Hymn to
Venus
By Lucretius,
On the Nature of Things
(De Rerum Natura), Book I
Mother of Aeneas and his race, delight
of men and gods, life-giving Venus, it is your doing that under the wheeling
constellations of the sky all nature teems with life, both the sea that
buoys up our own ships and the earth that yields our food. Through you all
living creatures are conceived and come forth to look upon the sunlight.
Before you the winds flee, and at your coming the clouds forsake the sky.
For you the inventive earth flings up sweet flowers. For you the ocean
levels laugh, the sky is calmed and glows with diffused radiance.
When first the day puts on the aspect of spring, when in all its force the
fertilizing breath of Zephyr is unleashed, then, great Goddess, the birds of
air give the first intimation of your entry; for yours is the power that has
pierced them to the heart. Next the cattle run wild, frisk through the lush
pastures and swim the swift-flowing streams.
Spell-bound by your charm,, they follow you lead with fierce desire. So
throughout seas and uplands, rushing torrents, verdurous meadows and the
leafy shelters of the birds, into the breast of one and all you instill
alluring love, so that with passionate longing they reproduce their several
breeds.
Since you alone are the guiding power of the universe and without you
nothing emerges into the shining sunlit world to grow in joy and loveliness,
yours is the partnership I seek ...
Meanwhile, grant that this brutal business of war by sea and land may
everywhere be lulled to rest. For you alone have power to bestow on mortals
the blessing of quiet peace. In your bosom Mars himself, supreme commander
in this brutal business, flings himself down at times, laid low by the
irremediable wound of love. Gazing upward, his neck a prostrate column, he
fixes hungry eyes on you, great Goddess, and gluts them with love. As he
lies outstretched, his breath hangs upon your lips.
Stoop, then, Goddess most glorious, and enfold him at rest in your hallowed
bosom and whisper with those lips sweet words of prayer, beseeching for the
people of Rome untroubled peace.
Transl. R.E. Latham, adapted.
(NY: Penguin Classics, 1951), p. 2
Orphic Hymn
to Aphrodite
Heavenly Aphrodite, much
hymned,
Lover of laughing, sea-born,
birth-giving Goddess,
Lover of feasts
which last through the night,
Majestic, strength in the night, connector,
Weaver of wiles, mother of need,
Since the World lies under your yoke and
You rule the Three Fates,
And are parent of all things
in the heavens
and in the fruit-filled Earth
and the depth of the sea,
Majestic Comrade of Kakchos,
whose joy is abundance,
Maker of marriage,
Mother of desire,
Source of persuasion,
Grantor of favour,
Worker in secret, seen and not seen....
The Orphic Hymns were Greek poems once attributed to the legendary Orpheus,
but written by mystics of the Hellenistic Age.
This version was adapted by Christa Landon from Geoffrey Grigson's
translation.
Prayer to Venus
As the Evening Star
By John Fletcher,
Elizabethan poet & playwright
O
Divine Star of Heaven,
Thou in power above the seven:
Thou sweet kindler of desires
Till they grow to mutual fires:
Thou, O gentle Queen that art
Curer of each wounded heart:
Thou the fuel, and the flame;
Thou in Heaven and here the same:
Thou the wooer, and the woo'd:
Thou the hunger, and the food:
Thou the prayer, and the pray'd:
Thou what is, or shall be said:
Thou still young, and golden tressed,
Make me by thy answer blessed.
Ancient classical symbols of
Venus/Aphrodite:
the dove
the swan
shellfish
rose
myrtle
violets
the sea
adornments
mirrors
Malachite
copper and it's alloys
Taurus and
Libra are signs ruled by Venus.
In the Quabalah, the number 7 and the color green are identified with the
planet Venus.
Dove Song
By Harrison
Oft the
west wind stirs the heart's desire
And the fair star of love rises high
The eternal oceans, ere their sighs expire
Cast upon the daedal earth, their starry eyes
Rise, fairest dew of morning,
Of golden hair, and dove white skin
Crimsoned lipped singer of seasons,
Beloved song of the shore bird's kin
Of the silver Light, thou head adorned
Sweet meadow roses, and clover blooms
And ay the gods of the lower realms
Feel thy love, upon the waxing moon
For hark its shining dove song,
The dove song of thy waxing moon.
Rise, for hear the ocean's ebbing,
Thy nymphs at moon edged waters play,
Sing the song, which arises love
And calls thee from thy hidden bower,
O sweet dove voiced Goddess, I now pray
Sparkling Moon of many powers,
Arise to me this day
For all of love ends well, for naught
But love may show the way.
Used with permission.
Some Related
Goddesses
Venus
(identified by Romans with Aphrodite)
Astarte
"The
brilliant face of the Full Moon, the Red Goddess of all love and battles,
Aphrodite Ourania (Heavenly Aphrodite) has blessed me with with Her
divine inspiration. I have learned from her that each person deserves so
much more, that I need to give more of my love to others. She will open up
the hidden chambers in each of us, She is the sea born Lady of Love, but Her
worship began as that of Celestial Astarte, and so Her greatness is awesome,
and all emcompassing, many bright wishes, love and light.
