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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.

Lisa: Is it true that Victoria’s Secret sends their customers to you?
Raye: Yes they do for a couple of reasons. They know that we carry a variety of styles of intimate apparel, hosiery and shoes that they don’t. They also know that we carry apparel to fit larger sized women. When they make a referral they understand that they can comfortably send women to us and feel assured that we will meet their needs.
Lisa: Why do we fear our fantasies? If couples could play more, would there be less conflict in the world?
Raye: It’s not so much that we fear our fantasies but more fear the rejection or judgment or disapproval of our fantasies from others. Of course, if we played more laughed more enjoyed more were more fulfilled in general we would have less conflict in our lives which could translate into less conflict in the world.
Lisa: What do you see in your future?
Raye: Plans for a metaphysical line have always been part of my vision. We’ve spent our first year laying the foundation and now we are ready to implement the part of the plan directly related to spirituality. To offer a metaphysical line, in my mind, is a natural and necessary progression. We already offer scented oils, decorative burners, candles, and aromatherapy. We will carry books related to spirituality. And, we plan to offer information and education including classes in Tarot reading.
Lisa: As the world becomes more Orwellian, is fully experiencing our sexuality a means of sidestepping oppression? Is this part of activating the paradigm of a Goddess culture of beauty and balance?
Raye: Anything that empowers you (spirituality, sexuality, creativity, connectivity, validation, and support), anything that raises you above the fray and supports clarity of mind will help you avoid oppression and/or overcome it. But, no, fully experiencing our sexuality is not a means of sidestepping oppression because someone who fully experiences sexuality will want to end oppression, not simply sidestep it. In essence and as a matter of fact yes it is [a part of activating the Goddess culture].

The inclusive haven you’ve dreamed of exists!
Aphrodite’s Toy Box
3040 N. Decatur Rd
Scottdale GA 30079
404-292-9700

aphroditestoybox.com

The passionate creation of Raye Andrews.

Lisa Iris is an Atlanta artist who is internationally known for her magickal art work. Her work has been featured on the cover of numerous magazines (including regularly on Oracle 20/20), album covers, calendars and books.

Click On The Cover To See A Larger
 Image Of The Art For This Edition

 


 

 

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