The Meanings of the 22 Major Arcana Tarot Cards – The Lovers:
Introduction to The Lovers
The Lovers is Key 6 in the Major Arcana of the Tarot deck. Trial and free choice are the major themes of the Lovers. It is a card based on intuition rather than of intellect. The Lovers is ruled by the astrological sign of Gemini and the planet Mercury.
The Lovers is depicted in many Tarot decks showing a young man in the center of two women. Cupid is often above the trio, armed with a bow and arrow and aiming down. In other online Tarot decks, Cupid is portrayed in the Lovers as an angel offering guidance to a young woman while she is in conversation with a lover. In some Tarot decks and online spreads, the Lovers show two people on opposite sides of the card to further symbolize the duality of this card and its ruling planet of Mercury. One person often is shown holding a wand as a symbolism of work, and the other a cup to convey emotions.
Often, the appearance of Lovers in Tarot readings suggest a free choice between physical attraction and idealistic love. The Lovers is the card of couples, lovers and twins, Harmony and friendship are implied by the Lovers. The Lovers is the primary birth card for those born under the zodiac sign of Gemini. Those born under the sign of Capricorn have the Lovers as a secondary birth card, as the Lovers card is the representations of the number six, the number of union and in numerology, 15 reduces to the number six.
The Lovers Upright
The Lovers card upright denote both a union and a free choice. Trial and a decision are suggested by the appearance of the Lovers upright in a Tarot reading.
If the Lovers appear before the Hanged Man card in a Tarot spread, a decision involving love or other emotional relationships will be delayed. If the Hanged Man follows the Lovers card in a Tarot reading, the decision will finally be made in the near future. If the Fool card is before the Lovers, the choice will be made hastily, but if the Lovers is before the Fool, the meaning of the card indicates that the choice will be made blindly.
When the Lovers is before the Chariot card in a Tarot spread, there will be a betrayal of some sort, but if the Chariot comes before the Lovers card, a sudden departure will end a romantic relationship. The Lovers appearing before the Magician card in a Tarot spread means there will be indecision involving a new venture.
The Lovers Reversed (RX)
The Lovers card reversed in a Tarot reading can mean a free choice, vacillation, quarrels and interference from others. It can also be an indicator of a divorce or a separation.
When the Lovers card appears reversed in Major Arcana Tarot readings before the Magician card, it denotes a separation due to hesitation. If the Lovers reversed appears in deck readings along with the Fool card, it is an indicator of thoughtlessness and careless planning. When the Lovers is reversed and appears in Tarot deck readings along with the Emperor or the Empress card, it conveys the meaning of family problems. If the reversed Lovers card appears in a Major Arcana Tarot spread and is before the Death card, a final decision will be made by outside factors. When the reversed Lovers (rx) appears before the World card in a Tarot readings, the decision is irreversible.
The Lovers in Regards to Love, Sex and Relationships
The Lovers card in a Tarot spread usually means there is some sort of free choice to make in a relationship. It can be a choice between two different people, or a choice that leads to the beginning of new love. The Lovers card can signify a platonic relationship as well. Sometimes Lovers in a Tarot reading indicates a friend that has special insight into a relationship, or that a relationship with a sibling or neighbor will start anew.
The Lovers card in a Tarot reading is associated with messages and making contact with harmonious results. It is about the psyche rather than emotions. The Lovers is a relationship card that is interpreted accordingly.
