Tarot Card Meanings
The trust and the unity that the lovers have gives each of them confidence and strength, empowering the other.
The angel Raphael, whose name means “God heals,” and who stands for both physical and emotional healing, is depicted standing beneath a naked man and woman inside The Lovers card. The angel bestows blessings on the couple and serves as a reminder of their connection to the Divine.
The couple is positioned in a stunning, productive setting that is reminiscent of the Garden of Eden. A tall apple tree with a snake climbing its trunk stands behind the woman. The temptation of sensual pleasures that may draw one’s attention away from the Divine is symbolized by the serpent and apple tree. A tree of flames is visible behind the man, which stands for passion, the man’s main concern.
The twelve flames represent the zodiac signs, which are a representation of time and eternity. The man turns to the woman, who is observing the angel as it depicts the progression from physical desire to emotional needs to spiritual concerns, or from the conscious to the subconscious to the super-conscious.
The somewhat phallic volcanic mountain in the background symbolizes the eruption of passion that occurs when man and woman come face to face in full frontal nudity.
NOTE: The Tarot card meaning description is based on the Rider Waite cards.
The Lovers card, in its most basic form, stands for meaningful connections and conscious connections. When this card appears in a Tarot reading, it signifies that you have a lovely, soul-honoring relationship with a loved one. The sexual energy between you two may go far beyond mere gratification and lust to something very spiritual and almost Tantric, leading you to believe that you have found your soul mate or a life partner. The Lovers card can represent a close friendship or family relationship where love, respect, and compassion are present even though it usually denotes a romantic relationship.
The Lovers is a card of straightforward honesty and open communication. The man and woman have learned to open their hearts to one another and share their truest feelings because they are both willing to be in their most vulnerable states while they are both naked. They create the framework from which confidence and trust can grow, and this forges a strong bond between the two. This card indicates in a reading that you can build a satisfying and harmonious relationship with the people you care about by being open and honest with them. This relationship will be based on mutual respect and trust.
On a more personal level, the card stands for clarifying your values and beliefs. You are developing your principles and philosophy. After undergoing The Hierophant‘s indoctrination, you are now prepared to form your own beliefs and determine what is and is not important to you. It’s time to step out into the world and make decisions for yourself while remaining true to who you are and being sincere and authentic in all that you do.
At its heart, The Lovers is about choice. the decision of who you want to be in this life, how and to what extent you connect with others, and what you will and won’t stand for. You must be honest with yourself about your personal beliefs and values to make wise decisions. Not all choices will be simple.
The Lovers card frequently indicates that you are in a moral quandary and should think carefully before taking any action. Your system of values is being tested, and you are being urged to choose the more challenging route. Make no decisions based on anxiety, worry, guilt, or shame. You must decide to choose love more than ever before—love for the universe, love for others, and love for yourself. Make the best possible choice for yourself.
The Lovers card also encourages you to combine opposing forces. You can combine two elements that appear to be at odds with one another to produce something that is “whole,” unifying, and harmonious. Every decision has an equal balance of benefits and drawbacks, opportunities and difficulties, and positive and negative aspects. By embracing these opposites, you create the unity from which love springs.
Pure love and harmony can be found in the Lovers card. When it is inverted, it can indicate a period when you are not in touch with those around you, especially your loved ones.
You might discover that communication is difficult and that your relationships are strained. Does it appear that you and the other person are no longer on the same page and hold the same values? If so, go back to the reason you’ve chosen to surround yourself with this person. If you have unconditional love for someone, you should be aware that this situation will pass and that your best course of action is to spread kindness and compassion. Other times, you may conclude that your relationship has simply soured and it’s time to part ways.
It might be time to end your relationship if you two keep fighting and showing little regard for one another. Honor yourself and do what is best for you both.
The Lovers Reversed can also represent a lost love in a relationship. In the future, disappointment and insecurity may result from one person being more emotionally invested than the other. You might be hesitant to let the relationship into your heart out of concern for potential harm.
The Lovers Reversed also describes respect and self-love. To what extent do you honor and accept who you are and the value you offer in this world? Be mindful if you wish you were more like other people when you observe them. Recognize that if you can spot these qualities in others, it means you already possess them.
You need to understand that whatever qualities you admire in other people, you already possess within yourself, as Dr. John Demartini states: “When we admire qualities in others, it’s the Universe’s way to get you to wake up and recognize your strengths – in other words, you need to realize that whatever you perceive in other people you also have within yourself.”
If The Lovers Reversed appears in a reading, you might have to make a difficult decision that has major repercussions. You feel tempted to take shortcuts and absolve yourself of responsibility for your actions rather than making a choice based on your values. You may believe that you can get away with it, but The Lovers Reversed implores you to reconsider and select the course that is most consistent with your Highest Good, regardless of how challenging it may be.
The Lovers Reversed can also represent internal struggles and being at war with yourself as opposed to external forces. It suggests discord and a battle to maintain harmony within your union. Are you abusing yourself because of something you did or that you held yourself accountable for? You must concentrate on expressing your belief systems and values if you want to get out of this situation. They will serve as a guide for future decisions that you will make. You might want to reconnect with the energy of The Hierophant and look for institutional or spiritual guidance.