who loves to outsmart “slower” minds. He’s full of potential, often
very talented though undisciplined, charismatic, and not committed
to work or to her. Typically, he breezes in and out of her life. Pinning
him down to anything is like trying to hold on to quicksilver. He
talks in “maybes,” and plays with the fantasy about living together
or getting married. But she had better not count on it, because he’s
the last one to ever make a commitment. Sex with him is unpredict-
able and highly charged. He’s a charming, sensitive lover, a playful
Peter Pan who may never grow up.
Aphrodite-Hermes combinations suit some Aphrodite women
very well, in that both share a here-and-now intensity and lack of
commitment. However, if Aphrodite and Hera are both strong ar-
chetypes, this is a very painful match for her. Such a woman will
bond deeply to him and be tormented by jealousy. Sexuality between
them is intense. She is monogamous and wants to marry, but usually
must settle for an arrangement that suits his need to come and go.
A mature Hermes man, however, is able to commit himself to
work and to a relationship (as noted earlier, he may marry a Hestia
woman); he’s likely a business man or communicator rather than
an elusive eternal youth. If so, the Aphrodite-Hermes match can be
an excellent one. Their relationship can survive flirtations and even
affairs, because neither are jealous or possessive people. Moreover,
the relationship can endure because they enjoy each other’s company
and style. She keeps up with his on-the-move pace, which is compat-
ible with her own. They can be intensely involved with each other
one moment and independent the next, which suits them both.
MARRIAGE
If Aphrodite is one of several strong archetypes including Hera,
then her presence enhances and vitalizes marriage with sexuality
and passion. An enduring monogamous marriage, however, is often
difficult for an Aphrodite woman to attain. Unless other goddesses
are influential in containing Aphrodite within the marriage, or the
marriage is a particularly fortuitous combination, she will probably
follow a pattern of serial
Goddesses in Everywoman