Design Inspiration: The Lovers
This is the first in a series of blog posts that I’m going to write about my design inspirations for the cards. I probably won’t touch on all of them, but will try to get to all the ones people seem most interested in.
When I set out to make this deck I wanted to make sure that the images would resonate with everyone, not just me, but I also wanted them to have a bit of my personal touch, so I sourced ideas from the pool of the collective unconscious (aka pop culture) and my own personal experiences.
I also think it’s always a good idea to look outside of existing examples of what you are trying to create to think of fresh, new ideas. Look at different types of media, ideas, cultures, religions, and find what works for the feeling you’re trying to convey then make it your own. So I didn’t want to just look at other Tarot card art because mine would end up just being entirely derivative of decks that came before it. But of course, you don’t want the final product to be so far removed from tarot symbolism that it no longer reads as a tarot deck. It’s something of a balancing act. So after I looked outside of the tarot to find the same feeling and energy of the card I was currently working on in other places, I always came back to the RWS and hermetic tarot and used them as a rough outline to create something that remained iconic and recognizable.
VI The Lovers
I decided to start with the lovers since it is almost Valentine’s day after all.
This is one of the only cards that I consulted the Tarot de Marseilles on because of how iconic that depiction is and how different it is from the RWS.
I like the idea of choice being the primary condition for love. Choosing who you love is like making a contract. And you don’t just choose them once, you have to continue to chose them every day.
Of course, this card can be read as a non-romantic contract or relationship too.
Symbolism Breakdown
The Arrow - A symbol of cupid or Eros as well as Sagittarius. I wanted to push this relationship because of the strong connection between this card and Temperance which is ruled by that sign. On a personal note, my parent’s are Gemini and Sagittarius so it makes me think of them.
The Volcano - It appears for the first time here, far away and dormant as a warning and foreshadowing presence. The next time it appears is on Temperance where it is still dormant, then The Devil where it erupts, and finally The Tower where it fully explodes. Traditionally, the volcano is also present to represent latent passion between the lovers.
The Figures - The grounded figure represents humanity, the winged figure represents divinity. Their eyes are locked, their bodies connected by the touch of their hands, and the arrow points at the human figure’s heart, all suggesting that they are choosing each other. I also wanted this to read as a depiction of the concept of “As above, so below.”
Color Theory
Purple - Spirituality
Red - Grounding and Passion
Orange - Pleasure and Desire
Media Inspirations
I’ve always really liked stories where angels (or demons) fall in love with humans. It’s forbidden, it’s an ultimate sacrifice, it’s choosing the one you love over divinity. There’s just something about that that does it for me. Here are a couple of examples of my favorites.
Wish by Clamp
This one had a pretty profound effect on me growing up. It’s not their most popular series and is only 4 volumes long, but it’s one of my favorite Clamp works. It tells the story of an angel who falls in love with a human and what she does to be with him throughout time.
Wings of Desire
Wings of Desire is a beautiful German film about an angel who falls in love with a trapeze artist in Berlin. You may be more aware of the American remake, City of Angels, but this movie is much better. it’s one of my all-time favorites. If you’re looking for something romantic to watch this weekend >>
VI The Lovers
“One travels the path of lightning,
the other, the path of the serpent.
Despite the inevitable
collision of their meeting,
they reach out for one another.
Finally,
two who were once solitary
find completion and
harmony in their duality.
Their decision to become one
unifies the world
and they find truth
in each other,
and a new path
together.”
— L.L.
I hope you enjoyed this post! Reach out to me on social media if you have any questions or requests for other posts in my design inspiration series. -Liz
