Aphrodite is the goddess of love and beauty. Associated with the Roman goddess Venus and the Egyptian goddess Hathor, she is remembered for her incomparable allure and the many complex roles she played in the lives of gods and mortals alike.
Aphrodite is widely regarded as one of the most renowned Olympians, owing to the fact that her unparalleled beauty continues to inspire enduring works of art throughout the centuries. Even today, when we gaze upon the iconic Birth of Venus, she evokes profound emotions within us.
Working with Aphrodite
Graceful and cunning, this gorgeous goddess is revered by neopagan practitioners and traditional Hellenics alike. Let us look beyond the surface to uncover the timeless wisdom woven into her mythology.
The best way to connect with Aphrodite is by studying Her mythology, epithets, and symbols. First, we’ll discuss the myths that highlight the goddess Aphrodite before sharing some tips on how to honor Her in your pagan rituals.
- Who is Aphrodite
- Myth of Aphrodite
- Symbols of Aphrodite
- Epithets and Names of Aphrodite
- How to Worship Aphrodite
- Further reading
Who is Aphrodite?
Aphrodite represents the very essence of love, passion, beauty, and attraction. She holds the power to unite souls in deep connection. As she rose from the waves, she also represents the element of water, and with it, the undulating emotions within us all.
Aphrodite advocates for love in all its forms. Embracing diversity and inclusivity with open arms, she extends her blessings to all, regardless of who they love or how they identify. This includes embracing our innermost selves and expressing our true identities.
Aphrodite guides us to practice self-love just as much as love for one another. She encourages us to check in on ourselves and our personal goals. Self-love also means self-work and holding oneself accountable for things like personal hygiene and taking care of your environment.
Myth of Aphrodite
While Aphrodite is often cast aside as being a mere goddess of beauty, her legends and lore tell a very different story.
The Conception of Aphrodite
Aphrodite arose from the seafoam as a full-grown, voluptuous woman, and a sight to behold. A daughter of Uranus, the personification of the heavens himself, the tale of Aphrodite’s birth is, well… just as uncommon as that of any other god to have graced Mount Olympus.
According to Hesiod, Uranus is castrated in a battle with his son Cronus, cleaving his genitals off into the sea. From this – ahem – “seafoam” that emerges from Uranus’ privates, our goddess is born.
Love & Marriage
Aphrodite was married to Hephaestus, the god of fire and the forge. Known for his unfortunate appearance, his pairing with Aphrodite was a tragic one.
Having been cast from Mount Olympus long ago, Hephaestus kidnapped Hera and held her hostage to leverage Zeus into promising him Aphrodite’s hand in marriage. While this worked to an extent, Aphrodite did not remain faithful to Hephaestus.
She maintained many affairs (most notably with Ares and Adonis) and bore many children, none of which were crafted by the god of the forge.
The Golden Apple
Although coveted by men and gods alike, Aphrodite’s beauty has been challenged before. In a famous competition between Aphrodite, Hera, and Athena, the three goddesses received a mysterious golden apple addressed to the most beautiful of them all.
After promising the hand of Helen of Troy to Paris, the mortal in charge of naming the winner of the contest, he conceded that the Aphrodite was, in fact, the most beautiful and awarded her with the golden apple.
The Trojan war
Aphrodite’s promise to Paris played a significant role in the Trojan War. By giving him the hand of Helen of Troy – a beautiful, albeit married woman – she sparked the legendary war between Trojans, Greeks, gods, and men.
Aphrodite as Goddess of Love
Aphrodite is the Goddess of Love, symbolizing affection, desire, and emotional connections. Her role spans self-love, romantic love, and harmonious relationships. She embodies beauty, encourages empowerment, and guides in navigating conflicts. Aphrodite is associated with fertility, creation, and the complexities of human emotions. In modern pagan practice, she offers guidance and inspiration in matters of the heart and relationships, reminding us of love’s transformative power.
Symbols of Aphrodite
The Golden Apple, an emblem steeped in legends and allure, stands as one of the most renowned symbols of Aphrodite. Awarded to Aphrodite by Paris, the golden apple incited an argument between three goddesses that would later bring a bloody war to fruition.
Seashells are often included on shrines to Aphrodite and featured in artworks depicting her, most famously The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli. In some versions of the legend, Aphrodite rises from the sea atop a scallop shell.
Mirrors are often associated with Aphrodite as they reflect her role as the goddess of beauty and aesthetics. Mirrors symbolize self-reflection, self-love, and the idea of gazing upon one’s own image. They remind us of the importance of appreciating our inner and outer beauty, and they embody the concept of self-acceptance and empowerment.
Roses are a powerful symbol of Aphrodite’s beauty and love. They represent both the physical and emotional aspects of romance. The velvety petals and sweet fragrance evoke sensuality and passion, while the thorns remind us of the complexities and challenges that love can entail. Roses also signify the fleeting nature of beauty and the transient yet impactful moments of affection.
The Girdle was a legendary accessory of Aphrodite that was enchanted to cause gods and men to fall hopelessly in love.
Epithets and Names of Aphrodite
Here’s a short list of the titles and names of Aphrodite:
- Anaduomene/Anadyomene (Rising from the Sea)
- Androphonos (Killer of Men)
- Aphrogeneia (Foam-born)
- Areia (Warlike; of Ares)
- Basilis (Queen)
- Doritis (Bountiful)
- Euploia (Smooth-Sailing)
- Limenia (Of the Harbor)
- Nikêphoros (Bringer of Victory)
- Nymphia (Bridal)
- Ourania (Heavenly)
- Pasiphaë (Shining on All)
- Pontia (Of The Deep Sea)
How to Worship Aphrodite
Bath Magic
A great way to connect with the goddess Aphrodite is by taking a ritual bath. Ritual baths help us connect with our sensual sides, forcing us to take time to explore and appreciate each inch of ourselves. They also connect with Aphrodite through the element of water.
The Goddess’ name comes from the Greek word aphros, meaning “foam.” The poet Hesiod relates in his Theogony that Aphrodite was born from the white foam of the sea.
The warm embrace of a spiritual bath helps you embark on a journey that resonates with Aphrodite’s essence.
Ritual baths are lovely because YOU are the most important component of the spell. As you wash, consider what each part of your body does for you and thank it for carrying the weight of everyday life.
Ritual oils and herbs can be added depending on your intention – you may perform a ritual bath to connect deeper with the goddess, go into a meditative state for divination, or call upon her for help in your spellwork.
Divination
Tarot and scrying can help you to communicate directly with the goddess. Try scrying with a mirror, quartz crystal ball, or even a surface of water. You can try different divination methods to see which one calls to you, but consider using the aforementioned objects when communicating with Aphrodite to deepen your connection with her even further.
Love Spells
Aphrodite is famously called upon for love spells. While it is unethical to attempt to subvert a person’s consent, there are ways that love spells can be performed without doing so. For example, make sure you are performing a spell to draw in the perfect partner or friendship for you rather than to influence a specific person or alter their feelings.
Self Love
When working with Aphrodite, many are called to perform acts of self-love. This may involve dedicating a beauty routine to Aphrodite or adopting a self-care practice as a daily devotion.
You can also tie a specific perfume to your work with Aphrodite, spritzing yourself down much in the way you might light a spell candle to invoke her name. Any small act of loving and nurturing yourself is a great addition to your rituals.
This practice may look different to each person, so meditate and check in with yourself regarding your personal needs. Take time to treat yourself like a goddess and she may bless you with beauty, poise, grace, and abounding love.
See also: Aphrodite Love Spells 💕
Aphrodite Correspondences
Aphrodite’s Associations: Love, emotion, beauty, the oceans, passion, sexuality, and fertility. She is a patron of sailors, sex workers, and lovers.
Symbols: Golden apple, girdle, mirror, swans, roses, pearls, seashells.
Plants and herbs: Roses, strawberries, apples.
Animals: Dolphins, doves, scallops, sparrows, and swans.
Gems: Garnet, pearl, clear quartz, rose quartz, and turquoise.
Colors: Gold, pink, red, silver, and teal.
Day of the Week: Fridays.
Genealogy: Daughter of Uranus in Hesiod’s Theogony. Daughter of Zeus and Dione, according to Homer.
Creating an Altar for Aphrodite
Another great way to connect with the goddess Aphrodite is by crafting an altar for her.
An altar to Aphrodite may include prayer candles (pink candles or another associated color), seashell-shaped vessels, goblets (as offering containers and to represent water), a hand mirror, perfume, beauty items (or anything that makes you feel pampered/ways to honor yourself), as well as any statues or depictions of Aphrodite or her associations.
Set up your altar somewhere you perform your self-care activities or a place that will inspire you to do so!
Aphrodite Offerings
She loves decadence and luxury, so feel free to deck out your altar to Aphrodite with all the pretty trinkets and offerings that you think she’ll enjoy. Not sure what offerings would please the goddess? Here are some ideas:
- Champagne or rosé
- Seashells
- Sandalwood
- Flowers
- Incense
- Pomegranates
- Saltwater
- Honey
- Anything that has a modern association with love
- Writing songs, poems, invocations, and prayers
Write down your intentions for love, beauty, and harmony, and speak or read them aloud during your altar time. Spend moments of quiet contemplation, meditation, or simply absorbing Aphrodite’s energy.
To maintain the connection to the goddess, keep your altar fresh and vibrant by changing flowers and offerings regularly. Remember to express gratitude for Aphrodite’s love and guidance in your life, a heartfelt “Thank you, Aphrodite” goes a long way in deepening your connection with her.
Prayers to Aphrodite
Aphrodite Devotional Prayer
Invoke Aphrodite’s help to assist you in matters of love, whether it’s a husband/wife relationship, an ex-lover, boyfriend/girlfriend, or anything else. Bring love, lust and passion into your life with this prayer.
To Venus, Roman Goddess of Love
Call upon the benevolent energies of Venus, the Roman counterpart to the Greek goddess Aphrodite, to attract a new lover, bring self-love to your life, or harness her loving energies.
Short Prayer to Invoke Aphrodite
“Goddess Aphrodite, embodiment of love and beauty, I humbly call upon your grace. Bless my heart with your gentle touch, filling it with compassion and the joy of connection. Guide my steps on the path of self-love and harmonious relationships. In your presence, may love’s light shine brightly within and around me. Thank you, Aphrodite, for your divine presence in my life.”
Devoted followers of Aphrodite cherish her for the wisdom she imparts in fostering self-love, embracing oneself, and spreading compassion. There are many ways to connect and work with Aphrodite, many of which will help you to unlock your true potential and learn to love yourself and others more deeply.
Download the Printable
This PDF version comes with a transparent background so you can print it on any kind of paper you want and add it to your own Book of Shadows. Find more free printable grimoire pages browsing Spells8.
Further reading
- Aphrodite by Monica S. Cyrino
- Aphrodite: The Origins and History of the Greek Goddess of Love by Charles River Editors
- Aphrodite: Captivating Greek Myths and Facts Involving the Olympian Goddess of Love by Matt Clayton
