Robert Browning said that “Love is the energy of life.” There is nothing as powerful as receiving the Lovers tarot card during a reading, especially one centered on personal relationships.
The Lovers tarot card is number six of the Major Arcana cards and mainly represents love, relationships, and major decisions regarding soulmate situations.
Even if you’re not looking for love advice, the Lovers can be a powerful card that helps you get clear about your own values and find harmony within yourself.
Here you can find a detailed description of the Lovers tarot card including keywords, upright, and reversed card meanings.
Table of Contents
THE LOVERS KEY FACTS
Before diving deeper into the upright- and reversed Lovers tarot card meaning, and its connection to love, work, and life, below are some facts and an overview of the most important words connected to this Major Arcana card.
| Upright | Love, harmony, partnerships, choices |
| Reversed | Disbalance, one-sidedness, disharmony |
| Yes or No | Yes |
| Numerology | 6 |
| Element | Air |
| Planet | Venus |
| Astrological Sign | Libra |
THE LOVERS TAROT CARD DESCRIPTION
To fully understand the Lovers tarot card meaning, we will first take a look at the illustration, its colors, and symbolism.
The Lovers tarot card shows a naked man and woman resembling the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
The man and woman are standing beneath the angel of air Raphael whose name means “God heals”, symbolizing physical and emotional healing.
The element of the air of Raphael is also associated with communication, the foundation for healthy relationships. Archangel Raphael blesses the man and woman and reminds them of their balance and agreement.
Behind the man, there is a tree of flames, which represents the man’s fiery passion that shapes his destiny. The twelve flames stand for the twelve zodiac signs, the symbol of time and eternity.
Behind the woman stands an apple tree with a snake wrapped around the trunk. This symbolizes humanity’s fall into temptation and into the realm of flesh and sensuality. This may take one’s focus away from the Divine.
In the background, we see a mountain — a phallic symbol — and a river, which represents femininity.
The Lovers tarot card shows the union of two opposing forces, as well as the short pleasure of a moment before it is corrupted.
This functions as symbolism for all affairs – the initial phase of being committed to someone seems perfect and blissful.
Later on, we will see imperfections that might have been undesirable when we first met them.
THE LOVERS TAROT CARD MEANING
The Lovers tarot card in the upright position can imply that you have major life-changing choices to make or are faced with a dilemma. Temptation is often part of that choice or dilemma.
You may feel unsure about what direction you should take or who to trust. Or you may have to choose between contradicting and equally unifying options.
The Lovers in Tarot advises you to don’t automatically go for the easy road (temptation). First, gather the information you need to make the right decision.
If you face the problem and contemplate it wisely, it will lead you to greater things.
THE LOVERS REVERSED
In this paragraph, we will talk a bit more about what it means if you’ve pulled the Lovers in the reversed position.
Where the upright Lovers tarot card indicates love and harmony, the Lovers reversed stands for breakups, conflicts, missed connections, power struggles, and personal fears about commitment.
If you’re in a relationship, the card can indicate that you’re not on the same page anymore. The relationship started with you both feeling deeply connected on many levels but you don’t feel as close as you used to.
Are you having a lot of arguments or are you no longer sharing the same values? Do you disrespect each other pretty often?
If so, the Lovers tarot card advises you to consider if you still love the other person and to think about the positive and negative aspects of your relationship.
You may realize that your relationship is still worth fighting for or that the two of you have grown apart and that it’s time to separate and let go.
In both cases, hold on to your personal belief and do what is best for you both. Self-love and respect are also what the reversed Lovers card stands for. Accept who you are and try to see the value you offer in this world.
The reversed Lovers tarot card can also specify that you have been escaping accountability for your own actions. You may have made a choice that was based on your wish for instant fulfillment but are now blaming others for the consequences that are happening to you.
The card advises you to be accountable, learn from your mistakes, and let go. Focus on your personal belief systems and values, and develop a deeper understanding of your true self. This will help you to make better choices and avoid making the same mistakes in the future.
THE LOVERS TAROT CAREER MEANING
Because the Lovers in Tarot is all about renewal, career, and money changes can happen quickly when this card is in the mix. This isn’t always positive though.
When our lives are fully focused on our personal relationships, it is easy to lose track of finances, overspend, and make outlandish purchases.
Resist the temptation to be impulsive at work or with investments, especially if you are unsure of which direction to take. Use this sense of uncertainty to fuel your inner search.
Take some time to meditate on these two questions: what is it that you really desire and what steps can be taken to achieve these goals?
- Don’t lose track of your finances
- Resist the temptation to be impulsive
- Meditate on what you really desire and how to accomplish this
THE LOVERS TAROT LOVE MEANING
The main meaning of the upright Lovers tarot card is(pretty obvious) love, as well as romance, attraction, and perfect harmony.
If you’re single, hang on tight because this card tells you that a red-hot romance is on its way. There is even the possibility of a choice between two different lovers.
If you are in a relationship or already committed, this card indicates a beautiful, soul-honoring connection with a loved one that is literally and figuratively in the cards.
This interpretation can be stretched a bit, and can also include committed partnerships in business, friendship, and more.
There are several cards that reveal positive transitions in your love life when receiving them in Tarot Love Reading (and of course the Lovers is one of them!).
Getting this card in a Love reading is a sign that you can make your feelings and intentions clear with confidence that they will be reciprocated.
It also indicates desirability and harmony between people who are in love with each other, so if you’ve been wishing for the renewal of your relationship, the time is right.
- If you’re single, be ready for a red-hot romance
- If you’re in a relationship, this is a soul-honoring connection
- Are you wishing for renewal? If so, this will happen soon
The Lovers Tarot Health Meaning
Besides romance and love, the Lovers tarot card in a health context also represents the growth of your own subjective principles and beliefs, irrespective of what society dictates as norms. It’s about getting clear about your own values and finding harmony within yourself.
After the indoctrination of the Hierophant, it is now time to set your belief system and decide what’s important to you.
In the beginning, you may feel a little bit torn between your old thinking and the new perspective gained as you learn from your experience, but this is the first step toward a greater spiritual awakening.
- Grow your own subjective principles and beliefs
- Decide what’s important for you
The Lovers in a Yes or No Reading
Those seeking a yes or no answer often pull the Lovers tarot card since it deals with choices and feeling uncertain about a decision.
If you are at a crossroads and want to move forward in a certain direction but feel ‘unsure’, put all doubt to the side. Press forward with confidence.
The Lovers Tarot Card and Numerology
The Lovers tarot card is associated with Six, the number of communication and harmony. The Lovers, bring balance to each other’s lives, helping to settle the problems through mutual aid.
Six is also considered a mystical number. It is the combination of the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine as explained in many theories and even mentioned in Dan Brown’s book The DaVinci Code.
In this book, the six-pointed star, also known as the Star of David, is explained as a combination of Feminine and Masculine principles. The upright and inverted triangles together that create a six-pointed star represent this balance of masculine and feminine.
The Lovers Tarot Card and Astrology
The Lovers is the Archetype of shared energy between two people. This corresponds easily to Libra, the sign of balance, and justice. This is also a sign of love, beauty, and harmony and is ruled by the planet Venus.
Both Libra and Venus are associated with the element air.
Some view this card as corresponding to Gemini, seeing the Twins as the reflection of twin flames as well. Gemini is ruled by Mercury.
The Lovers Tarot Card Combinations
Because the Lovers tarot card has several different meanings, most readers look to surrounding cards to determine exactly what your Higher Self wants you to know about your present situation.
When paired with other Major Arcana cards, the message is even more powerful (for all readings) and Cups signify that the spiritual communication being transmitted is love/relationship related.
THE LOVERS AND THE HERMIT
If you’ve been feeling alone and disconnected from the love of every type, the Hermit and the Lovers tarot card is a combination that commonly appears.
Although self-care and focusing on your own needs are important, this pairing suggests that you should work on renewing the relationships that are important to you.
Don’t wait for them to make the first move. Reach out to friends and family that you miss in your life and work on rekindling what you once had.
THE LOVERS AND THE EMPRESS
When the Empress falls with the Lovers tarot card, warm feelings abound. You will soon feel overwhelming joy and this emotion will be present in every relationship that you cherish.
If you’re going through relationship problems or feuding with a family member, things are about to turn around. If you’re looking for love, several suitors are going to present themselves.
So, prepare to make a choice.
THE LOVERS AND THE FIVE OF CUPS OR THE THREE OF SWORDS
The Lovers, when connected to the Suit of Cups, is almost always related to love or romance. When it’s the Five of Cups that is in pairing with the Lovers, loss, and heartache are front and center. The same is true of the Lovers and the Three of Swords which represents rejection or separation.
Are you currently going through a heartbreak, divorce, or some other relationship severing? If so, it might feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders.
As difficult as it might seem, focusing on the positives in your life is the best thing that you can do at the present time.
Close your eyes and ask yourself this question: what do you still have to be grateful for? Embrace the answer you receive.
THE LOVERS AND JUDGEMENT OR STRENGTH
A past relationship or connection is soon to be revived. If you’ve been pining over an ex or wanting to rekindle an old flame, Judgement suggests that your wish will soon be granted.
The strength card signifies that your relationship will be an unbreakable bond. Even when the ebb and flow makes it seem as if things aren’t going well, hold tight. The situation will soon turn around.
THE LOVERS TAROT CARD DESIGNS
Although I write all the descriptions based on the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, I use other decks too. And I love all the awesome decks out there!
Below you can find a small selection of beautiful Lovers tarot cards. If you drew a tarot card yourself and want to share this, I would love to hear from you!
THE LOVERS IN A READING
That’s all for the Lovers tarot card meaning! If you have pulled the Lovers tarot card in your spread, did the meaning make sense to your situation in life? Do you have major life-changing choices to make or are you faced with a dilemma?
Just remember that this card advises you to not automatically go for the easy road (temptation). Make sure that you first gather all the information you need, before making a decision.
Are you a Tarot beginner? Learn how to read tarot in this Tarot Beginners Guide.
Lucia says
I’ve done a tarot reading from the tarot reader. And the lovers card has been pulled off. But currently, the situation between us is a bit distant and cold. Do you have any insight regarding this? Thank you
Wille says
The Lovers card is not just about love and romance – it is also about choices. Does this relate to your situation at all?
Wille xxxx
Ashby says
When doing a Birthday spread for myself, I pulled The Lovers in reverse in response to asking my deck what I should embrace in the future. I am concerned about the my deck suggesting to embrace separating from my partner and am leaning heavily towards self-love and learning from mistakes and letting go. How do I know which message the deck is sending?
Wille says
Hey Ashby, thank you so much for your comment.
It sounds like you are in a dilemma right now! However, pulling the reversed Lovers card does not necessarily mean an end to a relationship. It can actually mean that there are conversations that you and your partner need to have, and things that you might need to face!
The reversed Lovers card definitely suggests that there is a conflict in your love life right now, but this means that you can face it and overcome it. This might mean with your partner, or without.
You mention self-love, and I agree that this is one of the most important things in regards to our spiritual well-being. Perhaps now is the time to also focus on this side of you, and do things that feel right for your personal spiritual growth. Listen to your intuition, and I am always here if you have any more questions!
Love,
Wille xx
Erin says
Hello, I did a reading for myself, asking about the potential for a reconciliation between myself and my ex. We are not together at this time, nor are we even in contact; as a matter of fact, he seems to have shut me out of his life. However, the Lovers came up in the present position. Could that simply mean that he still loves me and cares about me?
Wille says
Hello Erin, thank you for your question! The Lovers card can be an indication that you will reconcile soon with your ex-partner. This card can also suggest that you are faced with a difficult choice right now and that there is a big temptation to make a quick decision without thinking well.
Listen to what your intuition tells you✨
Best,
Wille ????