78 Weeks of Tarot: The Lovers

[Trogon]

For information on what these threads refer to, see this thread;

 

78 Weeks of Tarot - Informational Thread

 

The above linked thread gives suggested dates for the cards as well as links to the individual topics.

 

Some of us may be working through the study in a different order and using different decks. If you have general questions or comments regarding the 78 Weeks of Tarot study group, please post in the topic in the above link.

 

Have fun.

[Seeker]

Interpretation- from Wiki

 

In some traditions, the Lovers represent relationships and choices. Its appearance in a spread indicates some decision about an existing relationship, a temptation of the heart, or a choice of potential partners. Often an aspect of the Querent's life will have to be sacrificed; a bachelor(ette)'s lifestyle may be sacrificed and a relationship gained (or vice versa), or one potential partner may be chosen while another is turned down. Whatever the choice, it should not be made lightly, as the ramifications will be lasting.

 

The Lovers is associated with the star sign Gemini, and indeed is also known as The Twins in some decks. Other associations are with Air, Mercury, and the Hebrew letter ז (Zayin).

 

The nudity of the figures show they have nothing to hide from each other. Also, the tree of knowledge is behind the woman, whereas the tree behind the man is bearing 12 trefoil flames, representing the signs of the zodiac.

 

(from tarotwikipedia.com):

Upright:

 

Love, union, and marriage.

 

Being with your soul mate.

 

Feeling passionate about something or someone.

 

Physical attraction

 

Communication with like-minded people.

 

Doing things that make you feel whole.

 

Being enlightened about what decisions to make.

 

Intimacy.

 

Reversed:

 

Separation

 

Disconnection

 

Unable to make a decision

 

Making a poor decision

 

 

[Onaorkal]

Manga Tarot

 

The Lovers - VI

 

 

We can see a man and a woman passionately kissing while holding onto each other. The woman has long and wavy blond hair and is wearing a yellow kimono decorated with cherry blossoms and a pink bow. The man has short red hair and is wearing a simple green kimono.

They are outdoors, standing on grass and we can see a cherry blossom tree in bloom behind them on the right of the card. In the background, a couple of trees are visible. The sky is pale yellow in color, which indicates it's taking place at sunrise or a bit before sunset.

 

 

Colors : Yellow and green

 

 

Season : Spring

 

 

LWB : Union. Sharing, empathy, affection, love, loyalty, gentleness, sensitivity. Think of someone else. Hold firm in the wind, together.

 

 

First impression : At first glance, this card seems quite simple and straightforward in its symbolism. Two lovers embracing in the sunlight under a cherry blossom tree...Anybody would be able to recognize this Major Arcana! But I find it's a beautiful card, balanced-looking and harmonious, even though it might lack some depth.

 

 

What others had to say :

-Some also find the card might be on the 'simple' side.

-Very romantic card compared to other typical representations of this Arcana.

-Someone put an emphasis on something interesting : they are young, their love is young, it's Spring, which is the time of new beginnings.

 

 

Symbolism found in the card

 

Cherry blossom tree : This tree is in bloom at the beginning of Spring (end of March) and is a typical symbol for this season. In Japan, it holds a big place in the culture. It ''represents the fragility and the beauty of life. It’s a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful but that it is also tragically short. When the cherry blossom trees bloom for a short time each year in brilliant force, they serve as a visual reminder of how precious and how precarious life is.'' (Quote not from me but can't find the original source.)

 

Spring season : Associated with new beginnings and budding/blooming energy.

 

Yellow color : Very positive color, representing life and optimism. It's a very bright and warm, yet not aggressive color.

 

Green color : Associated with growth, hope, life, rebirth and positive energy.

 

Sunrise/sunset : Sunrise is associated with new beginnings, so it would make more sense with the overall symbolism found in this card. Sunsets are more associated with the end of a journey/cycle.

 

Trees : Symbol of life and connection to Earth, wisdom, spiritual growth and protection.

 

Wind : In Japanese Buddhism, the element of Wind symbolizes growth and freedom. It's also associated with open-mindedness and mental/emotional/spiritual expansion. The way the wind is blowing in the card gives a harmonious wave between the cherry blossoms found in the tree and the ones found on the girl's kimono. It accentuates the idea of flowing energy.

 

 

Synthesis/conclusion :

 

This card didn't take long to analyze because there is not a lot to dig about. Still, I believe the image is appropriate, as long as one remembers that this Major Arcana is not only about ''being in love''. The idea of new beginnings and harmony is also important, as well as the concept of choice, which seems to be totally absent from this image.

[Bookworm]

Deck: Fairytale Tarot

 

Card name: The Lovers

 

First impressions:

 

There are four people on this card. In the foreground is a couple, handsome older man on the left, beautiful younger woman on the right. The man holds the hand of the woman as he speaks to her, looking at her with kind eyes (I think). The woman keeps her eyes cast down. She doesn’t look happy, but maybe she’s just pensive. In the hand not being held, she holds a large flower or a fan. They are both really decked out in Renaissance (I think) garb. The man’s sumptuous robe is trimmed in ermine. The woman’s long blond hair is held up with two gold metal bands; she wears a gown with a green skirt, gold bodice, red sleeves and white collar as well as a gold necklace.

 

Behind this couple stand a youngish man and an oldish woman. The woman, wearing a long blue dress and a black veil, is smiling. She is holding a large spoon. The young man is all decked out, including wearing a headband with feathers. His hair falls loosely down his back. He looks worried.

 

Behind them is what looks like a church or cathedral. There is a pink carpet covering the stairs and extending out to the people. The sky is blue. There are trees. A stone lion seems to be looking at the foreground couple.

 

There are more people here than there are generally in The Lovers card. My first impression is that I like it, since I like the idea of choice being an important part of The Lovers, and not just the idea of romantic and/or eternal love. There is definitely some kind of choice going on here, but it’s hard to tell exactly what.

 

From the book:

 

Keywords and phrases: Active passion -- for a person or possibly for an activity or interest; choices in making a relationship; beauty is in the eye of the beholder; issues of beauty, ugliness and the true nature of both; sexuality and love.

 

TDM decks usually show a man choosing between two women, one young and beautiful, the other more mature. Wanted to convey this element of a conscious and active choice about a relationship. In Tatterhood, the girl does the choosing. She is that rare thing in traditional fairy tales, an ugly girl who is active, brave and intelligent, who takes matters into her own hands, and who finds and gets the husband that she wants.

 

Tatterhood saves her household from a bunch of trolls and witches, then sets off on a journey that ends with her marrying her sister off to a king and herself to a prince.

 

The story makes us think about whether one partner is the more active one in making a choice to commit to a relationship. More importantly, it asks us to consider what a passionate relationship is based on and what really matters to a lover. You could read the story as Tatterhood conforming to traditional ideas of beauty in order to attract her husband, but that ignores too much of what we know about her. It might well have to do with her own choice. Is Tatterhood able to do so much and have such freedom -- in contrast to her beautiful but completely passive sister -- because she is considered ugly?

 

What if we flipped the traditional Lovers card around and it was the women weighing the merits of the man?

 

Relationships are varied, unpredictable and often very different from conventional cliches expectations.

 

At the end of Tatterhood, the girl tells the Prince what question to ask and in response a transformation takes place. One way to interpret this is the idea that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Tatterhood literally asks the Prince to look again, to look afresh, and when he does, things are suddenly different.

 

The original story:

 

Tatterhood, from Popular Tales from the Norse, by George Webbe Dasent

 

http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/ptn/ptn58.htm

 

Traditional meanings:

 

Love, choices, partnerships, affection, being at a crossroads, togetherness, going into business with another, being duty bound, a love affair, falling in love, commitment, an engagement, choosing between two lovers, harmony, trust, a broken love affair or relationship, fear of commitment, infidelity, relationship issues, a business deal gone awry, a business failing and falling apart, parting or leaving another.

 

My impressions of the card/story combination:

 

I like that the image on the card shows two couples, both of which have somewhat uncomfortable looking partners. Too often, this card just has a happy couple on it, and all it seems to be about is marriage or a romantic relationship of some kind -- not that those are small things. I think the story is a great illustration of the breadth of this card’s meaning, which seems to me to concern itself with all kinds of important relationships, as well as choice.

 

I wish that Tatterhood and the prince were in the foreground, rather than the less important couple of her sister and the King. I feel like the designers copped out and felt they had to go with the more traditional looking couple.

 

I really like Karen Mahony’s explanation in the book about how the story makes us consider who is the more active one in the relationship. I hadn’t thought about that so much with the card.

 

I also really liked the idea that this card can be about issues of beauty and/or ugliness because romantic relationships are so often caught up in those issues. Linked to that idea is the idea that perhaps it was the Prince who changed what he saw when he looked at Tatterhood, rather than Tatterhood changing how she looked. Over time, one really does change what one sees when looking at a partner, for better or worse!

 

My take (what I make of it/what I might see in a reading where I drew it):

 

At this point, I see so much going on in this card that I’m not sure what I wouldn’t see if I drew it. Obviously it has to do with relationships. After looking at it and reading the story I think I would be more inclined to consider the roles played by the individuals involved in the relationship and where or who the passion comes from, to think about who is the more active or passive party, and what is the actual foundation of the relationship. Choice would still be a big feature for me. I might also be more inclined to think about traditional versus nontraditional relationships.

[Hemera]

The Lovers - Everyday Witch

 

Description:

A couple is standing hand in hand looking at the fire. Two cats are watching the fire with them, also as a couple with their tails entwined. Looks like there is a spirit rising from the flames, a pair of eyes seems to be watching the two couples.

 

What action is going on:

Two equal pairs are watching the flames. The human pair is probably slowly becoming aware of the winged figure that rises high above them. Or maybe it remains unseen by all?

 

Images and Symbolism:

-“female winged spirit” (according to the book) rising from the fire with arms outstretched – Goddess of Fire or Goddess of Love?

 

Colours:

Lots of colors that go together amazingly well; Turquoise, mauve, yellow, grey, green..

The turquoise smoke and the mauve shades of the trees look lovely!

 

This card encourages to:

-get involved

-join with others

-follow your heart

-unite and mend

 

Warns against:

-thinking that beginning is the goal

-fear for commitment

 

Traditional meanings (J. Bunning):

-Relationship; love, union

-Sexual; feeling physical attraction

-Personal beliefs; setting your own philosophy, setting your own standards

-Values; struggling with temptations, facing ethical or moral choices

 

From the Book:

-Romantic love -but also the Power of Love that heals and protects

-The couple may be lovers but also friends or siblings

-All the pieces coming together in perfect harmony.

 

Sallie Nichols: (in Jung and Tarot. An Archetypal Journey. Weiser 1984)

-She writes at length about the classic love triangle which can be seen in many takes on the Lovers card. Here in this card we have a different meaning. There is no choice. The two couples have an established relationship. The choice and difficulty might lie in forming a deep and true commitment in front of the Goddess. They are now standing in front of the God/dess so this is getting serious -and that is often scary business.

 

Notes:

-The “winged female spirit” that rises from the flames looks slightly malevolent. Or perhaps she is a trickster like the winged Eros? She certainly looks like a powerful spirit, someone not to be toyed with.

-Hmmm, again, the male witch has got greasy looking and untidy hair, like the Emperor. (Still waiting for the handsome guys here..)

 

Quote:

We love (not in spite of) but because of shadowy places we have visited. (cunningham)

 

 

[tinyterrarium]

 

Decks- The Fairytale Tarot by Magic Realist Press and the Fairy Tale Tarot by Lisa Hunt

 

Card Name and Fairytale

6, The Lovers, "Tatterhood"

6, The Lovers, "Jorinda and Joringal"

 

Visual Analysis

 

What are the possible symbolic elements? (Alberti, 2011)

 

L.H.: Birds, cages, woman with wings, flower, and the lone bird and cage in foreground.

 

MRP: Set of couples, flower, lion, wheel clock, opulent surroundings

 

 

How does the structure of a picture- or any visual art form- affect our emotional response? (Bang, 2016, p. xiv)

 

MRP: My eyes are drawn to the two figures in the foreground because they are large, brightly colored, and their hands are centered. The lines connecting the arms and the way the man pulls the woman towards him catches my attention. I then notice another couple behind them and the wooden spoon she carries. Then the castle, garden, and statues come into focus. After seeing the space between the couples and the hallway in the upper left corner it makes me think that they have been walking for a long time. I come back to Tatterhood's face because she seems genuinely content and is observing the scene as it unfolds.

 

L.H.: My eyes are drawn to the left side of the image. The gentle s curve created by Joringa's wing and Joringal's arm draw my attention to the flower and bird cage. The sparkling white halo and blue also call attention to the couple. The birds flying in a circular pattern creates excitement. This movement contrasts the sitting dove and broken cage in the foreground. The background and ceiling are blurry and it makes me think that this is a very large cathedral like space.

 

 

Wisdom from the Hero’s Journey  (Fiction, n.d.)

What lessons has the hero learned about him or herself on this journey? What are we (the spectators) supposed to learn from the journey?

 

Tatterhood turns the traditional passive princess waiting to be rescued story on its head. She rescues people, sails to strange lands, and bargains two marriages. I think she is an incredible character. What is most touching is that she loves her sister so much and is equally concerned about making sure her sisters succeeds. I think the wisdom is that love is not passive and romantic love is not the end all be all in life.

 

Jorinde and Joringal is a more traditional story. A young woman is taken away and her lover figures out a way to rescue her. It is interesting because I think that in the beginning of the story the lovers are obsessed with one another the same way the witch is obsessed with capturing maidens. The wisdom could be that in order for true love to be possible separation and independence is necessary at times.

 

 

Questions

 

Interpretation

Rachel Pollack “When I do readings for myself- contrary to popular belief, most Tarot readers read for themselves all the time- I do not try to uncover or make predictions, but instead, seek the wisdom of the cards. Because they “speak” in pictures, we can ponder what they say for a long time. Here are three questions, simple yet challenging.

 

What do I know?

 

I know that the lovers is usually associated with sexuality, personal beliefs, and values. I know that based on my culture when I hear the word lovers I think of marriage and characters like Romeo and Juliet.

 

What have I forgotten?

 

I forgot how love is not limited to just one object or person. The two stories I read defied the formula of love and gender roles.

What do I need to know and must never forget?

 

Love is synonymous with choice, independence, and action. Whether it is spending years figuring out how to save another person or rescuing your sister from trolls there is an element of work and taking initiative with love. Love is not just a feeling I have but also the actions I take and the way I choose to interact with the world.

 

References

 

Alberti, G. (2011). Symbolism within the Tarot and Comparative Visual Analysis: A Proposed Methodology for the Study of the Tarot as Applied to the Ride Waite Smith Deck. Retrieved from conservancy.umn.edu: https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/116801

 

Bang, M. (2016). Picture This How Pictures Work. San Francisco: Chronicle Books LLC.

 

Fiction, K. G. (n.d.). Science Fiction Writers Workshop: Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey. Retrieved from http://www.sfcenter.ku.edu/Workshop-stuff/Joseph-Campbell-Hero-Journey.htm

 

Hunt, L. (2009). Once Upon a Time. Woodbury: Llewellyn .

 

Mahony, K. (2005). The Fairytale Tarot. London: Magic Realist Press.

[Lantana]

Open to love. Let what you love transform you. Choose what's in your best interest. Come home.

 

Art by Natalie Woodlock

 

Two girls with their hair intertwined, one with a pair of sisscors in her hand. Its a bit headscratching at first, don’t you think? It doesn't overtly show romance, but the imagery does represent unity of all kinds and the ways we connect ourselves to others.

 

The braiding of hair is an affectionate ritual for many, a symbol of the trust and vulnerability allowed to let someone else touch your hair. After all the trials of the last cards, we find someone that we feel safe around and let ourselves be cared for and held by them. The act of tying hair together symbolizes unity, but also separation from the world outside themselves--something common in the throes of a first love. The Lovers, while usually being identified with romantic love, also represents a choice. The card signals a crossroads, one where the choice made will affect the status quo forever. I've often felt that your first not-straight crush or relationship perfectly encapsulates the idea of the Lovers: there is the romance and the person you share yourself with, but also the looming feeling of going against societal norms and knowing you can never go back to the way things were before. But the question is, as it is for anyone who pulls this card: Do you really want to stay here? Or is what lies ahead more exciting and fulfilling?

 

I notice a lot of symbols of the negatives of unity and relationships in the card too. The black haired girl has two fingers crossed: it can be taken as a simple stroking of hair, but I think it looks like the lying finger cross. Sometimes the people we attach ourselves too are not always truthful, especially about their intentions. Many of us have been swept up in a romance or friendship only to realize later that the other person was using us. The scissors are interesting too: is the girl wielding them attempting to cut herself loose, or is she cutting the free hairs off so only the parts of them that are connected remain? Your perspective might inform whether the querent is co-dependent or feeling trapped by whatever situation they may be in.

 

Reversed:Beginning the separation process. A pleasant but not mind-blowing connection. Self-dissolving into the other. Emphasizing broader forms of chosen family, love, or support over romantic love.

 

[Trogon]

The Haindl Tarot - VI The Lovers

 

First Impressions:

 

This card is more like the RWS and TdM than any of these first Majors. The two lovers stand before us, their gaze directed towards each other. There are two columnar trees in the foreground, light and shadow on these is reversed from one to the other. These initially remind me more of the columns in the RWS H.P. than the trees on the RWS Lovers - there are no flames nor fruit here. The woman's hair seems to alter into a rather grotesque headdress. A spear (male) points downward into a golden cup (female). A rose is seen in the upper right and an animal with a goat-like face, but with a single unicorn-like horn is in the upper left. While there are polarities shown, Haindl's Lovers card doesn't seem to me, at first glance, to depict the idea of a "choice" as much as the RWS or TdM do.

 

Symbols: (Garnered from the "Haindl Tarot Volume 1" by Rachel Pollack)

 

Hebrew Letter; "Zain - "Sword". The sword cuts through things to allow us to make decisions - hence "Zain" brings in the idea of making choices. It symbolizes distinguishing between several things. The sword is also a phallic symbol.

 

Rune; "Ken" - K. (The elder Futhark does not use this symbol for "K", however, the Marcomannic and Younger Futhark use one similar to this.) "Ken" represents "Torch", "another masculine symbol", also relating to the spear descending into the cup which has it's tip surrounded with fire. "Descriptions of Ken often give 'lust' as a keyword. ... however, lust does not mean something sinful or destructive, but rather a positive drive leading to reproduction and creativity." ["Haindl Tarot Volume 1"] The branching shape also indicates duality.

 

Astrological; Gemini, the twins. "Often described as mental, seeming the opposite of the sensual card." [ibid] There is also the duality of it which is seen in the card, in the man & woman, fire/water, etc. So Gemini combines these dualities.

 

Element; The element for the lovers is Air - element of the mind, represented by the white border. This brings in the idea of choices as well.

 

Trees; The trees do refer us to Eden, before the fall, when Adam and Eve were not ashamed of their nudity or sexuality. They are the same height as the man and woman, showing harmony between nature and humanity.

 

People; Although it depicts a man and woman, the meaning is not restricted to only cisgendered/heterosexual couples - rather it encompasses all of human sexuality, gender identity and love. The man & woman are shown as the same height indicating equality. The woman's hair becomes elaborate & decorated - it "resembles the pitted rock found in many cards, a sign of the ancientness of human sexual traditions." [ibid] Their legs fade to become the same color as the land, connecting them to the Earth and Nature. They are nude - open to each other & themselves, hiding nothing. Representing the "emotional and personal levels" of love.

 

Unicorn; "With it's phallic horn the Unicorn symbolizes maleness." [ibid] The goat, as this Unicorn is pictured, is also a symbol of masculine force. The book explains that older traditions picture the Unicorn with goat-like features.

 

Rose and Star; "The rose symbolizes the softer, more subtle sexuality we tend to associate with women." [ibid] The rose is overlaid with a star formed from the symbols for fire and water - two triangles laid over each other (male & female).

 

Spear and Cup; The spear is the symbol for Wands/Fire in the Haindl Tarot. The cup is, of course, Water. The spear is also a masculine symbol while the cup represents the feminine. This is another representation, perhaps more spiritual than some of the others (the cup is also described as representative of the Holy Grail) of the coming together of the male and female. All of the symbols of fire and water (and male and female) connect The Lovers to Trump 14 - Alchemy which shows the blending of these elements.

 

Meanings: (from the "Haindl Tarot Volume 1" by Rachel Pollack)

 

Upright; A romantic relationship. Love and partnership. Can indicate the importance of love in a person's life. If in a hopes/dreams type of position, it can indicate the desire for a relationship - in a more negative aspect, they may fear commitment, or be in a bad relationship. The Lovers may also mean receiving (or providing) support to your lover. It can show the need to harmonize the "male" (logic, determination, direction) with the "female" (emotion, sensitivity, intuition), blending these qualities within ourselves.

 

Reversed; A relationship in trouble. The people involved may be quarreling, growing distant from one another. The reversed card may even show a break-up. The querent may feel they're not getting the support they need from their partner, or perhaps they're not giving needed support. There may be a lack of love in their life. Loneliness, rejection. The person may be too emotional or too logical, losing that blending seen in the upright card. They may be unable to act from over-analyzing things, or from feeling too strongly about it.

 

My Additional Meanings:

 

Upright; I would mostly add the ideas seen in the RWS & TdM of having a choice to make. Though the choice may relate to the love/marriage meanings above. There is also the idea of the spiritual connection of "body-mind-spirit" or "conscious-unconscious-superconscious". Additionally, the ideas of strong or emotional relationships may not be a romantic one and could relate to parental or even a pet.

 

Reversed; Wrong choices, or being unable to make a choice - this is similar to the inability to acti given in the book. Possibly making a decision based purely on sexual lust - "thinking with your genitals".

[Seeker]

From the examples below one might gather that attributes are an evolutionary thing dependent on the forces prevailing upon you:

 

(1) The Lovers: Children of the voice Divine; The oracles of the mighty Gods

 

Link: Israel Regardie page 542

 

(2) The Lovers: The understanding of beauty and production of beauty and sovereignty, Saturn acting through Gemini upon Sol.

 

Link: Israel Regardie/G.H. Frater, S.R.M.D. page 72

 

....................................

 

Gemini, the Twins, is the zodiacal sign attributed...Gemini is ruled by Mercury (Key !, the Magician)

 

The woman looks toward the angel, the man toward the woman.

 

Disposing Intelligence is the mode of consciousness assigned...

 

The angel is Raphael, angel of air, the element attributed to Gemini, and, in the symbolism of the Roman Church, the particular angel of the planet Mercury. He is also the great archangel of the eastern quarter of the heavens (East-Above). Here he represents superconsciousness, and thus is related also to the Fool.

 

Paul Foster Case-The Tarot-1947