Orphic Hymn to Aphrodite Translation

Sky dweller, sung of by many, smile-scattering Aphrodite

sea-born, birthing goddess

who loves to look upon the revels that break at dawn,

holy night-walker that yokes people together in union,

scheming mother of Necessity, everything comes from you

binding the world as you entangle yourself in it,

holding power over the three realms,

you birth everything, all that is found in the sky, on the fertile earth

and in the oceans deep,

the holy one that sits beside Bacchus at the table

feasting in bliss,

the one who prepares people to wed,

mother of the faces of Love,

persuasive one, erupting in joy on the marital bed

enjoyer of bridal pleasures,

hidden secret-keeper,

reigning giver of happiness,

shining one that falls into invisibility,

with curls like tentacles that illicit love,

daughter born to a noble father,

young bride who sits as a companion around the gods’ table,

wand-bearing she-wolf,

who gives nativities and heirs, man-loving, greatly desired one

provider of life, who entangles mortals in untamed necessity

and animals of all kinds under a mania of love,

Come, Cyprus-born, offspring of the divine

whether in Cyprus you find yourself as a sovereign goddess

taking delight in your beautiful face

or seated, rich in Syrian frankincese, attending to your service

or whether through the fields you traverse in a chariot made of gold,

In Egypt, sacred fertility lending baths are in your possession

and on a swan-drawn carriage you move by the swelling of the sea,

coming and rejoicing in the little ones as they dance in circles around you,

or gladden yourself with nymphs, dark-eyed, on this holy earth,

from beach to sandy sea-shore, they leap lightly

seated in Cyprus, a monarch with your wet nurse,

where your beautiful and pure and unwedded nymphs

sing of you

throughout the year,

blessed one

and immortal, pure Adonis

Come, reverend goddess, in your glorious form

I call you with a humble soul, I call you with holy words.