In Her Service: Reflections from a Priestess of Aphrodite - Book Review by Dawn Thomas

Book Review In Her Service Reflections from a Priestess of Aphrodite

By Laurelei Dabrielle

ISBN: 978-0-6151-6816-6

This book is in a pdf format. I found the information to be well researched. The author writes in the foreword about her relationship with Aphrodite and being a Priestess. She explains how she discovered her path and the Clan of the Laughing Dragon.

In the first chapter Priestess or Prostitute? Ms. Dabrielle discusses the perception of the Aphrodite Priestess-hood. She also gives historical information on the Temples in Ancient Corinth. In the second chapter Erecting the Temple, she gives an example of a temple in a modern scenario. There are also descriptions of the duties of a temple priestess: Invoking the Goddess, Counseling and Healing, along with sexual service.

In the third chapter Liturgy of Grace she includes a basic format for rituals. There is a very complete and thorough listing of names for many Goddesses. The fourth chapter is called Two Rites. There are two rituals which are very detailed. The first ritual is called a Mirror ritual and consists of honoring the beauty within. The second ritual called the Aphrodisia Ritual is a more detailed and lengthy ritual.

The fifth chapter Cultivating Grace – She discusses the three Graces and what the names mean in today’s society and how it is perceived. With Splendor she discusses how it the perception can vary with different people. With Mirth she talks about the art of conversation. The last Grace is Thalia. She is known for good cheer.  There are pockets of information spread throughout this book that really makes the reader think. The sixth chapter The Art of Pleasure – one of the topics in this chapter is to find pleasure in ordinary things. Food, drink, music, dance and the comforts of home are just a few examples.

In the seventh chapter Heiros Gamos the author gives the definition to the term as Sacred Marriage. She gives a brief description on this rite and the pagan community. She also shares a glimpse into a novel she is writing about Sappho as the Priestess on Lesbos. The eighth chapter Dark Gold discusses the darker side of the Goddess. She begins with the competition of the most fair and the golden apple and finishes with darker sexuality.

In the ninth chapter The Temple, Renewed the author gives many group websites. She also includes information for others to start their own groups. There is a very thorough bibliography on the resources she used throughout the book. This book would be great for anyone interested in Aphrodite.