Pagan Portals - Aphrodite: Encountering the Goddess of Love & Beauty & Initiation

by Irisanya Moon

Aphrodite is an often misunderstood goddess, one who is easy to relegate to the love goddess role, but she is a goddess who also shows up as an initiator and, some might say, troublemaker. In this book, we seek to explore the complexity of a goddess who was born on sea foam and who inspires beauty and love, all the while offering a hand toward each one of us to celebrate our full hearts.

Genres: Witchcraft, Spirituality, Mythology, Nonfiction, Paganism

104 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2020

Reviews

[Autumn (Triquetra Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A big thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I'm always so thankful to have these opportunities!

The cover of this book is absolutely gorgeous. I really love the simplicity of the statue's pose, yet it is so evocative of Her that it just pulls you in. 10/10 there!

I adore the deity Pagan Portals, because I know I'm going to get a great overview and introduction to the God in question. This is 104 pages of primer material, and like always, I was not disappointed. We have myth, we have lore, we have correspondence, we have everything you need for a nice introduction to Aphrodite, and the final chapters are a lovely launching board into a more in depth practice, which I always recommend.

Nothing irks me more, as a Pagan, than to have fellow Pagans be wishy washy with their deity work. I find it so rude to pantheon hop, and to just flit from deity to deity like a wishing vending machine.

Pagan Portals, as a whole, will help you cultivate at least the bare minimum necessary before you reach out and take take take.

As my teacher, Danielle Dulsky has said, working with Deity is like being around wells of water and power. Each act of honor and servervice (offerings, prayers etc) is a small deposit. Each time you call upon a deity for Their service in spellwork or ritual you're making a much larger withdrawal.

If your ancestors have been making deposits it's much easier for you to be able to make a withdrawal. If you're just dipping your hands into the pots you've not given into...well we can see how that would be an issue.

I bring all that up because I think that Pagan Portals are a nice way to give little deposits into the wells of the Deities that you might have interest in, but do not yet have enough energy stored up in that well.

I appreciated reading the author's encounter/meeting story, which makes Her feel accessible and more real. Moving further into Her mythology, I really appreciate the author's challenging of patriarchy, and posing some difficult things to ponder, such as: "I would encourage ongoing study of where stories come from when looking at deities in general, and possibly especially in societies where power structures shifted."

It's not just enough to give bare bones information on Deities in Pagan Portals, and I think the author there understands that.

Overall, for such a small book, we have a great deal of information to learn about, and think about if we want to start work, or even deepen work with Aphrodite. 5 Triquetras here!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVEEED THIS. I started working with aphrodite on February/march and she is my matroness, and since I'm a baby witch that also just startet my path on january I was a little scared to make mistakes. You know cuz deity work is not really for beginners. But this book gave me so many new ideas to try out and gave me a good insight on deity work.
The authot did such a good job on this bool and will help so many people out in the future.

[Taylor Ellwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a way to learn more about Aphrodite and it really delivered in terms of both offering useful information in itself and pointing me toward additional resources where I could learn more. If you want to work with Aphrodite or learn more about her mysteries this is a great book to start with. Irisanya makes the material approachable and helps you start developing your relationship with Aphrodite.

[Arianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aphrodite has called to me and I wanted to learn more about her and didn’t know where to start. Then I stumbled upon this book in my research, and I know I found it for a reason . The author shines a beautiful light on Aphrodite, an understanding of her that doesn’t revolve around just her physical beauty. Aphrodite just like anyone had faults too, she embraced all parts of herself just as we should about ourselves. This book provided me with a great foundation for learning about Aphrodite. I want to learn much more about the history and stories of Aphrodite , but luckily the author provided us with great references to aid in the continuation of our research . A lot of the questions I had were answered in this book , I really took my time absorbing all the information I learned . My favorite Chapters were :
- Chapter 5: Symbols, Offerings & Holidays
- Chapter 7 : Chants and Altar Ideas
- Chapter 8: Working with Aspects of Aphrodite
- Chapter 9: Cultivating a relationship with her

This is an amazing reference book, and a great addition to my private library.

[Pseudonym Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is Beauty

There was a great balance here between research/information and personal experience on the part of the author. I could literally feel the love as I read this book and it touched on things that I have already come to know.
If you are looking for an awesome introduction to Aphrodite, this is it.

[Chiara Celine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to the basics of aphrodite that definitely makes you wanna know more, still some topics were really Brief and I would've wished for more information on those :)
Still a great book and I reccomend it for beginners specifically that want to get a basic knowledge Of aphrodite
4 stars out of 5

[⋆.⭒ ara ୨୧ ˚⟡˖ ࣪ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really adored this book for connecting with Aphrodite, I just wish it had more of her stories, hymns, and devotionals!! It revolved around Aphrodite but often felt like it could apply to any other deity - I would’ve loved more about her to connect to her more deeply. That being said, it was truly filled with great connective content!

[Hilary Buffum · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has had a complex relationship with Aphrodite this book felt like having a beautiful tea with deity. The softness and accessibility felt like a welcome introduction to her. I loved it.

[Fuchsia Rascal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of information packed into a very brief page count. I was skeptical upon seeing the size and impressed upon finishing. There's so much great knowledge in here for anyone curious about Aphrodite and her role in modern day worship.

[Jeff Waterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.

I enjoyed the uncomplicated approach of this book and found it easy to follow. The rituals are effective, and being in touch with this wonderful goddess is rewarding.
Thank you.

[Michael Velez · Rating 3 out of 5]

not what i was expecting,but good

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books on working with Aphrodite

[Baroness · Rating 2 out of 5]

My relationship with Aphrodite is delightful and thrilling.
For several months I’ve immersed in trying new things, pleasure, love, beauty and delicious sleep.
Yummy Nummy…

OK, short read.

[Chimen Georgette Kouri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fun Aphrodite book! 🌸