By Katrina Rasbold
The Lovers card in Pamela Colman Smith’s iconic Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck is among the most visually striking and symbolically rich in the Major Arcana. Numbered VI (6), this card transcends the simple notion of romantic love and invites a profound exploration into the themes of duality, choice, unity, and the spiritual dimensions of love. First published in 1909 under the guidance of mystic and scholar Arthur Edward Waite, Smith’s imagery has since become the gold standard for modern tarot interpretations.
Let us explore the symbolic language woven into this card and how it informs its interpretation in a reading.
Visual Elements and Symbolism
1. The Man and Woman (Adam and Eve Archetypes)
The central figures in the Lovers card are a nude man and woman, representing the biblical Adam and Eve. Their nudity signifies innocence and truth—there is nothing hidden, and all is revealed. The figures stand in a lush Eden-like setting, reinforcing themes of paradise, original union, and the moral implications of free will.
- Man looks at the woman; the woman gazes at the angel: This directional gaze implies a hierarchy of consciousness: physical to emotional to divine. The man is drawn to the woman’s beauty and presence (the physical plane), while the woman looks to the angel (higher consciousness), suggesting that love ideally transcends mere attraction and aspires toward spiritual connection.
2. The Angel (Archangel Raphael)
Hovering above them is the angel, identified as Raphael, whose name means “God heals.” Raphael is the patron of air, the element associated with intellect, communication, and the astrological sign of Gemini (which rules this card). His red wings suggest divine passion, while his open arms bless the union.
- Spiritual mediation: The angel reminds us that true love is not merely physical or emotional but is also spiritual and moral. He blesses the union, but also oversees the consequences of choice.
3. The Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life
Behind Eve stands the Tree of Knowledge, complete with the serpent from the Genesis narrative. This is a potent symbol of temptation, awareness, and moral awakening. Behind Adam is the Tree of Life, bearing twelve flames—possibly representing the twelve signs of the zodiac or the eternal flame of divine spirit.
- Duality and consequence: The positioning of the trees highlights the eternal duality between conscious decision and divine order. Eve, as the figure closer to the Tree of Knowledge, carries the symbolic weight of choice and its consequences, while Adam reflects the life force and spiritual destiny.
4. The Mountain and the Sun
Between the couple rises a mountain—a classic symbol of spiritual ascent, stability, and the challenges that lie on the path to enlightenment. The sun blazes overhead, representing illumination, clarity, and divine approval.
- Illumination and challenge: The Lovers card suggests that choosing the path of love—real, deep, meaningful love—is a journey that can elevate the spirit but also requires conscious navigation.
Numerology and Astrology
Number VI (6):
In tarot numerology, six represents harmony, balance, and the reconciliation of opposites. It is the number of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. Here, it implies a potential harmony between body, heart, and soul—when one’s choices align with higher values.
Astrological Association: Gemini
Ruled by Mercury, Gemini is the sign of communication, duality, and conscious awareness. Gemini adds the flavor of decision-making, mirroring, and understanding through contrast. This connection suggests that relationships are mirrors, and love is a decision as much as it is a feeling.
Key Interpretations of The Lovers
1. Love and Relationship
The most obvious interpretation involves romantic love, soulmates, or spiritual partners. The Lovers herald a meaningful relationship marked by emotional and spiritual connection. It speaks of trust, vulnerability, and a sacred bond.
2. Choice and Moral Dilemma
This card is also about choices—often moral or spiritual ones. Just as Adam and Eve were faced with the decision to partake of the fruit of knowledge, the querent may be facing a choice that tests their values. The card asks: Will you follow your higher self, or be tempted by fleeting desires?
3. Union and Integration
The Lovers symbolizes the union of opposites: masculine and feminine, conscious and unconscious, earthly and divine. It represents a moment of integration when these forces come into balance within the self or between individuals.
4. Temptation and Consequence
Given its Edenic imagery, the card can also point to situations involving temptation or seduction—whether in love, business, or lifestyle. The question then becomes whether the choice made aligns with long-term integrity.
Reversed Meaning
When reversed, the Lovers card often suggests:
- Disharmony or misalignment in a relationship
- Difficult or avoided choices
- Temptation or infidelity
- Self-betrayal or ignoring inner truth
Rather than signaling doom, the reversal calls attention to unresolved issues in decision-making, miscommunication, or failure to honor the spiritual dimensions of love.
Practical Advice When the Lovers Appears
- Follow your heart, but consult your higher wisdom. This card invites you to connect physical attraction or romantic interest to a larger spiritual purpose.
- Align your decisions with your core values. What you choose now will have ripple effects—are your choices in harmony with your truth?
- Balance the sacred and the sensual. The Lovers card encourages you to pursue connections that feed both body and soul. The difference between true love and profane love comes into focus with this card and asks us to pursue “Mr/Ms Right” instead of “Mr/Mrs Right Now.”
- Embrace integration. Whether it’s internal balance or union with another, this card reminds you that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
The Depths of Love
Pamela Colman Smith’s Lovers card is a masterpiece of mystical symbolism, one that invites profound introspection. More than a sign of romantic attraction, it serves as a spiritual checkpoint in the journey of the soul. It asks us to examine not only who or what we love, but how and why we love. It is a call to conscious union—with another, with oneself, and with the divine.
In the dance between desire and destiny, the Lovers card reminds us that love is not only a gift—it is a sacred choice that we should never take lightly, whether we are giving or receiving that love.
Want to join the conversation about this blog post? Go to the Green Egg Forum and scroll for the forum post that relates to this article: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1069823176940972
Katrina Rasbold is a professional Witch, published author, priestess, and editor of Green Egg Magazine. She and her husband, Eric, are the creators of the CUSP spiritual path and owners of Crossroads Occult. You can reach her through www.katrinarasbold.com.