In the ancient world, the priestesses of Aphrodite were living embodiments of the goddess's divine attributes—love, beauty, and protection. Her mountain and ocean Temples were sanctuaries where joy, pleasure, and healing mingled with strategy, defense, and creativity. Her Priestesses graced the sacred temples with their holy presence, orchestrating ceremonies that connected the mortal world with the divine. Their duties extended beyond ritualistic practices as well; they were the custodians of Aphrodite’s sacred lands, guardians of her altars, advisers to those in positions of power, comfort to the lovelorn, and artists who called forth her blessings through prayers, songs, and dances that pulsed with ecstatic fervor. Each ritual they performed was a symphony of devotion, designed to invoke the goddess and infuse the world with her celestial grace.

These priestesses were the heartbeat of ancient society. They were a pivotal force in maintaining the harmony, love, and beauty that bound communities together. Their rites and ceremonies were not just acts of worship, but essential practices that cultivated loving marriages, inspired artistic expression, and upheld societal values of aesthetic and emotional richness. Through their devotion, the priestesses of Aphrodite ensured that the goddess's gifts touched every aspect of life, from the blooming of flowers and fruits in the fields to the deepening of affection in human hearts. Their work was a testament to the belief that beauty and love were essential to both individuals and the collective.

In the modern era, those who aspire to walk in the footsteps of Aphrodite’s ancient priestesses can do so by weaving the goddess’s principles into the fabric of contemporary life. They can become modern-day bearers of love and beauty, creating environments where self-love and acceptance are paramount, where diversity in all its forms is celebrated, and where deep, soulful connections are nurtured. By creating Aphroditic sanctuaries—whether in physical spaces, online communities, or through artistic endeavors—modern priestesses honor Aphrodite’s legacy. Engaging in rituals, advocating for the earth’s fertility, and inspiring others to see the world through the lens of divine grace, they continue the tradition of honoring the sacred in all.

If you are ready to walk the path of the modern Oread, Mountain Priestess of Aphrodite, the Love & Aether course with the Mt Shasta Goddess Temple offers you an opportunity to make profound and lasting connections with her mysteries in your own life and in what you offer the world. Love & Aether is a 6-month, 18-session training designed to help you awaken and re-member your timeless connection to love, beauty, creativity, and sacred consciousness as a way of life. Look at what some of the women who have completed this training shared:

Love is Not for the Faint of Heart

Some women come into this training saying, “I was never really into the Love Goddesses. I always gravitate toward the Tough Goddesses, the Dark Goddesses, the Goddesses of the Wyrd.” Some women come in with heart hurts and emotional wounds from past relationships. Some come trying to figure out what Love really is. And some come because there has always been an affinity for Aphrodite, and they are ready to commit to her.

Walking the path of love demands courage and strength that transcends mere sentimentality, calling forth the deepest reserves from the emotional landscape. It is a journey that requires the boldness to be vulnerable and to open your heart amidst the risks of pain and disappointment. Embracing love means standing firm in the face of adversity, nurturing connections with unwavering fidelity, and fostering beauty in a world that often seems marred by strife and discord.

This path is not for the faint of heart; it asks for the resilience to forgive, the fortitude to remain compassionate, and the determination to uphold the sanctity of love in all its forms. It is through this courageous embrace that we honor the divine essence of love, becoming beacons of light and harmony in a tumultuous world.

This course offers you the chance to build the Temple of Your Heart into something whole, holy, and magical. When you join this course, for 6 weeks you will immerse yourself in the ocean of Aphrodite’s love with:

• 18 Live and recorded classes, each featuring a different aspect of Aphrodite based on the epithets that were attached to her Temples

• 18 written lessons, each with beautiful images of her classical statues, quotations, and prayers. These lessons recap the in-depth information shared in the class, with history, profiles of historical women who embodied Aphrodite’s powers in our world, profiles of her ancient Temples and their importance, and homework assignments to help you awaken your deep inner knowing of Aphrodite’s love, beauty, and power

• A 7-day Alchemical Sprint inviting you to work with each of the planetary metals—lead, tin, iron, gold, copper, mercury, and silver—as a devotional and reflective practice

• At the end of the course, each student has a personal one-on-one meeting with the course instructor, Priestess Yeshe Meryemana Matthews, to help you illuminate and fine-tune your personal approach to working with Aphrodite at your altar and as a Priestess of her mysteries in the world.

Course Dates and Themes

Jan 18: Ourania, the heavenly one
Jan 25: Melissa, the bee priestess
Feb 1: Kryphios, the one who moves unseen
Feb 8: Despoina, the queen
Feb 15: Dia, the good and wise
Feb 22: Peitho, she of influence
Mar 1: Morpho, she of sovereign form
Mar 8: Philopánnykhos, for the love of the community
Mar 22: Callipygos, she of the beautiful buttocks
Mar 29: Pandemos, all-loving
Apr 5: Apatouria, the femme fatale
Apr 12: Euploia, lover of adventure
Apr 19: Her Nights of Pleasure: Sex Magick Then and Now
Apr 26: Beautiful Goddess of Marriage: Ancient & Modern Rites of Union
May 3: An Ally in Love’s Battle: Aphrodite’s Vitriol
May 10: The Death of Adonis: Mourning & Wounded Hearts
May 17: Myrrh, Cassia, & Frankincense: The Oracles of Love
May 24: Her Tyrian Mantle: Isis-Aphrodite Unveiled
June (dates TBA): 7-Day Sprint with the Planetary Metals and Vows Ceremony

In addition to exploring these class themes, you will have homework assignments that help you build an informed and authentic personal devotional practice, and a one-on-one session with Priestess Yeshe to help you identify and clarify your path of service as an emissary and agent of Aphrodite’s presence in our world.

Our 7-day alchemical intensive included in this class (dates TBA in June) invites you to work with each metal—lead, tin, iron, gold, copper, mercury, and silver—as a devotional and reflective practice. Each day will offer a guided ritual and lessons that mirror Aphrodite’s influence on different aspects of being: from shadow work to radiance, discipline to delight, embodiment to transcendence. As you move through these metals, you’ll track your own inner transformation and emerge with an awakened understanding of love’s alchemical power.

Upon completing the course, you will be invited to a final ceremony to consecrate your vows as a Priestess of Aphrodite (Summer Solstice). Once you have taken vows, you will be invited to remain a part of our Oread Sisterhood and come back to this class and practice every year, free of charge.

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