EXERCISE NLd: Lovers
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 20:29:38 +0100
From: Moonchild
To: Comparative Tarot http://comparativetarot.com
Lovers Exercise by Nina Lee Braden
> Choose three different Tarot decks, and pull out your Lovers cards.
I chose Shakespearian and RW (because they are on my desk), and after
closing my eyes and reaching into my Tarot drawer, came up with the TdM.> Describe each card physically. Do not try to interpret meaning from the cards at this time;
merely describe what you can see on each card.Shakespearian: Romeo and Juliet married by Friar Laurence. The friar
stands above the kneeling couple with arms spread, while Romeo kisses
Juliet's hand. The three figures are framed by an archway carved with
the two trees (similar to RW) and topped with moon and three stars (on
Juliet's side) and sun (on Romeo's side). The floor is black and white
checkerboard, and in the back are three stained glass windows, triptych
style. The outer windows feature two intertwined rings (Juliet's side)
and an eye in a triangle (Romeo's side). The middle window shows a
cabalistic tree, a naked couple, and a descending dove at the top.RW: A naked couple (Adam and Eve) stand with hands spread but lowered.
Behind Eve is the Tree of Knowledge, with serpent. Behind Adam is the
Tree of Life, with flames. Above them is an angel with hands spread and
raised, and a brightly shining sun. In the background between the
couple is a very pointy mountain.TdM: A young man stands between two figures: one, a fair young woman,
who gestures toward his heart with one hand; the other appears to be a
woman, perhaps a bit older and apparently not as good-looking, who has
her hand on his shoulder. Over all, Cupid aims an arrow somewhere
between the fair youngsters, and the sun shines.> How are the cards similar? How are they different? Which card do you like best?
The first two have the most similarities: a female/male couple, two
trees, and a central figure with hands raised and head bowed. The TdM
is different in that it has an extra figure, and no additional symbols.
I like the RW best, because it's deep. I like the TdM best, because
it's wide.> Put the cards away. Without reference to any specific deck, how would you interpret the Lovers?
Primarily, the bond of love which has such a strong influence on our
choices. Not only our choice of life partner, but also our choices of
actions, which influence and are influenced by our love. As Crowley
says: "There is no bond that can united the divided but love." The
principle and practice of "One Love All Love" makes all other
commandments redundant. Love is the Law.> Pull out your cards again. How does each picture fit/fail to fit your mental Lovers card?
Which card comes closest to your interpretation?Shakespearian: The story of Romeo and Juliet shows a love that excludes
other loves, including love of family and love of life! While they are
perhaps the English-speaking world's most famous lovers, their love was
way out of control, ruining their own lives and the lives of others. So
it fits in that their love had such a strong influence on their actions,
but fails to fit because their love was so limited and ruinous.RW: Another ruinous love! Adam and Eve made the worst possible choice!
They didn't even have a choice of partner, but they did have the choice
of whether to obey God's command. Love was turned toward self, away
from the All One. Of course, that all came later. Before the "Fall,"
as pictured in the card, they had One Love All Love; they had the bond
with God, Nature and each other.TdM: Such a lot in this card depends on that extra character. It's
unclear whether it is another prospective partner, a representative of
"vice" (as opposed to the fair "virtue"), someone's mother, or a clergy.
It appears that the fair woman is presenting her man to her mother, and
the mother is not really thrilled, but accepting, and giving advice.
The man must expand his love to include not only his young woman, but
also his mother-in-law. He must choose to make them *both* happy! And
if it is his own mother, he doesn't really leave her for his woman; he
doesn't stop loving and honoring her just because he's found another.
His All Love grows, including rather than excluding others. So I guess
this one fits my interpretation best.> Think of a Lovers card that you really do not like. Which deck is it from?
What does it look like? Why don't you like it? What does this tell you about yourself?
What does this tell you about the artist and/or designer of this deck?I'm not so fond of the Cosmic Tarot Lovers card. There is a couple in a
garden, almost kissing. What is she pointing at? I'm not really sure
why I don't like it. Perhaps because there is nothing more to it--no
*story*! Boring. This tells me that I like to be able to read more
into/out of an image. All it tells me about the deck's creator is that
he doesn't think like I do!> Do you want to learn to like this card?
Not particularly.
> Of the many meanings of the Lovers card, positive discrimination and choice are important
ones. Think of an area in life where you need to exercise positive discrimination and choice.
What is it? Choose one of the Lovers cards to be your inspiration, and in the next twenty-four
hours resolve to take a concrete step of discrimination and choice.Well, we didn't talk about sex yet! While I do try daily to make
choices that expand love (One and All), today I choose to have sex in
the next 24 hours, showing love to my chosen one. Afterwards, it will
probably be easier to feel love towards all!One Love All Love,
Moonchild~~~~~~~~~
Hold on to what you got, true love's a rarity,
But a little voice keeps saying, it ain't supposed to be. <Bob Marley>
This page is excerpted from my original contributions to the Comparative Tarot discussion group.
Graphics created and generously shared by Full Moon Graphics.
http://www.moonchild.ch/Tarot/personal/exercise/EXnl06.html
