My first memory of my love for Aphrodite came from a graphic novel, depicting her as a dark skinned, curly haired goddess wearing a blue dress and emerging from the ocean. I was always drawn to the Greek Mythos, even as a kid growing up in an evangelical household.
I fell in love with her demeanor, her kindness, the way she was portrayed as loving and kind. The book had a whole comic of her conversation with Paris, giving him the love in his heart to go after Helen.
It was in 2021 when I stole one of my parents candles, ripped a flower off of an old journal, and thrifted a mirror to set up a small altar in my bathroom, hidden behind a small door, hidden from the world.
I remember sheepishly approaching Lady Aphrodite, humbly offering my rose petals to her. I remember being terrified, thinking that she would be upset with me for such meek offerings, be upset with me for hiding her altar away, upset with the quietness of it all.
For years, all I did was bring offerings and apologize, apologize for converting, for not doing more, for having to stay quiet. I found comfort in it.
As I moved out of my home, I brought her with me, proudly displaying her, Hermes, and Jesus’s altars in my living room of my dorm. My roommates asked questions, I was happy to answer.
When I moved again, I continued building and growing her altar. I always felt guilty about never having a dedicated space for her, that had to share space with Lord Hermes,
I continued to grow, change, and learn, and through it all, Lady Aphrodite was there. She’s never been cruel, never been mean, and has always answered my prayers. I flash back sometimes to a prayer I asked for once, for Aphrodite to bring an Ex back to me to either keep, or teach me to say goodbye.
And she did. It was hard, it was difficult, but she answered my prayers.
I moved again, with a slightly bigger space. I was still able to give Lady Aphrodite all the things I had made for her and set up something beautiful, but I still felt guilty, still felt like she deserves more, a larger altar to show my love and devotion.
Today was that day. I cleared some space, added my offerings, and made a larger alter. I still want to do more, I still want to give more, but I need to remind myself:
This is where I start. Mother Aphrodite loved me then, and she loves me now. You don’t need to have the largest, biggest, prettiest, or overflowing altar - when it was behind doors, I felt loved. When it was smushed together with other dieties, I felt love. When it expanded to an entire shelf, I feel love.
Mother Aphrodite, Goddess of Beauty, Love, War, I humbly pray to you to thank you for all you have done in my life. I am beautiful, I am kind, and I am strong because my prayers to you have never gone unheard. You remind me to love openly, honestly, and fiercely. I pray this upcoming year continues to be filled with the love and beauty you have destined for me and for everyone else. You, Goddess of Beauty, may your beauty shine down on me, cover me in your love and beauty.
