13 – The Beloved – Mating – The Sun and Fire as Lovers

The young prince narrows his sight. All he can see is the radiant beauty of his lonesome bride as the monk submits to the will of the Creator. The power a woman gains over a man in the process of love may be a necessary step in the cycle of creation. The wise man continues what he has started and contemplates a journey.

1^st – The Beloved at the Door – He sits alone by the fire, as the blizzard rages outside. There is a knock, he opens the door to find his beloved asking for entrance. To refuse this is unspeakable.

2^nd – The Beloved is Related – He discovers his beloved is a distant cousin, possible unforeseen trouble. Whether it be by blood or close social ties, it is now advised not to join with one who has be raised in the same clan. This will squelch the power of the man, for she will forever see him through the eyes of his mother.

3^rd – Cowering from the Beloved – Why is it that a man will seek something so diligently, but when the time has come to make the decisive move, he cowers and retreats to the hills? Such cowardice deserves three years of misery. Boldness is required.

4^th – The Beloved is Fortified – The defenses are too strong, he is unable to breach the castle wall. He will lay siege to the gate and fend off any potential invaders. Entry will not be gained via force, but rather through a request for fresh supplies. The wise man maintains a sense of what is right when encountering difficult situations. Be stubborn, yet forever kind.

5^th – The Beloved in the Crowd – Cooped up in the house, they can only find arguments and weeping. They separate and disperse independently into the crowd. Here the joyous song and dance of the community reminds them of their love and brings them together as an extension of the clan.

6^th – Separated from the Beloved – He is sent away to distant lands while she tends the fire and weeps. This is not what we have expected. We should not regret this situation, for it is deemed necessary by the tides of creation. Take the time to examine if this goal is really worth sacrificing everything to attain.

All Six – Union with the Beloved – After a painstaking journey, the river finally meets the sea. We will attain what we seek, for we awake and realize that it was she who has been seeking us all along.