VI – The Lovers
“dedication, love, combination of opposites”
symbol: duality and finding unity, the chymical wedding
zodiac: Gemini
ritual: sacred marriage, binding together, love
archetype: Eros, Amor, Kama, Venus, Aphrodite
path of Zain: Binah – Tiphareth
This card’s focus is on the symbol of duality and achieving unity – both, with oneself and also others.
In the upper part floats an eye, the symbol for union in this context. On a cosmic scale the taut bow symbolizes the division of this unimaginable unity into a positive and a negative aspect (+ and -). The sun and the moon on the arrow do not only represent the initiation of duality, but also the separation from each other. Together they fertilize the orphic egg, creating our cosmos of opposites.
In every step we take and every act we participate in, is a cosmic equation going on. The sum of the components involved has the goal of coming closer to the solution of conjunction. This works on a cosmic scale, but also in every action and path we choose.
Take the artistic process as an example. There is an idea (maybe drawing a picture), the different mediums we can choose from (paper, canvas, …), the devices and resources (pencil, ink, colors, …). Everybody who ever made something knows that each attempt of combining these variables together will have a different outcome. During the process of creating something, the egg represents the medium the idea is evolving in. A pot would be a similar alchemical symbol (compare the card of “XIV – Art/Alchemy”). The result of the work is not only the merging of different mediums, components, and ideas, but also a step to self-awareness. This process has a different outcome every time. This eventually leads to a step further towards equilibrium.
Keep this example in mind while discussing the card further.
Below we can see the opposites in their male/female – active/passive – sun/moon – 1/0 – +/- form. The lovers do not necessarily represent an actual couple, but often the opposites within oneself. The mystery of the chymical wedding is not a ritual between two actual people but a process of combining the inner parts which are divided.
In the lower part of the card is the queen, wearing a moon crown and holding a cup, while the king is wearing his crown with five spikes and a spear. The moon crown represents the passive, flexible and receiving principle while the 5-spiked crown is a symbol for control and order. The spear symbolizes activity but rigidity. Only when learning from each other, can both ignite the flame of awareness together. In our example of the artist who creates his piece, both the technique and execution, (+) as well as the intuition and creativity (-) are equally important. An artist without creativity is not able to create fine art, while without technique the image in his mind cannot be transcended correctly. In a metaphysical context neither the left nor the right path leads to salvation, but only combined, they make sense and open the door to the realm of improved consciousness.
The two hands form a coalition by choice, equally involved in the process of creating, so that neither one of these aspects (no matter if it is in our own self, or with a partner) is suppressed by the other. Love not only means attraction, but also recognizing that two opposite parts fit together.
The two animals – lion and eagle – sitting on the arms, are alchemical representatives for the opposite elements of fire and water.
In the middle rests the orphic egg. Now fertilized through evolution and collaboration, not through division (compare the ascension from below to the fall from above).
