Major Arcana · No. 6
Upright · love, harmony, choice
Reversed · disharmony, temptation, indecision
The Lovers shows a naked man and woman standing beneath the archangel Raphael, who spreads his arms in blessing from the clouds. The apple tree and serpent behind the woman stand for temptation and the test of choice, while the tree of twelve flames behind the man represents passion and spiritual desire. Their nakedness symbolizes complete honesty and a pure union. The mountain rising in the distance shows the higher consciousness that can be reached through love.
“Choosing what your heart wants”
loveharmonychoice
Deep connection, a moment of choice and a harmonious relationship.
Upright, The Lovers speaks both of a deep heart connection and of an important choice guided by your values. A love that accepts you just as you are may arrive, or an existing relationship may grow into deeper trust. Even outside romance, a moment may come when you must decide on a career path or partnership with your values on the line. Choose what your heart truly wants, not just your head, and you won’t regret it.
Advice · Choose honestly with your heart, not just your head.
✓ Try · let what you truly feel guide your choice
✕ Avoid · deciding based on what others will think
A question to ask yourself
What do you really want?
“Noticing clashing values and wavering”
disharmonytemptationindecision
May point to an unbalanced relationship or clashing values.
Reversed, The Lovers shows hearts pulling apart through imbalance or clashing values. You may want different things so conversations go nowhere, or trust may weaken as someone wavers in the face of temptation. You might also be putting off a choice or handing it to someone else to avoid owning it. Get clear on what you truly value first, and the direction of the relationship will become clear too.
Advice · Look for places where your values and theirs don’t line up.
✓ Try · talk honestly about what you each value
✕ Avoid · holding on to both options without being sure
A question to ask yourself
When do you find yourself wavering?
Your past was a time of choosing what your heart wants. Read it as the background that shaped your current situation.
Right now is a time of choosing what your heart wants. Read it as the strongest force at work right now.
Ahead lies a time of choosing what your heart wants. Read it as where things are heading if they continue as they are. If reversed, it can signal that this flow may be blocked or delayed.
Upright leans toward yes — Choosing what your heart wants
Reversed leans toward no — Noticing clashing values and wavering
As a Major Arcana card, the answer carries extra weight and often ties to a bigger life decision.
The Lovers with the Two of Cups is a powerful love pairing where mutual attraction becomes a real, heartfelt bond. It’s a wonderful sign for a confession of feelings or the start of a relationship.
The Lovers meeting The Devil suggests obsession or temptation may lurk behind a strong attraction. You’ll need a clear head to tell love apart from bondage.
A strong attraction and a harmonious connection are coming. Temptation or misunderstanding could crack the relationship.
May point to an unbalanced relationship or clashing values. Reversed, The Lovers shows hearts pulling apart through imbalance or clashing values. You may want different things so conversations go nowhere, or trust may weaken as someone wavers in the face of temptation. You might also be putting off a choice or handing it to someone else to avoid owning it. Get clear on what you truly value first, and the direction of the relationship will become clear too.
Upright leans toward yes, and reversed leans toward no. As a Major Arcana card, the answer carries extra weight and often ties to a bigger life decision.
love, harmony, choice / disharmony, temptation, indecision