Before Cupid, also known as Eros, was ever depicted as a chubby little toddler with violent tendencies, he was the gorgeous God of love and not too bad at archery. He had a rather overbearing mother, Venus, herself a Goddess and quite attractive. As she approached her middle years (which would make her several hundred years old) she began to fret about her fading good looks. As she fixated on her sagging skin, fine lines and expanding waist line, she grew more and more jealous of younger woman, until becoming quite envious of a beautiful but utterly human girl named Psyche.

 

Venus convinced her son (who had yet to individuate from his mother) to sneak into Psyche’s room at night, shoot her with an arrow that would curse her to fall in love and marry the next man she met, however inappropriate for her. Unfortunately, as Cupid was about to poison her Psyche woke up and appeared to look straight into Cupid’s eyes. Cupid was invisible, or at least he felt that way having grown up with a classic narcissist as a mother. When he finally felt “seen” and “gotten” he confused love with attention and became obsessed with Psyche, who was still wondering what kind of dream she was having.

 

Well, Venus was steamed. She placed a curse on Psyche to keep her from marrying anyone suitable. In retaliation, Cupid stopped making people fall in love and the earth started to age as quickly as Venus. Venus relented, and Cupid was allowed to develop a relationship with Psyche within the confines of a remote castle. Confronted by the possibility of real intimacy, Cupid forbade his new spouse to look at him. Psyche allowed her jealous sisters to convince her she’s married a monster, or at least someone who is emotionally unavailable. Psyche discovers her husband is a rather hunky God and finds she’s really okay with it. 

 

Did they live happily ever after? Probably not, but we still think of Cupid when we feel those delicious first moments of romantic love. Enjoy the romance, indulge in chocolate, and watch for stray arrows!