Love; A Constant Inspiration

What could be considered the most unifying emotion? Could it be love? This emotion, this passion, as eternal as breathing. It is, of course, the theme behind some of the greatest love stories that span and influence generations. From Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to Jane Austen’s Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, even the Twilight characters, Edward Cullen and Bella Swan. From first loves to second chances, friends to lovers, and soul mates, all have been around forever. Find out more in Love; A Constant Inspiration.

Why is this emotion more than any, a subject artists return to? Why is love so addictive? What do we gain from it? Is it because we deem it eternal? Perhaps it’s because many lucky amongst us have felt its power, its hold. It is a continuous inspiration for us, and much as it is an obsession. We seek it in our music, our films, our books, and our lives. It surrounds us.

Our favorite love song, book, or film felt directly, straight to the heart. The eternal love story is as old as the hills. The ancient Greek myth of Psyche and Eros is just one of these stories. Despite being 2000 years later, the epic love story still captivates and influences people today.

Maybe you know the story? If not, Psyche, a beautiful mortal, was worshipped and admired throughout the land; so admired, that the Goddess Aphrodite raged with envy. She was no longer the muse getting everyone’s attention.

So jealous, Aphrodite ordered her son, Eros, the powerful master of love, to curse Psyche into falling in love with a hideous monster as revenge.

In a twist of fate, the god Eros was struck by one of his own arrows and fell madly in love with the mortal Psyche. Eros became completely mesmerized by her beauty.

As time crawled along Psyche stayed single, haunted by the feeling that men admired her, yet not one truly loved her. Desperate to solve the mystery of Pysce’s unmarried status, her parents decided to beg an oracle for an answer.

But Eros relentlessly persuaded the oracle to give Psyche’s parents a vision of her married to an ugly beast whose face she could never see. And so her heartbroken parents arranged her wedding to a beast atop the mountain, unaware that Eros patiently awaited her there.

Psyche fell asleep and when she woke up, a beautiful castle sat ahead of her. There she met her husband, but only in the dark of night, and she could not make out his face. Yet, the enormous love he showed to Psyche fulfilled her wildest expectations and dreams.

Jealousy consumed Psyche’s sisters as they visited her at the castle. Soon the sisters had convinced Psyche that her lover was actually a monster trying to kill her, and she needed to kill him first.

Sadly, Psyche was ready for murder, but when she glimpsed at the face of her beast-husband, the handsome god Eros stared back at her. Hurt from Psyche’s betrayal, Eros flew away.

Psyche searched high and low for her love and even pleaded with Aphrodite to see her lost love. Bitter Aphrodite agreed but dangled the love carrot, challenging Psyche to three impossible tasks to accomplish. Driven by her love and her heart’s desire to reunite, Psyche was fearless.

When Eros discovered all the difficulties Psyche endured, he begged Zeus (the god of the sky and the chief Greek deity,) to reunite them. Amazed, Zeus, granted Psyche immortality so the two love birds could be together forever.

With a tale this powerful, it is not surprising that the myth has inspired and been explored countless times. In the ancient world, love and marriage were widely celebrated with a joyous festival, held every four years, as a heartfelt homage to Hera (goddess of women, marriage, and childbirth).

Picture this; on the big day, the ladies indulged in a luxurious bath followed by a generous splash of exquisite perfumes. As the marriage shenanigans unfolded, an event called Epaulia occurred, in which gifts were given to the couple.

Offerings such as perfume, lotions, and soaps decorated the couple’s home. This Greek tradition was all about embracing love with passion, pleasure, and a sprinkle of sensuality. The beautiful symphony of two souls becoming one.

The Hera festival meets with the enchanting saga of Psyche and Eros coming alive in Diptyque’s Fleur De Peau Perfume. Infused with musky allure and soft, cottony notes, the fragrance dances on the skin like a love story unfolding. Iris and Ambrette seeds delicately unveil the tender, human touch within, accentuating the warmth and embrace of these facets.

This year sees the Fleur de Peau collection augmented by three manifestations of its sensorial qualities: a cleansing hand and body gel, a hand and body lotion, and a hair mist.

The fine, gentle, milky hand and body lotion nourishes, leaving the skin well moisturized. The cleansing hand and body gel is enriched with shea butter and it perfumes the body while leaving it invigorated. Light and delicate, this Hair Mist’s transparent haze adds a stunning halo around the hair.

There is nothing quite like the tender hug of soft, sweet-scented skin – it’s like a cozy blanket for your senses, but with an added touch of love.

The Fleur de Peau collection graces the skin from its perfume, hair mist, body wash, all the way to its skin lotion. Diptyque specializes in scents and storytelling. The complexity and humanity of this Greek myth is paralleled in the scents of the perfume. After all, love is eternal.

It’s not just a fragrance; it’s a love story in every drop. You know that saying made with love? Well, this takes it to a whole new level.

To find the collection please visit Diptyque.com

If you enjoyed reading Love; A Constant Inspiration, then why not read Chill Out With Films That Give You a Warm Hug

.Cent Magazine London Be Inspired; Get Involved