Observations placeholder
Wirth, Oswald – 06 The Lovers
Identifier
028324
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Wirth has not interpreted the Lovers card entirely correctly. He has added two females [feminine] for the one man [masculine] and rather than it being a union of masculine [intellect] with feminine [intuition] under the auspices of Eros – Divine Love, in order to make contact with one’s Higher spirit, he has added unnecessary complexity, not present in other cards for the same symbol – as the Lovers in all other cards are the Hieros Gamos – the Mystic Marriage between subconscious and conscious which means one has become balanced enough to seek higher things. The card left is more accurate.
But some of his interpretation is correct, so we have included this text.
We think Wirth was overly influenced by earlier cards that depicted the human temptations – the desires and distractions that can ensue in everyday life that prevent a dedicated follower of the spiritual path from succeeding. These cards are thus depicting the activities of
- Reducing desires
- Suppressing obligations
- Reducing threat
- Squash the big I am
- Suppressing opportunities
All of which are indeed absolutely key to continuing successfully on the path, but they mix activity with role.
Many fairy tales are linked to this card and what it represents – the union of masculine and feminine – Sleeping Beauty; Rumpelstiltskin; Cinderella, with her crystal slippers..................
A description of the experience
The Tarot of the Magicians – Oswald Wirth English translation 1985 Samuel Weiser.
First published in Paris in 1927 under the original title: Le Tarot, des lmagiers du Moyen Age
As it is a question of the Great Work of humanity to which only the workers of the Spirit can devote themselves, they must have learned how to 'will' [masculine] and how to 'love' feminine] . The Lover is, in this respect, the Initiate whose apprenticeship is completed. If, by crossing his arms he puts himself in the rank of the 'Good Shepherd' known to the Knights of the Rosy Cross, the fact is that he tries to forget himself; he does not allow himself to desire his own personal benefit, but desires only that of others.
It is the realization of this moral beauty which corresponds to the sixth Sephirah - Tiphereth – whose emblem is Solomon's Seal, formed by two entwined triangles. …... It is the star of the macrocosm, the sign of supreme magical power, acquired by the individual who, with complete self-abnegation puts himself in the service of the 'whole'. To love to the point of existing only for others, that is the objective of the Lover.
In the Tarot this character is only a disguised form of active unity (Magician) intended to be represented in three aspects: the Lover brings us back to unity through love, for Man
The source of the experience
Tarot, theConcepts, symbols and science items
Science Items
Activities and commonsteps
Activities
Suppressions
Reducing desiresReducing opportunities
Reducing threats
Squash the big I am
Suppressing obligations