Who is the Greek Goddess Aphrodite?
Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love, sex, pleasure, and much more! Many may know this, but did you know she has associations with other aspects, such as marriage, appears on curse tablets, and has ties to war? While she may be the goddess of love, love is multifaceted and is not only viewed that way today but also by people over two thousand years ago.
Aphrodite As A Goddess of Marriage:
Aphrodite’s associations with marriage offer an interesting glimpse into how young betrothed women viewed marriage and their upcoming wedding. People today marry for love, and in many cases, people say they marry their best friend. This was not the case for young women in the Greco-Roman world. Marriage of those of high status was often seen as an agreement or even the merging of families for a larger purpose.
So, where does the goddess of love fit into this? While marriages during the Greco-Roman period were seen as a contractual agreement between two families, young brides yearned for marriages of love. Archaeological excavations have found female votive figures, believed to be brides, left in honor of Aphrodite perhaps to ensure a fertile relationship with heirs produced and for friendship or even love to bloom between the bride and groom.
Aphrodite And Love Curses
Love, hate, and jealousy go hand in hand. Love triangles and even affairs are nothing new; we know about a few from the ancient world. But if a love triangle, jealousy, or suspicions of affairs arise in today’s world, more often than not, there are telltale signs via text messages or through social media. But two thousand years ago, this wasn’t the case. If you wanted to keep your partner from straying or wanted to bind or even attract someone to you, you would have sought professional help from an individual skilled in cursing.
To ancient individuals, spells for love fall under curses. But before you panic, these curses concerning love fall under cursing as they are considered magic because they are not part of normal everyday life. If you were an individual looking to win the heart of someone you had a crush on, you would have turned to the goddess of love for help! These curses were not just for those with unrequited love but could help with a straying partner or even break up a relationship. And, of course, Aphrodite knows something about love not working out…
Want more on Aphrodite and the Darker Side of Love Magic? Check out this episode on our podcast Styx and Bones!
Aphrodite, Her Lover, and Her Grief:
While Aphrodite is the goddess of love and seemingly could have anyone she wanted, that wasn’t the case for her in mythology. She had a young mortal lover, Adonis, and they enjoyed each other's embrace for some time on the island of Cyprus.
That is until a jealous lover decided to kill him. It was from her grief that a festival was held to honor the lost youth that many can still partake in today.
Want more on Aphrodite as a Queen and the story of her jealous lovers? Checkout this podcast episode of our podcast Styx and Bones!
Aphrodite the Goddess of Love:
So, who is the Greek goddess Aphrodite? She is everything that makes up love: the good, the bad, and then some. She was a wife, a queen in her own right, and beloved by many in the ancient world. Due to her birth from the sea, she is often associated with pearls, shells, and roses; in art, she is often shown either fully or partially nude.
Want to Learn More About the Greek Goddess Aphrodite?
Welcome to Styx and Bones Temple! We are a center of education around hellenic polytheism and have curated resources, courses, products readings and more to help you better understand and connect to the Greek Goddess Aphrodite.
Check out a few of our resources below:
Styx and Bones University Course Guidance from the Gods: Oracles and Oracular Sites of the Ancient World with Dr.K and focuses on Aphrodite and her oracles! Sign up for this collegiate level course with our resident archaeologist.
The Oracle of Aphrodite Love Readings with High Priestess Chelsea - for those of you that seek the guidance and wisdom of Aphrodite in any form of love. You can book this seasonal reading with the temple’s High Priestess.
Styx and Bones Temple - A store dedicated to handmade products for the Greek Gods and ancient magic.
