February 8: Love Month

This month of love, let’s talk about Anteros. He’s one of those Greek gods you might never have heard of, though we all need him in our lives. He belonged to the Erotes, winged gods of love from the retinue of Aphrodite, and he was the brother of Eros. Eros was born out of the passion between Ares, god of war, and Aphrodite, goddess of love. But as he was an illegitimate child, he didn’t grow up in a family with siblings. And every now and again, that left him feeling sad and lonely. Aphrodite felt sorry for him and just like that, she bore him a companion, Anteros, god of reciprocated and selfless love. While Eros was exuberant and impulsive, Anteros stood for stability and trust. The brothers were really close, and where you saw one, you would expect the other. According to the myths, with Anteros by his side, Eros stood tall and strong, but left on his own, he would litterally shrink and become a child again. Because only when it comes from both sides, can love mature and blossom.