Member Articles

The Lovers

At the Lovers stage the initiate experiences a consciousness-raising to the presence of "others". The "other"represents the aspects within that are contrary to their conscious personality. One who is the same sex, and the other who is the opposite sex. The other is also evident in the form of client, colleague, partnerships and spirit. At the Lovers stage a new level of complexity is introduced. Now the struggle begins to integrate this awareness of other. Loving and fearing, joy and sadness, intelligence and stupidity all surface to conscious awareness. This isthe stage that marks the complication of having to make difficult choices."Will I read for others, or just myself?" asks the student. "Can I read for myself or will I just say things I want to see in the cards?" They do a few readings for others and realize how different the responses can be to readings. This will engage powerful, previously unconscious aspects. As they struggle to integrate the opposite other sin themselves, they are attentive to the energy that flows between opposites; its magnetism and repulsion.

Students talk about how their lovers, and partners are reacting to their decision to study the Tarot – students report that the men in their lives are calling it names like, "hocus pocus", "silliness", or for one student her partner called it terrifying and wouldn't even be in the same room with her when she brought out her cards. The challenge these womyn face is whether to persevere with their Tarot studies or go along with their Lover's assessment and drop the whole matter altogether – get with it, get sane, get their feet back on the ground and get on with the necessities of living.