makhanitis: Associated with creation and fertility.
Nymphia: The Bride, blessing relationships.
Hêrê: In her association with Hephaestus, her husband.
Chthonic (death)
Tumborukhos (grave digger)
Epitumbidia (She over the tombs)
Its nature
Aphrodite Philommeidés: The Friend of Smiles, personifying joy and joviality in her divine actions.
Aphrodite Peithô: The Persuader, revered in Athens for her ability to persuade hearts and minds.
Morphô: Celebrating your beauty and beauty.
Mechanitis: Suggesting his inventiveness and creativity.
Khryseê: The Golden One, symbolizing her shine.
Kallipygos: Highlighting its beauty and grace.
Glykymeílikhos: With a sweet smile, which exudes joy.
Eutesphanos: Crowned with great splendor.
Day: Denoting his divine and splendid nature.
Ambologêra: The one who wards off old age, as she herself is eternally young.
Apatouros: Suggestive of the trick, reflecting the myth in which she deceived the giants
Kallisti (The most beautiful)
Basilis (Queen)
Eleemon (Merciful)
Origin (perhaps related to historical origin)
Aphrodite Xenia: The Foreigner, remembering her Asian origin.
Diona: Reference to her Asian origin, with links to Dione, the Oceanid.
Myths
Nikephoros: The Victorious, in reference to the competition with Athena and Hera.
Dios Thugatêr: Meaning daughter of Zeus in one of the myths associated with her.
Apatouros: Suggestive of the trick, reflecting the myth in which she deceived the giants.
Aphrodisia is a festival to honor Lady Aphrodite, specifically Her epithet Aphrodite Pandemos (Lady of All)
When is Aphrodisia?
We don’t know exactly when Aphrodisia is or was in ancient times. Some things that came up in my research were: the third week in July to the third week in August, the summer solstice, and July 13. Because I personally need a specific date to celebrate, I will be celebrating on July 13, which happens to be tomorrow.
Traditional Celebrations
Traditionally, to start the festival, a dove was sacrificed to purify Her temple, and a statue of Her would be brought to the sea and washed, followed by a procession. Feasts were very common during Aphrodisia.
Modern Celebration Ideas
So of course we probably can’t sacrifice doves and parade a statue of Her from a temple to the sea nowadays, but there are many ways we can still celebrate Aphrodisia. These are a few ideas, you don’t have to do all of them or any at all.
🐚 Purify Her Altar
🐚 Spend time with Her
🐚 Bake something
🐚 Offer a libation or some sort of food
🐚 Do whatever makes you feel close to Her
🐚 Offer incense and/or light a candle for Her
🐚 Have a self-care day
🐚 Spend some time researching Her
I will be wearing a color that reminds me of Her, lighting Her candle, enjoying the small things in life, spending time with my partner, painting my nails, listening to music that reminds me of Her, and I may watch a romance movie. I will try to bake something or offer her something if I can.
Remember that no matter what you do for Her, or even if you don’t do anything extra at all, She will be happy. You do not need to do any elaborate celebrations or offerings in order to please Her. Just do what you can, Lady Aphrodite understands ❤️
some simple subtle every-day worship I do as an Aphrodite devotee!
always using rose-scented body soap
showering every single day to honor my body, even when i have no spoons left (i always feel better after, anyway)
lighting Her candle and facing Her altar as I do my nightly skin care routine
writing romantic scenes or poetry dedicated to Her (hear me out, writing is my comfort and coping method, it's not for everyone but i've been writing every night since i was 10)
wearing subtle makeup from Her altar that draws attention to my natural features (it's sparkly blush and eyeshadow bought from a local apothecary)
painting my nails a gentle sparkly nude color (Her favorite color nail polish sitting on Her altar!) and looking at them in the sunlight every day
paying attention to my body's needs throughout the day, being kind to myself by drinking enough water and eating even when i'm not hungry to keep my body healthy and happy
noticing romance in strangers, like a girl on the phone with her boyfriend on the bus after a long day; finding love and its energy in all that surrounds me
trying hard to fight my excoriation disorder and not pick at my face or head and each time i pull my hands away from myself, i thank Her!
avoiding putting labels on myself and letting myself be open to changes in my sexuality or romantic preferences—love knows no bounds and is constantly changing
may Mother Aphrodite bless everyone who reads this posts with her kindness and warmth 💗
🌹Roses, roses, roses. Rose soap, rose lip balm, rose hand cream, rose lotion, rose perfume, rose oil on my pillow before falling asleep, rose candles, rose incense, roses in my garden, rosewater toner, rose face mist, rose shower gel, dried roses in the bath... Just roses everywhere you can fit them.
🌹Reading romantic books and poetry, watching romance films
🌹 Reading books and poetry about Aphrodite
🌹Making myself feel beautiful with pretty jewellery and makeup. Even just a swipe of tinted lip balm boosts my confidence (I use French Girl Rose Noir). I try to wear at least a little bit of makeup or jewellery daily, even if it's just a pair of studs or a subtle lipstick
🌹 Even if I'm just staying at home all day I'll spray perfume and put on jewellery and do lipstick just to feel sensual while I'm lounging around playing Animal Crossing (currently wearing a comfy embroidered nightie, small gold hoops, a pretty bracelet and a little bit of YSL Orange Perfecto lipstick as I write this)
🌹 Embracing my sensuality. Swaying my hips, feeling the softness of my body, dancing freely, engaging in self-pleasure, taking nudes, trying to unlearn the shame associated with sexuality from my upbringing. I don't watch porn often as I find most of it unhealthy and misogynistic (I only like this one random Japanese couple's channel and some vintage and Korean softcore), but I enjoy toys (my favourite is the rose), erotic literature, erotic film, audio porn (usually in other languages because I find a lot of dirty talk just makes me cringe but I still get enjoyment out of hearing little moans and silky low voices so I get that and avoid secondhand embarrassment from bad dirty talk by listening to it in languages I don't understand), and erotic fine art.
🌹 I try to get really comfortable when I'm engaged in self love. Lipstick and perfume on, hair styled, lingerie or nightie that makes me feel sexy, a candle lit or rose, ylang ylang and jasmine oil in my diffuser, soft music playing. Then I'll position myself comfortably, and stroke my thighs, tease my nipples, squeeze my breasts, lick my juices off my fingers and use it like a lipstick, painting my lips and nipples or using it to lightly lubricate my clitoris. Running my hands all over my belly, thighs and breasts, experimenting with different types of pressure and stimulation. Just luxuriating in the sensual feelings I can bring to my beautiful female body.
🌹 Wearing jewellery with seashells, pearls, emerald, ruby, bronze, copper, gold, jade, garnet and iridescent beads
🌹 Enjoying apples, honey, figs, pomegranates, strawberries, raspberries, olives, lettuce, rosewater and chocolate. I like buying Guylian chocolates as they're seashell shaped, but any chocolate will do (my favourite chocolate bar to buy is white chocolate with strawberries). I also like foods that you can taste the rosewater in like rose macarons and Turkish delight.
🌹 Making foods with ingredients she likes, like honey cakes, Persian rose love spell cookies, rosewater nougat, Persian love cake, baklava, cornes de gazelle, mhencha, etc... I mostly stick to Mediterranean, North African, Arab and Persian recipes, as they commonly use ingredients like rosewater, honey, pomegranates, and figs.
🌹 Carrying rose quartz in my pocket and keeping rose quartz under my pillow
🌹 I use a rose quartz roller to massage oil into my face
🌹 I keep a mini Venus de Milo statue and a swan trinket box on my bedside table
🌹 Drinking a drink made up of honey, cinnamon, milk and hot water at night to relax
🌹 Wearing pretty lingerie under my clothes, even if it's a basic outfit
🌹 I often fall asleep to the sound of ocean waves
🌹 Gold highlighter swept on my cheeks and body shimmer on my collarbones, reflecting light like sun rays on the ocean
🌹 Doing little offerings, like spritzing her statue with perfume, or offering up a portion of food I'm eating that I think she'd like
🌹 Lighting incense in scents like myrrh, frankincense, rose, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger and jasmine
🌹 Drawing myself relaxing baths with fragrant oils and salts
🌹 Reading hymns, Sappho's poetry, and listening to Athanati Afroditi
🌹 Listening to music that's romantic or sensual (this is my playlist)
🌹 Carrying a hand mirror and admiring myself as I check my makeup
🌹 Adding honey to tea
🌹 Writing letters and poetry about love and beauty
🌹Admiring women I find beautiful without jealousy or resentment, just appreciation
🌹Using these emojis: 🌹🦢🌊🪞🍎❤️💘💗💕💋🕊️🫒💄
🌹 Wearing pink, red, aqua, and seafoam green
🌹 Being consistent in self care. No matter how low my spoons are, unless I'm so dog-tired I end up falling asleep on the couch at 8pm, I force myself to do my evening skincare routine - cleansing, toning, eye cream, moisturiser, oil. And I always feel better for it even if I was exhausted before. Much smaller but I'm also consistent in oiling the ends of my hair daily and spraying perfume before bed. And I keep up with getting my hair done and brows waxed every three months without fail.
🌹 Doing exercises that make me feel sensual. I'm really lazy tbh but I push myself because I know Aphrodite would want me to take care of my body. I pick exercises that make me feel good and desirable, like yoga flow, belly dance, and exercises that target my womanly attributes.
🌹 Giving compliments!
🌹 Doing a big self care day every Friday (the day associated with her). Hot oil hair treatment, foot soak and exfoliation, removing old nail polish and buffing and filing nails, face mask, teeth whitening....
🌹 Going to the pond in winter and admiring the swans
🌹 Going to an art gallery in my city just to look at the painting Venus and Cupid (Day) by Fragonard
🌹 Sleeping on silk sheets as they feel sensual (they're also good for your hair and skin)
🌹 Making my own diffusers and cosmetics from natural, aphrodisiac products. Homemade bath salt with rose petals and pink salt, homemade lip mask with olive oil and rose oil, and adding oil of rose, jasmine, sandalwood, and cinnamon to a diffuser as I find these scents stimulating and sensual.
🌹 And of course, thanking Lady Aphrodite every day.
