The Legend of St. Valentine

Cupid has always played a role in the celebrations of love and lovers.He is known as a mischievous, winged child, with arrows that piercedthe hearts of his victims causing them to fall deeply in love. In ancientGreece, he was known as Eros the young son of Aphrodite, thegoddess of love and beauty. To the Roman's he was Cupid, and hismother, Venus.

One legend tells the story of Cupid and the mortal maiden, Psyche.Venus was jealous of the beauty of Psyche, and ordered Cupid topunish the mortal. But instead, Cupid fell deeply in love with her. Hetook her as his wife, but as a mortal she was forbidden to look at him.

Psyche was happy until her sisters convinced her to look at Cupid.Cupid punished her by departing. Their lovely castle and gardensvanished with him and Psyche found herself alone in an open field.

As she wandered to find her love, she came upon the temple of Venus.Wishing to destroy her, the goddess of love gave Psyche a series oftasks, each harder and dangerous than the last. For her last taskPsyche was given a little box and told to take it to the underworld. Shewas told to get some of the beauty of Proserpine, the wife of Pluto, andput it in the box. During her trip she was given tips on avoiding thedangers of the realm of the dead. And also warned not to open thebox. Temptation would overcome Psyche and she opened the box. Butinstead of finding beauty, she found deadly slumber.

Cupid found her lifeless on the ground. He gathered the sleep from herbody and put it back in the box. Cupid forgave her, as did Venus. Thegods, moved by Psyche's love for Cupid made her a goddess.

Happy Valentine's Day to All! Valentine Crafts, recipes and ideas for you from Families Online magazine. We hope you have truly lovely Valentine's Day!