Did you know that the divine feminine has a deep and rich history spanning thousands of years?
From ancient Greece to modern Egypt, goddesses have captured the human imagination. Goddesses of love play a large role in dictating human courtship from modern life to long ago.
But what are goddesses of love? How did people interact with them throughout history?
Gods and Goddesses can speak to us about dating and falling in love in modern times. Perhaps, you can even find a little inspiration for your own love life!
Keep reading to learn about the history of ancient love goddesses.
Aphrodite
Aphrodite is a well-known figure throughout history. Her story is one of beauty and passion and has been told countless times.
According to myth, Aphrodite was born from the foam of the sea, near Paphos in Cyprus. She then rode a conch shell to the shores of the island. She is often depicted wearing a golden crown, surrounded by doves, and carrying a torch.
Unlike other goddesses like Athena, Aphrodite’s domain is the human heart. She offers passion and desire to believers and her followers. She is often seen as a protector of marriage and possesses a magical power that enhances happiness and beauty.
Greek goddess Aphrodite is the divine mother of Cupid and in one tale, she fell in love with a mortal prince, Adonis. She brought him with her to the heavens where he could remain forever.
Venus
Venus is the daughter of Jupiter and the wife of Vulcan. Venus is associated with beauty, love, and fertility. Her story starts with her being born from the foam of the ocean on a half-shell. She is later empowered by her father to be the goddess of love and beauty.
Venus’ beauty is said to have caused the Trojan War when Paris chose her over Juno and Minerva in a beauty contest. Venus is also believed to be the reason for her husband’s imprisonment for treason. She asked Neptune to release him from his jailers. This tale reflects her power, beauty, and loving nature.
Over time, Venus became known as the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility which is why she is often associated with those concepts today. She is also said to have aided Cupid in creating love between humans, and her name is often associated with passion and love. Venus’ story is a perfect example of how the Roman Gods embodied beauty, love, and desire.
Freyja
Freyja is a goddess of love and her story dates back to Viking mythology. She is the daughter of the god Njord and sister to Freyr. She is the goddess of beauty, love, and the possession of all finer things.
As the goddess of love, Freyja had a gift for granting true love to those who sought it. Her beauty was so great that Odin, the King of Asgard, sent his warriors to bring her to him, but they failed.
Freyja was also said to give immortality to all who desired it. She was linked with seiðr, a form of Norse magic, and knew many secrets.
Hathor
Hathor is one of the most widely worshipped goddesses in ancient Egypt. She is mainly known as the goddess of love, beauty, and joy. But, in certain contexts, she was also associated with fertility, music, and the protector of women in childbirth.
In Egyptian mythology, Hathor is the daughter of the sun god Ra and is often portrayed as a woman with the head of a cow. She is one of the most beautiful and powerful deities in the pantheon and is often depicted wearing a headdress with a sun disk.
Hathor is also associated with rituals related to love and pleasure, such as childbirth. She is often shown to be a compassionate and merciful goddess. According to legends, her blood was the source of sustenance for all living creatures.
Her cult continued to be popular long after the rise of the Egyptian empire and she is still celebrated in modern-day Egypt.
Inanna
Inanna is a Mesopotamian goddess of love and fertility. She is the queen of heaven and earth and is the daughter of the goddess Nanna. Inanna has divine powers over fertility, love, and warfare, and is also associated with many myths and tales.
In many myths, she is a powerful agitator of change, challenging the status quo and representing the power of female sexuality. One of her most renowned myths is her descent to the underworld.
In this story, she travels down to the underworld and is met by her sister, Ereshkigal who tries to prevent her from escaping the underworld. Inanna escapes with the help of magical creatures and emerges from the underworld. This story symbolizes the power of love and perseverance in the face of death and danger.
Oshun
Legends say she’s born with the sun on her head and in some stories her mother is Yembo. She is known for being a generous and benevolent spirit, showing love and compassion to those who seek it. She is the goddess of love, often seen with a river flowing from her head, and brings great joy and harmony to those who believe in her.
Oshun is also believed to bring fertility and abundance to those who invoke her. She provides rain for crops and blesses marriages. Oshun is also associated with healing and magically empowering individuals, using her knowledge of herbs and potions. She offers support and friendship even to those suffering from depression or mental illness.
Explore the Mythology of the Goddesses of Love
Goddesses of love are a powerful source of knowledge and mystery that can be accessed to find passion and wisdom in life. Use this guide to gain insight and understanding of the ancient goddesses of love. Now is the time to delve deeper – start by researching particular goddesses or learning symbol interpretations.
Let the journey toward love begin!
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