Love is very hard. Buckle up

Pain and metamorphosis are a requirement

She is a Goddess of Love and War and often the latter is forgotten for plastic fantasies to pull out during Valentines day or some other lovey dovey moment but that's not all she is and that not all you will be.

In ancient Greek times during the Hellenic period she was a goddess that Sex Workers worshipped and is said to have been their protector. She is Goddess of all love but also specifically Sexual Love. Most tend to stop there and think that she nothing more than a ‘gooning' goddess (iykyk). Even though that is an aspect of her’s in reality it’s more than that. She is the understanding and embodiment of what sexual experiences are and how they shape us as people.

I remember feeling the most connected to her when I wrote a research essay "You don't hate sex workers you hate the patriarchy" and it was about how the "violence to women" that most people that participate in purity culture claim happens in SW is a direct reflection of the exploitation of women in our society in general. I truly believe that she's the reason that I was able to write it through.

Before anything the goddess of love is an intellectual. Matters off the heart and the body require an immense amount of emotional intelligence that not only comes from deep internalized introspection, but also critical thinking and an understanding of the human mind and how the society we live in interacts with things that concern the heart and sex.

I think the reason why Aphrodite was so venerated and worshipped by sex workers is because she saw them. Because they -as well as the old, children, homeless, and the disabled- are ignored in a society that actively skips over them yet uses them. Though they refuse to acknowledge that the violence inflicted on them (SWs) they’re mirror the world is reflected upon. And society does not like what it sees

And just like Aphrodite as her followers we should bring this love for the other and the marginalized. Its not just compliments and hearts with frills on top. No. NO. remember the war aspect? Yes remember that she demands you be fierce with your kindness. Th

at deep unwavering feeling of love you feel for Humanity, Animals, and the earth that (possibly) pushes you to protest, share, argue, beg, laugh and more.

Being kind and loving isn't easy it's grueling it's painful, it's unforgiving but it's necessary. But every tear of sadness, sweat, or blood remember those are to her, Oh beautiful Aphrodite. She's not here to just make you pretty or make that one guy/ girl like you. She's here to metamorphose you into the butterfly you deserve to be. And that's not easy.

Okay I hope this made sense because I could not tell you how I wrote all that but I feel relieved