June 1: World Narcissistic Abuse Awareness Day

When you look at the news, we seem to live in an era of populists and narcissists. These kind of people make life hard, not only for others, but also for themselves. As is illustrated by the myth of Narkissos. On one of his hunting trips, he attracted the attention of a mountain nymph, called Echo. Sadly, she had been punished by Hera for assisting Zeus in one of his escapades. Hera took away her ability to talk, and Echo could only repeat the last words spoken to her. So; she couldn’t express her love to Narkissos, and instead of making an effort to understand or comfort her, he brutally pushed her away. We all know how hard it is to love a narcissist… Later, he met someone that he could truly love, when he spotted his own face in the water of a pond. Not able to eat or drink, or even take his eyes away form himself, he faded away and died. The only thing that lasts from him, is the narciss flower. As for Echo, being immortal, she couldn’t die from her broken heart, but she slowly faded away and turned into rock and stone. What lasts from her until today, is her voice, still repeating the last words spoken to her.

Echo and Narkissos, fresco Pompeï, Italy

Echo, Talbot Hughes, private collection