The Fable of Cupid and Psyche By Thomas Taylor

Translated from the Latin of Apuleius, Taylor's extensive introduction deals with the mystery of the human soul, divine love, and human regeneration. Apuleius also gives an account of his being initiated in the mysteries of Isis and Osiris.

In the fable Eros, or Cupid, is introduced as the Divine Principle in man and Psyche as the human soul. The morality of this fable is profound and exalted. Sacred and profane love are contrasted and those inner parts of human nature associated with this mystery are beautifully explained.

As the plot of the story develops it is obvious that the supporting philosophical doctrines are derived from the secret teachings of the Mystery Schools. The truths involved were then perpetuated by later sects who sought to restore and preserve the older wisdom.

The human being must sometime face the challenge of his own spiritual needs; by purifying his own emotions he preserves not only himself but the mortal world in which he lives.

To the modern psychologist who has become aware of the alchemy of human emotions, the account given by Apuleius should be of extraordinary interest. The author points out that the sacred mystery of love has been generally profaned and associated with mortal passion and that the perversion of the greatest good is the greatest evil. 

The fact that Apuleius was an initiate of the classical Mysteries and among the most enlightened of the Neoplatonists more than justifies the present edition as a major contribution in this field of Platonic psychology.