Aphrodite's Priestess

by Laurelei Black (Pseudonym), Laurelei Dabrielle

The priestesshood of Aphrodite is not dead or dormant. It is alive, vibrant, passionate, and growing again. People are stepping forward from places like the US, Belgium, Brazil and elsewhere - stepping forward from the shadows of ancient temple ruins - to construct new practices of worship, celebration and transcendence based on acts of love, beauty and pleasure. Aphrodite's Priestess (the 2nd edition - revised and expanded - of Laurelei's elegant and ground-breaking work, In Her Reflections from a Priestess of Aphrodite) is the first book to offer readers insight into this re-emerging temple culture.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mythology, Spirituality, Paganism, Witchcraft

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Laurelei Black is a hedge-rider, a cunning woman, and a traveler on the crooked path of the Witch. She is also a priestess of love and pleasure, an Ishtar-woman, an Aphrodite-woman. She is a friend to daemons and a mate to the Red God. A bone collector; a temple dancer. Laurelei is the author of 11 books (including Temple of Love and The Witches' Key to the Legion: A Guide to Solomonic Sorcery), a co-Director and frequent presenter at the Babalon Rising Festival, an OTO initiate, and a proud co-proprietress of Asteria Books and Events.

Laurelei began serving Aphrodite in 1999 while she was living in Los Angeles and working with with a Traditional Witchcraft coven. She became a priestess to Aphrodite within that religious tradition when she took her 2nd Degree, in 2002.

In addition to her work as a Priestess of Aphrodite, Laurelei is a Cunning Woman, a Witch of the traditional path. She and her wife, Natalie, founded the American Folkloric Witchcraft tradition, where they explore the convergence of American magic and traditional British craft. Within this realm, Laurelei's keenest interests include necromancy, bone collecting, and potion-making.

Laurelei is the author of four books devoted to Aphrodite's worship, including Cult of Aphrodite, a compilation of well-researched rituals and religious festivals in Her honor; Crown of Violets, a book of devotional poetry; Temple of Love, a historical novel depicting the poetess Sappho as an Aphrodite Priestess; and Aphrodite's Priestess, a resource book for those women who would serve the Goddess of Love.

With Natalie Black, Laurelei has also offered the Witchcraft community Liber Qayin, a channeled gospel; The Witches' Key to the Legion: A Guide to Solomonic Sorcery; and the Asteria Books' Occult & Witchcraft Learning Series (a magickal library).

Laurelei's current projects include continuing in her writing, art, and workshops in service to Aphrodite and Tubelo at festivals and other facilities, and building the Temple of Aphrodite Asteria. She lives in Indiana with her partners, Natalie and Joe Black, her children, and her parents.

Reviews

[Anna Katherina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Received a free, advanced copy of the 3rd edition of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review of its contents

This book is thought-provoking and interesting- though inapplicable to my practice as a Noahide and NeoWiccan; hence the 3 star rating: I can't actually conceivably give it more, but only because I can't evaluate its usefulness in modern practice, in full accuracy. However. What I read, I was actually very impressed with.

The book is both thought provoking, and interesting, in a number of ways; it brings to light new perspectives on Temple Priestesshood in the modern era- specifically of modern Devoteeship to Aphrodite and the many ways that modern individuals may serve as her Priestesses according to evidence from Antiquity; I would venture to call it likely something akin to a Revivalist stance, and a relatively decent one at that.

The book is far from without controversial material, however. Indeed, it's heavy on information about, and a focus on, Sex Work as part of Temple Priestesshood. It doesn't shy away from the fact that this was a known element- and one that some may wish to incorporate into the modern Priestesshood, and the grey areas that exist surrounding it within American law- especially in relation to Religion. But it does provide conversation, as well, on the ways in which the sexual may be turned to the sensual, and perhaps even to just the companionable instead. And, of course, that's far from being all the book's about; there's a solid dearth of information within it, spanning quite a lot of topics that are all thought provoking and really get you thinking about how to serve the Divine (or, at least, this Deity) in the modern era.

It's clear the book has undergone several revisions, too, as times have changed and new events have occurred in relation to these practices as well. Indeed, the author clearly addresses several legal cases across a broad spectrum, as well as various past controversies with their own words and writings on these topics- including in relation to their own past conjecture on various possibilities for work. Which is something I greatly appreciate; we love an author, here, who takes responsibility for past works and past mistakes, and openly addresses them in their books (especially when those books are further editions of the original work, so that people continue to get updated information on the same text; we love to see it!).

That being said: I don't know if this book is of much use for anyone who isn't specifically an Aphrodite worshipper or Devotee looking to deepen their practice; while I did find a lot to chew on myself, as someone who always enjoys reading other perspectives from other traditions, that's not true for a lot of people I've found. And so if it's not true for you, either, you likely won't find much use here.

[Wendy Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most beautiful books I've read on Aphrodite. The two rituals included are gorgeous, especially the mirror ritual. Recommended to all those interested in Aphrodite.

[Chimen Georgette Kouri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved learning more about Aphrodite, especially her dark side!

[Daniel Expósito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurelei provides us with an insightful and useful handbook for today's priests/esses of Aphrodite (or those who want to get acquainted with the Goddess). She delves into the historical context of the unfamous ‘sacred prostitution’, today's role of priestesses and continues deepening on the different aspects of the service to the Goddess Aphrodite throughout the books.
From the temple and the liturgy, to much more practical matters, like starting your own group.
Considering the limited amount of sources for devotees of this deity, this as invaluable resource for anyone aiming to develop a personal (or even group) practise in honour of the Kythereia – and a great sources of ideas and insight for those who have been following this path for a long time.

[Xia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unmatched intrigue, inspiration and historical account