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Aphrodite’s dark side | Epithets

Evidence of a cult of a warrior and dark Aphrodite has been widely studied. Aphrodite had been depicted with armor and prayed to for martial assistance in many places from Syria, to Corinth, Sparta, Argos, the Attika, Kypris, Rome, Naxos, and many, many, other places (but mainly Sparta. Surprising, no?). The cult of a warrior Aphrodite has been suspected to have emerged from Aphrodite’s “ancestral” correspondents like Istar or Astarte, who were both goddesses of sex and war. However, the evidence of a dark face of Aphrodite is there, and it can be too called upon today, even if it wasn't as popular as her holy and hevenly aspects.

Enoplios — weapon bearing

This is an epithet of Aphrodite attested by Plutarch, and is also epigraphically present in the Roman period. In the third century AD a priestess, Ponponia Kallistoneiké, set up a dedication to Artemis Ortheia in Lakonia attesting one of her fellow deities was Aphrodite Enoplios.

Summakhia — ally in war

Pausanias finds a cult of Aphrodite “ally in war” in Arkadia. This is all the comment I could find about it.

Nikephoros — victory bearer

In Argos, according to Pausanias, Aphrodite wore the epithet “victory-bearer”. Icons of Nikephoros and Hoplismene (armed) Aphrodite have been also attested in Syria and Eretria.

Areia — of Ares / war-like

At Sparta mainly, there is a lot of evidence of icons portraying an armed Aphrodite with inscriptions of this epithet. Pausanias tells us of one in a temple behind the Bronze House of Athena. There is another female wearing a peplos, a helmet and a spear, but without the aegis that characterizes Athena, thus many suspect it belongs to an armed Aphrodite.

HOWEVER Leonidas of Tarentum writes in the third century: “Eurotas once said to Kypris (Aphrodite), ‘Either take up arms, or quit Sparta, the polis mad for arms.’ She, laughing, replied, ‘I shall be ever unarmed.’ She said ‘and I shall dwell in Lakedaimonia.’ Our Kypris is unarmed. Shameful are those tale-tellers who say that our goddess bears arms!”

BUT from Antipater of Sidon, in the first century, there is a contradiction: “Even Kypris is Spartan. She is not dressed as in other towns in soft garments; But in full-force she has a helmet instead of a veil, instead of golden branches a spear-shaft. For it is not proper for her to be without arms, the consort of Thracian Enyalios and a Lakedaimonian.” And this is not the only record we have of an actual Aphrodite wearing armor in Sparta; Plutarch, Nonnos, Julianus of Egypt and perhaps others tells us about the Spartan tendency to portray Aphrodite wearing and armor; either bow and quiver, spear and helmet, a shield, and even a sword. So perhaps Leonidas was either being sarcastic or lying. This Epithet is thus related to Hoplismene. Julianus tells us that in the sanctuaries of armed Aphrodite girls revere her war-like nature and women give birth to courageous children.

Above all, Pausanias also claims that this Aphrodite was specifically worshipped as a female Ares. This gives us a clue whether this Aphrodite had been syncretized with Ares’ actual femenine counterpart, Enyo (Ares has an epithet related to her: Enyalios)

Androphonos — killer of men

This epithet is representative of her chthonic aspect. There is evidence if a sanctuary of hers and Aphrodite Anosia in Thessaly.

Anosia — the unholy

Aphrodite Anossia apparently was celebrated by women in Thessaly, and she is associated with homosexuality (although this is doubtful). Atheneus tells us a tale of a hetaira (courtesan) named Lais, that flee to Thessaly and fell in love with a man. A band of jealous women beat her to death at Aphrodite’s temple and thus the goddess in this temple became known as Anosia, the Unholy.

Tumborukhos — gravedigger

The Pythagoreans said there are two Aphrodites: one in heaven and one in the Underworld. Therefore she was called Tumborukhos as well.

Epitumbidia — she upon the graves

Couldn't find much information on this epithet either but it must be related to the previous one and representative of her Underworld connections.

Skotia — dark one

This epithet is referent of Aphrodite’s origins as a terrible goddess, and her associations with the planet venus, which were suppressed later by the pop cult (not the association with the planet, tho). This epithet appears to link her to the Erynies and Hekate, and may be referent of a “witch-star” (kakkab kassaptu in ancient Babylonian) nature. The lack of evidence for these type of epithets points at an unpopularity of them. It is important to highlight that some of them could be use against the goddess to give her a bad or “demonic” reputation in the christian sense so I suspect their suppression might have a relation to that.

Melanis — black

Related to the previous epithet. It appears that these “dark” and “unholy” aspects of her are related to the planet venus, as points her Ouraneia (“heavenly”) epithet as well. Venus was known as a “star of lamentation”.

Persephaessa — Queen of the Underworld

This epithet appears to be a syncretism between Aphrodite and Persephone. This is obviously mainly an epithet of Persephone. I could not find evidence for it being used to Aphrodite in the ancient world, just commentaries about it; however, by searching it on google you find an archeological source of it but sadly its written in german, and I have no idea how to read german.

Hoplismene — armed

Pausanias tells us about the sanctuary of Aphrodite at Kythera, saying that there “the goddess herself is an armed xoanon”. The xoanon were archaic wooden icons, and this one, according to Pausanias, was wearing an armor. Quintilian once asked why the Lakedaimonians (Spartans) have an armed Aphrodite, and Plutarch said that they like to portray every god in armor to show that all of them have excellence in warfare. This Aphrodite is present in Corinth as well.

Hegemone — leader (of the troops)

This Epithet of Aphrodite is found in the Athenian Agora, and their border fortress at Rhamnous. The city council also offered dedications to this Aphrodite. There are figures of her engaged in combat with the giant Mimos, and other portrays Aphrodite in a chariot wearing Athena's aegis (although it lacks the gorgon face), along with Poseidon. Hesikhios confirmed this epithet in the sixth century AD saying it applies to Artemis as well. This Aphrodite was also offered sacrifices with Themis and Nemesis, in honor of Aeneas, her son.

Strateia — campaigner

In the Hellenistic period, Aphrodite was called Strateia in western Asia Minor. There is an inscription from Mylasa refers to a priest of Aphrodite Strateia, and a calendar of offerings specifies sacrificing to Aphrodite Strateia along with Arete and Herakles. In Paros and Epiros, strategoi (military generals) are known to have sacrificed to Aphrodite, along with other deities.

Enkheios — spear-bearer

Hesikhios, an author from the 6th century AD, tells us about a terracotta Aphrodite in Cyprus depicted holding a helmet in one hand, a spear, and a shield leaning against one of her legs.

Conclusions

Can we use these aspects of Aphrodite even if they have been exaggerated and weren't actually very much present in ancient cult? Of course. Because worship changes and evolves, if you find one of these epithets symbolic in your life and devotion, you can totally use them and even give them a different dimension. As a witch, for example, I could use the dark and unholy epithets of Aphrodite as a symbol of how witchcraft has been regarded as evil in superstition and a reminder of the persecution women have gone through, and it would be an act of devotion to the Goddess and an act of empowerment. The unpopularity of many of these epithets is also representative of stigma against women and thus using them today could be attested as an act of rebellion.

References

Stephanie L. Boudin, Aphrodite Enoplion

The Other Side of Aphrodite

William Manning, The Double Tradition of Aphrodite’s Birth and her Semitic Origins

Yulia Ustinova, The Supreme Gods of the Bosporan Kingdom: Celestial Aphrodite & the Most High God

Laura McClure, Courtesans at Tables: Gender and Greek Literary Culture in Athenaeus.

John Opsopaus, The Ancient Greek Esoteric Doctrine of the Elements: Water.

Aeon Journal, Aphrodite

[bunnycornpriestess]

Please help me move away from trauma.

Something really scary happened to me today… And after re-living the incident over and over, I’ve decided I need to take action.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/pnw8qs-moving-out?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

I’ve managed to accumulate some savings of my own, but I could use a little help. Any donations will go toward my efforts in finding a safe place to live.

Thank you.

[bunnycornpriestess]

Reblog if you’re an Apollo worshipper and/or a Dionysus worshipper so I can follow!

[bunnycornpriestess]

Please help me move away from trauma.

Something really scary happened to me today... And after re-living the incident over and over, I’ve decided I need to take action.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/pnw8qs-moving-out?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

I’ve managed to accumulate some savings of my own, but I could use a little help. Any donations will go toward my efforts in finding a safe place to live.

Thank you.

[bunnycornpriestess]

Reblog if you’re an Apollo worshipper and/or a Dionysus worshipper so I can follow!

[bunnycornpriestess]

Dionysus/Bacchus

Small devotional acts. 

Drink some sparkling cider*

Take an improv class

Read/write more poetry

Watch an old musical

Stay up late enough that reality shifts a little

Attend Pride and support LGBT groups

Wear fruity scents

Take a writing class or continue your writing

Eat grapes or drink grape juice*

Be the light in the chaos

Find ways to add more ivy into your life

Get in the habit of asking for someone’s pronouns before assuming

Go to a party

Unapologetically blast your music

Stay hydrated

Use more vinegar in cooking

Work on your balance between chaos and organization (both are very important)

Make crafts using wine bottles/corks

Dance!

Go to protests that are important to you

Witness the break of dawn - however you get there

Drink a sugary drink*

Play games that involve a bit of chance

Wear wine-colored things

Watch a drama show - it’s okay to get sucked into it!

Learn to say “No”

Attend a late-night movie showing

Support those who are overcoming/recovering from addiction

Explore in the woods

Embrace the liminal spaces in your life (there’s more than you think)

PRACTICE LOVING YOURSELF

Many, many, many other things not said here

*This post doesn’t include alcohol because it’s a given, and many of you are minors.

[bunnycornpriestess]

“I Am Adored”

Draw this sigil on a bottle of make-up or deodorant that you use regularly or Try charming a wearable object with this sigils ashes

[bunnycornpriestess]

Fortune-telling set details ✨🔮🃏

[bunnycornpriestess]

“I Can Trust”

Draw this sigil over your heart with henna or another non-toxic drawing alternative if possible. Even just carrying this with you on a piece of paper should do the trick.

[bunnycornpriestess]

Witch Alphabet 🖋️

Recently, I created my own alphabet to use in my practice. It was an interesting exercice, and I would like to share my process.

I think most witches already saw at one point or another the Theban alphabet :

I planned to use it at first, but found out it didn’t really fit what I needed : I’m a slow writer by hand, and the letters are pretty complex, so much that they’re more drawn than written.

Why make your own alphabet?

It depends on what you need, but there can be multiple reasons. You might want to have a way to make your craft more personal by having a writing only you understand. You might use it for your coven, so you can write things only for your group. You can use it to obfuscate the contents of your grimoire to anyone else reading it.

How do you do that?

There is more than one way to do that, but here is how I proceeded :

• Decide which language you want to base it on (if you speak more than one). This is an important step, because then it might work for that one language only, depending on how you make your alphabet. (On a side note, you can also make your own language, but I absolutely do not have the time nor the skill to explain that)

• Choose what you want to base it on. The first system you can think of is simply basing it on the alphabet of your first language, but it’s not the only option : you can also base it on sounds, concepts, or syllables depending on how complex you want it to be. For example, I based mine on french sounds, with the main letters being the consonnants and the vowels being accents. That makes a bit more letters than if I based it on the alphabet, but on the other side it feels more personal (and makes much more sense in my opinion. If I don’t want any exceptions then I don’t have to put any exceptions! Looking at you, french language!).

• Make a reference. Usually, that will be a table which you can fill with your letters. For example, I made a table with the consonants as rows and the vowels as columns, but it can be as simple as having a list of letters and writing the corresponding symbol next to it.

• Choose your symbols. That’s the trickiest part. For each letter you want to have, you need to come up with a symbol. I suggest to make them simple, with only a few lines, so they are quick to write. Just keep in mind that you might end up writing it fast when you know it by heart, so make sure the symbols are different enough from each other, but don’t hesitate to base some of them on each other (for example, since the sounds /p/, /t/, and /k/ are similar, I based their symbols on the same shape, and since they’re also similar to the group /b/, /d/ and /g/, I made those the same symbols but mirrored.) Also, don’t forget about punctuation!

• Optional : You might want to ask yourself if you really want it to be written from left to right then top to bottom. Maybe it would look better in another direction! For example, I noticed that mine could look nice if it was written from bottom to top first then from left to right.

• Test it out. Take a chunk of text, and write it with your alphabet. You will have to peak often at your letters at first, but it will come more and more naturally the more you write.

• Repeat the last two steps over if you notice there are things you should change (if a letter is too hard to write, if it clashes with the rest, …)

And that’s it! The key after that is to keep using it regularly so you don’t lose it, and to make sur to also reread what you write to train yourself to read fast.

[bunnycornpriestess]

After the Rain by Emyan

[bunnycornpriestess]

some captures from the property <3 

[bunnycornpriestess]

you are loved. on quiet days that feel meaningless, during long nights when loneliness consumes you, when you’re reminiscing and grieving the past, on good days that feel like warmth and light, always remember that you are loved. 

[bunnycornpriestess]

Remember this via /r/MadeMeSmile

Click here and follow to get more daily positivity on your dash!

[bunnycornpriestess]

Apollo, great Healer, God of the Sun,

shine thy light on me.

Aim thine arrow into the darkness and pierce it with golden glory.

Warm my body, mind, and spirit,

allow me to heal.

Careen thy chariot through the sky,

trailing health, vitality, and joyfulness in thy wake.

Grant me thy strength, O Golden God,

to overcome and persist through the darkest of hours.

When the sun does rise, i give thanks for thine grace,

and know that a warm and watchful eye

will wink from the heavens,

strumming a joyous song

to celebrate.

(Tip Jar)

[bunnycornpriestess]

Apollo is not only the “Sun” or “The bright light”.

He is the joy of a trans boy when they get testosterone. He is the self-expression found in songs. He is the need to help a friend that is hurt. He can be found in the freckles on someone’s skin. He can be found in the beauty of the gold. He is the one that tells you to text him when you get home. He is every growing sunflower. He is your bright shield.

He will never leave you, Sunchild.

[bunnycornpriestess]

True Love Tarot Combinations My Grandma Taught Me

Death + Ace of Cups

Love that lasts a day after forever

Six of Pentacles + Five of Pentacles

Love that asks for nothing in return

Knight of Wands + King of Wands

Love that makes a boy into a man

The Tower + Four of Wands

Love that can withstand any earthquake

Seven of Wands + Knight of Swords

Love that will fight and die for you

Six of Wands + The World

Love that puts you on a pedestal

The Moon + The Sun

Love that consumes you night and day

The Devil + Four of Pentacles

Flaming love that engulfs you

Ace of Cups + Ten of Cups

Love you never have to shed tears for

Two of Cups + The High Priestess

Love you recognize at first sight

Six of Cups + Two of Cups

Friendship that blooms into love

The Hermit + The Fool

Love that outlasts time itself

Death + The Wheel of Fortune

Love that can resurrect a dying soul

Ace of Wands + The Sun

Lust that matures into love

The Hermit + Strength

Love that grows stronger each passing day

Five of Pentacles + Ten of Pentacles

Love that makes lords out of beggars

The Hierophant + Four of Wands

Love no storm can conquer