Offerings/ Giving Thanks

[SnowInSummer]

Tis' the season to be thankful... lol. In a previous post I made a little while ago, I had mentioned the power of thought, and stated how I feel that I have to be careful as to what thoughts I put out into the universe, because at least for me, they tend to not go unanswered. Well, I recently had a little romantic issue that I obviously spent a lot of time thinking about, and naturally Aphrodite would enter my mind. Now, I didn't blatantly ask for anything to be done on the matter, but nevertheless she must have responded because my romantic "issue" is an issue no more . I immediately ran outside to have a little chat and have been putting out thankful thoughts ever since, but I do feel this deserves a little more show of gratitude on my part.
So my question to all of you is, what are some ways one might thank Her, or any deity for that matter? I'd like to have a simple candle lighting and a little offering of some kind, but I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment and can't think of what I'd like to do. I would like to thank Aphrodite specifically for this recent event, but I also want to mention a few Others who have been there for me and watched over me. I've always been thankful for Their blessings and gifts, and for making Their presence known to me, but I'd just like to do a little more than "thoughts" to give back since They have done so much for me.

[Siona]

Leaving an offering would be a very traditional way to thank and honor a Greek deity (and that's true of many other pantheons, as well). Incense of many different kinds was a very common traditional offering to Aphrodite, and frankincense and myrrh were particularly common in her worship. Flowers of all sorts, but especially roses and perhaps daffodils, were also common, as were fruits, especially apples and pomegranates. Honey, figs, nuts, sweet wines, sweet cakes, and lettuce were also left. Meat (particularly pork) was not offered in most situations. Perfumes, copper, pearls, mirrors, and seashells are all sacred to Aphrodite and can make interesting non-consumable offerings. Modern offerings she seems to enjoy include high quality chocolate, cream/rich milks, strawberries, tropical fruits, and citrus fruits.

Aphrodite was one of the Greek deities who had a monthly date associated with her, the fourth day of each month - which for the Greeks would have been the fourth day of their lunar cycle, which started with the first sighting of the crescent moon. However, sometimes modern devotees use the 4th day of our calendar month, and of course many associate Friday with her instead. You can leave offerings anytime, of course, but you may want to consider doing something special on her sacred day. You could certainly give offerings and thank other deities at that point, too.

[Queen of the Dead]

Haha, I'm not as helpful as Siona is, but I can tell you that Aphrodite usually enjoys jewelry (especially shell stuff and pearls) and lavender and vanilla are some of her other herbal correspondences. I would imagine that she likes pink and white candles, and possible Rose Quartz. (Again, I'm not that helpful, but yeah.)

[SnowInSummer]

I think I have some quartz and seashells laying around.. I'll get some candles and lay some things out for Her. What do you do with the offerings when you're done?

[Siona]

Depends a bit on what you're offering, and who the offering is for... In Aphrodite's case, traditionally food offerings would have been burnt, at least in part. While I mentioned meat wasn't a common offering, there were certainly some occasions where an animal would be sacrificed to her, and the more inedible parts of the sacrifice would be burned for her, and the rest would actually become a shared meal with whoever was present - so becoming a shared meal between the community and the deity. Obviously the animal sacrifice part applies to very few of us in modern times, but the communal meal idea is still one we can follow. You could also leave the offerings outside for wildlife to eat, as long as the food is safe for them. Libations can be poured out directly on the ground, or into a bowl on the altar which would later be poured outside. (Some even burn these, too, if they can.)

It becomes a bit more complicated with things like jewelry. Usually they're left on the altar for quite a while, and then they might either be buried at some sort of place sacred to the deity, or simply removed from the altar and put in a safe place. Depending on the material of the object, it could also be burnt.