What is your deity's, and what concepts of the human condition do they represent?

Aphrodite represents Love, Beauty, self-love, unconditional love, sexuality, sensuality, passion, romance, relationships, the ocean, and deep watery emotion.

Give a brief description of your god's backstory. How were they born/created? Who are they married to?

The stories say she has no parentage. She was created from the sea’s foam, and came to land riding a clam shell, with her arrival being heralded by birds and nymphs. Some stories suspect that she came forth when Cronos severed the penis of Uranus, and it fell into the ocean.

She is married to Lord Hephaistos, but this was a marriage that came out of practicality. They have a strong friendship, and a special relationship despite the lack of passion between the two. Her truest passion is shared with Lord Ares, for they are 2 sides of the same coin in many ways. Their divine love birthed many Greek deities including Eros.

What is something about your deity that most people don't know?

For me, seeking Aphrodite was not the same as being her priestess. When I was a seeker of her mysteries, I was drawn to her aspects of self love, her connection to the ocean, and universal, cosmic love. As her priestess, she is teaching me to be fearless, to speak up, to accept my power, hold my head high, and to find beauty in myself. I am drawn to the bold red rose, the power of glamour and emotion. She is reminding me to find pleasure, and that we can choose to carry love in our hearts - or not. I expected that she would make me crazy lustful and irrational about love. It was the opposite - she helped me separate the love from the lust and from the power. She helped me see how all three interact with romance and partnership - and to be able to see when something is only lust and/or power. This was so transformative; it has helped me create more safe space for love and connection in my life, while still empowering my sexuality, and giving me more control. Io Aphrodite!

What's something unique you've learned from working with them this year?

This shouldn’t be a surprise, but she is very dramatic. It doesn’t really matter what is happening, she enjoys the feeling of the full expression of emotions, and recognizes the power of them. This means tears of joy, laughter, anger, sorrow, fear, embarrassment - you name it! She is showy and likes to have her way - which means she likes to have the last word, and want to feel worshiped in the end - as is right! Haha, for a mere mortal this has been difficult at times, but she is teaching me to find power in not just expression, but also control and intentional use of emotional expression.

If you were to spend a day with your deity, what activities would do? How would they react to those mortal activities?

This question is hilarious because Aphrodite makes sure to spend every day with me right now, and she definitely influences my choice of leisure activities at the moment haha! We have been spending ridiculous amounts of time in front of the mirror - she like to play dress-up Every. Single. Day. A day cannot pass without lipstick if she is going out into the world to play - which is everyday. Naturally. Together, we get our nails and hair done, and go clothes/jewelry shopping - watch out though, cause the cost is not a concern of hers!!! After all that, or if we are on a private outing, we would go to the beach on a sunny day, play in tidal pools, and look for agates on the beach.