Comeback Kids Episode 6: Psyche and Other Romantic Underworld Vacations

Stories of coming back from the Underworld are some of the biggest, most dramatic comebacks of all! And there are so many of them that they won't all fit in one episode! In this one, we’re exploring stories of heroes who went to the underworld and back for the sake of love. We already talked about the most famous story of this kind, Orpheus and Eurydice, back in Season 1 -- but he’s definitely not the only one! You'll meet a beautiful, adventurous princess, a loyal wife, and a pair of Japanese primordial deities, all of whom face down death in one way or another.

Visit the World of Mythik website to learn more and to contribute your theories to our board!

All stories told on Myths & Muses are original family-friendly adaptations of ancient myths and legends. Stories from ancient mythology can also sometimes deal with complicated topics for young listeners — to the mortal parents and caretakers reading this, we encourage listening along with your young demigods to help them navigate those topics as they explore these epic tales.

Transcript for Comeback Kids Episode 6

If you'd like to submit something creative you've done inspired by the stories in Myths & Muses, use this form (with a Mortal Guardian's permission!).

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Stuff to Read: 

• More on Cupid and Psyche:
  • Psyche, Greek Goddess of the Soul at THEOI
  • Psyche at World History Encyclopedia
  • The Myth of Cupid and Psyche at ThoughtCo
  • Eros and Psyche: The Greek Origin of Fairy-tales That You Never Knew, from The Collector
  • Original story (in translation) by Lucius Apuleius
• Alcestis at World History Encyclopedia
• More on Izanagi and Izanami: 
  • At World History Encyclopedia
  • At Mythopedia
  • The Story of Izanagi and Izanami: A Japanese Creation Myth, at Owlcation
• More on Shintoism: 
  • About Religions in Japan, from Japan Tours
  • Shinto Beliefs and Holidays, from Diversity Resources
  • Shinto at a Glance, from the BBC
  • Video from Cogito

Stuff to Watch: 

•  Learn more about the stories in this episode with our curated YouTube playlist!

Cool Images: 

Roman Mosaic of Cupid and Psyche from the Poseidon Villa (2nd-3rd century)

Psyche Honoured by the People, Luca Giordano (1695)

Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss, Antonia Canova (1794)

Psyche, Yliade (2023)

Admetus Mourning Alcestis, Johann Heinrich Tischbein (1780)

The God Izanagi and the Goddess Izanami, Nishikawa Sukenobu (18th century)

The Gods Izanagi and Izanami on the Floating Bridge of Heaven, Utagawa Hiroshige (1850)