Eros
February 13, 2010 by Symbolic Living
Filed under Articles and Commentaries
Eros is Love, the most powerful of all the gods born from the oldest gods Khaos (Air), the dark and formless void, and Nyx (Night), the most ancient goddess. Later, writers made him one of the youngest gods, as the son of Aphrodite, the goddess of Love. Eros is the physical, magnetic force of the universe of attraction in matter, where love and sex are experiences of the union of matter and spirit in passion symbolizing this force.
Depicted as a young winged boy, Eros, arouses love and desire by shooting his golden arrows with dove feathers into the hearts of mortals and gods. The Romans names Eros – Cupid which means desire. His other arrows were made of blunt lead and cause those inflicted to fear love.
Eros is the Greek god of love and desire whereas Agape, is the god of unconditional, spiritual love.
Eros powers of arousing love could also wound hearts. For love can cause also cause pain. He would often shoot is arrows into unsuspecting victims in turn creating a frenzy of passion and all the blessings and trials that love imbues.
When Aphrodite became jealous of the attention and admiration Psyche (a mere daughter of a King) was receiving, she asked Eros to shoot his arrow into the heart her so she would fall in love with a most hideous creature. In the process Eros fell in love with Psyche, some versions of the legend state he pricked himself with his own arrow throwing him under the spell of his own flames of raging love. To conceal his identity Eros asked Psyche to not light her chamber. One night her curiosity beckoned her to light a lamp while Eros slept. A drop of hot oil fell onto Eros, awakening him. He fled and Psyche desperately traveled the earth trying to find her lover. Eventually they were reunited with Zeus consenting them to marry.
The myths of the Roman Cupid (Greek Eros) and Psyche intertwine their myths in writings over the ages. The younger Cupid, in his relationship with Psyche represents the maturing of Love. Psyche means “butterfly” and “soul.”
The Lovers Tarot
Key phrase. Union born from division. Magnetic Force.
