I’m starting a new Valentine’s tradition for myself. Every year, regardless of my relationship status, I am going to reread the Roman myth of Cupid and Psyche. This year I’m single and happy, but my happiness is unrelated to my lack of a boyfriend. I have plenty of good things going on for me right now, but a relationship would be an added bonus. (lol You can thank "Shit Girls Say" for my revision of the article.) I think it is important to establish a strong, loving relationship with yourself before you can truly appreciate the beauty another person can bring to your life. Anyway, this myth resonates very strongly with me, and I’ve read it dozens of times. If you aren’t familiar with the story, I suggest becoming acquainted. It has a depth that one appreciates more with each reading.
Here is some history for you. The myth/tale first appears in the 2nd century CE Lucius Apuleius novel The Golden Ass. Psykhe comes from Greek meaning “the soul, mind, spirit, breath, life.” She is the representation of the human soul. Cupid, or Eros in Greek, was the god of love/desire, and the son of Aphrodite. Essentially, the story speaks of the union of the soul with love, and the trials a soul must go through to appreciate fully the gift of love. Another interesting note, the traditional French fairytale Beauty and the Beast is actually a variant of the myth, which made its debut in 1740. That said I am attaching a link to a translation by William Adlington.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.
http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/bl/bl_cupidandpsyche.htm
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