The Lovers: The Union of Choice, Love, and Harmony

What Does The Lovers Represent in Tarot?

The Lovers is the sixth card in the Tarot’s Major Arcana (numbered as VI), symbolizing love, relationships, choices, and the union of opposites. This card represents the deep bonds that form between individuals, whether in romantic relationships, friendships, or partnerships. Beyond love, The Lovers also symbolize the important choices we must make, especially those that involve balancing our inner values with external actions. When The Lovers appears in a Tarot reading, it often signifies the need for harmonious relationships, the importance of aligning with your true values, and making choices that reflect your authentic self.

The Symbolism of The Lovers

The Lovers card is rich with symbolism, each element reflecting the themes of love, union, and choice:

The Figures: The Lovers card typically depicts a man and a woman standing together, often under the watchful eye of an angel or divine figure. This represents the union of opposites—masculine and feminine, conscious and subconscious—and the deep connection between two souls.
The Angel: An angel, often depicted as Archangel Raphael, hovers above the couple, blessing their union. The angel symbolizes divine guidance, spiritual connection, and the higher forces at play in matters of the heart.
The Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life: Behind the figures, two trees are often depicted. The Tree of Knowledge, with a serpent coiled around it, stands behind the woman, symbolizing knowledge, temptation, and the conscious choice between good and evil. The Tree of Life, behind the man, represents vitality, growth, and the material world. Together, these trees symbolize the balance between spiritual wisdom and earthly existence.
The Sun: The sun shines brightly above, representing clarity, truth, and the light of consciousness. It symbolizes the warmth and illumination that love brings into our lives, as well as the clarity that comes from making choices in alignment with our true selves.
The Mountain: A mountain often rises in the background, symbolizing the challenges and obstacles that love and important decisions can present. It represents the need to rise above difficulties and to strive for a higher understanding in relationships and life choices.

The Meaning of The Lovers Upright

When The Lovers appears upright in a Tarot reading, it is a powerful indication of love, harmony, and the importance of choices that align with your true values. This card encourages you to seek balance in your relationships, to make decisions that resonate with your higher self, and to embrace the power of love in all its forms. The Lovers upright suggests:

Love and Relationships: The Lovers card is often associated with romantic love, deep connections, and harmonious relationships. It signifies a strong bond between two people, whether in a romantic partnership, friendship, or other meaningful connection. It’s a time to celebrate love, commitment, and mutual understanding.
Choices and Alignment: The Lovers also represent the choices you must make, particularly those that involve your values, ethics, and beliefs. It’s a time to consider whether your actions align with your inner truth and to make decisions that reflect your authentic self.
Harmony and Union: This card symbolizes the union of opposites and the harmony that comes from balancing different aspects of life. It encourages you to seek balance and integration in your relationships, career, and personal development.
Divine Guidance: The presence of the angel in The Lovers card suggests that your relationships and choices are being guided by higher forces. It’s a reminder to trust in divine timing and to seek spiritual guidance in your decisions.

The Meaning of The Lovers Reversed

When The Lovers appears reversed in a Tarot reading, it can indicate disharmony, conflict, or difficult choices that are not in alignment with your true self. The Lovers reversed may suggest that you are facing challenges in your relationships, struggling with indecision, or experiencing a disconnect between your inner values and external actions. The Lovers reversed may imply:

Conflict and Disharmony: You may be experiencing tension or conflict in a relationship, whether due to misunderstandings, differences in values, or external pressures. The Lovers reversed encourages you to address these issues openly and to seek resolution through honest communication.
Difficult Choices: The reversed Lovers can indicate a struggle with making decisions, particularly those that involve important relationships or ethical dilemmas. It suggests that you may be feeling torn between different options, unsure of which path aligns with your true self.
Disconnect from Values: This card may also suggest that you are acting in ways that are not aligned with your inner values or beliefs. The Lovers reversed encourages you to reconnect with your authentic self and to make choices that reflect your true desires and principles.
Unrequited Love or Separation: In some cases, The Lovers reversed can indicate unrequited love, a breakup, or a period of separation in a relationship. It’s a time to reflect on the reasons for this disconnect and to consider what changes are needed to restore harmony, whether within the relationship or within yourself.

The Lovers in Different Contexts

Love and Relationships: In a love reading, The Lovers upright signifies a deep, harmonious connection, often indicating a soulmate or significant relationship. It’s a time of mutual understanding, commitment, and the potential for growth together. Reversed, it may suggest challenges in the relationship, such as miscommunication, differing values, or the need for a difficult decision regarding the future of the relationship.
Career and Finances: In a career reading, The Lovers upright may indicate a partnership, collaboration, or a decision that requires alignment with your core values. It suggests that harmony and mutual respect are key to success. Reversed, it may suggest conflicts in the workplace, challenges in making decisions, or a lack of alignment between your work and personal values.
Personal Growth: The Lovers represent the integration of different aspects of yourself and the importance of making choices that reflect your true nature. Upright, it encourages you to embrace all parts of yourself and to seek harmony in your life. Reversed, it may suggest that you are struggling with self-acceptance, facing inner conflicts, or making decisions that are out of alignment with your true self.

Lessons from The Lovers

The Lovers teach us the importance of love, harmony, and making choices that align with our deepest values. They remind us that relationships are a reflection of our inner world and that true harmony comes from integrating different aspects of ourselves and our lives. The Lovers encourage us to embrace love in all its forms, to seek balance in our relationships, and to make decisions that reflect our authentic selves. Whether upright or reversed, The Lovers challenge us to explore the connections between our inner values and our external actions, to seek harmony in our relationships, and to trust in the power of love to guide our choices.

Conclusion

The Lovers is a powerful symbol of love, union, and the choices that define our lives. As a card of deep connection and alignment, it represents the importance of relationships, both with others and with ourselves. Whether you are navigating a romantic relationship, making an important life decision, or seeking to understand your own values, The Lovers encourage you to seek harmony, to embrace love, and to make choices that resonate with your true self.