Symbolism

The movie is replete with lunar/goddess symbolism. Crystal Fairy herself is the embodiment of the divine feminine possessing archetypal feminine traits such as irrationality, nurturing, passivity, gentleness and softness. This is literally spelled out for us when Crystal finds a pile of seashells (lunar/goddess symbol ) and spells her name with them. I believe her rape is a symbolic metaphor of how patriarchal institutions such as the Catholic church have historically used, abused and suppressed the divine feminine. The fact that she became a dominatrix symbolizes the divine feminine trying to reclaim its power, but taking a false path like modern feminism which is just a fake, perverted form of male power. The scene where she tried to revive the rabbit also conveys this theme as the rabbit is a lunar/goddess symbol.

Jamie on the other hand, represents male power. He is over analytic, aggressive, active, hard and harsh. He is also obsessed with the (phallic) cactus and its power. Just as Crystal is attracted to the perverted version of the feminine masquerading as a male power in her role as a dominatrix, Jamie is intrigued by the male transvestites masquerading as feminine. They represent how males are primarily obsessed with the veneer of femininity rather than the sincere form. Interestingly, Jamie was mysteriously attracted to Crystal at the beginning when was out of his mind on drugs, but when he regained his reasoning faculties he was repulsed by her. Note how he throws the crab (lunar/goddess symbol) back into the ocean, and he says the fish (another symbol of the goddess) freaks him out.

In the end, we see Crystal and Jamie compliment and balance one another. Jamie realized how his insensitive, uncaring analytic criticism damaged Crystal and caused her to withdraw. The flighty Crystal Fairy on the other hand, becomes more grounded. It’s essentially the interplay between yin and yang. Each carries a seed of the other within itself and achieves harmony together.