The Lovers

The Lovers (VI) is the sixth trump or Major Arcana card in most traditional Tarot decks. It is used in game playing as well as in divination.

Interpretation

In some traditions, the Lovers represent relationships and choices. Its appearance in a spread indicates some decision about an existing relationship, a temptation of the heart, or a choice of potential partners. Often an aspect of the Querent's life will have to be sacrificed; a bachelor(ette)'s lifestyle may be sacrificed and a relationship gained (or vice versa), or one potential partner may be chosen while another is turned down. Whatever the choice, it should not be made lightly, as the ramifications will be lasting.

The Lovers is associated with the star sign Gemini, and indeed is also known as The Twins in some decks. Other associations are with Air, Mercury, and the Hebrew letter ז (Zayin).

A. E. Waite was a key figure in the development of modern Tarot interpretations. (Wood, 1998) However not all interpretations follow his theology. Please remember that all Tarot decks used for divination are interpreted up to personal experience and standards.

Some frequent keywords used by tarot readers are:
*"Love relationship ----- Union ----- Passion ----- Sexuality"

*"Pleasure ----- Humanism ----- Desire ----- Personal beliefs "

*"Individual values ----- Physical attraction ----- Connection"

*"Affinity ----- Bonding ----- Romance ----- Heart"

Following the Marseille Tradition, also there are:
*"Choice ----- Doubt ----- Difficult decision ----- Dilemma ----- Temptation"

Mythopoetic Approach

The Lovers represent the impulse that drives us out of the Garden, towards adulthood. Sometimes, that impulse manifests as curiosity (Eve, Pandora, Psyche); sometimes it manifests as sexual desire (most horror and teen movies); sometimes it manifests as duty (a soldier heeding the call). Whatever it is, once we have stepped past the threshold, there is no returning to the garden.

The Lovers is associated through its cross sum (the sum of the digits) with The Devil, Key 15. He is often the source of the impulse, or that thing inside of us that responds to it. The Devil's energy is absolutely necessary, absolutely deadly.

The Lovers also represent raw desire. The Buddha teaches us that all life is suffering, the root of suffering is desire, and that desire can be overcome. The Buddha provides one path back to the garden – or to a better garden.

Hajo Banzhaf suggests that if the Major Arcana is seen as a map of the Sun's circuit of the Sky, The Lovers is high noon. Consciousness is at its fullest. Frequently, cards show the Sun in the position of noon. Two trees, bearing fruit and flame, represent the intoxication of the material world.

When The Lovers appear in a spread, it typically draws the Querent's attention to what ever impulse drove her from home, to whatever impulse made him move out, reject the faith of his fathers, made him accept the call. That original impulse should be honored, but if it dominates the Querent's life, it will grow tiresome. The call must be renewed.

It can signal an examination of the Querent's relationship with the garden is needed, be it exile or absence. Sometimes, it can be useful to go beyond Eden and talk about other gardens: the bittersweet Kingdom of Logres built by Arthur to keep back the rising dark for a generation, the idyllic Hobbits' Shire in "The Lord of the Rings", or just a happy childhood. Look for misty eyes of memory, or bitterness at the lack of a past paradise.

The Lovers are also a reminder that we need others to become fully human. Lovers, friends, adversaries--each one teaches us, each one stretches us. Each can kill us. Each can break our hearts.

Alternative decks

* In the Vikings Tarot, this card shows Frigg with her golden sandals standing between the brothers Vili and Ve.
* In the X/1999 Tarot version made by CLAMP, The Lovers is represented by Kotori Monou.

In Pop Culture

* In "The House of the Dead 4", part of Sega's "House of the Dead" series, the second boss is named for the Lovers. This boss consists of a small male tarantula riding on top of a larger female tarantula, which pursue the players through an elevator shaft. As the female climbs the girders, the players must shoot the male tarantula to knock them down, or get bitten and slashed by its fierce jaws. The female spider, in addition to carrying the male (the main offensive force of the pair,) also has the ability to make baby spiders to threaten the players. (All of the bosses in the "House of the Dead" series are named after cards from the Major Arcana.)

* In the video game Persona 3 the character of Yukari Takeba is associated with the Lovers arcana.

References

* A. E. Waite's 1910 "Pictorial Key to the Tarot"
* Hajo Banzhaf, Tarot and the Journey of the Hero (2000)
* Most works by Joseph Campbell
* G. Ronald Murphy, S.J., The Owl, The Raven, and The Dove: Religious Meaning of the Grimm's Magic Fairy Tales (2000)
* Riane Eisler, The Chalice and the Blade (1987)
* Mary Greer, The Women of the Golden Dawn (1994)
* Merlin Stone, When God Was A Woman (1976)
* Robert Graves, Greek Mythology (1955)
* Juliette Wood, Folklore 109 (1998):15-24, The Celtic Tarot and the Secret Tradition: A Study in Modern Legend Making (1998)

External links

* [http://trionfi.com/tarot/cards/06-love/ "Lovers" cards from many decks and articles to "Lovers" iconography]
* [http://www.tarothermit.com/love.htm The History of the Lovers (Love) Card] from The Hermitage.