/* Make the separator container relative and inline-block */
.separator {
  position: relative;
  display: inline-block;
}

/* Overlay covering the image */
.separator a::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  background: linear-gradient(
    rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4), 
    rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4)
  ); /* Gradient overlay, adjust colors & opacity */
  z-index: 1;
  pointer-events: none; /* allows clicks on the link */
}

/* Make the image above the overlay */
.separator img {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  display: block;
}