G is for Goddess

I’m doing folklore and book review posts to reach and please a larger audience. Previous years have shown select interest in both and to minimise blogging throughout the year, I’m focusing my efforts on April.

If you’d rather check out my book review for today, go here.

I either first saw Aphrodite in the “Legendary Journeys” TV show where Kevin Sorbo played Hercules (though I mostly remember Hera’s eyes in the sky) or in Disney’s “Hercules” (the film or TV series). But as I got older, I’ve encountered her in music, film and TV shows, books and video games.

Folklore

The Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology [1844] by William Smith

APHRODI′TE (Aphroditê), one of the great Olympian divinities, was, according to the popular and poetical notions of the Greeks, the goddess of love and beauty. Some traditions stated that she had sprung from the foam (aphros) of the sea, which had gathered around the mutilated parts of Uranus, that had been thrown into the sea by Kronos after he had unmanned his father. (Hesiod. Theog. 190; compare Anadyomene.) With the exception of the Homeric hymn on Aphrodite there is no trace of this legend in Homer, and according to him Aphrodite is the daughter of Zeus and Dione. (Il. v. 370, &c., xx. 105.) Later traditions call her a daughter of Kronos and Euonyme, or of Uranus and Hemera. (Cic. De Nat. Deor. iii. 23; Natal. Com. iv. 13.)

According to Hesiod and the Homeric hymn on Aphrodite, the goddess after rising from the foam first approached the island of Cythera, and thence went to Cyprus, and as she was walking on the sea-coast flowers sprang up under her feet, and Eros and Himeros accompanied her to the assembly of the other great gods, all of whom were struck with admiration and love when she appeared, and her surpassing beauty made every one desire to have her for his wife.

But according to the popular belief of the Greeks and their poetical descriptions, she was the goddess of love, who excited this passion in the hearts of gods and men, and by this power ruled over all the living creation. (Hom. Hymn. in Ven. ; Lucret. 15, &c.)

Ancient mythology furnishes numerous instances in which Aphrodite punished those who neglected her worship or despised her power, as well as others in which she favoured and protected those who did homage to her and recognized her sway. Love and beauty are ideas essentially connected, and Aphrodite was therefore also the goddess of beauty and gracefulness. In these points she surpassed all other goddesses, and she received the prize of beauty from Paris; she had further the power of granting beauty and invincible charms to others. Youth is the herald, and Peitho, the Horae, and Charites, the attendants and companions of Aphrodite. (Pind. New. viii. 1, &c.) Marriages are called by Zeus her work and the things about which she ought to busy herself. (Hom. Il. v. 429; comp. Od. xx. 74; Pind. Pyth. ix. 16, &c.) As she herself had sprung from the sea, she is represented by later writers as having some influence upon the sea (Virg. Aen. viii. 800; Ov. Heroid. xv. 213; comp. Paus. ii. 34. § 11.)

According to the most common accounts of the ancients, Aphrodite was married to Hephaestus (Odyss. viii. 270), who, however, is said in the Iliad (viii. 383) to have married Charis. Her faithlessness to Hephaestus in her amour with Ares, and the manner in which she was caught by the ingenuity of her husband, are beautifully described in the Odyssey. (viii. 266, &c.) By Ares she became the mother of Phobos, Deimos, Harmonia, and, according to later traditions, of Eros and Anteros also. (Hesiod. Theog. 934, &c., Scut. Herc. 195; Hom. Il. xiii. 299, iv. 440; Schol. ad Apollon. Rhod. iii. 26; Cic. De Nat. Deor. iii. 23.)

Aphrodite possessed a magic girdle which had the power of inspiring love and desire for those who wore it; hence it was borrowed by Hera when she wished to stimulate the love of Zeus. (Hom. Il. xiv. 214, &c.) The arrow is also sometimes mentioned as one of her attributes. (Plnd. Pyth. iv. 380; Theocrit. xi. 16.) In the vegetable kingdom the myrtle, rose, apple, poppy, and others, were sacred to her. (Ov. Fast. iv. 15. 143; Bion, Idyll. i. 64; Schol. ad Aristoph. Nub. 993; Paus. ii. 10. § 4; Phornut. 23.)

The animals sacred to her, which are often mentioned as drawing her chariot or serving as her messengers, are the sparrow, the dove, the swan, the swallow, and a bird called iynx. (Sappho, in Ven. 10; Athen. ix. p. 395; Horat. Carm. iv. 1. 10; Aelian, Hist. An. x. 34; Pind. Pyth. l. c.) As Aphrodite Urania the tortoise, the symbol of domestic modesty and chastity, and as Aphrodite Pandemos the ram was sacred to her. [Urania; Pandemos.] When she was represented as the victorious goddess, she had the attributes of Ares, a helmet, a shield, a sword : or a lance, and an image of Victory in one hand. The planet Venus and the spring-month of April were likewise sacred to her. (Cie. de Nat. Deor. iii. 20; Ov. Fast. iv. 90.)

The Greek Myths by Robert Graves

Aphrodite, Goddess of Desire, rose naked from the foam of the sea and, riding on a scallop shell, stepped ashore first on the island of Cythera; but finding this only a small island, passed on to the Peloponnese, and eventually took up residence at Paphos, in Cyprus, still the principal seat of her worship. Grass and flowers sprang from the soil wherever she trod. At Paphos, the Seasons, daughters of Themis, hastened to clothe and adorn her.

Aphrodite could seldom be persuaded to lend the other goddesses her magic girdle which made everyone fall in love with its wearer; for she was jealous of her position. Zeus had given her in marriage to Hephaestus, the lame Smith-god; but the true father of the three children with whom she presented him – Phobus, Deimus, and Harmonia – was Ares, the straight-limbed, impetuous, drunken, and quarrelsome God of War. Hephaestus knew nothing of the deception until, one night, the lovers stayed too long together in bed at Ares’s Thracian palace; then Helius, as he rose, saw them at their sport and told tales to Hephaestus.

*More can be read in the book.

The Witch Book: The Encyclopedia of Witchraft, Wicca, and Neo-paganism by Raymond Buckland

Aphrodite was the Greek goddess of love, beauty and sexual rapture. Her Roman equivalent is Venus. According to some mythological accounts, she was born from the churning and foaming of the sea when Kronos threw Ouranos’s severed genitals into the water (the Greek aphros means “sea foam”), but this story arose later. In it, Aphrodite arose from the roiling sea and was borne by the waves to Cyprus. At the Cyprian city of Paphos, a temple was erected to her.

In origin, Aphrodite was obviously a fertility goddess. Her domain covered all of nature, animal and plant. She grew to be viewed in many aspects: as Aphrodite Urania, the goddess of pure love; Aphrodite Genetrix, or Nymphia, goddess of marriage (she was prayed to by unmarried women and widows); Aphrodite Pandemos (common) and Aphrodite Porn (courtesan) as the goddess of lust and venal love, and patroness of prostitutes. She was also Aphrodite the Warrior, represented helmeted and carrying arms. She was so worshiped at Sparta. Festivals in her honor, known as Aphrodisia, were common.

Many Witches use the name of Aphrodite as the goddess they worship, while others include her in their listings of honored deities. Of the many symbols sacred to her were the dove, sparrow, goose and swan, the goat, the lynx, and the dolphin. Sacred plants included the rose, myrtle, quince, clover and watermint.

*More can be read in the book.

Further Reading:

• Aphrodite :: Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty
• Aphrodite: Greek Goddess of Love, Beauty & Desire (Pleasure)
• Who Was Aphrodite in Greek Mythology?
• Aphrodite: 12 Myths About the Greek Goddess of Love & Beauty
• Aphrodite
• APHRODITE
• Aphrodite
• Aphrodite

Folklore in a Nutshell by Ronel

Aphrodite was born from the blood of Ouranos falling in the ocean when Kronos killed him. She rose from the sea foam on a scalloped shell and travelled to land. Grass and flowers grew where she walked and the Seasons went out of their way to clothe and adorn her. Eventually, she made her way to Olympus where she convinced the gods to accept her as one of their own, despite technically being a Titaness.

It was probably her unrivalled beauty that got her accepted, but it was also cause for a lot of jealousy among the gods. Finally, she was given to Hephaestus as wife on Hera’s insistence. She wasn’t too happy about this as it was Ares she wanted, and she had three children supposedly with Hephaestus, but their biological father was Ares. She is also the mother, supposedly, of Eros according to Homer.

Aphrodite was the Greek goddess of love, beauty, and desire. The Romans worshipped her as Venus. She was also worshipped as a goddess of the sea and even honoured as a goddess of war in Sparta and other places.

Many tales have her being involved romantically with humans and interfering in their love lives with the help of Eros (Cupid). But the one tale where her vanity brought tragedy: her involvement with the Trojan War. It’s more the fault of Eris, goddess of discord, throwing a golden apple addressed “To the Fairest” over which Athena, Hera and Aphrodite fought. Zeus appointed Paris to decide who the winner was. Aphrodite told him she’d help him win the bride of his choice, so he chose her as the winner. And thus she helped him win Helen’s love and the Trojan War broke out.

She could convince anyone (especially men) to do what she wanted by whispering sweet nothings. She was often depicted in the nude. She was also the patron goddess of courtesans and prostitutes.

Her charm and allure is unrivalled, just like her beauty and her influence over love and relationships.

Aphrodite in Modern Culture

Disney’s Hercules

Aphrodite is the Olympian Goddess of love and beauty. She is loved and adored by many and she even has her own theme song.

The goddess of love is very friendly, calm, and benevolent, but she can also get annoyed at times. She initially acts very refinedly, but after her introductions tends to fall into a relaxed “valley girl” personality. Her introductions are accompanied by a musical jingle, which everybody, herself included, regards as annoying. She is established as being romantically involved with Hephaestus, although this is never elaborated on.

Aphrodite takes the form of a slender, attractive woman with a small waist, light magenta skin, and very long, thick, blonde hair reaching down to her legs. She has purple eyelids, dark magenta lips, blue eyes, and long eyelashes standing out from the corners of her eyes. Her clothing consists of a dark magenta, a single-strapped dress which consists of a heart-shaped brooch on the strap, and a skirt reaching down to her feet with a slit cut at the front just after reaching her thighs. She also wears a pair of golden high heels that match her hair color as well as two ankle bracelets in the same color. Since she is a goddess, she gives off a pink and gold luminescence.

And above All Aphrodite is the prettiest, loveliest, fairest and most beautiful goddess in all creation.

Learn more here.

The Legendary Journeys (TV series)

Aphrodite is the Olympian Goddess of Love. Although often spiteful and selfish, and very immature at times (as shown by her feuds with Discord and her son, Cupid on the surface she has a heart of gold deep down), the influence of her half-brother Hercules and her friendships with mortals such as Iolaus, Xena and Gabrielle leads her character in some surprising directions.

Read more here.

SMITE videogame

There are too few words to describe the radiance, the magnificence, the inequitable glory of Aphrodite, Goddess of Beauty. So wondrous is she to behold that one look can inspire tears, desire, jealousy, and love. Yet, beneath her flawless exterior resides a heart burdened with insecurity.

Inattentive and hideous to look upon, her husband, Hephaestus, unknowingly leaves Aphrodite feeling lonely and worthless. She finds consolation in the arms of other men such as Ares, or validation by competing in any contest of beauty she encounters.

At a wedding attended by all the Gods, a golden apple appeared, inscribed with the words “to the fairest.” Immediately Aphrodite, her mother Hera, and sister Athena quarreled over it. Zeus elected Paris, Prince of Troy, to choose a victor. In exchange for being named the fairest, Aphrodite offered any woman in the world as his wife, so Paris agreed. However, he chose Helen as his wife, and their love began the catastrophic Trojan War.

Now, a new war brews, but this one between Gods, not men. While the battlefield is no place for the fairest of all, Aphrodite recalls the destruction between the Greeks and Trojans. Perhaps, this time, her beauty can be used to stop a war instead of start one. Perhaps, this time, she will discover the beauty within.

Learn more here.

Percy Jackson books by Rick Riordan

Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of beauty, love, desire, passion, pleasure, and fertility. Her Roman name and counterpart is Venus.

She was elegant without trying, fashionable without effort, stunning without makeup. –Piper complimenting Aphrodite, The Lost Hero

As the personification of pure unrivaled beauty, Aphrodite’s true appearance is actually unknown as she would appear to others as their personal epitome of physical attraction. Above all Aphrodite is simply the fairest, most beautiful, desirable, alluring, and elegant goddess in all of existence.

Aphrodite is temperamental, crafty, flirtatious, smart and free as the wind and disloyal to her husband Hephaestus, as evident by her having many affairs (most notably with Ares).

Learn more here.

Song

I remembered this song from the radio… I liked the idea that he referenced women who were powerful in their time.

She’s blood, flesh, and bone
No tucks or silicone
She’s touch, smell, sight, taste, and sound
But somehow I can’t believe that anything should happen
I know where I belong and nothing’s gonna happen, yeah

[Chorus]
‘Cause she’s so high
High above me, she’s so lovely
She’s so high, like Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, or Aphrodite
Da-da-da-da
She’s so high, high above me

[Verse 2]
First class and fancy-free
She’s high society
She’s got the best of everything
What could a guy like me ever really offer?
She’s perfect as she can be
Why should I even bother?
A-ah

See the rest of the lyrics here.

Novel

Goddess of Love by P.C. Cast

The story of the mythical Venus who comes to life to help a nerdy woman find her inner goddess.

Pea Chamberlain needs a makeover-shoes, hair, clothes, make-up-if she wants to attract an übersexy fireman. And who could better coax Pea out of her pod than the Goddess of Love, whom she invokes in a moment of desperation?

Venus works her magic on Pea, but who will help her when she falls for that same sexy fireman? Could Venus need a love makeover for herself? Check out the five-alarm heat when the Goddess of Love unexpectedly loses her heart.

Check it out on Goodreads.

Aphrodite in My Writing

Origin of the Fae: Aphrodite

Aphrodite is a survivor. She read the room when she arrived in Olympus and knew she had to fit in, no matter the cost. Marrying Hephaestus wasn’t something she wanted to do, but to keep Hera happy, she did it. She’s great at helping people with disparate personalities and ideals work together – she would’ve been great in politics, warfare and more where these skills are valued. But because the Olympians were such bloodthirsty creatures, she knew better than to step on any toes and kept herself busy with matchmaking and such.
She’s portrayed herself as a ditzy goddess so others wouldn’t perceive her as a threat. She’s been in love with Ares for most of forever. Her dalliances with mortals have been greatly exaggerated, but she’d been in love with a few over the millennia.
She has a “love potion”, a perfume infused with magic, she uses to smooth things over when needed. Though her words carry power, she’s found that potions work better on large groups.
She knows the power of looking confident, even when one doesn’t have a clue what to do next. She knows that looking exactly like what a person deems attractive is in her best interest, even if it uses a lot of magic. She likes wearing flowing dresses.
She has no issue with prostitutes and courtesans, as these women do what they have to do to survive. Being their patron goddess is an honour, despite what others might think.

She’s always playing with everyone’s emotions… This song came to mind.

See this immortal in action in my writing:

Smoke on the Water (Irascible Immortals Complete Collection with Extra Short Stories)

Aphrodite stepped through the Mist… into the throne room of the king of the fae. The place looked like it was lit by unseen blue flames, making the stone walls and floor flicker with shadow as she walked towards the man on the carved stone throne.

‘I haven’t seen you in some time, my lovely,’ he said.

‘Cairán,’ she greeted, stopping a safe distance from the Dark King.

‘To what do I owe this dubious honour? Ares dump you again?’

When Love Takes Over, Smoke on the Water, Irascible Immortals by Ronel Janse van Vuuren

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