1 The song of songs, which is Solomon's.
This song was composed by Solomon, whose name means Peace. He symbolizes Wisdom, or the Spiritually Conscious Mind.
2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.
A Kiss symbolizes spiritual union. The mouth symbolizes communication. Love is also union. Wine symbolizes Vitality or being full of energy. Thus, this passage is saying that Spirit should unite with the soul, and that this state is better than simply being full of energy.
3 Because of the savor of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
Ointments symbolize the affirmation of Peace. Virgins symbolize purity and the senses. This passage is saying that a Peaceful Spirit stimulates and purifies the senses.
4 Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.
Bringing the soul into the king's chambers means focusing on the spiritual work of purification. Love is always the focus of the Work.
5 I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
Jerusalem means City of Peace. The daughters of Jerusalem are the ideas in the soul that promote Peace. Kedar means Black and Sorrow. To be Black means to be hidden or full of sorrow. This is often true of the ideas held within the soul during the early stages of spiritual development. When left unattended, the soul can produce great sorrow until being brought into the Light of Consciousness.
6 Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.
The Vineyard symbolizes the ideas held by the soul. In an enlightened soul, it is a place of beauty that promotes Inner Peace. However, at this stage of development, it is abandoned and promotes only Sorrow.
7 Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?
The flocks symbolize ideas in the spiritually conscious mind. Their rest means that the spiritual person should be engaged in Meditation, as this is Rest for the Mind.
8 If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents.
The shepherd's tents symbolizes collections of ideas. The soul absorbs these.
9 I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.
Pharaoh's chariots symbolize the life force and spiritual consciousness within the Solar Plexus Chakra. These are the Vehicles of Transformation.
10 Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.
Cheeks symbolize Determination, Endurance and Strength of Purpose. Jewels symbolize the belief in externally derived wisdom and Love that must be acknowledged as having their source in Spirit. Thus,
cheeks with rows of jewels symbolize the process of realizing the Spirit is the source of Wisdom and Love.
The neck is the Seat of Spiritual Power. Gold symbolizes Spiritual Gifts. Chains symbolize bondage. Thus, Spiritual Gifts and bound to the individual, through Connection to Spirit.
11 We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.
Gold symbolizes spiritual gifts and Silver represents Love. Thus, this passage is saying that Spiritual Gifts are supported by Love.
12 While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.
Spikenard, another name for Valerian, symbolizes Peace. The King is Spirit. This passage is saying that the essence of Spirit is Peace.
13 A bundle of myrrh is my well-beloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.
Myrrh is a symbol of Love and Eternity. Breasts are symbols of Nourishment. Thus, the Soul nourishes the Spirit through Love.
14 My beloved is unto me as a cluster of Henna Blossoms in the vineyards of Engedi.
Engedi means City of Goats and symbolizes strong mindedness. The ideas held in the souls of such people are beautiful.
15 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes.
Doves are a symbol of Peace. When the ideas held in the soul are peaceful. This is reflected in the eyes.
16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green.
A bed always symbolizes a place of Peace and Rest. Green symbolizes renewal. When Soul and Spirit are united in rest, we experience renewed Peace.
17 The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.
Cedar is a symbol of Purity. Fir is a symbol of Strength. This passage is saying that the Soul and Spirit live together in Strength and Purity.