Orpheus and Eurydice

Traditionally, Myths are stories that are shared orally. Passed from voice to voice, ear to ear, and as such, sometimes details change. Some details have also been left out of this written version to keep it more concise. Happy Storytelling friends!

This Myth box contains 

• 100g/437yd 80% Merino, 10% Yak, 10% Silk Fingering Weight
  
• 50g/459yd 75% Baby Suri Alpaca, 25% Silk Lace weight
• Music Note Stitch Marker
  
• Don't Look Back Shawl Pattern
  

If you choose Local Pickup, you will be emailed when the order is ready and at the shop for you to come pick up. 

Preorder opens July 1 and closes July 31. Orders will be shipped early August.

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Orpheus was the most talented musician and storyteller of his time. When he played his lyre, the forest quieted so all the animals could hear him play. His music soon drew the attention of Eurydice, who fell madly in love with him and wed shortly thereafter. 

Tragically, as with all surviving Greek tales, their marriage was cut short. Eurydice failed to notice a viper hiding in the grass and was bitten. Orpheus rushed to her side at her scream and held her as she took her last breath. Thanatos, God of Death, came shortly after. 

"Must you take her?" Orpheus begged. 

"I must." the god intoned, before guiding her spirit to the Underworld. 

Distraught with grief, Orpheus bemoans a dirge for his wife, strumming his lyre and singing with a sorrow-broken voice. Nearby, a poplar tree opens, the tree's nymph tells him she was so moved by his sadness she opened her roots to create a path to the Underworld. She encourages Orpheus to take the trail and ask Hades to release Eurydice from her untimely demise. Orpheus grabs her hands and thanks her before picking up his lyre and follows her path to the Underworld.

When the path opens up, Orpheus finds himself standing in front of Cerberus, the three-headed dog who guards the gates to the Hades' Palace grounds. He takes a breath and begins to strum a slow lullaby, watching the three sets of eyes droop. Cerberus curls up, fast asleep and Orpheus continues his journey. 

Making his way to the throne room, Orpheus finds himself standing in front of Hades and Persephone, the King and Queen of the Underworld. Hades threatens to smite him for his hubris, to show up in his throne room unannouced. Persephone however, remembers hearing Orpheus sing in the meadows as she tended her flowers, she settles her husbands temper and allows the mortal to state his case. 

He slowly plucks at his lyre, and begins to sing the tale of their love. The Lord of the Underworld is moved, and his Lady is brought to tears. Hades agrees to let Eurydice return from the Underworld. 

"If you can bring her back with you, without turning to look at her she will emerge from my domain and rejoin you in life," Hades then waves Orpheus off.

Orpheus retraces his step trusting Eurydice is following him, though the lack of footsteps casting doubt. His own footsteps quickened as he saw the light of day beginning to shine in front of him. He began to climb out, turning back to reach a hand and help his wife up the roots of the Poplar. 

The shimmering form of her spirit immediately began to fade away. Orpheus reached out, crying her name. But she was gone, and Orpheus was forced to live the rest of his days, singing of his lost love, knowing how he failed her.