The Lovers
6
Rules: Gemini
Exaltation: None
Planet: Mercury
Color: Orange
As a Yes or No question: Definite Yes.
Upright: Choice, Fate, Soulmates, Union, Business Deals, Healing, Medicine, Doctor, Duality, Blessing, Destiny, Loving, Caring, Love, Friendship, Commitment, Marriage, Relationship
Reversed: Lack of Balance, Imbalance, Disharmony, Misaligned Values, Relationships built on poor foundations, Unhappiness, Disconnection
The Lovers Symbolism
The tree of knowledge is behind the woman and the tree of life is behind the man. The angel Raphael is watching over them from the sky. The angel wears a purple robe, which symbolizes spirituality and royalty. The woman looks towards the angel and the man looks towards the woman. The man looks to the physical and the woman looks to the spiritual. There is a duality to this card represented by Gemini.
There is a mountain surging between the couple. It seems to point to the angel. A trinity connects all of them together. The man’s desire is more carnal and passionate as he looks towards the woman. The man doesn’t even notice the angel, yet the woman does. She gazes up at the angel as if awaiting a spiritual message. She knows the truth about the man’s carnal desire.
The angel Raphael blesses both the man and the woman as if in a spiritual marriage that is written in the heavens. His eyes are closed as if in deep spiritual meditation. He comes out of the sky through a patch of clouds which are close to the earth. The sun is shining all around the angel and looks more like spiritual light than a real sun.
The woman stands next to the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden, which represents temptation. The man stands next to the tree of life or the Jewish kabbalistic tree. Each leaf is a small flame, perhaps a flame of passion or desire.
The woman or perhaps the man has a choice. The card depicts a choice between two loves: earthly desire and spiritual development, but the card means more than that. It can be a choice between a good path and a bad path. The angel has bestowed his blessing on the couple. What lays in the blessing is the right choice. To deny a spiritual connection is the wrong choice. If you choose poorly you will regret it.
The Lovers Upright Summary
The Lovers, when found in the upright position, can indicate a wide variety of unions. It can indicate a relationship coming into your life, either romantic or even mundane. The Lovers is the first card that is not centered around a central figure, but two instead. As such, there are a whole host of meanings to consider as well as the relationship and love aspect. A great card to draw if you’re looking for love, deep emotional bonds, or understanding and completeness with another being. The Lovers, in general, is a good card to draw for any reason!
With two figures, the Lovers is also about choice. You have two choices. One just seemed to pop up out of nowhere. You are enamored by the other choice. You thought you wanted to go down one direction, but then you came across another option. It could be a childhood friend, a new love, an idea, an opportunity, but whatever it is you have another choice. The Lovers is about falling in love, sexual attraction, and taking a relationship to another level. There could be a tremendous amount of sexual attraction or a declaration of feelings, but first, the right choice must be made. The right choice is the soul mate. It is a much better choice. You are not just enamored with her/him, it is destined to love and match made in heaven if only you could free yourself from the situation you are in currently. Make the right decision. You will make the right decision. The querent almost always chooses the soulmate path.
Past
The Lovers in the Past position means that a previous relationship has grounded you in good stead for the present and future. Not wholly meaning a relationship with a member of the opposite sex, but it should be an aspect that you shouldn’t consider changing for a while. It’s doing good, whether you are single or in a relationship. If you are single, it could represent a strong parental bond or a single close friendship. Perhaps you were raised in a non-traditional family, also.
Present
The Lovers in the present position represents a good relationship. You understand each other and are growing together. Both of you are offering two sides of the same coin, a good balance. Are you arguing with your spouse/partner right now? If it’s about something trivial, just think about it and put it in perspective. If it’s more serious, again, think about it. It’s common when something bad happens to just try not to think about things, to ignore them. Go somewhere alone and do your best to think about every aspect of what happened.
Future
The Lovers in the future position is great if you are single right now. It’s the sort of meaning that anyone can see. Love in the future. The standard tarot response. ‘Things will get better’. Remember in the Bible story; that Adam and Eve were in paradise and were kicked out. Don’t get disheartened.
Reversed Summary
Relating to the harmony of The Lovers, in reverse, The Lovers represents a lack of balance within a relationship. Everything is related to everything else. Relativity is not just a scientific principle, but an emotional and spiritual one too. Look out for a sudden lack of connection, and think about what is causing this. Look for an imbalance in your life. Are you giving or taking too much? The Lovers implies balance; they love each other. We cannot survive with imbalance.
You give love a bad name- divorce, breaking up, arguments, cheating, emotional chaos. Reverse this card and things become murky and unstable. If you are asking about love, this may be suggesting a need for counseling and/or reevaluating where the relationship is going. If you are faced with a difficult decision, now is not the time to be impulsive. Best to take your time and be mindful about what you want. I have often seen this card represent a choice with regrets. It doesn’t have to be that way, homie. Think before you act.
A Song for the Lovers
Cover Artwork by Tarot Wolf and @tarotwolf on IG