I was originally going to write an outline on some of the meanings of the sixth card of Tarot’s major arcana – the Lover(s)… and then thought that it may be easier to simply take one elements and include these reflections here… another time can await for a tarot entry on the card.
We each and everyone have, from distant past or more recent developments, a more ‘natural’ attraction to various archetypal energies. For example, the Warrior type is often attractive to many who prefer a strong and direct masculine figure. Often women (and I will only here address heterosexual attractions) who develop this attraction as a ‘default’ mode will find those in the military or police or hunters or guardians of some sort, sexually more attractive than those in (for example) ‘caring’ professions.
Those men who have that quality as their dominant preferred mode of operating will frequently have a ‘hunter’ attitude to the women that feel an attraction to them – using, amongst many acquired skills (for warrior-hunters need to develop a range of related skills), an intensified focus and refocus that draws to themselves the person of their current focus.
As humans, this will include using such traps as purposeful co-ordinated breathing techniques (ones that would otherwise only naturally occur when already in the foreplay stage); or mirror-mimicking the mannerisms (with masculine overtones).
I have seen all too often, in the various networks of alternative communities, a number of what are perceived as ‘strong masculine energetic men’ repeatedly use these tactics.
That is of course not love and does not last – regrettably for the hunted, after the arrow has already been sent. Love is the ultimate protector, and remains the opposite of lust.
In our modern culture, many alternative communities will accentuate this strategy with the addition of heart-opening medicines and recreational drugs (such as MDMA or ecstasy – amongst others). The hunter is here at a total advantage, especially if he knows what he is doing…
This is neither love, nor is it to the best intent and blessings of the prey – who will ‘naturally’ feel a heightened sense of sexual attraction and feeling of ‘safety’ – for all traps feel safe. Yet this trap directs explicit attention to the opened feelings (not emotions) of the prey-to-be, and redirects focus to the hunter’s own sexual masculinity (even at times explicitly directing gaze to the very area still hidden but heightened by hand or other means).
Love is other than this. Love is flow and gentleness and fullness of power and strength. As worded in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, ‘Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s mishaps but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end’.
I am reminded here of Leonard Cohen’s Dance me to the end of Love – for of course there is no end to that infinite depth contained in every space opened to sacred love.
Or as Deunov spoke:
When Love enters a person, it sets in motion a series of alchemical transformations through which that person’s entire being and whole existence is transformed.
This transformation may take place in an instant, or it may unfold gradually — it depends on the individual.
Through the influence of Love, a person’s worldview and outlook is shaped and transformed, much as coal is transformed into a diamond.
Reflect upon Love as a force, as a principle, and you will arrive at direct gnosis.
Beinsa Douno
‘The Connections of Knowledge’, Esoteric Class, May 31, 1922
To focus on Love, allow a direct connection to the spiritual dimensions of ourselves in relation to the other – whether this other be a tree, a jewel, a person, or the beauty of an ideal.