Card number six of the Major Arcana, The Lovers stands as a
unique example of deeper meanings. One of the few cards in the
deck often disputed over, The Lovers is symbology at its best,
the more dense roots of divination becoming clear only to those
who open their minds to see.
When we talk about the meaning of the tarot or the symbols they
"should" allow the card reader to see, in the beginning when you
first start out, it's best to begin with instinct. Let your
psyche connect to the deck you choose before ever attempting to
learn the book meanings. This way, you know your connection to
the cards has not been swayed by the author's signified
interpretation of them. Although there is usually a consistent
across-the-board meaning for the deck, many authors delve into
their own experiences with them, enriching our complete picture
even more fully.
Considering that the Tarot began in our known history of it
(incomplete though it may be) as a card game, somewhere along
the line, people began using it as a tool for divination.
Although many use a regular deck of playing cards these days,
perhaps someday, humans will look on the hearts, spades, clubs
and diamonds as revered in the area of psychic work. I know more
than a few readers who love using a basic deck of cards. With
the regular decks being four suits like the Minor Arcana of the
Tarot, many feel there is no question of the decks being related
somewhere in history, the Tarot likely coming first, considering
its four suits.
Many of the more common meanings for this card include - "The
struggle between sacred love and profane harmony. Refers to
love, relationships and marriage. Sexual urge and desire." and
"lovers, marriage, union..." and the male representing conscious
mind, while the female holds symbology over the subconscious
mind.
Many interpretations leave out the connection between the Head
and the Heart in this card's meanings. Usually favoring the more
direct approach of a union of minds, hearts and paths, many
readers neglect to mention the really apparent connections and
disconnections between our Logical Brain and our Emotional
Brain. While each has its valued contributions to our lives, The
Lovers is directly telling us that we need to stop, take a look
at what's going on in our life and take a moment to listen to
our inner voice, to see with our inner sight.
As a reader, let your client know that drawing The Lovers is a
sign of good roads ahead, good choices to be made and love
received, if one uses their heart and head with equal force. To
have an imbalance between the two steers us into unbalanced
relationships and partnerships (this can also mean financial
partnership) and thus leave us feeling unfulfilled.
Let The Lovers card talk to you as though it had voice. Let it
show you the elements it shadows so well. With the standardized
Rider-Waite deck you'll see the symbols of woman looking at the
messenger of God, man looking at woman and you'll hear different
interpretations. This however, perfectly illustrates why the
Tarot should be taken at meaning rather than picture. The Morgan
Greer deck shows the Lovers entwined in each other's arms. When
I read, I read the different cards in the same way, but if you
were to be of the belief that the angel presents a significant
symbol in the one, yet is missing in the other, then you will
read different decks differently. Not a bad thing, but it can
present a confusion for readers of little experience.
With Orange ruling this card and Gemini associated, we can't
help but think of passion and love (orange being the color of
the sex chakra), yet when you read, keep in mind the more subtle
energies of The Lovers card and let those subtleties flow from
you to enhance your readings.
About the author:
L. Davis has been writing for over 35 years and is published in
many formats including in- print books, print articles, online
publications and poetry and erotica collections. Her new age
writing covers a wide variety of topics from witchcraft and
paganism, to the Tarot and Metaphysics. Environmental issues are
part of the protection of Gaia and are included under Gaia
Publishing. http://www.gaiapublishing.com
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