Introduction
It's important to note that The Lovers evolved into Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden, with the publication of the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) Tarot deck in 1910. Traditionally this tarot card depicted a well dressed couple receiving a blessing of their union from a king. Above them, with the sun in the background, hovers cupid ready to shoot with his bow and arrow.
What theme was the artist, Pamela Coleman Smith, trying to capture with this break from tradition and inclusion of christian mythology? Many of the changes that Smith brought to Tarot could be attributed to her excellent understanding of numerology and a desire to enhance Tarot's symbolic cohesiveness. The key theme of the number 6 in numerology is one of responsibility to those closest to us; family, friends and colleagues. It is not a number of emotional union, the 2 Of Cups would be a better match. Comparing it to the emotional card of the same number, the 6 Of Cups, would suggest that it is more platonic than its name would suggest.
The nudity of Adam and Eve in the RWS deck, in addition to the card's name, often misleads to a theme of sexuality. The book of Genesis (2:25) states "Both the man and his wife were naked, yet felt no shame.". The nudity of these characters represents innocence. After eating the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:7) they became self aware and covered themselves. Innocence lost, which is where this card makes a numerological connection to the 15th card of the Major Arcana, The Devil.
In numerology The Lovers and The Devil are both 6 as 15 reduces to 6 (1 + 5). The RWS Devil shows us the same couple from The Lovers chained to an alter with the Devil sitting on it. This connection between these two cards serves as a warning of the consequences of acting irresponsibly when you are in a good place. The Lovers will often appear as a reminder to appreciate what you have and protect it from un-wise choices and temptations. There are things we do in life, or choices we make, that cannot be undone. An innocent, platonic relationship between two friends changes forever when they become lovers.
The traditional, pre-RWS, depiction of what appears to be a marriage is probably based on Catholicism's prohibition on divorce. Once a marital union is made it cannot be broken until at least one person dies. The Lovers therefore symbolises an irreversible choice and course of action. The RWS change is probably in response to changing modern times with higher instances of divorce and re-marriage as well as the adoption of tarot in cultures not so heavily influenced by the catholic church (ie England where Waite and Smith were based.)
The sun in the background is the one symbolic feature from the traditional tarot decks that was retained by the RWS deck. In the RWS deck only three cards have the sun at its zenith in the background sky. The Fool, The Lovers and The Sun. The Lovers and The Sun are dominated by the element of Fire which is opposite to the element of Water (emotions and love). The element of fire, like the 6 in numerology, symbolises the home and community in which we live and work. The Sun brings success, abundance, fertility and growth which, according to The Book of Genesis, is what the Garden of Eden provided, everything man and woman could want in one place. A paradise that was lost due to temptation, a bad choice and evil influence.
There is a prevailing theme of darkness in the Major Arcana between card 6, The Lovers, and card 19, The Sun. Nothing good ever lasts and should be treasured and appreciated when received, each day taken as a gift. When the sun does finally set, and night falls, we are comforted by the knowledge that the sun will always rise again tomorrow.
Just as the appearance of Death in a Tarot spread doesn't generally indicate the death of someone nor does the appearance of The Lovers card indicate a new love interest or a romantic physical encounter. Tarot can be literal, and on occasion this maybe the message, but it is good practice when reading tarot spreads not to jump to literal conclusions each time these cards appear.
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The Lovers in a Tarot Reading
The Lovers is a card of relationships, choices, commitment and personal values. Although its name naturally suggests romance, its meaning is much broader. In a reading it can represent any important bond between people, but it can equally describe a choice where desire, responsibility and personal values must be weighed against one another.
At the heart of The Lovers is the idea that our choices have consequences. Some decisions change a relationship or situation permanently and cannot simply be undone. The card can therefore appear when you need to consider not only what you want now, but what you are willing to commit to afterwards.
Upright Meaning
When upright, The Lovers can indicate a strong connection, attraction or partnership. There may be harmony between two people, shared values or a willingness to make a commitment. This does not have to be romantic: the card can describe friendship, family relationships, business partnerships or any situation in which two people choose to work together.
The Lovers can also indicate an important choice or crossroads. Temptation may be involved, particularly when the easiest or most attractive option conflicts with your responsibilities. The card asks you to understand what matters most to you before making the decision.
Upright keywords: relationships, attraction, partnership, commitment, choice, values, responsibility, harmony, temptation.
Reversed Meaning
Reversed, The Lovers can suggest disharmony, conflicting values or difficulty making an important choice. Two people may want different things, or attraction may exist without the agreement or commitment necessary to create a stable relationship.
It can also indicate a poor choice, particularly one made for immediate gratification without considering its consequences. In this position The Lovers may ask whether your actions are consistent with your own values and with the responsibilities you have towards other people.
Reversed keywords: disharmony, conflicting values, indecision, temptation, poor choices, imbalance, separation, lack of commitment.
Love and Relationships
In a relationship reading, The Lovers can represent attraction, intimacy and a meaningful bond between two people. For an established couple it may indicate a deepening commitment or an important decision that must be made together.
However, The Lovers should not automatically be interpreted as predicting a new romance or soulmate. Depending upon the question and surrounding cards, it may instead concern the choices and responsibilities created by a relationship.
Reversed, it can indicate differences in values, uncertainty about commitment, temptation outside a relationship or a decision that places strain upon the partnership.
Work and Career
In a career reading, The Lovers can represent a partnership, collaboration or an important decision about the direction of your working life. You may have two opportunities to choose between, or need to decide whether a particular opportunity fits your longer-term priorities and values.
The card can also suggest that a successful working relationship depends upon both sides wanting the same outcome.
Reversed, it can indicate incompatible objectives, a difficult professional choice or entering an arrangement without fully considering its consequences.
Money and Finances
For money questions, The Lovers commonly points towards choice and priorities rather than wealth itself. You may need to choose between something you want and something for which you are financially responsible.
It can also represent joint finances or financial decisions involving a partner. Reversed, it can warn against impulsive choices or allowing immediate desires to override longer-term financial responsibilities.
Advice from The Lovers
When The Lovers appears as advice, consider what you genuinely value before acting. Look beyond the immediate attraction of a choice and consider where it will lead.
Ask yourself: If I make this choice, am I prepared to accept everything that comes with it?
The Lovers reminds us that freedom to choose and responsibility for our choices belong together.
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The Lovers According to A. E. Waite
The Pictorial Key to the Tarot
Arthur Edward Waite (1911)
The sun shines in the zenith, and beneath is a great winged figure with arms extended, pouring down influences. In the foreground are two human figures, male and female, unveiled before each other, as if Adam and Eve when they first occupied the paradise of the earthly body. Behind the man is the Tree of Life, bearing twelve fruits, and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is behind the woman; the serpent is twining round it. The figures suggest youth, virginity, innocence and love before it is contaminated by gross material desire. This is in all simplicity the card of human love, here exhibited as part of the way, the truth and the life. It replaces, by recourse to first principles, the old card of marriage, which I have described previously, and the later follies which depicted man between vice and virtue. In a very high sense, the card is a mystery of the Covenant and Sabbath.
The suggestion in respect of the woman is that she signifies that attraction towards the sensitive life which carries within it the idea of the Fall of Man, but she is rather the working of a Secret Law of Providence than a willing and conscious temptress. It is through her imputed lapse that man shall arise ultimately, and only by her can he complete himself. The card is therefore in its way another intimation concerning the great mystery of womanhood. The old meanings fall to pieces of necessity with the old pictures, but even as interpretations of the latter, some of them were of the order of commonplace and others were false in symbolism.
Tarot & Numerology