‘The Lovers’ Modern Tarot Meanings: Complete Guide For Beginner Rider Waite Smith Readers
‘Key VI: The Lovers’, Rider Waite Smith tarot deck.
The RWS Lovers at a Glance
Keywords: Union, Choice, Harmony, Relationships, Values, Partnership
Reversed Keywords: Disharmony, Misalignment, Poor Choices, Conflict, Indecision
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Element: Air
Yes/No: Yes
A.E. Waite’s Lovers Card
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.
Waite’s Divinatory Meanings of The Lovers
In his 1911 book, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, A.E. Waite gives the divinatory meanings for The Lovers as follows:
"Attraction, love, beauty, trials overcome. Reversed: Failure, foolish designs. Another account speaks of marriage frustrated and contrarieties of all kinds."
‘The Lovers’ Upright (Modern Meanings)
In Life Areas
‘The Lovers’ Upright, Rider Waite Smith tarot deck.
Generally: 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 Context: 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/Career Context: 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 an Intellectual Context: The synthesis of two different ideas into a new, harmonious whole. A successful collaborative project, a choice between two fields of study, a philosophical alignment with a particular school of thought.
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.
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.
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 (modern Meanings)
In Life Areas
‘The Lovers’ Reversed, Rider Waite Smith tarot deck.
Generally: 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 Context: A relationship in conflict. A painful breakup, a misalignment of values between partners, a choice that harms a relationship, infidelity.
In a Money/Career Context: 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 an Intellectual Context: A conflict of ideas or indecision. An inability to choose between two paths of study, a failed collaborative project, an intellectual argument that leads to disharmony.
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.
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.
As Resources/Alliances: Ending a disharmonious partnership. Making a difficult choice is the necessary path forward.
Journal Prompts for Personal Reflection
What is the most significant choice I am facing right now, and what do my core values tell me to do?
Where in my life am I experiencing perfect harmony, and where is there disharmony?
Is there a key relationship or partnership that needs my attention?
‘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.
Frequently Asked Questions about ‘The Lovers’ In The
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 the union of opposites. It can signify a key business partnership, a choice between two career paths, or the alignment of your actions with your core values.
