Other Gods And Goddesses – Deities Of Love And Passion

Because the deities come from so many cultures and times,it is important to invoke only the positive qualities you need and to rememberthat some did reflect dark as well as benign aspects of divinity. For example,Diana, the goddess of the Moon and the hunt, is thought by most to be asympathetic soul; but you might be surprised to learn that she would, accordingto myth, have her rejected lovers torn apart by her hounds. So, when setting upyour icons, read about them first, and decide which are the attributes thatwill assist your magical workings. Some deities fit into more than onecategory, so I have listed them under their most significant one.

DeitiesOf Love And Passion

Aphrodite

Aphrodite is the Cretan and Greek goddess of love andbeauty. Her name means ‘born from the foam’. She can be invoked for the gentleattraction of new love as well as for sexuality and passion (hence the term‘aphrodisiac’). Aphrodite is especially potent in candle and mirror spells,romance and for love rituals involving the sea.

Artemis

Artemis is the twin sister of Apollo, the young Greek SunGod, and is goddess of chastity, virginity, the hunt, the Moon and nature.Although a virgin goddess, she also presides over childbirth. Because of herconnection with the hunt, she is altogether a more active goddess thanAphrodite if you are seeking love or, perhaps, trying to encourage a reluctantlover of either sex or win love under difficult circumstances. She is perfectfor outdoor love spells and for casting your love net wide to attract an as yetunknown lover.

Freyja

Freyja is the Viking goddess of love and sexuality andcan be invoked for rituals to increase confidence in inner beauty and worth,for the increase of passion and for fertility in every aspect. A witch goddess,she is potent for all magick, especially astral projection and crystal and gemmagick.

Venus

Venus, the goddess of love, is the Roman form ofAphrodite and by her liaison with Mercury gave birth to Cupid. Although she hadmany lovers, she was the goddess of chastity in women and is a joybringer, andso represents not only sexual pleasure, but also innocent love and especiallylove in the springtime. Her planetary associations mean she is the focus in allkinds of love rituals. As the evening star, Venus takes on a warrior aspect andso can be invoked in fighting for one’s lover or tough love in relationships.