The Lovers Tarot Card Meanings

The Lovers Upright Meaning

Although it has taken on a strictly romantic revision of meaning in some modern decks, traditionally The Lovers Tarot card reflected the challenges of choosing a partner. At a crossroads, one cannot take both paths. The images on this card in different decks have varied more than most, because we have had so many ways of looking at sex and relationships across cultures and centuries.

Classically, the energy of this card reminded us of the real challenges posed by romantic relationships, with the protagonist often shown in the act of making an either-or choice. To partake of a higher ideal often requires sacrificing the lesser option. The path of pleasure eventually leads to distraction from spiritual growth. The gratification of the personality eventually gives way to a call from spirit as the soul matures.

Modern decks tend to portray the feeling of romantic love with this card, showing Adam and Eve at the gates of Eden when everything was still perfect. This interpretation portrays humanity before the fall, and can be thought to imply a different sort of choice -- the choice of evolution over perfection, or the choice of personal growth through relationship -- instead of a fantasy where everything falls into place perfectly and is taken care of without effort.

The Lovers Reversed Meaning

The Lovers card reversed may indicate that you are going along with a divided situation because you have a vested interest in opposition. You can't resolve this situation until you own up to your own double standard.

Admit the resistance you feel, instead of proceeding halfheartedly or with unspoken resentments. In such an important area of your life, you should not just go along to get along.

The Lovers Advice Position

The Lovers card advises that you study your options and make the wisest choice. Carefully consider your long-term interests. There is no judgment on what you choose to keep from the array of possibilities before you. Just watch out for choices that will produce dissatisfaction and discontent.

Be willing to make some compromises, then stick with the commitments you finally make. Trust your intuition along with your rational intellect, and once you make your choice, carry it out with conviction.

The Lovers Love Position

The Lovers symbolize attraction and choices. Perhaps you are torn within yourself. One side is instinctive, emotional, intuitive, sensual, and magical. The other is lucid, highly principled, rational, and attuned to social and cultural elements. We have a wild child and a cultured, mature adult self.

You have some trust for each of them, but you may not believe they can merge in a forthcoming relationship with your next partner. Whenever the Lovers card appears, you must either integrate two entities or let go of one of them. You would do well to consider how the consequences of these choices will impact on what you want out of a future relationship.

The Lovers Career Position

When the Lovers card appears in this position, you may be coming to a fork in the road. Only one destination can be chosen; the other must be let go of. It may be the destination you are trying to reach that will guide you in choosing which work setting and work associates would be best for you to cultivate. When objectivity is lacking, you have to use your intuition. You need to sense the inner workings of the players involved as well as looking at what's inside of you.

If you take some time, go within and are honest with yourself, you will make the appropriate alliances. However, if you are just fooling around, it could turn out to be a costly career decision.

The Lovers in a Yes or No Card Reading

The Lovers is a card of choice and personal growth. If you're looking for simple Yes or No guidance and receive The Lovers, the answer is YES. Take full responsibility in whatever you do next.