How is Aphrodite linked with queerness and transness? How can we explore the Goddess of Love through a queer lens, exploring Her history and mythology with a specific eye to how She subverts gender norms, challenges heteronormativity, and how queerness is distilled through all that She is. In this episode, I chat about my own journey with understanding my queerness and my non-binary identity through my work with Aphrodite, and then we dive into how Aphrodite could be linked to these themes: through Sappho’s connection to Her, through the history of one of Her spiritual predecessors, Inanna, and through Aphrodite’s depiction as Aphroditos, a “male” version of the Goddess. I also chat about Her child, Hermaphroditus, and Her lover Adonis, who could also be read as non-binary (more on that in the episode!). This episode hopes to serve as aN introductory resource for folks looking to connect to these lesser known and spoken about aspects of Aphrodite, from a witchcraft and spiritual perspective.
Come join us in MAGICAL MISFIT MYSTERY SCHOOL, my digital occult school! MMMS is packed to the RAFTERS full of occult studies, teachings, writings and support for you to craft a witchcraft and spiritual practice that feels pleasurable, sustainable, connective and grounded. Stay for as little or as long as you like - tuition is rolling month by month! Explore it deeper here.
Or, explore UNLOCKING APHRODITE, my 2 part pre-recorded masterclass series all about the Goddess of Love. Sliding scale, with some bonus resources to support your journey too - sooooo much comprehensive info! You can explore more about that here.
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Or check out my website on www.theaphrodisianwitch.podia.comSources & further reading for this episode
Venus and Aphrodite: A History of a Goddess by Bettany Hughes
Trans and Non-binary Identities from Mesopotamia to Ancient Rome: Inanna, Cybele, and the Gallai by Jessica Cole (https://dirtysexyhistory.com/2020/09/03/trans-and-non-binary-identities-from-mesopotamia-to-ancient-rome-inanna-cybele-and-the-gallai/)
Ancient Mesopotamian Transgender and Non-Binary Identities by Morg Daniels (https://www.academuseducation.co.uk/post/ancient-mesopotamian-transgender-and-non-binary-identities)
Imagining Trans Aphrodite by The Queer Classist (https://www.thequeerclassicist.com/post/imagining-trans-aphrodite)
Ancient History Fangirl’s Deep Dive on Aphrodite: (https://open.spotify.com/episode/43mEpItEC4u1UhIN6tEfCM?si=f587a00a7c624598)
Ode to Aphrodite by Sappho (translation by David Bowles)
Ptolemy, Hephaestion (New History, Book 5)
