Aphrodite. Goddess of love beauty pleasure passion and procreation.
The Greek word aphros means “foam” which is linked to the story that Aphrodite was born from the white foam produced by the severed genitals of Uranus (Heaven) after his son Cronus threw them into the sea. I've illustrated that with decorating the bottom of her dress with seafoam. Aphrodite was also widely worshipped as a goddess of the sea and of seafaring.
Among many others her two main symbols are that of a Myrtle tree and doves. Myrtle trees were planted in Aphrodite’s temple gardens and shrines and she is often depicted with a myrtle crown sprig or wreath. Myrtle rhymes with girdle and Aphrodite has a very famous and coveted girdle that she sometimes lends to other goddesses. This is not the modern girdle that restricts breathing, this is a belt tied around the waist that makes the wearer sexually irresistible.
Aphrodite showed that the human experience could be blissful. She demonstrated this by being completely unself-conscious in the celebration of her own beauty and the beauty of others. As a result of her ability to see the beauty in all she enjoyed lovers of both genders. It is interesting to note that Aphrodite was born a fully-grown woman indicating that there is a certain maturity needed to be completely uninhibited and self-fulfilling.
Above all Aphrodite represents the transformative power of love. For it is when we are ‘in love’ that we see the world through Aphrodite’s eyes and everyone and everything in it appears ideal. Unfortunately if this state of love is not achieved through spiritual awareness and reconnection this temporary ecstatic bliss can leave us hankering for more leading to an emotional rollercoaster created by the false belief that it is only this one person who can evoke such feelings within us. So the challenge that Aphrodite ultimately presents us with is to experience this state of transcendent love without needing ‘the other’ to act as a catalyst. Otherwise we feel anxious and blue whenever they are not around. It is also extremely important not to forget to practise self-love. ♥️