r/Aphrodite

I know lots of yall have definitely done this already, it's not new, but if you're struggling to find incence holders that match your shrine, especially on a budget, little dishes, shells, bowls, anything that can hold something, can become an incense holder if you fill it with salt, rice, or little rocks!

It's really easy and cheap, and works really well, especially if you don't have much space as the incence will stand straight up, so it can be as narrow as you need it to be.

If you want to be creative, you can make something out of clay and add salt to that, so yeah

May the gods bless your days 🎀☀️🌑

Eu queria comprar uma estátua da deusa para meu altar mas todas que vejo é uma versão estereotipada da deusa. Ocidentalizada, me parace tão distorcido a imagem dela e quem ela realmente é!

Hi all. As a new devotee, I started reading the stories regarding Aphrodite. Particualrly, Aphrodite's famous/inafmous affair regarding Ares and Hephaestus.

As the story goes, Hephaestus wanted to marry Aphrodite. Aphrodite did not wish to, but given the need for beauty to embody itself in craft and physical form in the world, Aphrodite reluctantly proceeded. Apparently according to legend, it was a forced marriage.

Then Aphrodite passionately cheats on Hephaestus with Ares, the god of war, regarded as her primary lover. They both mock Hephaestus. Hephaestus, humiliated, then demonstrates that he cannot be mocked without consequences and traps them both in a golden net. They both get humiliated publicly by the other gods. They are then released under harsh terms, with the marriage between Hephaestus and Aphrodite effectively over.

To Aphrodite practitioners: what is the deeper meaning of the relationship dynamics between Aphrodite, Ares, and Hephaestus specifically? Why proceed with a forced marriage if it was doomed to fail and fundamentally unsustainable? What does this reveal more deeply about Aphrodite's nature specifically beyond the obvious story element, as well as the second and third-order effects from it?

I know little about Aphrodite, her nature, and the essence of love and what it embodies. However, something about this famous/infamous story appears rather telling about the shape and essence of the force she represents.

More specifically: when it comes to Eros, it appears absolutely conditional, selective, and objectively selfish. It can exist both as an inherent force (genuine eros for a lover), but also as a transactional asset to secure material or mundane need (means to an end). A selection hierarchy of who is valued/who isn't is clearly shown. And that ultimately it is impulsive, volatile, and uncontrollable: it logically follows that the affair and contempt for Hephaestus would have continued unchallenged, had Hephaestus not deterred them with golden net and the sociopolitical consequences that followed.

Which makes me somewhat skeptical of the claim of xenia. And the claim that Lady Aphrodite loves people/shows kindness and generosity to *everyone*.

If Lady Aphrodite truly is the goddess of the marginalized, oppressed, and the outcast, why this clearly unempathetic, malicious behavior? She never had to accept the marriage under duress or against her will. But she most certainly never had to resort to humiliation, especially against a fellow Olympian (Hephaestus) who was born deformed through no fault of his own, rejected and thrown from Olympus from his own mother, and was only tolerated by his fellow Olympians due to his usefulness in craft: he had to create value to seemingly earn a place in the hierarchy. In contrast, Lady Aphrodite rose from the sea already beautiful and already valued.

So it makes me question this: how can one claim to love and embody that force, when one has never suffered the complete absence of love? How can one truly appreciate the value of that love, when it was something they never had to fight to earn? How can one truly love the outcast, marginalized, and oppressed, if they haven't at some point been that party themselves?

In this I see a tragic contradiction. Could you shed some light on this?

So in the past, i have made altars to Aphrodite, but never really felt a strong connection. I worship Persephone and I feel a really strong connection to her. I've tried a lot to add more Gods/Godesses into my practice, but i keep going in and out of them. I really want to make one for Aphrodite, but I feel Like maybe she will be upset or not want to work with me because I've tried in the past but idk. Some help would really be appreciated.

Hey everyone!!!

I recently started feeling extremely drawn to Aphrodite. I’ve been thinking about her a lot, hearing her name in my head and feeling the urge to constantly read about her or research her. I don’t really notice signs of her specifically wanting me to be her devotee, but I just seem to be drawn to her.

I keep craving getting her an altar, so I can have a space for her and I also keep looking at artworks of her. Whenever I feel lost or sad, I hear her name or think of her and this wave of warmth washes over me and I have this feeling that things will be okay.

What I’m unsure about is whether this is just a hyperfixation or not (I’m neurodivergent). I’m afraid that I’ll get her an altar and that it’ll pass and that I’ll neglect worshipping her.

How do you recognize if the bond is real or if it’s a hyperfixation? Do you guys have any advice on this?

I’m also a pretty busy person and I’m just afraid that I’ll neglect Aphrodite when I want the best for her (may sound a bit stupid, I’m a mere mortal, she’s a goddess).

What things do you start with on your altar? What things are nice to get? Where do you get your supplies?

Also let me just add that I used to be more active in witchcraft, but then had a sudden stop. I’m trying to slowly ease back into it and I’ve been feeling drawn to certain deities, but Aphrodite is very much on the foreground.

Anyway, I’d really love to hear from you!!

I really struggle with my ptsd and feelings of worhtlessness. I had a good couple of weeks worshipping her (im new) but now i feel lost. I feel like shes not with me anymore and maybe I angered her.

as a new devotee, what are some good ways to communicate with her? i use tarot but messages are easily muddied and sometimes its hard to get a good answer. could just be because im new to worshipping her and energies could be off. let me know :P

asking as an ex-christian who is interested in learning about lady aphrodite. like, do you feel she has shown up for you more than your old faith? did you see lots of positive changes when you started believing in her?

i forgot to wash my hands and clear myself of miasma before offering something to aphrodite and then after realizing my mistake i washed my hands. after returning i pulled tarot to communicate with her and got 10 of swords and then i asked her if she forgave me and got 3 of swords