Aphrodite is the Greek Goddess of love, fertility and beauty. She is also the protectress of sailors, the Patroness of prostitutes and the Goddess of pure and spiritual love. The Romans called her Venus.

Much like many of the Greek Gods, there are conflicting stories on Aphrodite’s birth. Homer wrote that Aphrodite was daughter of Zeus and Dione. While Hesiod wrote that Aphrodite was one of the first Gods and that she sprang from the castrated genitals of the Great God Uranus. In Hesiod’s version of the Goddess’ birth, Uranus would not allow his children to leave so his son Cronus cut off his genitals and threw them into the sea. From the castrated genitals, white foam flowed and from it, the beautiful Goddess Aphrodite emerged. According to the Greek creation myth, if Aphrodite is the daughter of Uranus then she was present at the beginning of time and is one of the oldest Goddesses on Earth.

Aphrodite was not a great warrior like the Athena or Ares, nor could she destroy a city with a tidal wave like Poseidon or call up a host of undead like Hades, but in her own way she was just as potent as the other Olympians. Aphrodite held love in her hands and all that went with it. She was able to manipulate the hearts of Humans and Gods alike, and was able to sway their actions to her own needs. She was generous with her loyal follows, yet vindictive and sometimes cruel with those who displeased her. Through her sway on emotions and passion, Aphrodite was able to influence the history of her time.

Love and a promise made by Aphrodite started the Trojan War, her actions helped Jason gain the Golden Fleece and she helped Meilanion win the hand of Atalanta in a footrace. When Orpheus reproached the Maenads for their promiscuity and condemned homosexuality, she supported the Maenads in his murder. She caused the death of Glaucus for refusing to let his horses breed and gave the sirens wings when they wished to always remain virgins. Aphrodite’s influence is often seen through the Greek mythological history, good and bad.

Aphrodite is well known for her promiscuity and her sexual freedoms. As beautiful as Aphrodite was, her sexual charms mostly came from a magical girdle she always wore. The girdle endowed Aphrodite with sexual appeal that neither Gods nor mortals could resist. Almost every Greek God including Zeus, wanted to marry her, but Aphrodite enjoyed her wanton behaviour and freedom far too much to marry and refused them all. Zeus did not take the rejection well and as Aphrodite’s promiscuity was causing problems amongst the Gods, he forced her to marry Hephaestus who was the lame smith-God. Aphrodite’s forced union with Hephaestus did nothing to deter her lustful behaviour.

Aphrodite had children with several of the Gods; with Ares, she had Eros, Harmonia, Anteros, Phobos and Deimos; with Poseidon, she had Rhode; with Dionysus, she had Priapus and Hymen, and from Hermes she had Hermaphroditus. She also had children with the mortals Adonis and Phaethon. Many of the children of Aphrodite were aspects of love and worked with their mother.

Today, Aphrodite does not enjoy the popularity she once knew during the time of the ancient Greeks. However, she still has a few loyal followers within the Neo-Pagan community, especially with those of the Hellenic faith. Love is eternal and so is Aphrodite.