Greek Goddess Aphrodite

Areas of Influence: The Greek Goddess Aphrodite was the Goddess of love and beauty.

She is especially associated with the islands of Cyprus, Cythera and Kos.

A Water Goddess, she was said to have been created from the foam of the sea.

This Goddess did not originate from Greece she was worshipped in the Eastern Mediterranean as an early mother Goddess figure.

She married Hephaestus but had many lovers including the Ares, the god of war and Adonis.

Strengths: The ability to make men fall in love with her.

Weaknesses: She was Vain, bad tempered, jealous and unfaithful.

Birth and Genealogy: Like many Greek Goddesses there are contradicting myths about her birth. My personal favourite is the one that describes the Greek Goddess Aphrodite as rising as an adult from sea foam.

Hesiod gives his version of events, describing how the Earth Goddess Gaia, became so angered and distressed when her  lover, Uranus abducts her children, that she seeks her revenge. First she forms a great sickle from her stony body and then persuades her youngest child Cronus, to help her. He lies in wait for his father and uses the sickle to castrate him. Cronus then throws the severed genitals far away. They eventually fall into the sea causing it to foam.

The Birthplace of The Greek Goddess Aphrodite

One beach in Cyprus is said to be where this event happened. It is marked by a special rock known as “Petra tou Romiou.” I was very fortunate to be able to visit this area when I went to Cyprus in 2017.

Aphrodite's Symbolism

Aphrodite is often pictured with a mirror and a magical girdle which caused everyone who saw her to fall in love with her.

She is also shown riding on a mussel shell with pearls falling at her feet.

Sacred Animals: Dolphins.

Sacred Birds: Doves.

Sacred Plants: Wood anemones, apples, myrrh, quince, roses and lime trees.

Roman Equivalent: Venus

The Greek Goddess Aphrodite's Archetype

The Lover:

Represents passion and selfless devotion to another person. It also extends to the things that make our hearts sing, like music art or nature.

The shadow aspect is obsessive passion that completely takes over our lives and negatively impacts on health and well-being.

Aphrodite is  the Greek Goddess of Love , a perfect example of the Lover archetype. Her myths are littered with tales of her love affairs and her vendettas against her rivals.

In one myth she is so enraged when she discovers her lover, Ares, with Eos that she curses the Goddess with the relentless desire for other men.

How To Work With These Archetype

The Lover:

You may be drawn to this Goddess if you are looking to attract a new lover or re-ignite the fire in an existing relationship. This Goddess can also be a useful tool to discover what you a passionate about in life if you are looking to change your job or lifestyle.

On the shadow side you need to ask whether the amount of energy and time you are putting into relationships, or over zealous enthusiasm for projects is excessive. If this continues for too long you are likely to suffer from stress and physical ill health.