Aphrodite Empitymbidia, Our Lady of the Graves, is a lesser known epithet of the goddess of love and beauty. Aphrodite of the Graves calls back to her origins as Innana and her descent to the Underworld to help her sister grieve the death of her husband. Similarly, Aphrodite has a myth where she descends to the Underworld to make a deal with Persephone for Adonis. In ancient Greece, chthonic deities were not often worshiped as they were considered terrifying deities who did not care for the everyday concerns of mankind. Aphrodite was the mediator, a comforting face and companion on one’s final journey to the underworld. In ancient Greek cemeteries, Aphrodite was the most prominent statue, often accompanied by Eros, who was seen as the mediator for children and animals to the land of the dead.
Our jewelry line dedicated to Aphrodite Empitymbidia, Our Lady of the Graves, calls in symbology from the myths of Aphrodite and the Greek Underworld. With only one exception, our necklaces in her honor are made with vintage pieces as irreplaceable as the loved ones we eventually lose. Here, vintage components call in treasured loved ones, lost to time, reborn to be loved once again. This jewelry is made with a combination of black river stone, matte obsidian, pink coral, pink shell, real freshwater pearls, and vintage champagne pearls. Please see the bottom of this listing for how each of these elements calls in Aphrodite Epitymbidia.
The styles we have available are as follows:
Black river stone: Calling back to the River Styx, the black river stone beads feature prominently to call in the chthonic waters of Hades. The polished and reflecting nature of the stone calls us to re-examine that our grief for losing someone close to us originates from our love for them.
Matte obsidian: Obsidian comes from deep in the earth and is created through volcanic eruption touching the cold waters. Like Aphrodite, the obsidian rises when it touches the sea. With origins in the deepest depths of the Earth, it calls back to the cave cemeteries and temples where Aphrodite was found guarding the dead.
Pink Shell: Pink shell is found on the inner lining of specific mollusks like conches. It is similar to mother of pearl, though the color scheme lends to it being a gentler and more soothing presence. The conch has a deep history of being entwined in several cultures. Famously, it is the conch that allows us to hear the ocean’s roar and it is the conch that also becomes a horn for a battle cry. It has been a companion to us throughout human history, made from the shell of a sea animal, calling in chthonic properties that align with Aphrodite.
Freshwater and Champagne Pearls: Pearls embrace the idea of turning a bad situation into something beautiful. Pearls are made from oysters protecting themselves from irritants. They embody finding the beauty in the worst situations.
Pink Coral: Pink coral was referred to as “pelle d’angelo” or Angel Skin in Italian and is considered to this day a precious material alongside gemstones. It is found in species of coral from Japan, Taiwan and occasionally in the Mediterranean. It is soft love and care to surround ourselves with, reminding us that our loved ones are never forgotten so long as we remember them with love.
To maintain the beauty and integrity of your purchase, we recommend treating it with care. Simple maintenance practices, such as gentle washing and proper storage, can effectively preserve the longevity of your favorites. We encourage you to refer to the care instructions included with each item, designed to help you keep your purchase in top condition.
We strive to process and ship all orders in a timely manner, working diligently to ensure that your items are on their way to you as soon as possible. Need to return something? Just let us know.
Each item is designed to blend harmoniously with your living space while adding a unique touch. We aspire to bring balance and enrichment to everyday life.
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