Psyche, whose name means Soul, was a beautiful mortal princess of exceptional aesthetics, beyond those of normal women. Psyche as well knew of Her grand charm and sexual appeal, for male suitors from all across the kingdom came.
However, She did not recognize Her pleasing appeal as a gift from heaven, for She knew men started to neglect the worship of Aphrodite, and instead stood in awe of Her, and She said and did nothing to restore the rightful and proper worship of the Goddess. Aphrodite's temples and altars began to experience wide desertion.
So Aphrodite called on Her son Eros, that mankind should once again be reminded of who the Gods are, and that they are far more beautiful than mortals. She ordered Eros to make Psyche fall in love with the worst of men, and She fell into a deep depression and loneliness as men began to turn away from Her. But on this mission, even Eros Himself fell in love with the beauty.
Psyche visited the Oracle of Delphi for guidance. The Oracle sent Her to a beautiful palace where Her appropriate husband would await. But She would only be able to lay with him at night, unable to see his face.
One morning, Psyche decided to look upon the face anyway before the husband was able to awaken and leave. Using a lamp, She saw that it was Eros Himself, who awoke and saw that Psyche had betrayed His trust. The marriage was ended.
Psyche was devastated, but also now humble enough to beg Aphrodite to allow Her to see Eros again. Aphrodite bestowed upon Her great labours, one of which being that in order to see Eros again, She would have to visit Persephone, Queen of the Underworld, and bring back a portion of Persephone's beauty.
Psyche eventually reached both Haides and Persephone. The Queen took favor upon Her and gave a small fragment of Her beauty in a small box. But as Psyche made Her way back, She could not help but look inside, and it caused Her to fall into a coma.
Eros, moved by Her devotion to Him, came to Earth and shot an arrow, jolting Her from the sleep. The union that the two then shared moved Zeus to wed them and grant Psyche the gift of Goddesshood. Together, Eros and Psyche gave birth to Hedone, the Goddess of pleasure and enjoyment.
