Skip navigation.

Invocation

The name Aphrodite means foam born and refers to her birth from the sea foam. She then came to shore in Cyprus which is the origin of her most common poetic name, Kypris. Some of her other names are Aphrodite Philommedies (laughter loving), Aphrodite Ourania (heavenly), Aphrodite Alugena (sea born), Aphrodite Pandemos (popular), Aphrodite Kourotrophos (nurse), Aphrodite Epipontia (on the sea), and Aphrodite Anadyomene (raising from the sea).

Influence

Aphrodite is primarily the goddess of love and sex. However, this is not the ecstatic loss of control that belongs to Dionysos or marriage and relationships which belongs to Hera. Aphrodite deals with cultured flower gardens, romantic flirtations, cocktail parties, theater or other celebrations where smart dress or 'black tie' are required, food that is more taste and presentation then sustenance, all forms of art and culture, and, of course, making love.

In blessing, Aphrodite gives enjoyable relationships in a life of beauty, culture, laughter, games, sweetness and peace. As a curse, Aphrodite gives loneliness, lack of sex (impotence, frigidity), quantities of sex with no pleasure (nymphomania, satyrism), disgust or madness. Beauty for Aphrodite is not the external beauty created in a commercial world. It's a combination of grace, inner beauty, audacity and charm. In order to obtain the blessings of Aphrodite, you must be able to give love and pleasure before you can receive it.

Priesthood

The religious guild for Aphrodite is called Tetradista. Each temple or sanctuary for Aphrodite has one neokoros (old woman caretaker) and one loutrophoros (young, virgin water carrier). The goddess of sexuality can only be attended by those excluded from her works.

Aphrodite's priestesses are the hetairai, sacred prostitutes skilled in art, sexual pleasures, music and other forms of entertainment. These are the ultimate companions and hostesses at parties. The rites of Aphrodite include the hieros gamos (sacred marriage) which is as much about seduction and entertaining company as it is about sexual pleasure.

Offerings

Modern rites for Aphrodite should contain culture and beauty such as the Japanese or English tea ceremonies, romantic candle lit dinners, tending rose gardens or attending smart dress or 'black tie' affairs. Sacrifices to her consist of incense, flowers or the giving up of one's virginity. Libations to her are cocktails or fruit punches that contain a large element of taste and appearance. Feasts should be candle lit dinners that, also, consist of taste and presentation (mixed with quiet conversation).

SOURCES: