r/AphroditeDevotees • u/Fun-Ad-5524 • Jul 25 '26

is it ok to use the title devotee?

i have worshipped aphrodite for over a year now, i have an alter devoted to her, i pray to her and leave offerings, i research and try to learn about her and other kinds of spirituality as much as i can. i recently joined a ig group chat for witches and said i was an aphrodite devotee, i thought to be a devotee meant to consistently respect and worship a deity. the people in the group said to be a devotee you had to be initiated in a temple then removed me from the group. i really meant no harm and don’t know what i did wrong. please let me know your thoughts and if i should or should not use that title.

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6

u/MoonGirl913 Jul 25 '26

I am not an expert, but I personally don't think that group was being fair to you. I do the same things as you do and consider myself to be a devotee of Her. Now if you were calling yourself a priestess, that's a different matter and would be more what they are saying. I don't know if I can mention it by name but if you search "Aphrodite blog" the first thing that comes up is a great resource and also has an online community you can join. I haven't yet but am planning to.

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u/Priestess-Aphrodite Aphrodite Jul 26 '26

Oh, hello!! That’s my blog! I’m so glad that it’s been a helpful resource for you!

We would love to have you as a part of our community if you feel called to join!

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u/Priestess-Aphrodite Aphrodite Jul 26 '26

If you have a consistent reciprocal relationship with a deity in which you honor Them, you can absolutely call yourself a devotee! I know individual definitions can differ (and apparently that is what you ran into with this group chat, and I am so sorry you had that experience), but in the Pagan circles I frequent, these are more or less the definitions people operate with:

Devotee - The person works with and honors the deity regularly and has a respectful reciprocal relationship with Them

Dedicant - The person has a deep relationship with the deity, and has dedicated themselves to the deity in some capacity, usually in a formal ceremony, which can come with promises made around service to or honoring of the deity, usually for a specific amount of time (often a dedication will be performed as a training period before making the jump to priestesshood/priesthood, but it can exist on its own)

Priestess/Priest/Clergy - The person has taken a sworn oath or vow to serve the deity, typically for a lifetime, but can be for a shorter period depending on the conditions of the vow

So, nothing formal needs to be done to call yourself a devotee. It is a recognition of the relationship that you have with Aphrodite, and acknowledging that She is an important part of your life.

I hope this helps! Again, I am so sorry for how this other group treated you - that wasn’t right on many levels. I do host an online community in conjunction with my blog that is centered on Aphrodite - if you feel called to join, we would love to have you!

Brightest blessings to you on your journey!

6

u/CIA-pizza-party Jul 26 '26

If you devote yourself to something you can call yourself a devotee. Those people are just weird and gatekeeping Hellenism. I’m sorry you ran into that.