Casual..? Erm No.

She came to Ida, flowing Ida, Ida of the streams,
with gray wolves behind her and bright lions
and thisck bears and quick hungry panthers.
They moved like dancers around her.
She moved like a woman in love.
And when they saw this, they grew
hot and full of longing - even animals grow
hot and full of longing in her presence -
and two by two they left her, following
each other into the valleys to mate,
their bodies hot and full of longing.
And so, we too. And so, we too.

--Homeric hymn to Aphrodite

In honoring her, we must also be careful to balance her power with those that offer more protection to our deepest selves.

Love and sexuality, two great powers in the universe, connected and yet disparate... for some at least, more than others. It's always been a minefield for me, if that can even be considered the right word, because I find it hard to separate the two. Sure, physical attraction works and happens - but I personally couldn't ever contemplate 'mating' without 'loving.'

Casual sex... that's what they call it, right? The term, the very thought of it sends me running screaming for the hills. Maybe that's because for me, on a spirital level I see the bonds that such a connection between two individuals makes - even unwittingly. To open oneself so intimately to another, how can that fail to make connections that will endure, perhaps not consciously, but certainly through a spiritual, or kharmic resonance through lifetime after lifetimes - like ripples in a pool. Yes, go ahead and call me a snob right now... all stuck up and uppity. But no... I wouldn't ever judge another for their choices, though I might worry for them, I'm talking about for myself. For me, sharing myself so openly with another is a sacred and a spiritual act that carries deep connections, deepens the love I feel for the other. I've always felt that way and goddess willing, I always will. That doesn't mean I' 'precious' about it - at least I hope not - I'm human after all and do feel desire for and with the one I love. I'd hate to think that my attitude puts pressure on my guy, wonderful and loving in all regards as she is... just that in those times when it might seem that I'm being demanding and needful, there is, behind those impulses a world and lifetimes to come of love.