Aphrodite Epitymbidia Altar Box (She Upon the Grave)

This vintage altar box honors Aphrodite Epitymbidia, She Upon the Grave. This aspect of Aphrodite was often depicted in cemeteries, where she would be the last friendly face the departed saw before beginning their journey. Likewise, she brought comfort to the mourner in the graveyard when they went to visit those who passed. We offer this altar box to all who need her comfort in these trying times. All offerings fit securely in the ceramic altar box, which appears reminiscent to a coffin decorated with flowers. A rose motif is visible across the entire box, while the top appears as if flowers were just laid on top of it. It includes a golden floral closure. As all components are able to fit inside this box, it is a perfect fit for folx still in the broom closet who may need to tuck their altars away from time to time, and those who have limited space available to them.

This altar box contains the following offerings:
- 1 bust of Aphrodite, made in bonded charcoal with golden details imbedded on her front
- 1 golden pocket statue of Kybele, with whom this form of Aphrodite was syncretized t times
- 1 shimmering pearlescent altar tile depicting Aphrodite handing the Arrows of Love to her son Eros, a frequent companion of hers in her gravesite role
- 1 silver altar tile of Aphrodite leaning into Eros at her side, with wind sweeping around them
- 1 pink tombstone shaped depiction of Aphrodite rising from the waters and drying her hair; she was depicted in this form in ancient gravesites
- 3 antique gold coins, honoring how 2 coins used to be placed on the eyes of those who passed before burial so they would be able to pay Charon, the Ferryman who sees those who pass to the Afterlife
- 1 Pisces altar tile in black with golden details, with two intertwined fish, honoring the river itself that must be passed to reach the afterlife
- 1 Pisces wax seal magnet, for the same purpose
- 1 Aphrodite coin, made with rose petals and gold leaf, echoing the coins traditionally left on the eyes; we offer this one as payment directly to Aphrodite for the comfort she brings
- 1 Aphrodite altar tile in soft blue, depicting her in a mermaid form among waves, that she may cross any rivers with us that we may need to traverse in our journey
- 1 framed dagger wax seal, paying respect to the pain felt when we lose a loved one; the grief we feel reveals the depth of our love for the one we have lost, and we offer this tile to honor that grief
- 1 small sea dollar, an additional form of oceanic payment as sea dollar are at time said to be the coinage sirens/mermaids use
- 1 piece of obsidian, to ground the feelings of grief and release them into the darkness
- 1 packet of coffin nails with informational page, honoring the connection with those who pass
- 1 floral offering pack of rose petals and Scotch broom; rose petals were associated with death and rebirth in Roman thought, while Scotch broom has been used in love divination throughout the ages
- 1 white rose bouquet representing the bouquets we leave at the gravesites of those we once loved, in white as this is a traditional Mediterranean death color
- 1 oceanic snail shell, honoring the homes we carry with us in our hearts as a snail carries its home on its back in its shell, that we may ever carry the memories of our loved ones with us wherever we are

This box measures 3.25 x 5 x 3.25 inches.