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Libation to Aphrodite
Members of Hellenion offer libations to certain gods in specific months. February is the month to honor Aphrodite.
All participating will come to the ritual clean and pure from míasma. (Read about how you can prepare yourself here.) Each stops to wash their hands in the khérnips before entering the ritual area. However, there will be no further purifications for this short ritual.
Participants move about the altar in a counter-clockwise direction, and then place any offerings they have brought upon the altar. The altar is oriented toward the East, and may be decorated with images of Aphrodite, and other things associated with her. A bowl for receiving libations will also be on the altar, as will a sacred flame (candle).
The priestess (or priest or other participant) says the following prayer to the goddess, while all lift their hands upward:
“Hear me, Aphrodite Genetullís [Genetrix], Aphrodite Anadúomene [rising from the sea], Aphrodite Philomeidés [laughter-loving] or by whichever names you wish to be called. You stir up sweet passion in the gods. You mated all the immortals with mortal women, making them all subject to your will. Stately Aphrodite, gold-crowned and beautiful, your dominion is the walled cities of all sea-set Cyprus. You are clothed with heavenly garments: on your head is a fine, well-wrought crown of gold, and in your pierced ears hang ornaments of precious gold, and golden necklaces about your soft neck. You give kindly gifts to mortals: smiles are ever on your lovely face, and lovely is the brightness that plays over it. As for us, let us live long and happily, seeing the light of the sun, and come to the threshold of old age, mortals prosperous among the people.” (portions taken from the various Homeric Hymns to Aphrodite)
At this point participants come forth with various libations of wine, water, milk, honey, olive oil, etc. As they pour their libation, they recite one of the following lines:
A libation in your honor, Aphrodite Ouranía, “heavenly”
A libation in your honor, Aphrodite
Khrusée, “golden”
A libation in your honor, Aphrodite
Basilís, “queen”
A libation in your honor, Aphrodite
Alígena, “sea-born”
A libation in your honor, Aphrodite
Pándemos, “of all the people”
A libation in your honor, Aphrodite
Epipóntia, “on the sea”
A libation in your honor, Aphrodite Morphó, “shapely”
The frankincense is lit and offered to Aphrodite. The priestess reads the Orphic Hymn to Aphrodite (#55).
Heavenly, smiling Aphrodite, praised in many hymns,
sea-born, revered goddess of generation, you like the
nightlong revel
and you couple lovers at night, O scheming mother of
Necessity.
Everything comes from you; you have yoked the world,
and you control all three realms. You give birth to all,
to everything in heaven, upon the fruitful earth
and in the depths of the sea, O venerable companion of
Bacchos.
You delight in festivities, O bridelike mother of the
Erotes,
O Persuasion whose joy is in the bed of love, secretive,
giver of grace,
visible and invisible, lovely-tressed daughter of a noble
father,
bridal feast companion of the gods, sceptered she-wolf,
beloved and man-loving giver of birth and of life,
with your maddening love-charms you yoke mortals
and the many races of beasts to unbridled passion.
Come, O goddess born in Cyprus, whether you are on Olympos,
O queen, exulting in the beauty of your face,
or you wander in Syria, country of fine frankincense,
or, yet, driving your golden chariot in the plain,
you lord it over Egypt’s fertile river bed.
Come, whether you ride your swan-drawn chariot over the
sea’s billows,
joying in the creatures of the deep as they dance in
circles,
or you delight in the company of the dark-faced nymphs on
land,
(as, light-footed, they frisk over the sandy beaches).
Come, lady, even if you are in Cyprus that cherishes you,
where fair maidens and chaste nymphs throughout the year
sing of you, O blessed one, and of immortal, pure Adonis.
Come, O beautiful and comely goddess;
I summon you with holy words and pious soul.
(translation by A.
Athanassakis)
Any special requests or personal devotions are made at this time. Participants may step forward and make an offering of whatever they wish. A few words from the heart should be said out loud.
To conclude the ritual, a final libation is poured, while saying “Hail, goddess, queen of well-built Cyprus!. Grant us your blessings, and we shall assemble in your honor again.”
Don't forget to sign the photograph form. Thanks for participating!
Photos posted here.