The Wildwood Tarot deck, rooted in pre-Celtic mythology and the seasonal rhythms of nature, offers a unique framework for understanding the self and one's connections with others. Within this deck, the card known as The Forest Lovers serves as a profound symbol of equilibrium, particularly within relationships and the internal landscape of the individual. This card represents the Beltane season, a time of midsummer warmth and fertility, marking the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. It embodies the harmonious interaction between the elements of Fire and Air, corresponding to the Arrows and Bows suits of the deck. The imagery of The Forest Lovers depicts a man and a woman, Robin and Maid Marian, standing side by side, clad in the blue and brown colors of the Wildwood. Between them rises a birch tree in new leaf, a living testament to the energy exchange occurring between the two figures. This tree reaches toward the sky, symbolizing the rising energy of the earth meeting the falling energy of the sky, creating a conduit for life-giving forces.
At its core, The Forest Lovers speaks to the balance found in relationships and the essential link between masculine and feminine energies. It is a card of heterosexual union, but its message transcends physical gender, focusing instead on the polarization of energies that creates a new source of power and insight. This polarization is not about dominance or prominence, but rather an intersection of energy and passion fueled by mutual respect and strong will. The card suggests that true love and emotional abundance arise when individuals learn to harmonize the masculine and feminine aspects within themselves. It encourages the cherishing of every state of one's character—light and dark, masculine and feminine—to become a complete, integrated individual. This internal work allows for a smooth flow of natural energy, preventing emotional states from becoming difficult to control or troublesome.
The symbolism extends to the natural world, with white lilies, known as "Lords and Ladies," appearing as typical flowers of the Beltane season. These flowers reinforce the theme of harmony between men and women, a harmony that generates exciting sources of energy, bringing fertility not only to the land but to the Wheel of The Year itself. The Forest Lovers represent the Yin energy of the creative source of emotion and a cosmic desire to achieve harmony in the soul. Those who reside in the wildwood understand the importance of rituals of love, viewing them as a motive to ensure that emotions and creativity circulate stably. The card promises that the universe will bestow the gift of love upon those who seek spiritual balance through inner harmony and healing. It posits that polarization is the deciding factor that creates tides in nature and the flow of emotions.
Keywords associated with The Forest Lovers include blessed harmony, friendship, the ritual of spring, balance between the extremes in the soul, longing, and endless love. It speaks of sacred vows and the presence of the white male deer of Arthurian lore. The card guides individuals to allow the light of love to reach them, to let it shine into the darkest corners of the soul, and to support them in achieving their goals. It emphasizes that before one can find true love externally, one must first improve the self. This involves accepting every aspect of oneself and accepting the whole personality of others. Gender polarization can fluctuate, but an integral person recognizes every polarizing element in their individuality and in others. When these aspects are harmonized, joy becomes simple and lasting, and true love arrives as a gift.
The Wildwood Tarot deck itself is a distinct creation by Mark Ryan, John Matthews, and Will Worthington. It differs significantly from traditional decks like the Rider-Waite, as evidenced by its renaming of the Major Arcana cards. The Forest Lovers corresponds to the traditional Lovers card (Card VI) but carries a specific focus on nature-based symbolism and the seasonal cycle. The Major Arcana in the Wildwood deck includes cards such as The Wanderer (The Fool), The Shaman (The Magician), The Seer (The High Priestess), The Green Woman (The Empress), The Green Man (The Emperor), and The Forest Lovers (The Lovers). Other renamed cards include The Archer (The Chariot), The Stag (Justice), The Hooded Man (The Hermit), The Woodward (Strength), The Mirror (The Hanged Man), The Journey (Death), Balance (Temperance), The Guardian (The Devil), The Blasted Oak (The Tower), The Pole Star (The Star), The Moon on Water (The Moon), The Sun of Life (The Sun), The Great Bear (Judgement), and The World Tree (The World). These renamings are intentional and aligned with the deck's pre-Celtic and nature-focused mythology.
While The Forest Lovers highlights positive transformation and harmony, the Wildwood Tarot does not shy away from the shadowy aspects of life. Readers may encounter challenging cards such as the Two of Arrows (Injustice), the Three of Arrows (Jealousy), the Five of Arrows (Frustration), the Seven of Arrows (Insecurity), the Two of Stones (Challenge), the Four of Vessels (Boredom), and the Seven of Vessels (Mourning). The deck encourages individuals to recognize and work through all aspects of themselves, rather than shielding them from difficult emotions. The forest is described as both a metaphor for life and for the unknown, sometimes shadowy aspects of existence. This approach invites a deep connection to nature and intuition, facilitating a journey of self-discovery that encompasses the full spectrum of human experience.
The guidebook for the Wildwood Tarot, a comprehensive 160-page A5 volume, offers further insights. In the introduction, Mark Ryan shares advice to read the book, meditate with the cards, and then put the book away to do one's own thing. This philosophy underscores the deck's emphasis on personal resonance and intuitive interpretation. Even though the deck revolves around the Wheel of the Year, the ultimate way to work with the cards is whatever resonates most deeply with the reader. The forest serves as a powerful entry point for understanding the deck, acting as a metaphor for life and the unknown. For those drawn to animal symbolism, the deck offers a rich tapestry of imagery to explore, encouraging readers to follow their own path as they explore the cards and trust their immediate reactions and feelings.
The Forest Lovers card, therefore, serves as a guide for those seeking to understand the dynamics of their relationships and the balance within their own souls. It teaches that polarization is a natural and necessary force, creating the flow of emotions and the tides of nature. By embracing the masculine and feminine energies within and respecting them in others, individuals can achieve a state of harmony that allows for the free flow of creative and emotional energy. This state of balance is the foundation upon which true love and lasting joy are built. It is a journey of self-acceptance and mutual respect, leading to the gift of love from the universe.
In the context of the Wildwood Tarot's seasonal rhythm, The Forest Lovers appearing in a reading can signify a time of Beltane energy—a period of growth, fertility, and celebration of union. It suggests that the querent is entering a phase where relationships and creative partnerships are highlighted. It may indicate the need to balance opposing forces within oneself or to seek a partnership that complements one's energy. The presence of the birch tree between the figures emphasizes new growth and the connection between earth and sky, suggesting that this union has the potential to elevate the spirit and ground it simultaneously.
The card's association with the "ritual of spring" and the "white male deer of Arthurian" lore adds layers of mythological significance. It connects the personal experience of love and balance to ancient archetypes and natural cycles. This connection invites the querent to see their personal journey as part of a larger, timeless narrative of nature and spirit. The "endless love" and "sacred vows" keywords point to the potential for deep, lasting commitments that are honored with respect and will. The Forest Lovers is not merely about romantic love; it encompasses the love of nature, the love of self, and the love of the creative process.
The Wildwood Tarot's approach to the Lovers card is distinct in its lack of gender bias regarding the individuals depicted, yet it acknowledges the polarization of gender energies. It clarifies that physical gender can be diverse, but the energetic polarization exists as a binary force (exist or not). This perspective allows for a broader interpretation of the card, applicable to any relationship dynamic where two distinct energies come together to create a third, new energy. It is the alchemical fusion of opposites that generates power and insight.
The process of achieving this harmony is described as internal work. One must "learn to cherish and make friends with every state of our character, whether it is masculine or feminine, light or dark." This integration is crucial for becoming a "complete individual." The text warns that if emotional energies are not received and integrated, they can become troublesome and difficult to control, "patting our minds, demanding to be known." This suggests that ignoring these internal polarities leads to psychological imbalance, whereas acknowledging and harmonizing them leads to a smooth flow of natural energy.
The Forest Lovers Wildwood card is a representation of the "Yin energy of the creative source of emotion" and a "cosmic desire to achieve harmony in the soul." This description highlights the card's connection to the deeper, more receptive aspects of the creative process and the longing for inner peace. It suggests that emotional creativity and stability are born from this harmony. The rituals of love practiced by the "residents of the wildwood" serve as a reminder to keep emotions and creativity circulating. By allowing the "light of love" to reach the "darkest corner" of the soul, individuals can find the support needed to achieve their goals.
Ultimately, The Forest Lovers is a card of self-improvement and acceptance. It teaches that true love is a gift that follows the hard work of self-acceptance and the acceptance of others. It asks the querent to look at their relationships and their internal state to see where balance exists and where it is needed. It is a call to respect the strong will of oneself and others, to find the intersection of passion that does not rely on dominance, and to build a foundation of friendship and harmony. Through this process, the "bizarre psychological states" are resolved, and the flow of energy becomes a source of life and joy rather than trouble.
The Wildwood Tarot, as a whole, is designed to facilitate a deeper connection to nature and intuition. The Forest Lovers card is a prime example of this, using the imagery of the forest and its creatures to convey universal truths about human relationships and inner balance. It is a tool for those seeking to navigate the complexities of the soul and the dynamics of partnership with wisdom and respect for the natural cycles of life. By meditating on the image of the man and woman, the birch tree, and the white lilies, one can access the card's profound message of harmony, fertility, and the balanced exchange of energy that sustains life and love.
The renaming of the card from "The Lovers" to "The Forest Lovers" is significant. It roots the concept of love and union firmly in the natural world, stripping away some of the more anthropocentric or romanticized connotations. It places the relationship within the context of the "Wildwood," a place of raw nature, seasonal change, and ancient rhythms. This context suggests that the love and balance it represents are as fundamental and necessary as the cycles of the earth. It is a love that is wild, true, and deeply connected to the source of life.
The Wildwood Tarot's Major Arcana sequence, with The Forest Lovers as the sixth card, follows a journey of the soul. Preceding cards such as The Wanderer (The Fool), The Shaman (The Magician), The Seer (The High Priestess), The Green Woman (The Empress), and The Green Man (The Emperor) establish the foundation of self-awareness, will, intuition, and nurturing authority. The Forest Lovers then represents the stage where these individual aspects seek union and balance with another or within the self. It is a pivotal point in the journey, where the focus shifts from the solitary self to the dynamic of relationship and the integration of polarities.
Following The Forest Lovers, the sequence continues with The Archer (The Chariot), representing willpower and direction, and The Stag (Justice), representing fairness and cause and effect. This progression suggests that the balance achieved in The Forest Lovers provides the stability and clarity needed for the forward motion and ethical discernment that follow. The card is thus not an endpoint but a crucial step in the evolutionary journey of the soul as depicted in the Wildwood Tarot.
The deck's creators, Mark Ryan, John Matthews, and Will Worthington, have crafted a system that is both a divination tool and a guide for spiritual growth aligned with nature. The Forest Lovers card encapsulates the deck's ethos of working with all aspects of life, both light and dark, to achieve wholeness. It encourages the reader to embrace the full spectrum of emotional energy and to seek harmony in all relationships. The card's message is timeless, speaking to the fundamental human need for connection, balance, and the creative energy that flows from a harmonious union of opposites.
In a reading, The Forest Lovers can indicate a need to evaluate the balance of power and energy in a relationship. It may suggest that a union is blessed with harmony and friendship, or it may point to the need to cultivate these qualities. It can represent the beginning of a new relationship that has the potential for deep, soul-level connection, or it can signify a deepening of an existing bond through the conscious work of balancing internal energies. The presence of the birch tree suggests new growth and the potential for this union to bear fruit in creative or practical ways.
The card's association with Beltane also connects it to fertility and the celebration of life. In a broader sense, this fertility can apply to projects, businesses, or creative endeavors that are born from a harmonious partnership. The energy of The Forest Lovers is one of creation and abundance, fueled by the respectful and balanced exchange of energy between two parties. It is a reminder that the most potent creations come from a place of mutual respect and shared passion.
The Wildwood Tarot's refusal to shield the querent from difficult emotions, as seen in the mention of cards like Injustice and Jealousy, gives The Forest Lovers a more grounded and realistic context. The harmony it represents is not a naive or idealized state, but one that is achieved through the conscious navigation of the challenges inherent in relationships and the self. It is a harmony that is earned through the work of integrating the shadow and acknowledging the full reality of the human experience.
For those seeking to apply the wisdom of The Forest Lovers to their lives, the card offers a clear path: engage in the work of self-acceptance, respect the polarities within and without, and nurture relationships with rituals of love and mutual respect. By doing so, one can unlock the creative and emotional energy that flows through the "birch tree" of their connections, allowing it to rise to the sky and ground itself in the earth, creating a life of balance, abundance, and true love. The Wildwood Tarot, through The Forest Lovers, provides a powerful map for this journey, guiding individuals toward a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the web of life and relationship.
The Forest Lovers is a testament to the power of union, not just between two people, but between the different parts of the self. It is a card of integration, balance, and the creative potential that arises when opposites meet in respect and harmony. Its imagery and symbolism are deeply rooted in the natural world and the cycles of the year, offering a timeless guide for anyone seeking to cultivate love, balance, and abundance in their life. The Wildwood Tarot deck, as a whole, serves as a bridge to the intuitive wisdom of nature, and The Forest Lovers is one of its most potent and beautiful messengers of harmony and union.