Tarot of the Spirit - The Lovers

VI - The Lovers

Description:

A nude couple embraces each other, and are sitting on a huge golden symbol of Venus. The woman has blue skin, and the man has orange/yellow skin and an almost featureless face.

Two snakes, one red and the other green, are intertwined at the top of the column that is between the Lovers. The column extends down past their feet into a point, like a sword. The man’s legs are wrapped around the sword. Below the woman is the Hebrew symbol of Zain, while below the man is the symbol for Gemini.

At the top of the central column is a golden circle that glows with white light. Within that circle is another circle, looking somewhat like an eye. Behind the Lovers is a rectangular shape that changes color from light yellow at the top to orange-brown at the bottom. The left and right areas of the card also gradate in color from orange at the top to orange/brown at the bottom.

Symbology:

The large astrological symbol of Venus, on which the Lovers are perched, represents the Female principal. The downward pointing column or sword, dissecting the circle of Venus and descending through the man’s legs, represents the Male principal. The Hebrew letter attributed to the Lovers is Zain, which means “sword”. The point of the swords terminates in the ground below the Lovers, indicative of manifestation through division.

The intertwined red and green snakes reflect the eternal dance of separation and union that the Lovers portray. The symbol of Gemini (2 united in 1) balances against the symbol of Zain (the dividing sword),

The blue skin of the woman symbolizes the cosmic waters in which life is conceived, while the orange/yellow skin of the man represents the cosmic fire which enflames with desire. The glow at the top of the card is suggestive of the glow of the Kether, the Source from which all flows. The overall colors on the card gradate from light at the top to dark at the bottom, reflecting the descent from Light to Earth.

Divinatory Meaning:
(from "Tarot of the Spirit" companion book, by Pamela Eakins)

You recognize that you are lonely, at the same time you realize that without separation, there can be no connection nor demonstration of love.
You are attracted to that with wish you wish to merge.
Be advised that in truth self-love (which can be translated as self-confidence, self-esteem, self-respect and a deep understanding of the “inner marriage”) is the key to lasting relationships.
True marriage consists of knowing you are simultaneously united and separated.
Accept this equation for inner happiness.

Personal Reflections:

The Lovers reveals the universal aspects of both separation and union. Separation is agony, and union is bliss. Yet separation is necessary in order for union to have any meaning. Through manifestation, matter is separated from the Source, divided into diverse forms. In order to grow and to experience, birth and separation from the mother is required. This very separateness engenders a desire to reconnect, which is the driving force of love. To unite with one’s separated “better half” is ecstasy.

“For I am divided for love’s sake, for the chance of union" . – The Book of the Law / A. Crowley

The Lovers is the path of experiencing creation. The path on the Tree of Life assigned to the Lovers is between Binah (Eternal Mother) and Tiphareth (Eternal Son). Matter is separated from the Mother into its many forms. The Great Work is to experience and discover the diverse forms, and to synthesize and recombine these forms in the joy of union and creative evolution.

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