Love is an equal opportunity emotion to both Gods & Goddesses and mortals alike. It hits like a shot to the heart. We all are dumb struck by the feeling that overwhelms us. The Deities feel the passion, desire and want to feel love deeply within them also. What wouldn’t we do to have the one we love & value above all else?
For some of us, our first love is like a drug. Craving to be with the beloved every minute of every day or night. Our emotions drive us crazy. People look at us and think we have lost our minds. If you are lucky to escape the 1st love of your life, it may appear when you are a little but older. Perhaps you will have your senses about you. Chances are you will not. The Gods & Goddesses may feel more of love’s effects than we do.
It is said that Zeus courted the Goddess Hera for 300 years. Could you wait that long? When I taught my students about the Goddess Aphrodite, some were surprised to learn that a Deity could feel pain & lost so deeply as we do. She love Her Adonis, a love shared by the Goddess Persephone in the Underworld. These Goddesses went to Zeus to make a decision who had a claim on his love. Zeus decided that they could each have his presence 4 months out of the year. The other four months were his to himself.
So Goddesses had to share a lover. I would not, but I am not Divine. Adonis spent most of his free time with Aphrodite. Queen Persephone must have felt pain with this knowledge. She was married to Hades, yet she longed for this Adonis. The God Ares loved Aphrodite, even though she was married to God Hephaistos. Hephaistos knew Aphrodite loved Ares. His pain & pride must have taken a blow. Both Gods have reason to feel wounded. Aphrodite, being free as the Goddess of love, can love who she chooses.
Adonis was the great love of Her heart. They loved, laughed, even went hunting together. Aphrodite made a stunning Goddess of the hunt, running & lifting Her dress as she followed Adonis. But Adonis made enemies. The God of war Aries. Artemis wasn’t thrilled that Aphrodite & Adonis hunted Her prized animals. The Goddess Aphrodite warned Adonis to be careful. There was wild boars that could kill him with their tusks. But Adonis kept enjoying the woods, even without Aphrodite. She has Her duties to take care of.
Aphrodite heard the cries of Her beloved Adonis. We have heard the cries of our loved ones. It cuts like a knife. He was mortally wounded by a boar. His blood was pouring out on the ground. The Goddess Aphrodite jumped into Her chariot & came to him. She leaped out, screaming to the heavens above. Taking him into Her arms, she too was bloody. She pulled out Her own hair. Aphrodite tore apart Her dress. It is the picture I attached to this post. Look at Aphrodite, see Her run to him!
This Goddess could not let him die. Have you been in this situation, trying to bargain with a Deity for a life? She poured the nectar of the Deities over his blood. From that sprang an anemone flower, blood red as a pomegranate. That flower lives a short span of time and dies, its petals are blown by the winds. We use flowers at the death of our loved ones too. But a little of Adonis’ blood was sprinkled on white roses. These are the red roses we give to those we love. Passion flowers that speak of love from the giver to the beloved.
The Gods & Goddesses we love can capture our hearts as well. But we are free to respond to their advances. Both the Divine & mortal hearts know that Love is the gift money can’t buy. (not sexual favors) It is the greatest gift we can give to other, but the Deities truly treasure our love. Believe it or not, they prize it above any offering. If you have received a small measure of their love, you know that we can receive nothing greater in this life & the one to come.
Remember when you withhold love, whether a spouse, child, companion or friend, that is a mortal wound. When the Deities have loved you & you take their love for granted, you can wound them. Even if you are busy with many things, remember to offer them words of love, devotion and praise. Without their love, a soul can wither and fade away. A Deity who offered their love to you and was not loved in return. How do they feel? Never take their divine love for granted.
Reverend Donna M. Swindells FOI
Come beloved, the night has been too long. I have grown cold & wither without your touch. I resist no more, “I surrender” is my song. Let your presence sweep over me, may I feel your divine presence. At last, I cry “no more” and let my barren soul cry, Lord, your love is too much!
Walking the mystic's path 