Full Description
The story of Psyche, immortalized by Apuleius over two thousand
years ago, is a magnificent myth about a love thwarted by the goddess of love
herself, Venus - the love between a mortal princess, Psyche, and Venus's own
son, Cupid. Condemned to perform four impossible labours to appease the
goddess's wrath, Psyche, aided by unexpected helpers, ultimately ascends to
Mount Olympus to be reunited with Cupid and to attain immortality. Yet to
accomplish this, and to win the favour of Venus, she must first embody four
essential qualities - the celebrated cardinal virtues of the Platonists.
In astrology, the planet Venus symbolizes not only what we value,
but also our sense of self-worth. This is why she plays such a vital role in
love and relationship: we cannot truly unite with another unless we choose them
in accordance with our values - and unless we can first recognise our own
worth. When we are faced with the asteroid Psyche, we must, like the princess
in the myth, carry out our own inner work in order to develop certain qualities
within ourselves that will content Venus - that is, the qualities that allow us
to build a relationship through which she may truly bring forth the joy and
happiness she promises.
Thus, this asteroid holds the key to building healthy, joyful, and
fulfilling relationships - relationships in which the Self may unfold and the
solar identity, our symbolic immortality, find its full expression.
