Meeting the Goddess Erotic
Interview with Raye Andrews,
Owner of Aphrodite's Toy Box
by Lisa Iris

How do the words “Adult Store” make you feel as a woman, mildly embarrassed or disappointed? Perhaps at such a place you experienced a less than nurturing environment where your needs were not met.
Rather imagine a “Sensuality Boutique” where you’d bring your friends - a celebratory oasis dedicated to women’s pleasure, health and self-expression. As you venture within, you’re surprised by the upbeat sense of community and plethora of activities. Imagine art exhibits, book signings, dance classes, catered bachelor-ette, birthday, divorce parties and Sunday champagne brunches as fare du jour.
Imagine your eyes sweeping across a girls’ clubhouse of wood, stained glass, burgundy curtains and mirrors, a cozy alcove for reading or dishing, a riot of costumes and accessories for all themes and variations.
As you sway to music that greets you at the door, “All acts of love and pleasure are My ritual” whispers in your ear.
Meeting Raye, you’re embraced by a warm and generous heart. Wise in all things erotic and esoteric, her conversation is sensitive to your path along amour's adventures. With spiraling tresses, a honeyed voice and lynx-like eyes that change color, Raye is a charismatic presence, an imposing avatar of Mighty Aphrodite and a savvy business woman.
Lisa: Raye, your vision and how you created your store is the stuff of legend! How did the schism between sex and spirituality occur and how do we heal it?
Raye: In my opinion, the schism was created by the advent of patriarchal monotheism that stipulated that sex is solely for the purpose of wedded procreation. The teachings of modern organized religion deny the spiritual components of sexuality for the purpose of controlling human behavior. The healing needs to begin within each individual by removing the preconceived taboos about sex and by ultimately embracing healthy sexuality as part of your spirituality. Spirituality is an integral part of our whole. It empowers us. It supports us and reconciles issues of guilt and suppression that we have wrapped around our sexuality.
Lisa: What is the connection between sex, self-knowledge and creativity?
Raye: They are all part of our individual freedoms. And, this can only be discovered by fully embracing our capacities for sex, creativity and self-knowledge.
Lisa: A woman recovering from a loss, an illness or a bad relationship can reconnect with her creativity and spirituality, laugh again and get her groove back. Do you consider your vision a healing center?
Raye: Absolutely! Additionally, it is a happy, healthy, helpful environment that promotes individual empowerment. The more that you can empower yourself the better you can heal yourself. It is a large part of the process of healing. Our desire to aid in healing is part of why we offer dance classes because it brings joy, happiness and fulfillment.

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