What does the Goddess mean to me?
I feel that the Goddess is the female aspect of the Divine and all that encompasses. She embodies all things feminine, including but not limited to, strength, beauty, power, reproduction, sexuality, cruelty and comfort. I look to her for comfort and strength during my day to day life. I look to her for guidance through my dreams. I feel her with me when I really need her and know she is with me even when I don’t. To have Her in my life means everything to me and if I were suddenly to lose Her I would feel like my best friend has died or I have lost a limb. She is as much a part of me now as my own skin.
Do I carry the Goddess within me? How/Where?
I often wear a pentacle or a triquatra charm on a necklace. I wear my pentacle ring all the time. These remind me of being Pagan and trying to honor the Goddess everyday with everything I do. I try to do a morning devotional each day. It has a line that says, “May my words and actions be a testimony to Your graces.” I try to live by these words.
What activities could I do to honor the Goddess?
I would love to celebrate the Esbats and be more aware of the cycles of the moon. That’s goal number one. I could also try to embody the different aspects of the Goddess giving me certain traits such as self-esteem, wisdom and strength. Writing in my various blogs and meditating are ways in which I already feel I honor Her. I also try to give offerings of incense when I get a chance.
What are my feelings and thoughts about Aphrodite?
I’ve always looked to Aphrodite as a love Goddess and a Goddess of sexuality and beauty. She is very much like one of my Patroness Goddesses Naamah (a fictional equivalent created by author Jacqueline Carey).
Elua was conceived through the blood of Yeshua ben Yosef, the son of the One God, where a spear from a soldier of Tiberium pierced his side, and the tears of the Magdalene, combined in the womb of Mother Earth herself.
While the One God mourned the loss of his son, Elua travelled the land but was reviled and rejected by most given that he was not the One God's legitimate son and as the enemy's offspring by the people of Tiberium.
In Persis he was arrested for unknown charges, but the tales of his travels had reached Heaven and eight of God's own angels, Azza, Anael, Camael, Cassiel, Eisheth, Kushiel, Naamah and Shemhazai came to free him. Naamah was the first. She went to the King of Persis and offered one night of pleasure with her in return for Elua's freedom. The King accepted and each of the Thirteen Houses of the Court of Night-Blooming Flowers (home to the Servants of Naamah, the most elite cadre of religious prostitutes in Terre d'Ange.) have a version of this story.
Naamah is one of two female angels that follow Elua, and the eldest sister. Her domain is that of sexuality. Naamah's province in Terre d'Ange is Namarre. Priests and Priestesses of Naamah wear scarlet robes.
To enter her order, after training that is very similar to those of the Court of Night-Blooming Flowers, an acolyte must complete a year of Service. During this time they wander Terre d'Ange and are forbidden to refuse anyone who seeks them out of true longing. This is to help them to better understand the sacrifice of the goddess sleeping with mortals. In return Naamah blesses them with desire for each patron. After this year of service they are free to choose patrons and lovers as they wish.
Servants of Naamah refers to those who engage in prostitution, which is a holy act in Terre d'Ange. They bear marques (tattoos) on their backs as a sign of their trade. The most elite of these are the adepts of the Court of Night-Blooming Flowers, also known as the Night Court. Each of these Houses holds to a different explanation of why Naamah lay with the King of Persis, and caters to different preferences accordingly. It is blasphemous for a Servant of Naamah to have an assignation with anyone he or she does not desire, or to be forced to take assignations. For this reason, some Servants of Naamah will complete their marques in other ways (such as clothing design, etc.) and some will simply remain as teachers.
I often call upon her when I am in need of something covered in her domains. I often offer up my pleasure in return.
How can I strengthen the Aphrodite aspect of myself – and what would happen if I did?
I think learning to embrace pleasure in all its forms and heal my own fears about my own sexuality and desirability would strengthen this bond. I have very strong feelings and ideas about sexuality in general but I am often afraid to act out these feelings or desires. It is also difficult for me to do so with my current partner. I would like to be able to freely discuss my wants and needs as well as hear his wants and needs and meet them. I feel that if I can learn to overcome my own fears and insecurities, I will be able to experience my own sexuality in the way I’ve always wished. I must also be careful not to do anything that would hurt or harm my partner while fulfilling my own needs.
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