Atu VI - The Lovers - Thoth Tarot - Aleister Crowley 

Lady Frieda Harris painted this tarot card sometime in the 20th century, in accordance with instructions from the occultist Aleister Crowley. The image overflows with symbolism, but it also encodes aspects of the social environment in which it was made. The card is called “The Lovers”, but that refers less to romance than to the reconciliation of opposites. In the center are a white king and queen, and below, a white and black child exchange a cup and spear. These pairings signify the alchemical marriage of sulfur and mercury, while a Cupid figure suggests not romantic love, but the creative and destructive energies of Eros. We can understand this artwork by attending to the esoteric and occult traditions on which it draws, many of which challenged the institutions of the time. Tarot was seen as a tool for psychological insight and spiritual growth outside of religious institutions. We can also research the institutional histories of the art world, where women, such as Lady Frieda Harris, were gaining increased prominence. Attending to these sources lets us understand how the image challenged social norms.