Birth of Venus

How to Become a Piestess of Aphrodite

One of the Thiasos Aphrodite members asked the question, "How did you become a priestess of Aphrodite?"

This idea of becoming a priestess is one that I have been reflecting on a lot lately. How does one heed the call to service? More than that: I know *I'M* doing it, but how do I help others who want to walk this path? I mean, not everyone wants to reinvent the wheel, blaze their own trail, or ... other metaphors for "recreating the same training process I've already put myself through." And why should they? The historical precedent for priestly training is that you are taught by someone who has been there already.

So, I've been thinking a lot about how to help aspirants become priest/esses. And the first part of that reflection is, "How did I get here?"

My answer:
My first experiences as a priestess of Aphrodite were within the structure of my witchcraft coven, actually. At 2nd Degree, I was ordained as a "Simple Priestess," and this involved dedication to a specific Deity. I had been working heavily with Aphrodite already for several years, so it was a natural fit.

I would say my becoming a priestess was very much a multi-part journey. I started this list to connect with others who felt drawn to Her. I read everything I could find. She inspired me to write Temple of Love, and I swear that She stood at my shoulder during certain parts. I went to a sacred sexuality conference (Qadishti Fest 2) and had more direct experience, leading to my becoming an active member of the Qadishti Movement. I felt nudged to write Aphrodite's Priestess, which began as _In Her Service: Reflections from a Priestess of Aphrodite_. The act of writing is a part of my own growth, I find.

I've soaked up books, websites, and conversations about history, mythology, sexuality, ritual, and personal growth through the qualities She embodies (love, beauty, pleasure, grace). I've sought out experiences in all those areas, and I've done a great deal of reflection on each piece of work.

Actually, I have been working for the last several months on a book or a training system of some sort for this priest/ess-hood. I've been collating the content -- and creating new content to fill in some gaps -- but I have been stumped about how to make it available to men and women interested in this path. I think I may have recently come up with a couple of viable solutions, though. [Stay tuned for more details.]

I was Her priestess early in this process, but my learning, service and growth continue all the time.

Aphrodite Needs a Temple Like THIS

I'm not saying a modern temple built in honor of our Golden Lady needs to be as big as the Parthenon in Nashville, Tennessee. I mean, even the original Parthenon was a giant among temples. I am saying, though, that I most heartily believe that Our Lady of Delectable Beauty deserves a contemporary temple worthy of pilgrimage and celebration.

I'm putting this intention out to the Universe, because it is a goal that I want to see realized before too many more years have passed. I believe that a replica of one of Aphrodite's temples could be both a tourist destination and a site of religious observance, just as the modern Parthenon is. Of course, I am more interested in a center for the cultus than I am in establishing a money-maker, but I would be open to compromise if the latter funds the former.

Being entirely in my hands, I would recreate something akin to the Cnidos temple -- an oval shaped area rimmed with a colonnade, a floor mosaic of the Aphrodite Acidailia (of the Bath), a reflecting pool, an incense altar, and a remake of Praxiteles's bathing Aphrodite.

Yep. I want it to exist.

Temple of Love is READY

My novel is finally ready! It's been six years in the making, but it is now available for purchase through this e-store (and soon through Amazon).

From the back cover:

Laura Britton is a teacher of literature and creative writing in the Midwest, where she lives with her family. This offering in historical fiction is her first novel.

Sappho of Mytiline is the earliest female poet from the Classical world whose writings, fragmentary as they are in their current condition, have come down to us. Precious little is known about the true historical life of Sappho, except what we can glean from poetry written by and about her.

Sappho was hailed as the Tenth Muse, and her poems of love and longing were directed at the men … and women … whom she loved on her island home of Lesvos.

Britton, in this debut title, offers readers a peek at the life and loves of a priestess of Aphrodite – a priestess so notable that she is responsible for our modern understanding of the word “Lesbian.”

Read an excerpt here!