LATER YEARS
Some Aphrodite women retain the capacity to see beauty in, and
always be a little in love with, whatever or whomever they focus
on. They grow old with grace and vitality. Their interest in others
or involvement with creative work remains the most important part
of their lives. They hold on to a youthful attitude as they move un-
selfconsciously from experience to experience, and person to person,
fascinated with whatever comes next. Typically young at heart, they
attract others to them and have friends of all ages. For example,
Imogene Cunningham even in her nineties was a spritely photograph-
er who continued to capture the beauty she saw on film, and in turn
drew others to photograph her.
PSYCHOLOGICAL DIFFICULTIES
It is not easy to have Aphrodite as a compelling archetype. Women
who follow Aphrodite’s instinctive sexuality often get caught
between, on the one hand, their own desire for sexual connection
and their proclivity for generating erotic energy in others, and, on
the other hand, a culture that considers a woman promiscuous if
she acts on her desires and a tease if she does not.
IDENTIFYING WITH APHRODITE
A woman most closely identified with Aphrodite often is an extra-
verted woman with a lust for life and a fiery element in her person-
ality. She likes men and draws them to her with her attractiveness
and interest in them. Her attentiveness is seductive; she makes a
man feel that he is special and sexy. This attention invites a reciprocal
response in him, generating erotic attraction between them, which
leads to a desire for sexual intimacy. If she identifies with Aphrodite,
she will act on this desire without considering the consequences.
But the consequences may be social condemnation, a series of shallow
relationships, possible exploitation by men who seek sex with her
and nothing more, and subsequent lowered self-esteem. She needs
to know how to contain Aphrodite in some circum-
Goddesses in Everywoman