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| Aphrodite |
This week's blog topic here at Writers Li.P.P. is GODDESSES. As I did research for my today's post, I couldn't help but compare myself to each deity as I read about her, although I was unable to objectively determine which one I most closely resembled. Then I found an online quiz which removed all the guesswork. Click HERE to take the quiz yourself.
Here's the short version of the story. Aphrodite was married to Hephaestus, god of the forge. But Aphrodite didn't really love Hephaestus - after all, her father had arranged the marriage, and she was convinced she was too good for her husband - so she insisted on an open marriage. For whatever reason, Hephaestus went along with this; he even made his wife a magic girdle which rendered her irresistible to any man she wanted. Weird, huh? And whereas most of the gods and goddesses had several jobs, Aphrodite had only one responsibility: to bring love into the world. What a life, right? Once the goddess Athena caught Aphrodite weaving and scolded her for getting involved in Athena's line of work. Aphrodite apologized immediately and promised such a thing would never happen again. And it didn't.
Aphrodite didn't have female friends, although she was quick to help gods and goddesses as well as mortals to win the love they sought. But she is best known for her own many passionate love affairs and numerous offspring. Generally loving and generous, she could also be quite hateful and vindictive when she wasn't given the honor she felt was her due.
So the more I learn about Aphrodite, the less kinship I feel to her. I enjoy the structure that my work provides - the gentle rhythm of creation that buzzes around me, whether I am teaching music students or working on my novel or making a piece of jewelry. I don't know what I would do without my girlfriends, and while I like to think of myself as loving and generous, I also like to think I am compassionate and forgiving when wronged. I am always happy to help others in their quest for true love, but I haven't been so lucky in love myself. I was married for nineteen years and have three wonderful sons to show for it, but since my divorce ten years ago nothing has quite worked out. Being single isn't without its perks; I have enjoyed online dating, meeting new people, dressing up and going out for dinner and dancing, being open to mysterious strangers in clubs and coffee houses and on cruise ships. But something deep inside me yearns for more. And sometimes I wonder if I will ever find that special someone.
Maybe all I need is a magic girdle. Try doing a google search for THAT.
However, I found it interesting that Aphrodite is associated with the sea. Although I am not a good swimmer, I am drawn to the ocean and dream of someday owning a home on the water somewhere. And just as the waves constantly renew the beach, Aphrodite gives us hope in the power of love. That's something you can think about the next time you are lying on the sand, watching the tide roll in.
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Which goddess do you most closely identify with? Have you found true love or are you still looking? Leave a comment for a chance to win a Writers Li.P.P. t-shirt - they're the hottest shirts in town! Leave a comment AND become a follower for two chances to win. Congratulations to Kendall Grey for being last week's lucky winner. Thanks to everyone for your support!
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24 comments:
Woo hoo! I'm super excited about my new Li.P.P. tee shirt! Thank you so much!
I'm a Greek mythology/classics nerd. Did you find out why Aphrodite is associated with the sea? I'll try to be as delicate as I can with this: One of her creation myths states that she sprung from the frothing waters after Cronos castrated Uranos and threw the offending...leftovers into the ocean. Hahahaha! Gotta love those creative Greeks and their stories. :-)
I'm Athena, all the way. Got lots of sass in me and I love a good fight. :-)
I am Hera, a powerful queen.
Wait, WHAT?
I will try to get your shirt to the post office today, Kendall? No, I didn't know that about Aphrodite. Ee-ugh! I should dig out my D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths and read it again. I shared it with my kids but that was a looong time ago. Yes, you are Athena. :-)
LOL, Eric! Thanks for stopping by! You would look GREAT in a Writers LiPP t-shirt, by the way. ;-) Thanks for helping me tweak our HTML code. Everyone seems to love our new look - much easier on the eyes than the old one, especially now that the white font is gone! I bow before you, oh great one!
Good morning, Pam! Lovely to see you ladies this weekend. :-)
Had to laugh at the quiz, b/c I supposedly most identify with Zeus! NOT!! Guess I identify more with real people than with gods and godesses.
Like you, and Aphrodite, I am drawn to the sea. My husband tells me if I don't get my feet in salt water at least once a year, I'm not fit for human company. :-)
Hi Cinthia! It was great to see you, too! And I love love love my new yarn - thanks again! No, you don't strike me as the Zeus type, but maybe that's how you're feeling as you embark on a new week - lol! Thank you so much for stopping by our blog and commenting!
Look out world..... I took the test and it said I'm
Hera - The Greek goddess Hera was a powerful queen long before her marriage to Zeus, the mighty king of the Olympian gods. She ruled over the heavens and the earth and was responsible for every aspect of the environment, including the seasons and the weather.
Honest, I'm not responsible for all the tornado damage!!!! Honest!!! (g)
Fun article and fun quiz.
I know who my goddess is...it's you! Amazing post my friend. Cool quiz too. Thanks for sharing, as always, from your heart. - Lindy
LOL, Sandy! Okay, we won't blame you. Thank you for stopping by - glad you had fun! :-)
Aw, Lindy. You are so sweet! I'm already looking forward to your post on Wednesday. Right now I'm on my way to PFHT to see what's going on there!
Great post, Pam. My goddess is Tara. Never heard of her and I studied Greek Mytholgy. But I like what she stands for: peaceful,compassionate, protect & bring health, long life & peace.
I'll go with that. Thank, Pam. This was fun.
Sia Huff
Yes, Sia; Tara suits you. There's nothing like a good online quiz to start your Monday, right? Thank you so much for stopping by!
Apparantly, I'm Hera. Hmm. The comment says: Hera - The Greek goddess Hera was a powerful queen long before her marriage to Zeus, the mighty king of the Olympian gods. She ruled over the heavens and the earth and was responsible for every aspect of the environment, including the seasons and the weather.
Hey, I like being in charge, but of the heavens, earth, seasons and weather. That's a little heavy for me!
Carol, I can't think of anyone I would rather have in charge - LOL! Thanks for stopping by and taking the quiz! :-)
Hi Li-Lindy and 1st-P Pam,
It was so good to see you two Saturday and love the site! Been writing for years before going Public and on to the 2nd P, Published - some day
Hey Maxine! Thank you so much for visiting our blog! We are glad you have gone "Public" and I love your suggestion - making the second "P" stand for "Published"! Here's hoping we are all published by the close of 2011!
Fun, fun!
I, too, am Hera. Hmmmm. Wonder what that means with so many of us testing for the Goddess Queen...
I think you make a great Aphrodite. You have a lot of her really good qualities.
You know, we get to make our own destinies. Maybe you are the new and improved Aphrodite. Maybe it is Aphrodite's turn to make a difference in the world. I know there is a Hephaestus out there who will give anything to love you.
On another note, have you read the Percy Jackson books by Rick Riordon? They are YA (kind of like Harry Potter) but deal with the Gods and Goddesses. I learned a ton about that world reading those books with my son. I think I might have loved them more than he did.
Thanks for a fun trip...;-)
Tami
I just took the quiz and apparently I'm Zeus. Go figure. The runner-up was Hera.I loved your post and the picture of The Birth of Venus, because that's my favorite work of art. I lived in Florence, Italy, for 6 months during college and I used to visit the Uffizi to see it as often as I could. I love Mythology and took a great course about it while I was in Italy. The quiz was really interesting. I just saw your T-shirts in person at our Petit Fours luncheon and I want one. I'm Zeus, so I'm giving you an official order. Ha Ha. Anyway, Zeus is now following your blog. Great job.
Thanks again for the thoughtfulness for the day Goddess Pam. But isn't graphic actually Venus? Venus on the half shell? I'm with you in wanting to be godlike, as I identify with THOR. Making all that noise with a friggin hammer all day. Just beating on something brings me satisfaction. Like in college at a party we had no percussion and I went into the kitchen and started banging on the clothes dryer. What a jam! This site isn't just for girls is it?
DO
I'm Hera. I'm a strong woman so I can see that. Is she the one that could throw fire balls. Maybe that's the Roman group. I just always thought it would be fun to throw fire.
Susan Carlisle
Wow, Tami. Your comment gives me an idea for a book about a woman, the new and improved Aphrodite, looking for true love; I'll call it FINDING HEPHAESTUS. :-) No, I've never read Percy Jackson, but that sounds like a great series. I'll have to check it out!
I'm jealous, Marilyn! I spent a few days in Florence back in 1982; of course I visited the Uffizi, but what a treat it must have been to LIVE there. Thank you for following our blog, and good luck in the drawing!
Hi Dave! No, this site isn't just for girls. Thank you for visiting!
I don't know which god or goddess threw fire balls, but I can definitely see the appeal, Susan - LOL!
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