I've made a small list of facts I would like to share about the radiant godess Aphrodite.
Aprodite Ariea (warlike) is estimated to have been worshipped at least as early as 900 BCE. Soldiers would call upon the godess for strength and victory.
Warlike Aphrodite is depicted with a shield for defence. Her wepon of choice is a golden sandal.
Lady Aphrodite lent her beautiful and enchanted girdle to Queen of the gods Hera.
Aphrodites sacred colours include blue, green, and white. Modern practices of Hellenic polytheism often associate her with pink and red, which is perfectly fine! They are feminine, after all. Her sacred colours are derived from her birth place, the ocean.
Aphrodites' favourite mortal woman is Helen of sparta.
Aphrodite is referred to as the patron godess of lesbians. This is because of her work with the famous poet Sappho. She called on the radiant godess for inspiration. Aphrodite helped Sappho chanel her passion for beautiful women so she could create art.
(As a lesbian I often tell her about women I find beautiful, I think she likes hearing the tea.)
Symbols of Aphrodite include doves, swans, sparrows, dolphins, sea shells, and mirrors. Pearls and Rose Quartz are her favourite precious stones. You may decorate your altar with them.
Aphrodite has been worshipped as a fertility godess for thousands of years.
Aphrodite loves to dance, she is depicted as dancing charmingly at the wedding of Eros and Phsyce.
Cyprus is Aphrodites birthplace and one of her favourite islands.
Philommeidēs is the name given to laughter loving Aphrodite. It is perfectly fine to tell her jokes, she will probably enjoy them.
[Paris] became eloquent and well-educated, and composed a speech in praise of Aphrodite, saying there was no greater goddess than she, not Hera nor Athena. He said in his composition that Aphrodite was Desire, and from Desire all things were born. This is why they say that Paris judged between Pallas and Hera and Aphrodite and gave Aphrodite the apple, the victory, saying that Desire, that is, Aphrodite, gives birth to everything, to children, wisdom, propriety, the arts, and all other things in reasoning and unreasoning creatures. There is nothing greater and better. Paris even composed a hymn to her.
Lalla Malika: Mainly amethysts and all other purple stones, as well as emeralds (one form of her, Malika Al Fassiya, likes turquoise too)
Lalla Maria: All precious and expensive gems but especially diamonds
Lalla Mira: Citrine
La Sirène: Pearls, sea glass, coral
Madame Lalinn: Mica, pearls (also mother of pearl)
Oshun: Amber, coral
Yemaya: Quartz crystal, pearls, coral, turquoise
Sources: Encyclopedia of Spirits by Judika Illes, Crystal Magic by Sandra Kynes, Mermaids: the Myths, Legends and Lore by Skye Alexander, Orishas, Goddesses and Voodoo Queens by Lillith Dorsey
What is a Daily Devotional?
- A daily devotional is a ritual we do on a daily basis to honor the Goddess. These rituals can be simple or complex in nature. They can also be considered non-physical offerings. Preforming daily devotionals can help strengthen our bonds with the Gods and Goddess.
I would like to make note there is not much you can do to weaken your bond or make a Greek Deity angry. If your heart is true and you are acting with good intentions they will most likely be happy with whatever you do for or give to them. Neglecting to do a daily devotional will not land you damned with the Gods, they are very understanding. Everyone's practice is different and personal to them, do your own research and follow your intuition.
Reading her Hymns
Homeric Hymn 5
Homeric Hymn 6
Homeric Hymn 10
Orphic Hymn 54
Learning her Epithets
What is an Epithet?
Epithets are a descriptive term accompanying the name of a deity in Greek traditions. A deity's epithets highlights a specific aspect of the deity's nature.
Why do we use epithets?
For one, respect, devotees have been using them for centuries. She won't be upset with you for forgetting but it will impress her when you remember. Epithets also help us navigate how we interact with the Goddess because each epithet represents a different aspect of her nature. For example when we want to call onto her for her warlike energy versus her romantic nature you can distinguish this by using the appropriate epithets.
My Favorites
"URA′NIA (Ourania),A surname of Aphrodite, describing her as "the heavenly," or spiritual, to distinguish her from Aphrodite Pandemos."
"CYTHE′RA, CYTHEREIA, CYTHE′RIAS (Kuthêra, Kuthereia, Kuthêrias), different forms of a surname of Aphrodite, derived from the town of Cythera in Crete, or from the island of Cythera, where the goddess was said to have first landed, and where she had a celebrated temple."
"AREIA (Areia), the warlike. A surname of Aphrodite, when represented in full armour like Ares, as was the case at Sparta."
Click here to learn more of Lady Aphrodite's Epithets
Hair Care
One thing you need to understand is the Gods and Goddess find us very precious. Just as we see a puppy running after a ball to be the cutest thing ever, they too find our everyday behaviors to be entertaining. So we can do everyday things in honor of them, this is how we strengthen our bonds with them. So yes something as simple as braiding or brushing your hair, trying a new style, giving it a new cut or color can all be done in honor of Lady Aphrodite. You can also pray and give offerings to her before for favor in it turning out well. (Remember to thank her when it does!) Or do your hair as the offering to her!
Aphrodite is well known for her long hair due to her depiction in The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli. She loves when her children take the time and put in the effort to take care of themselves, she is the Goddess of beauty after all. This isn't about "looks-maxing" or worrying about how you're perceived, this about taking pride in what you have. When you do anything with your hair make a mental note of how you are dedicating this act to Lady Aphrodite and thank her for what she has given you. Everyday as you brush or wash your hair you could meditate and invoke Aphrodite, let this be a moment between the two of you. Talk to her as you would any loving mother. Other Ideas:
For hair growth apply castor oil and rosemary oil to your scalp and rub it in with your fingertips about 15 minutes before a shower. Shampoo twice. Rosemary magically corresponds with protection, love, healing and intellect.
Use Aphrodite oil in your hair.
Burn incense as an offering to Aphrodite as you do any hair care.
Leave your hairbrush on Aphrodite's altar (remember to clean it and put it back)
Perfume your hair with incense. (remember to close your eyes so the smoke doesn't get in them)
Doing your Makeup
Doing your makeup is a great way to be creative and express yourself. Again this isn't about "looking better" this about enhancing and adorning what you have. Lady Aphrodite wants us all to realize that we are beautiful and enough just the way that we are. Just as we mentioned in the hair care portion, you could pray and leave offerings to her before starting your makeup to ask for her favor. Burn incense to her and invoke her into your space. (my Aphrodite invocation) As you open the space up for her, talk to her like you would one of your friends but leave enough space to hear her response. Take your time to build your bond. Here are some other ideas on how you can honor her while doing your makeup:
Draw the Venus symbol with your concealer (or moisturizer) before blending out.
Using her colors - pastels, pinks, blues, purples, think flowers and the ocean. Use shimmers and sparkles.
Be creative! Use your free will!
Use blessed rose water as a toner.
Keep rose quartz in your makeup bag.
Set up a small shrine or altar dedicated to Lady Aphrodite wherever you get ready.
After you've done your makeup, declare it to be an offering
Taking Care of Ourselves
Aphrodite is the Goddess of love, self love and beauty but also war. Sometimes self love can be putting a bit of armor on. Doing our best to look our best has shown a multitude of benefits for our mental health, confidence and productivity so not only are we taking time to connect with the Goddess but we are also doing something deeply good for ourselves, which Aphrodite also loves to see us do. We can start small by just making sure to brush our teeth and hair everyday. Dedicate the space you do this in to her. If these tasks are hard for you, firstly I understand and I am sorry for whatever is troubling you but secondly I'd like to offer you this - could you imagine if Lady Aphrodite herself came down from Olympus and said "You can do this my child, come with me" and offered you a hand to hold? I imagine you can imagine it, and that it probably feels really good. So when you brush your teeth and hair, meditate on the idea of her here with you, feel her warmth and tender words. And when you feel ready add another thing to your routine such as washing your face, skincare and sunscreen, staying hydrated, making sure to eat three times a day or getting dressed everyday in a way to intentionally express yourself (or at least when you can, I know a lot of us have job uniforms) When you do something in honor of the Goddess it not only strengthens your bond but also gives us the drive to do the things we should be doing for ourselves.
Stop to Smell the Flowers
I mean this both literally and metaphorically. Our Golden One Aphrodite loves flowers, especially roses as they represent love and adoration. Stopping to smell any flower you see is a great way to connect with her for at least just a moment, just watch out for bees who might also be enjoying Aphrodite's perfume. Metaphorically speaking I'm also referring to slowing down a little bit and taking in life's little pleasures. Taking the time to really smell the perfume you put on in the morning, using that journal you've been saving for "something special" (every day is a special event when you're an Aphrodite Devotee), taking time to note how good your lunch really is, things like that. Bask in the joys of being a human. You could also have a plant that you have dedicated to Aphrodite, as you water it everyday (or nearly) think of the Goddess, clear your mind and ask for her message. As your bond grows, so will your plant, serving as a physical reminder to how much your bond has grown.
Dressing Up
This ties back into using our free will to express ourself in honor of the Goddess. She loves to watch us get ready and adorn ourselves with accessories so why not put on a show for her. As you get ready burn some incense and play in your closet. Have fun putting together different outfits that make you feel like YOU! If what makes you feel confident is a pair of jeans that fit just right and a tailored t-shirt, wear that, if it's sparkles, drapes and dresses, do that. Aphrodite just wants to see us express ourselves, having fun and playing while were here on Earth so by all means experiment and be creative. Try out new styles or stick with the same routine. You can also incorporate color magic with this by using the colors of energies you want to invoke, the daily planetary influences, or the current moon sign.
Here's an idea that's less than daily - Go through your closet with the Goddess. Create a small altar/shrine wherever you plan to do this, I suggest somewhere near your closet and a large mirror. Preform your prayer and then let this performance of sorts be an offering to the Goddess. Play music and have fun as you do this, also try to pair things together so you have some outfits ready and blessed. Go through each piece of clothing you own, if it's an immediate yes or a basic keep it, but reflect on each piece you feel conflicted about. Try it on, does it go with anything else in your closet? Do you feel like your highest self in it? Something you bought but have never worn, is holding onto it serving your highest purpose? As silly as it may sound holding onto things for later is not aligned with the Goddess. We must treat everyday like a special occasion as Aphrodite Devotees. So for the pieces you've been saving, make an outfit with it, or buy something to go with it, or sell it, or give it away. Remember to dance and give yourself kisses in the mirror.
Wearing Perfume
Perfumes, oils, and lotions are all things Aphrodite love. You can also research what notes your perfumes have and what the magical correspondences of those notes are. Here's my favorite perfume for example: (Paris Hilton - Heiress)
Passion Fruit - Passion, Love, Friendship
Peach - Represents Femineity, Love, Abundance
Champagne Mimosa - Luxury, Fun
Sea Breeze - Connection to Aphrodite's Home
Clary Sage - Enhances Psychic Abilities, Wisdom
Dewberry Blossom - Protection, Healing
Violet Leaf - Loyalty, Love, Luck
Tahitian Tonka - Manifestation, Courage
Find out what magical attributes your perfume has here.
Once we combine our magical knowledge with our mundane products we can then activate their energies to work for us. You can see how the examples above can work out to be a great Glamour spell. Activating their energies can be done as simple or complexly as you like. For a simple idea, open your magical space and offer the perfume to the Goddess. Keep it on her altar, you can still use it each day just make sure to put it back when you're done.
Dancing
Move those hips and let yourself spin! Take some time to create a playlist of songs that remind you of the Goddess. Light up the candles on your altar and dance for her. If you're a physical media lover like myself, burn the playlist to a CD. Write beauty and glamour sigils on the disc and can decorate the case with stickers that represent beauty, luxury and the Goddess. When you listen and dance, truly let yourself be free. Find a moment you're home alone and let it all out, scream, cry, sing along as loud as possible. Here are some of my favorites from my Aphrodite playlist:
Baths
This is my favorite way to honor our Lady Aphrodite. Historically Aphrodite Devotee's have been taking baths in her honor for centuries. The Bath's of Aphrodite is also an actual place in Cyprus, it is said this is where her and her lover Adonis bathed together. Before you get ready to bathe, bring some things into the bathroom that represent the Golden One to you. Rose quarts, pink and blue candles, pretty jewelry, roses, etc. As you take this bath, take time to meditate and really connect with Aphrodite's energy. There are so many different ways incorporate different things to invoke her energy. Oils you've crafted, scented bath salts, bubbles to represent the sea foam she was born from. Let your imagination run wild here. And just as we did with the perfume, we can too activate our bath products magical ingredients.
Epsom salt comes in a range of scents that can be magically activated, such as lavender, jasmine and rose.
Add Aphrodite or glamour oil to your shampoo
Body scrubs are great for literal and spiritual cleansing. Imagine yourself scrubbing off the energies of the day.
Soaps too can be activated and used magically as well. For example strawberry body wash can help you embody the juicy goddess you are. Strawberries are energetically aligned with friendship, glamour, beauty and romance.
An Aphrodite Journal
Use an empty notebook you already have or go out and get a new one. It doesn't have to be anything special by any means. Cleanse it with incense. Then make it beautiful and special, using glitters, laces, stickers and more to decorate the outside. Take it to your altar and dedicate the journal to the Goddess and write to her daily (or at least try to). Just take 5-10 minutes each day to write to her, tell her all about the beautiful and ugly things you saw today, what you're grateful for and what's testing your patience, things you've created, things you've destroyed, what you need and what you have. Let this journal be a sacred space between you and the Goddess. Decorate the pages, be creative but don't worry about "messing it up". Talk to her like you would a friend or loving mother. If you are worried about prying eyes, cast protection over it, rip the pages out and burn them as you write them, write messy so others can't understand it.
You could dedicate your journal in any way you feel fit but here are some ideas.
Speak to the book, something as simple as "This book is a sacred space for Lady Aphrodite and I only" works just fine.
Spray the pages with your favorite perfume
Write a letter about everything you love in the front. Put on your favorite lipstick and seal it with a kiss.
Write Aphrodite's Hymns in it.
Dedicate the first few pages to Aphrodite's energies and correspondences.
Giving Extra Love to Those You Love
Lady Aphrodite is the Goddess of love, love of all kinds.
