The Temple of Aphrodite Asteria is a spiritual organization that honors the Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of Love, Beauty, Pleasure, Fertility, War, the Sea, and the Starry Sky.

Members of the Temple are adults of any gender, sexual orientation, relationship status, occupation, race, age, and nationality. We represent a wide spectrum of abilities and neurotypes. We consider ourselves followers, devotees, lovers, and/or Priestexes of Aphrodite.

Our core values reflect Aphrodisian philosophy and embodiment, including:

• sustainable and organic growth and development

• loving, supportive presence in the lives of our members

• non-dogmatic teaching and learning approaches

• democratic leadership and community involvement

• financial accessibility for all of Aphrodite's people

• non-violent, heart-centered communication 

• body-positive, inclusive, and intersectional lens of beauty

• sex-positive models of relationship and connection

The Temple of Aphrodite Asteria seeks to promote the works of lovely Aphrodite in the world through ceremony, fellowship, education, activism, scholarship, travel, and experiential opportunities. We are committed to the principles of Love, Beauty, Pleasure, Harmony, and Empowerment.

The Temple of Aphrodite Asteria offers (or will offer, in the fullness of time) the following programs and offerings:

• Dovecote Seminary -- Training and teaching for Thiasotes (devotees) and Hierodules (priestexes)

• Vinalia Rustica Symposium -- annual online Aphrodite conference

• Soul Journey Retreats -- 4-day intensive in-person retreats

• Golden Rose Journal -- quarterly publication

• Temenos Project -- purchase and development of sacred land with physical Temple center

• Thiasoi Network -- local/regional groups who meet in-person for ritual

• Agora Program -- marketplace of members' shops/services

• Project Odyssey -- bi-annual pilgrimages to Aphrodite's sacred sites in Greece

• Golden Rose Imprint -- subdivision of Asteria Books for Temple publications (journal, books, etc.)

The Temple exists in a hybrid space with most communication happening online from Temple members around the globe. The Hierophant and founder of this Temple resides in Kentucky, and in-person retreats and rituals are typically centered in Northern Kentucky and Southern Indiana. 

The Temple of Aphrodite Asteria was founded in 2007 by Laurelei Black, and it initially operated as a Thiasos (or a local collection of devotees) of Aphrodite. The group offered classes and ceremonies at gatherings such as Indianapolis Pagan Pride Day, the Babalon Rising Pan-Thelemic Festival, Horn & Honey, and other local events promoting pagan, polytheistic, or Aphrodisian themes. 

Group membership was originally restricted to active participants in the local community until 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic limited these efforts even further.

Laurelei continued to write and teach about Aphrodite, and in 2023 a conscientious decision was made to open Temple membership to all of Aphrodite's people, wherever they may be.

Many of our programs and projects are in the fledgling stage, and a dedicated cadre of melissae ("bees" -- one of the names given to collectives of priestexes) will be needed to develop, implement, and expand them in the years to come.

Aphrodite has waited, patiently and gently, reminding those who would listen that she is only a heartbeat away. Her ancient centers of worship may be ruins, but we continue to build and rebuild the Temple in our hearts and in the world around us.