The Myth of Psyche & Eros (Eros’ Version)

Let's Meet Eros.

Now that we've explored the main story of Psyche and Eros through The Honeymoon and the Heroine’s Journey, let's take a closer look at Eros himself.

Eros is the Greek god of love,  in particular, romantic love. He presides over infatuation, attraction, and the intoxicating feeling of falling in love.

The Greeks had many different words for love, each describing a different type of connection. But eros refers to the kind of love that gives you butterflies. It's the excitement, the longing, the honeymoon phase, and the overwhelming pull you can feel towards another person.

We've already met Eros through the story of Psyche and Eros, but who is he outside of that story?

There are a few different traditions surrounding Eros' origins. Some ancient sources describe him as one of the primordial gods, meaning he emerged from Chaos itself. In this version, he belongs to the earliest generation of divine beings alongside figures such as Gaia (Earth) and Ouranos (Sky), representing one of the fundamental forces that helped bring creation into being.

Other traditions tell us that Eros is the son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and Ares, the god of war. In the story of Psyche and Eros, this is the lineage we work with, and we come to know him as the son of Aphrodite.

Psychologically, this creates a fascinating dynamic.

Eros' relationship with his mother is what we might describe today as quite toxic. He almost functions as an extension of Aphrodite rather than as an individual in his own right. He is her accessory, carrying out her wishes and often doing her dirty work for her.

Eros is, of course, famous for his arrows. Once struck by one of them, a person falls hopelessly in love with the first person (or thing) they see. He represents the sudden, overwhelming force of attraction that seems to take hold of us, especially in those early stages of romance when infatuation can feel all-consuming.

But one of the most interesting aspects of the myth of Psyche and Eros is that Eros eventually begins to step out from underneath his mother's influence.

Although we often understand Psyche and Eros as Psyche's heroine's journey, it is equally a story of Eros developing his own sense of self. Throughout the myth, he gradually learns to make decisions that are independent of Aphrodite's commands.

In many ways, this is Eros' own hero's journey.

He moves from being defined by his mother's wishes towards becoming an individual with his own desires, values, and choices.

From an astrological perspective, this opens up some fascinating symbolism.

If I were exploring this archetype in a birth chart, I might consider the dynamics between the Moon and Pluto in the chart of a man. Of course, there are many different ways that parent-child dynamics can appear astrologically, and different archetypes may be more appropriate depending on whether we're exploring a mother-daughter, father-son, or father-daughter relationship.

But within the context of the Eros myth, the mother-son dynamic becomes especially relevant.

When I see a strong Moon-Pluto connection in a man's chart, I sometimes think of the story of Eros and Aphrodite. It doesn't mean the myth is playing out literally, but it can symbolise a journey around separating from the mother's influence and developing an independent sense of identity. Or of a mother having a particularly strong hand in the relationship.

Like Eros, part of the hero's journey may involve discovering who you are outside of that relationship, making choices for yourself, and stepping into your own autonomy.

This is one of the reasons I find Eros such a compelling figure. While he is often reduced to the god of romantic love, his mythology also tells a deeper story about identity, individuation, and the courage it takes to become your own person.

I love the story of Psyche and Eros because it is one of the few love stories in Greek myth where the two partners are somewhat equal in their own journey of self-actualization and the fight for true love.

Some final questions to reflect on: Where in your own life have you had to separate from someone else's expectations in order to discover your own desires? What does it mean to love from a place of autonomy rather than obligation?

How does the story of Eros relate to you? Do you resonate with him, or can you see his story reflected in others you know? If you’re curious about how these characters show up in your own chart, and want to develop skills for working with them intentionally, you can book a personalized birth chart reading with me. My signature service is the Astrology Journey, which is like an extended astrology reading experience. It is by far the best way to immerse yourself in your own birth chart.

However, I also offer 1-hour birth chart readings by special request. Send me a message through my contact page for more info.