The Lovers: Modern RWS Tarot Card Meanings
‘The Lovers’ Upright (Modern Meanings)
Keywords
Union, Choice, Harmony, Relationships, Values, Partnership
In A General Or “Open” Reading
A significant choice, a harmonious partnership, an alignment of personal values. A major life decision, a successful business partnership, feeling at peace with your choices, a deep friendship.
In a Love Or Relationships Reading
A deep, soul-level connection and a harmonious relationship. A new romance based on shared values, a marriage proposal, a perfect partnership, feeling a profound union with another.
In a Money Or Career Reading
A successful business partnership or a career choice in perfect alignment with your personal values. Finding a job you love, a successful collaboration with a colleague, a business partnership that is both profitable and fulfilling.
In a Spiritual Context
A profound choice related to one's spiritual path. The union of the human and the Divine, a choice to commit to a specific spiritual tradition, a harmonious relationship with your higher self. Like The Hierophant.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice
Make a value-based choice. Seek harmony. Commit to the partnership.
As (Ultimate) Outcome
A harmonious union. A successful partnership. A major, positive life choice made.
As Obstacles
A difficult choice. A conflict of values. A relationship is the primary hindrance. Like The Empress reversed.
As Hidden Energy
An untapped potential for a significant partnership. A major choice that is not yet conscious.
As Resources/Alliances
Help from a partner or collaborator. Your own clear values. A harmonious environment.
The Lovers reversed
Reversed Keywords:
Disharmony, Misalignment, Poor Choices, Conflict, Indecision
In A General Or “Open” Reading
Disharmony, conflict, and poor choices. A major falling out with a friend, making a decision that goes against your values, feeling out of alignment with your life path.
In a Love Or Relationships Reading
A relationship in conflict. A painful breakup, a misalignment of values between partners, a choice that harms a relationship, infidelity.
In a Money Or Career Reading
A failed business partnership or a career that is not fulfilling. A conflict with a business partner, feeling that your job compromises your ethics, a poor financial decision.
In a Spiritual Context
A disconnect from your spiritual path. A choice that goes against your spiritual beliefs, a feeling of disharmony with the Divine, a crisis of faith. Like Temperance reversed.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice
Re-evaluate your values. Address a conflict in a key relationship. Avoid making a hasty decision.
As (Ultimate) Outcome
Disharmony and conflict. A poor choice made with negative consequences. A partnership ending.
As Obstacles
A toxic relationship. Your own indecision. A misalignment of values is preventing success.
As Hidden Energy
A hidden conflict is brewing. A poor choice made in the past is unconsciously affecting the present. Similar to Judgement.
As Resources/Alliances
Ending a disharmonious partnership. Making a difficult choice is the necessary path forward.
‘The Lovers’ In Key Card Combinations
Combinations with Major Arcana
The Lovers & The Hierophant
The Lovers (↑) & The Hierophant (↑): A traditional marriage. A choice that aligns with your values. A relationship blessed by family.
The Lovers (↓) & The Hierophant (↑): A relationship that is in conflict with tradition. A choice that goes against family values.
The Lovers (↑) & The Hierophant (↓): An unconventional but harmonious relationship. A choice to break with tradition.
The Lovers (↓) & The Hierophant (↓): A relationship that is both unconventional and disharmonious. A poor choice made by rejecting all advice.
The Lovers & The Devil
The Lovers (↑) & The Devil (↑): A passionate but obsessive relationship. A choice that leads to addiction or bondage. A soulmate connection with a toxic element.
The Lovers (↓) & The Devil (↑): A relationship breaking apart due to addiction or jealousy. A choice that leads to a toxic situation.
The Lovers (↑) & The Devil (↓): A harmonious relationship that helps you break free from an addiction. A choice to leave a toxic situation.
The Lovers (↓) & The Devil (↓): A relationship that is both disharmonious and free from addiction. A poor choice that helps you see a deeper truth.
Combinations with the Suit of Swords
The Lovers & The Three of Swords
The Lovers (↑) & The Three of Swords (↑): A painful but necessary choice. A harmonious relationship that is hit by a heartbreaking truth. The painful truth of a love triangle.
The Lovers (↓) & The Three of Swords (↑): A breakup or painful conflict in a relationship. A poor choice that leads to heartbreak.
The Lovers (↑) & The Three of Swords (↓): A harmonious relationship that helps to heal old heartbreaks. A choice to move on from past pain.
The Lovers (↓) & The Three of Swords (↓): A relationship that is stuck in a cycle of conflict and pain. A refusal to make a choice, leading to ongoing suffering.
Additional Notes on The Lovers
Waite’s Divinatory Meanings of The Lovers
"Attraction, love, beauty, trials overcome. Reversed: Failure, foolish designs. Another account speaks of marriage frustrated and contrarieties of all kinds." (Pictoral Key To The Tarot, 1911).
The Lovers RWS card symbolism.
A.E Waite’s Lovers card depicts Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Above them, the angel Raphael bestows a blessing, signifying divine approval of their union. Behind Eve is the Tree of Knowledge with the serpent, representing temptation and the choices that lead to worldly experience. Behind Adam is the Tree of Life with twelve flames, representing the passions. The scene is not merely about romantic love; it is a profound allegory for the necessity of choice, the union of opposites, and the alignment of one's personal will with divine purpose. These themes are explored further across the entire Major Arcana.
Meditations On The Lovers Card
What evil might tempt me in my current situation? Where in my life am I in alignment with Divinity, and where am I out of alignment with it? Is there a key relationship or partnership that needs my attention?
Is The Lovers always about romantic love?
No. While it often represents a romantic partnership, The Lovers is more broadly about the principle of choice and consequences. It can signify a key business partnership, a choice between two career paths, or the alignment of your actions with your core values.
