Ross, I can't possibly imagine how you got your dry reputation. You even made a machinist lathe sound romantic (and I don't even know what a machinist lathe is! - but I don't need to. I just need to hear you say you tend her).
I had an experience a few days ago. Here, on this forum, doing an exercise. It's not nearly as eloquent as you, Ross, but it was close in quality - I was reading for someone who was V- Le Pape. I was L'Amoureux. It's a role I am used to, the fantasist, the eternal femme-enfant who loves and loses and has trouble choosing. And suddenly I felt Le Pape speaking to me. I've had trouble with him all my tarot-reading life, whether he's called Pope or Hierophant. What's this dusty old greybeard in a mitre got for me, I thought? I'm not a Catholic, so Le Pape is remote, Italian, ritualistic...
But he spoke. A firm voice. What, I cannot remember, but it was strong and gentle. He told me to go along with him, because I had things to learn and he was going to teach me. I don't like authority, so I bristled, but there was no refusing that compelling voice, it was so - tender.
So there I am now, on the road. Le Pape? perhaps you would call him my animus, Ross.
Darla, you started this thread. I'm not sure you realised what you were going to unleash...