Ladies of Love: Top 10 Deities to Call on for Romance

Love has always been a mysterious force that’s captivated our hearts and minds. From the earliest days of human history, we’ve yearned for ways to draw love into our lives, to enhance the passion we feel, and to create lasting connections with those we cherish. It’s really no wonder that love spells have held a special place in our collective imagination.

Whether you’re single and seeking your soulmate, in a relationship looking to rekindle that spark, or simply hoping to strengthen the bonds of love around you, love spells have a magnetic allure. They’re like a cosmic shortcut to manifesting the love you desire. The thing that makes a good love spell isn’t manipulating feelings, it’s opening your own heart to experiences and creating an environment where love can bloom.

When it comes to love spells, many witches turn to goddesses for guidance, assistance, and inspiration. These powerful divine beings, often associated with love, fertility, and passion, bring their unique energies to your spellwork.

In this modern age, connecting with divine feminine energy is not just about tapping into tradition; it’s about embracing the strength, wisdom, and sensuality that goddesses represent. Whether you’re a seasoned witch or a newbie to the world of magic, invoking these goddesses can add depth and authenticity to your love spells.

Top 10 Ladies of Love

Aphrodite

Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, beauty, and desire, is a timeless icon of passion. She was born from the sea foam and is celebrated for her irresistible allure and enchanting grace. She has the power to make hearts flutter and ignite the fires of love wherever she goes.

Correspondences:

  • Symbols: Doves, roses, seashells
  • Colors: Pink and seafoam green
  • Herbs: Rose, myrtle, jasmine
  • Crystals: Rose quartz, pearls

Invocation for Aphrodite

“Aphrodite! Goddess of love!

By sea and foam, you came to be,

Bring love and desire, now to me.

Aphrodite, hear me now!”

Freya

Freya, the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, is a fierce and independent deity. She rules over the realm of Fólkvangr and is known for her captivating allure and bravery in battle. Freya’s energy is potent and empowering, making her a formidable ally in matters of the heart.

Correspondences:

  • Symbols: Cats, falcons, spinning wheel
  • Colors: Red and gold
  • Herbs: Meadowsweet, thyme, vervain
  • Crystals: Amber, moonstone

Invocation for Freya

“Freya! Goddess bold and free!

With amber’s glow and falcon’s flight,

Bring love’s passion, pure and bright.

Freya, hear me now!”

Hathor

Hathor, the Egyptian goddess of love, music, and joy, embodies the celebration of life and love. Often depicted as a cow or a woman with cow horns, she exudes nurturing and sensual energy. Hathor’s love can heal and uplift, making her a beloved figure in Egyptian mythology.

Correspondences:

  • Symbols: Cow, sistrum (musical instrument), mirror
  • Colors: Gold and turquoise
  • Herbs: Rose, frankincense, myrrh
  • Crystals: Lapiz Lazuli, turquoise

Invocation for Hathor

“Hathor! Goddess of love and grace!

With sistrum’s song and mirrors bright,

Fill my heart with love’s sweet light.

Hathor, hear me now!”

Venus

Venus is the Roman goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. She’s the Roman equivalent of Aphrodite, and her tales of love and mischief are the stuff of legend. Venus was born from sea foam, just like Aphrodite, and she’s often depicted riding a clamshell to shore. Romans adored her, and they believed that she could inspire not just romantic love but also prosperity and good fortune.

Correspondences:

  • Symbols: Doves, seashells, mirrors
  • Colors: Red and white
  • Herbs: Rose, myrtle, vervain
  • Crystals: Emerald, sapphire

Invocation for Venus

“Venus! Goddess of the morning star!

With doves in flight and mirrors fair,

Surround me with love’s tender care.

Venus, hear me now!”

Oshun

Oshun is a radiant Yoruba goddess of love, beauty, and sensuality. She dances through the waters, leaving a trail of golden ripples in her wake. In Yoruba tradition, she’s seen as the embodiment of sweet and flowing love, the kind that intoxicates the heart. Oshun is a protector of lovers and a muse for artists.

Correspondences:

  • Symbols: Flowing water, peacock feathers, honey
  • Colors: Yellow and gold
  • Herbs: Sunflower, cinnamon, vanilla
  • Crystals: Citrine, amber

Invocation for Oshun

“Oshun! Goddess of rivers and streams!

With honey’s sweetness and peacock’s grace,

Bring love’s warmth to every place.

Oshun, hear me now!”

Bastet

Bastet, the Egyptian goddess of home, fertility, and protection, may seem like an unexpected choice for love magic, but she’s all about safeguarding the love you already have. Often depicted as a lioness or a woman with the head of a lioness, Bastet’s fierceness shields those she cares for.

Correspondences:

  • Symbols: Lioness, sistrum (musical instrument), ankh
  • Colors: Green and gold
  • Herbs: Catnip, rosemary, lavender
  • Crystals: Carnelian, Cat’s Eye

Invocation for Bastet

“Bastet! Goddess fierce and true!

With lion’s might and ankh in hand,

Safeguard love as shifting sands.

Bastet, hear me now!”

Ishtar

Ishtar, the Mesopotamian goddess of love, fertility, and war, is a complex deity with a rich history. She’s often depicted as a radiant figure with wings, symbolising her power to ascend to the heavens. Ishtar’s tales involve epic love stories and courageous battles. She embodies the fierce passion of love and the strength to overcome any obstacle in its pursuit.

Correspondences:

  • Symbols: Eight-pointed star, lion, dove
  • Colors: Red and gold
  • Herbs: Myrrh, rose, cedarwood
  • Crystals: Red jasper, hematite

Invocation for Ishtar

“Ishtar! Goddess so bright!

In battles of love, I’ll always stand,

With your fierce passion, hand in hand.

Ishtar, hear me now!”

Lakshmi

Meet Lakshmi, the radiant Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity, and love. She is often depicted seated on a lotus flower, with cascades of gold coins flowing from her hands. Lakshmi embodies the beauty of abundance and the love that nurtures it. Her presence is said to bring not just material wealth but also spiritual and emotional richness.

Correspondences:

  • Symbols: Lotus flower, elephant, gold coins
  • Colors: Gold and pink
  • Herbs: Jasmine, lotus, basil
  • Crystals: Clear quartz, yellow topaz

Invocation for Lakshmi

“Lakshmi! Goddess of fortune and grace!

With lotus blooms and coins of gold,

Bless my life, my heart and soul.

Lakshmi, hear me now!”

Astarte

Astarte, the Phoenician goddess of love, fertility, and war, holds a unique place in mythology. Often associated with the planet Venus, she represents the cycle of life and the ebb and flow of love. Astarte’s worship was both passionate and symbolic, emphasising the balance between love’s beauty and the strength to protect it.

Correspondences:

  • Symbols: Crescent moon, star, lion
  • Colors: Red and silver
  • Herbs: Myrtle, rose, almond
  • Crystals: Moonstone, selenite

Invocation for Astarte

“Astarte! Goddess of love and might!

With crescent moon and star so bright,

Keep love’s flame in your sacred light.

Astarte, hear me now!”

Rati

Rati, the Hindu goddess of love, passion, and desire, is often portrayed as the personification of sensual desire. Her story revolves around her deep love for her husband, Kamadeva, the god of love. Rati’s devotion and the power of her love make her an essential deity in matters of the heart.

Correspondences:

  • Symbols: Bow and arrow, lotus flower, parrot
  • Colors: Red and pink
  • Herbs: Rose, jasmine, hibiscus
  • Crystals: Rhodonite, ruby

Invocation for Rati

“Rati! Goddess of desire and flame!

Your parrot’s song enchants the night,

With your guidance, love takes flight.

Rati, hear me now!”

Whether it’s the fiery passion of Ishtar, the nurturing love of Lakshmi, or the sensual desire of Rati, these goddesses remind us that love is a multifaceted gem, shining in all different hues.

Just as love takes on countless forms, so do the goddesses who preside over it. Don’t be afraid to explore and connect with these divine beings in your own unique way. Whether through meditation, ritual, or simply acknowledging their presence in your daily life, forging a personal connection with these goddesses can bring profound changes to your relationships and your own understanding of love.

Remember, the journey of love magic is a deeply personal one – and while we have the power to manipulate energies, the highest law is that of free will. Embrace love magic with an open heart, and the know that the power of love, guided by goddesses and worked with ethically, can work wonders in your life.

Jade is a shadow worker and lunar witch, an experienced witchcraft facilitator, and hosts the 8-week High Priestess course: Dedicant.