Eros + Psyche

Psyche was an enigma. She and her sisters were known across the lands as the most beautiful women ever to live, and her beauty outshone her sisters by a mile. Her face, though round and perfect, was not what struck the public, though – no, it was her wings. A gorgeous pair of butterfly’s wings flanked Psyche’s shoulders, glinting in the sun and stunning any who had the luck to see them unfurled.  Psyche had a glow so radiant it seemed to transcend the very nature of beauty, causing men and women alike to worship at her feet. 

As the adoration for Psyche grew, so too did the neglect of the temples to Aphrodite. Inflamed with jealousy, Aphrodite swore to wreak havoc upon the girl, a divine punishment to quell the influence of this mere mortal. She summoned her son and devoted servant, Eros, whose golden arrows controlled the heart of any they struck. Aphrodite sent Eros with clear instructions – curse Psyche to fall in love with a hideous monster.  

Eros, ever-loyal to his mother, gathered his bow and arrow. That night, he followed Psyche through the woods, waiting for his shot. As she stepped into the moonlight, he drew back his bow, but was suddenly stricken by her beauty. His brief moment of hesitation proved devastating. The tip of the arrow brushed against his finger as he released the string, sending the arrow careening off into the forest and Eros into a spiral of love for the girl he was sent to curse. 

Despite her beauty, Psyche remained unwed. Her mortal suitors were deterred by her divine admirers, or intimidated by her beauty. No one worthy would step forward to ask for her hand, and those who did broach the task were denied. When she asked why they wanted to marry her, other than her beauty, none had an answer. 

Finally, Psyche and her father sought the advice of the Oracle. Their hopes for a kind fate were dashed by the grim prophecy delivered at Delphi: “Despair, King. Your daughter shall marry a beast even the gods fear. Dress her in funeral clothes and walk her to the tallest spire in the kingdom. There, she shall meet her fate.” 

With heavy hearts, the pair returned home. Seeing no other route forward, they decided to heed the advice of the Oracle. Why else had they gone there, if not to listen? Psyche dressed in her best mourning clothes and bid her sisters farewell. 

Her hike was long and arduous, the sweat beading on her forehead the whole way. When she finally reached the top, she was struck with a sense of emptiness – she had been so focused on the journey that she realized now, she had no idea what to do next. Resigning herself to whatever fate the Oracle foresaw, Psyche sat in the shade to wait. The cool breeze was a welcome reprieve, lulling the exhausted girl into a deep sleep. 

That same cool breeze wrapped the sleeping girl in its gentle grip, and carried her off. When she awoke, Psyche found herself in a magnificent palace placed in a nook amongst the clouds. The halls were grand, the rooms elegant and sprawling. Though she should have been scared, Psyche never flinched, feeling totally relaxed in the sunlight-soaked haven. She explored the cavernous, winding building, running her fingers along the exquisite tilework and looking into every hidden door. The expansive castle seemed to be all for her, without another soul to be found.

As the sun passed below the horizon, a feeling of loneliness fell over Psyche. She had never spent so many hours alone before. Just as she began to ponder whether she would be alone here forever, a voice spoke out to her. 

“Psyche?” the voice asked tentatively. 

“Who’s there?!” Psyche screamed, whipping her head around, but there was no one to be seen. The room was empty. “What’s happening?” 

“I’m sorry - I didn’t - Did I scare you?” the voice spoke, a gentle tone betrayed by an anxious waver. “I’m the one who brought you here.” 

“Why can’t I see you?” 

Eros paused. How could he explain? His heart beat for this girl, but his mother’s anger would never cease. He could not reveal himself. Psyche would recognize him, spread her beautiful wings, and flee. Aphrodite would hear of his sin within the hour. Suddenly, he recalled the prophecy of the Oracle, and a plan formed in his mind. 

“I am your hideous monster. I won’t let you see my face, for you will run from me in disgust. I won’t tell you my name, for you know my face already. This way, we can get to know each other without being hindered by my physical appearance.” 

This, Psyche understood. She had been ogled over her entire life, never having anyone take the time to see deeper. And so, she agreed. The two met only under the cover of darkness, where neither could make out the features of the other, and a beautiful bond began to form. 

During the days, Psyche wandered the halls, read books, cooked, and finally discovered herself outside of those who followed her. By night, Eros returned. Each evening the two spent hours talking, learning, loving. 

During one of her long, lonesome days, Psyche returned to her home on the ground. She told her sisters of her wonderful new life, but the girls could not embrace the trust that Psyche and her mysterious lover had developed. As the smile drained from Psyche’s face, her sisters convinced her to discover his true identity. 

Psyche thought on her sisters’ comments. Her instincts said not to listen, but the more she reflected, the more curious she became. Finally, she summoned her sisters to the palace, and the three devised a plan. 

That night, Psyche welcomed Eros as usual. They ate dinner in the dark, laughed, and drank. At the end of the evening, Eros opened the bedroom door, only to find Psyche’s sisters sitting with a lit oil lamp between them. His handsome face contorted with anger and betrayal, accentuated by the lamp’s jumping shadows. He turned to Psyche, looking for an answer, but saw only a beautiful girl crying beautiful tears. 

Devastated by betrayal, Eros choked out the only thing he could think to say - “Please don’t tell my mother.” 

He was too late, though. Psyche’s sisters recognized him, too, and the pair was already gathering their things. They fled from the castle, calling out for Aphrodite. In a flash, she appeared, a cloud of rage sweeping into the palace with her. Aphrodite dragged Eros home, locking him away as punishment. Eros begged for Aphrodite to let him be happy with Psyche, but Aphrodite refused. 

Psyche prayed to the goddess every night asking for a reprieve. “Please, just let me see him one more time. You reign over love, you must understand.” 

This plea struck a chord with Aphrodite, but her anger was unquelled. She appeared to Psyche, imposing upon her a series of near-impossible trials, each more perilous than the last. Aphrodite thought Psyche would crumble under the weight of task after task, but Psyche faced each task set before her with unwavering determination, driven by her love for Eros. 

Psyche’s final task led her to the feet of Zeus, the great king of the gods. As she knelt in his throne room, she began to cry. Woefully, she confessed her story to Zeus, who was moved by her passion and dedication. Offering his hand to the kneeling, sobbing girl, Zeus resolved to end this petty squabble. Aphrodite’s rage was sparked by the idea that a mortal would be worshiped above a goddess like herself. Zeus saw in Psyche what the mortals respected, and so he chose to grant her divinity. 

Suddenly, Aphrodite had no right to anger. Psyche and Eros were reunited, and their love only grew with time. Her ascent to godhood was more than just a mere elevation of status, though – it was a deification of the human soul. Psyche became a symbol of hope, resilience, and the belief that love could conquer even the insurmountable challenge of fate. The story of Eros and Psyche echoed through the ages, the pair that fought the gods to be together and won.