Sophie-David
Balance, the fourteenth Major of The Lover's Path Tarot, depicts the match of Venus and Vulcan, comparable to the traditional card Temperance. Venus is imaged separately as the Queen of Arrows, the tester of Psyche in her journey through the suit of Arrows (Swords). The theme of balance is well depicted in the card, which uses two classic arches to frame each of the partners and their respective worlds.
On the left, Vulcan is dressed in dark intense colours which we remind me of both earth and fire. He wears a short practical tunic which would help him to shed the heat, and a long brown cloak with golden trim which evokes his practical divinity. He has red hair, a short red beard, and with a look of intensity focuses on the beautiful Venus with whom he grasps hands as they dance. Vulcan's backdrop, suggestive of his unconscious, is the fire of his furnaces.
On the right, Venus is dressed in the golden white gown with green trim which she seductively modeled as Queen of Swords. Her golden hair dances about her shoulders, but instead of returning Vulcan's look, she focuses on the observer. Is she self-conscious of her match, trying to elicit sympathy, begin a new conquest or simply showing off? The doves of her inspiration flutter near her feet and behind her, and beyond the arch the green sea crashes against the marble temple. In the distance a seagull is hunting in the air above. The birds and the wind in her hair evoke the air, and the sea is of water.
Thus the four elements come together in poetic balance. Between the two partners the hand clasp is superimposed exactly over the centre pillar, and they are also joined by a red ribbon which twines about them. Above the two arches a garland of roses is another harmonizing element which draws them together. In its position above them, perhaps it represents the work of the gods who brought about their arranged marriage.
But much as I admire the expression of balance in the art of the card, the backstory of these two partners - I will not call them lovers - gives me trouble. While I can understand the aspect of balance between these two opposites, my personal understanding of Temperance implies much more of a reconciliation, a blending of two spirits which is often imaged in the pouring of a liquid between two vessels. To me, this Major goes beyond balance into intimate relationship, a fusion of souls, in short the sacred marriage of feminine and masculine. This myth seems to speak of a relationship which is much more tenuous, a marriage in name only without true engagement. While any healthy relationship must strike a balance between intimacy and separation, this marriage seems a little too impersonal.
Vulcan does not look unattractive in the picture, but clearly Venus found him so. Nothing can create a chemistry which is not there. There seems to be some disrespect of Vulcan in the myths, perhaps reflective of a culture which valued the noble and the warrior above the artisan. I admire Venus for following her heart, but on the other hand the apparent contempt with which she treated her husband in the stories is difficult to accept. But I think this quotation is key to Kris's intent, from page 43 of the text:
Here are further details on Vulcan, as the Greek Hephaestus and Venus as Aphrodite.
On the left, Vulcan is dressed in dark intense colours which we remind me of both earth and fire. He wears a short practical tunic which would help him to shed the heat, and a long brown cloak with golden trim which evokes his practical divinity. He has red hair, a short red beard, and with a look of intensity focuses on the beautiful Venus with whom he grasps hands as they dance. Vulcan's backdrop, suggestive of his unconscious, is the fire of his furnaces.
On the right, Venus is dressed in the golden white gown with green trim which she seductively modeled as Queen of Swords. Her golden hair dances about her shoulders, but instead of returning Vulcan's look, she focuses on the observer. Is she self-conscious of her match, trying to elicit sympathy, begin a new conquest or simply showing off? The doves of her inspiration flutter near her feet and behind her, and beyond the arch the green sea crashes against the marble temple. In the distance a seagull is hunting in the air above. The birds and the wind in her hair evoke the air, and the sea is of water.
Thus the four elements come together in poetic balance. Between the two partners the hand clasp is superimposed exactly over the centre pillar, and they are also joined by a red ribbon which twines about them. Above the two arches a garland of roses is another harmonizing element which draws them together. In its position above them, perhaps it represents the work of the gods who brought about their arranged marriage.
But much as I admire the expression of balance in the art of the card, the backstory of these two partners - I will not call them lovers - gives me trouble. While I can understand the aspect of balance between these two opposites, my personal understanding of Temperance implies much more of a reconciliation, a blending of two spirits which is often imaged in the pouring of a liquid between two vessels. To me, this Major goes beyond balance into intimate relationship, a fusion of souls, in short the sacred marriage of feminine and masculine. This myth seems to speak of a relationship which is much more tenuous, a marriage in name only without true engagement. While any healthy relationship must strike a balance between intimacy and separation, this marriage seems a little too impersonal.
Vulcan does not look unattractive in the picture, but clearly Venus found him so. Nothing can create a chemistry which is not there. There seems to be some disrespect of Vulcan in the myths, perhaps reflective of a culture which valued the noble and the warrior above the artisan. I admire Venus for following her heart, but on the other hand the apparent contempt with which she treated her husband in the stories is difficult to accept. But I think this quotation is key to Kris's intent, from page 43 of the text:
This characterization is deeply resonant to me - my personal journey is a result of the balancing effect of the practice of art. As art requires the balance between inspiration and form, technique and spirit, the expression of art balances and heals both the world outside and the world inside.Each was necessary to the other as opposites often are. Their relationship serves to symbolize the dance between craftsmanship and beauty, ultilitarianism and inspiration - elements needed to yield art, the supreme act of balance
Here are further details on Vulcan, as the Greek Hephaestus and Venus as Aphrodite.