February 12: Love Month

Princess Psyche’s beauty equalled that of love goddess Aphrodite, and people traveled far and wide to admire her, bringing gifts and asking for advice. Much to the real Aphrodite’s dismay, so when her son Eros decided Psyche should be his bride, she was livid. She wasn’t at all ready to be a mother in law, let alone of this little golddigger. Before even considering giving her blessing, she assigned the girl some impossible tasks. And much like in well known tales, in Psyche’s darkest moments, she got help. From little ants, a stone tower, and even from Zeus’ eagle. In the end, it was Zeus who saved the day, with self-interest in mind, as usual. Eros should assist him in his amorous escapades, and he would make Psyche “goddess of the soul” and facilitate the marriage. The union between Eros and Psyche was one between body and soul, or passion and mind. Their daughter Hedone (Voluptas in latin), is the proof that it was enjoyable too. Her name means pleasure (hence “hedonism”), which says it all, doesn’t it?