Aphrodite’s Promise

Aphrodite Birth

”I will sing of stately Aphrodite, gold-crowned and beautiful, whose dominion is the walled cities of all sea-set Cyprus. There the moist breath of the western wind wafted her over the waves of the loud-moaning sea in soft foam.” – Homer

The Zephyr (or West Wind) brought Aphrodite to the southwestern shores of Cyprus, near the seaside resort town of Paphos. The rocks, Petra tou Romious, jut out from the quiet blue sea where Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love and beauty, was born. Every good Cypriot knows this Greek myth. Every good Cypriot also knows that to swim in these waters and around the rock three times naked and under a full moon, would ensure they find true love. Maybe it’s the fact that all these people are swimming naked together, who knows? But I love this message. Aphrodite had many lovers, from Ares, the God of War, to Adonis, her mortal lover. The men in Cyprus are similar to Adonis. With their chiseled features, thick, dark wavy hair and tanned skin, they could make the goddess in each of us swoon.

When Aphrodite emerged from the rocks, she came bearing gifts to the people of this island. Aphrodite’s gift to women of Cyprus was a magical girdle. Those who wore it would feel sacred and sensual. Aphrodite’s girdle-wearing woman would possess a power to inspire love and beauty so strong, that men would fall truly, madly and deeply in love with her.

Romantic, right? I fell in love with this wild island the moment my toes touched its sacred ground. After seven years and no longer living like an expat, I discovered my inner Aphrodite. I hope each and every one of you lovely friends out there will, as well.

 

Claudia (106)

Come walk with me and follow @AphroditesPath

6 Comments

  • Reply Helen March 3, 2017 at 2:25 PM

    Dear Claudia, having recently returned from a 3 month holiday in Cyprus (Latchi) and having got married there too, you can tell, we think it is a very special place. We both really loved the very dark brown bread that we were able to buy from the local supermarket, however, no matter who we asked, no one seemed able to tell us the ingredient that gave this lovely tasting bread its colour. Can you help please and better still, if you have a recipe I would love to make my own. I do hope you are able to help. With best wishes, Helen

  • Reply Mo Davies August 6, 2016 at 5:52 AM

    Hi, Claudia – Saw your address on the interview with Can so thought I’d drop by and say g’day. I’m an Australian ex-pat living in North Cyprus, love it, the people are so kind, friendly and helpful! I’m a digital artist, have a husband of nearly 40 years, 3 dogs and 1.5 cats (one cat lives with us some of the time, and with another neighbour some of the time, as cats do!). We were going to be footloose and fancy-free when we moved, but there must be some doggy/moggy underground communication system as the dogs and cats made their way to us and parked their paws under our bed! I do have a request – how about some recipes that are quick to prepare? I have fibromyalgia and spinal problems, so standing for a long time to get food ready is out for me, it’s quick and easy as far as I’m concerned. Take care, lovely to see your really good website. Cheers, Mo Davies http://thecrazycrone.org

    • Reply Claudia August 19, 2016 at 11:14 AM

      Hi Mo,

      Welcome to the island! I love Cyprus, the people, the culture, and the food. Most of my recipes are pretty simple/quick to prepare, but there are a few that are a bit lengthy (dolmas, baklava, etc.). I am in the process of rearranging my website so that the recipes are easier to find/search. Add your name to the newsletter and you will be sent updates of articles as they come out (typically weekly).

      All the best and again: hos geldiniz!

    • Reply Claudia February 13, 2017 at 12:31 PM

      Hi Mo – Welcome to Cyprus! I love your site (just visited). I hope the island is treating you well, and you have survived your first winter. Great suggestion re easy peezy recipes. Most of mine are quick to make (sans spanokopita, baklava and stuffed grape leaves), but perhaps I will write the times of prep vs actual cooking. Thanks for the idea!

      I’d love to meet up on the island. Drop me an email at claudia@livelikeagoddess.com. Talk soon – and enjoy your furry friends!

  • Reply Donna Werstler March 14, 2016 at 2:45 PM

    Hey Claudia,

    Do you have a newsletter or other way of sending folks daily, weekly or monthly tidbits of good, healthy info?

    I was in your class today and thoroughly enjoyed it. Cyrus must be a beautiful place. My late husband and I took three marvelous out-of-the-country vacations (Dominican Republic, Mexico and Curacao) and adored every moment. Most of all, because they were island/water/sunshine/tropical trips in the deaf of winter (while we lived in Indiana). I could move and live in any one of those – in a heartbeat. But, alas, I’m kinda stuck here, now. But, this is already far better than Indiana.

    Thank you so much. Have a lovely day.
    Donna

    • Reply Claudia March 18, 2016 at 9:26 AM

      Hi Donna,

      I’m glad you enjoyed our first Mediterranean Cooking class together. I’m certain you are going to *love* next week’s class on Spanokopita. It’s a family (and friends) favorite. I’m working on developing a regular newsletter now (one of my many to-do’s). In the meantime, sign up for the newsletter at the bottom right, and it will notify you of new posts. Most of my posts revolve around the Mediterranean diet, however I do offer other “lifestyle” tips for those of us who love the laid back nature of the islands.

      Thanks again! Have a great weekend and I’ll see you on Monday –
      Claudia

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