The Lovers Tarot Card Meaning

Adam and Eve stand beneath an angel blessing their love. Their nakedness shows that they're pure and innocent, like children. Their bond is spiritual and exalted, untouched by physical passions and desires.

They stand beside the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, deciding whether to taste its forbidden fruit or turn away from that knowledge. The temptation is strong: a cunning serpent hides behind the woman. The Lovers represents true love as the meaning of human life.

The upright Lovers says your relationships are growing stronger. Fresh, beautiful feelings fill this chapter of your life. You can find a new love or bring more harmony to an existing one. Now is a wonderful time to overcome whatever has kept two loving hearts from coming together!

The card can also point to a difficult choice in another area of life, a decision you'll need to make soon. Here, it promises that the right path is within reach. Follow your intuition and your heart, and you'll make a choice that changes your future for the better!

Upright keywords

• A romantic meeting, love, coming together, trust, strong friendship.
• Stability, physical and mental health.
• A choice to make, a crossroads, several possible solutions.
• Victory after a hard struggle, overcoming an obstacle.

The reversed Lovers warns of a wrong decision. Perhaps you're torn between options and afraid of making a mistake. Your intuition is telling you something true: this isn't the time to decide! If you can, pause or ask for more time. Look into the situation and get clear about what you really want.

But don't confuse a lack of courage with a message from your heart. If self-doubt is the only reason you're hesitating, luck will pass you by.

This card often points to trouble between partners. You argue, hurt each other, and drift further apart by the day. It can also hint at infidelity or a partner wanting to leave.

To keep this prediction from playing out, or soften its effect, be honest with your partner and take care of your love. Little gestures, tender words, and hugs are your protection against arguments, hurt feelings, and things left unsaid.

Keep love for yourself and others alive, and you'll see life's complications in a more positive light. Don't make snap decisions. Think through your words and actions, and if you don't have enough information, take your time. Once you've decided, though, find people who share your aim and keep going. You get there by putting one foot in front of the other!

Reversed keywords

• A wrong decision, an illogical choice.
• Duplicity, disagreements, disappointment in love, separation, a troubled or worsening relationship.
• Feeling unwell, apathy, inner turmoil, depression.
• Plans falling apart, being unable to deliver, missed opportunities.

Upright in a love reading, the Lovers always means strong, mutual feelings, affection, and passion. An existing relationship will grow stronger, or a beautiful new love will bring you the joy of a harmonious partnership.

Two people are drawn together like magnets. That pull asks for a real choice: to change their lives, habits, and preferences, accept each other's flaws as well as strengths, and be together. Sometimes the choice is between two partners. In that case, your heart will tell you which way to go.

Reversed, the meaning changes: a lack of harmony, arguments, or choosing the wrong partner.

What are they like in love?

Upright, this person is a dream partner: tender, passionate, and romantic! If they're with you, your soul matters to them every bit as much as your body.

Reversed, they find it hard to keep their attention on just one love interest. Even when they're in love, temptation has plenty to offer!

The right decision and a willingness to change will bring success. That's the upright Lovers' message in a work reading. Soon you'll need to settle something important and make a difficult choice affecting your finances, career, and social standing.

It could be a new direction at work, a fresh project, or a different position: something unfamiliar that asks for effort and courage. A demanding test lies ahead. It will teach you to listen to your intuition, rather than relying on reason alone.

Reversed, the card points to irresponsibility, dishonesty, and an unwillingness to decide.

Upright, the Lovers represents a deeply sincere person you can always count on. They're capable of wonderfully strong bonds, including true friendship and real love.

Reversed, this person lacks peace and harmony within, which can make it hard to connect with other people.

Upright, the card invites you to open up to your feelings! Be sincere, and people will meet you halfway.

Reversed, it asks you not to shut loved ones out when things are difficult or an argument breaks out. Try to solve the problem together.

Upright, the outlook is very favorable! Your wish will come true, and your feelings will be returned.

Reversed, the outlook isn't so good. Difficulties could arise between you and someone close.

Venus working with Mercury, and Venus in Gemini: a major life choice, honest communication, and romantic affection.

The Fool — A choice made lightly, letting emotion lead, a careless approach.

The Magician — A tempting idea, a determined decision, starting your own business.

The High Priestess — A hidden motive behind an action, an unexpected route, a trick.

The Empress — Choosing stability, drawing on past experience, putting your faith in family values.

The Emperor — Starting a family, clearly defined roles in a relationship, supporting relatives.

The Hierophant — Marriage commitments, leaving a mistress, returning to your spouse.

The Chariot — An uncertain future, looking for a traveling companion, a honeymoon.

Strength — A struggle for control in a relationship, pressuring a partner, passion.

The Hermit — Leaning toward solitude, paying attention to your health, insecurities.

Wheel of Fortune — A whirlwind of change, a successful date, a useful new acquaintance.

Justice — Canceled plans, intervention by the authorities, delays.

The Hanged Man — No strategy, needing outside advice, a relationship at a dead end.

Death — A different direction in life, a change of home, partner, or worldview.

Temperance — A hunger for change, being tired of routine, a stable marriage or partnership.

The Devil — A mistaken decision, physical temptation, a dangerous man.

The Tower — Taking responsibility for a bad decision, breaking off a relationship, a romance ending.

The Star — Throwing yourself into creativity, hopes of success, doing what you love.

The Moon — A whirl of ever-changing events, an unusual situation, emotional exhaustion.

The Sun — Marrying for love, an excellent chance, a bright future and a happy relationship.

Judgment — Care, the hand of fate, shared human values.

The World — A life-changing act, foresight, choosing to expand.

Ace of Wands — A quick solution to problems, an impulse, a burst of energy or an energetic lover.

Two of Wands — Planning a route, looking for an ally, searching for a well-paid job.

Three of Wands — A negotiating strategy, a job interview, hidden opportunities.

Four of Wands — A wedding, a young family, the sweet early days of courtship, getting used to someone.

Five of Wands — Considering the possibilities, hearing an interesting viewpoint, a carefully weighed decision.

Six of Wands — Sorting out your priorities, trusting your partner, clear principles.

Seven of Wands — An unconventional move, leaving the system, fighting for independence.

Eight of Wands — Events beyond your control, picking up speed, actions that can't be undone.

Nine of Wands — Nervousness, going on the defensive, isolating yourself to avoid difficulties.

Ten of Wands — Overestimating yourself, running low on energy, getting tangled up in your affairs.

Page of Wands — More responsibility than you can handle, a lack of professional skill, looking for an alternative.

Knight of Wands — Impulsiveness, nervous tension, the risk of missing something important.

Queen of Wands — Optimism, useful advice or a consultation, help arriving at the right time.

King of Wands — Saving face, explaining a discreditable act, a justification.

Ace of Swords — Deciding at the last minute, a last resort, being on the brink of collapse.

Two of Swords — Deception, romantic intrigue, a test of honesty or character.

Three of Swords — A romantic rival, trouble from a past relationship, a broken engagement.

Four of Swords — Thoughts of leaving a partner, emotional burnout, a lack of support.

Five of Swords — Dissatisfaction, a miscalculation, backing the wrong option or trusting a false authority.

Six of Swords — Great responsibility, a difficult mission, an important trip.

Seven of Swords — A successful move based on inside information, a promising direction, hidden profit.

Eight of Swords — Giving ground, abandoning the fight, the risk of losing everything.

Nine of Swords — Giving in to circumstances, feeling oppressed, losing to a rival.

Ten of Swords — A crisis, a run of bad luck, facing your problems alone.

Page of Swords — Events worthy of a detective novel, walking a knife-edge, attention from the police.

Knight of Swords — Reckless behavior, no thought for others, acting rashly.

Queen of Swords — A woman in power, being so unapproachable it hurts you, a strong will.

King of Swords — Prosecutors, the courts, bureaucracy and abuses of power at a high level.

Ace of Cups — A playboy, following your feelings, having many admirers.

Two of Cups — An acceptable choice, a student romance or marriage, a brief fling.

Three of Cups — Loving parties, living for today, spontaneity.

Four of Cups — Living by someone else's rules, being misled, beginning to think for yourself.

Five of Cups — Disappointed hopes, being drawn into someone else's game, bad news, a difficult position.

Six of Cups — Being naive in love, an older admirer, forbidden love.

Seven of Cups — A new approach to a difficult situation, something deceptively simple, escaping reality.

Eight of Cups — An attraction outside your relationship, pleasant flirting, giving in to temptation.

Nine of Cups — A false image, putting on an act, pretending to be successful or wealthy.

Ten of Cups — Bigamy, a secret family or long-running affair, moving home.

Page of Cups — Choosing a profession or looking for a job, weighing the pros and cons, trying a new kind of work.

Knight of Cups — Building connections, changing a business's focus, self-promotion.

Queen of Cups — A seductive young woman, an easy conquest, sensual pleasure.

King of Cups — A bold entrepreneur, a philanthropist, a keen interest.

Ace of Pentacles — A sound calculation, making the most of a situation, a clear way out of difficulties.

Two of Pentacles — A small-time scam, a mistake, pointless spending.

Three of Pentacles — A dowry, wedding preparations, a dependable admirer.

Four of Pentacles — A wealthy bride, a sensible woman, a capable homemaker or a domestically minded suitor.

Five of Pentacles — A romance bogged down in everyday problems, holes in the family budget, no prospects.

Six of Pentacles — The right path, investing in the future, lending money.

Seven of Pentacles — The lure of profit, an offered bribe, a gift with strings attached.

Eight of Pentacles — Impatience, a well-off partner, a chance to live at someone else's expense.

Nine of Pentacles — Escaping danger, paying to make a problem go away, protecting your capital.

Ten of Pentacles — Listening to your parents, putting family first, taking over your father's business.

Page of Pentacles — Immature behavior, childishness, not knowing how to manage money.

Knight of Pentacles — A courteous gentleman, a suitor with money, a man with honest intentions.

Queen of Pentacles — Enjoying your opportunities, living well, prestige.

King of Pentacles — A calculating man, letting reason guide you, keeping a cool head.