Venus

Order of the White Moon

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Venus

By ~vin

Venus has been portrayed by many artists over the centuries. Even though she has had many portraits done of her, she generally has an air of modesty about her. In history books she is seen most often attempting to cover herself.

Myths about Venus are similar, they indicate that she was known as the Greek Goddess Aphrodite, but in Rome she is known as Venus, the Goddess of beauty and love. According to Monaghan “the confusion is ancient” as the mixture of agriculture and love now make up the vision of the Goddess Venus. And according to Bulfinch’s Mythology in the identification of Venus to Aphrodite, Venus became a “major character in classical mythology”.

Her name comes from the word Venerate which is a great fit for a Goddess whose name means to “uplift, worship or esteem” (Telesco).

Sandro Botticelli’s impression of Venus on the half shell is only one of his impressions. His other impression of her is depicted in his painting The Primavera, translated as The Spring, and is one of my personal favorites. The print of Botticelli’s is shown below in the altar I set up to honor her.

Bulfinch’s Mythology indicates that she is the daughter of Jupiter and Dione. She was married to Vulcan, they had Eros and Anteros. She mothered Harmonica from Mars and Aeneas by Anchises, to name a few of her offspring.

Symbols she is known for according to Telesco are pinecones, berries, flowers, doves and cypress trees. Another symbol of Venus is the girdle which is an icon for magical powers used to compel love. Many sources indicate that if you find a large stone near a tree that is an indication that Venus is there.

Venus is depicted below in a modern Artistic, Fun, Flirty portrait.

Affirmations

I am value
I release my habit of self criticism
My insecurity is replaced with shining confidence
(Goddess.com.au )

Ritual
To invoke Love
To Honor Venus
By ~vine (2006)

Items needed:
Roses: several in reds and pinks, enough for a bowl of petals and roses with stems to be placed around your tub.

Candles: as many as you’d like in red, white and pink

Bubble bath: rose scented and pink or white color

Incense: a rose or honeysuckle scent

Music: anything sensual to you

Berries: a bowl of fresh berries of your choice set on the edge of the tub

This ritual can be done alone or with someone special.

Ritual:
Smudge the area with the rose or honeysuckle incense.
Put the music on that you plan to listen to.
Draw a bath of warm water using the bubble bath.
Light all of the candles.
If you plan to have the space ready to share with someone else do this next part alone; you can however do this together.
Take the bowl of rose petals and start from the front of the house. Begin tossing the rose petals around as you make your way towards the tub room. Chant as you spread the petals around:

“love will always live inside you and inside me so mote it be”

Continue this until all the petals are spread and a trail goes to the tub. Place the last of the rose petals into the water. Slip out of your clothes if you’re not already sky clad and enjoy your bath. Feed each other (or yourself) from the bowl of berries and feel love surrounding you.

Bibliography

Bulfinch, Thomas; Bulfinch’s Mythology, 1979
Gallup, Alison; Gruitrooy, Gerhard; Weisberg, Elizabeth; Great Paintings of the Western World, 1997
Monaghan, Patricia; Goddesses and Heroines, 2000
Stein, Diane; Casting the Circle, 1990
Telesco, Patricia; 365 Goddess, 1998

Background on this page by:
http://www.angelfire.com/journal/thankyou/amb_bp3.html

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