Follow your passion with The Lovers. Number six in the Major Arcana, some say this represents the human being “because man was said to be created on the sixth day.”
- Symbolism: Lovers or union of opposites.
- Element: Air (see Tarot Elements)
What I See:
I like that this card doesn’t scream Adam and Eve to me. Yet the couple definitely feels like they are in the honeymoon stage of their relationship. I get a peaceful feeling of new beginnings from this card. An airy feeling even with all the birds. The doves give me a sense of hope. And wasn’t Aphrodite represented by the swan? Or had a swan? (Note to self, look up Aphrodite.) I also get a sense she is Mother Earth with her green dress while he’s Father Sun in his yellow shirt, I’m not entirely sure what that means.
Light (upright) Reading:
The Lovers often appear when a choice needs to be made.
- Keywords: Union, Sharing, Trust, and Attraction.
Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:
Beware of isolation, of not being able to give or receive love, due to disappointment.
- Keywords: Inconsistency, Impatience, Hedonism, and Wonder-lust.
Plots:
Perhaps a coming-of-age story, from the ideal of childhood to taking responsibility for themselves. Soul-mates, twins, or some other spiritual connection between two people could be the basis of your story. How about a retelling of the Aphrodite myth?
The number six symbolizes the sixth sense, or psychic ability, how about exploring that in your story? Perhaps look into the six directions of space: left, right, forward, backward, up, and down. Hmm, that might lead to a space opera. Or maybe even time-travel.
- Themes: Passion, Choice, Sexuality, Union of Opposites, Balance, Sacred Marriage, Self-love, or Interdependence.
Characters:
The Lovers embody the sweetness and the sting of passion.
- Archetype: Beloved, Paradise, or Choice.
But on a deeper psychological level [Threshold Guardians] stand for our internal demons: the neuroses, emotional scars, vices, dependencies, and self-limitations that hold back our growth and progress. It seems that every time you try to make a major change in your life, these inner demons rise up to their full force, not necessarily to stop you, but to test if you are really determined to accept the challenge of change. ~The Writers Journey
by Christopher Vogler
- Mythical Figures: Adam & Eve, Isis & Osiris, Eros & Psyche, and Shiva & Shakti.
The personality enneagram, a nine-pointed array of personality types, might also be a useful reference for character building.
The Lovers is E6: Devil’s Advocate, Loyalist, Troubleshooter, and/or Guardian.
- Self Image — I do my duty
- Passion — Fear
- Virtue — Courage
- Narcissistic Trap — Security
- Avoids — Deviance
- Speaking Style — Warning or Limiting
E6 people are ruled by their head. They need to understand the pattern of events, where all the pieces fit in the puzzle of life, and are often detached from their emotions. Their objectivity may hide feelings of isolation or confusion.
Additionally, look up one of the Air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) for personality traits.
When you sit down to write, direct your energy toward just one person — your ideal reader. That way, you’ll be one of two people in communication with each other, like the Lovers in the cards. ~Tarot for Writers
by Corrine Kenner
Image: Gaian Tarot
Dec 15, 2011 @ 06:54:58
This is a card that surprised me greatly. I blame Hollywood. Almost every movie I’ve seen with Tarot brings up The Lovers to show the male and female MCs are really in love even though they won’t admit it.
I was sure it meant more than that, but it always fell back to the old Hollywood template. Which brings up a question for one of my future novels. What card suggests a woman is in love–or in lust?
Dec 15, 2011 @ 10:00:40
I think Hollywood tends to focus on the obvious…lovers = lovers. And it does. But there can be so much more. For example, you mention characters in love though they won’t admit it. Which plays into the shadow reading of this card a bit. If someone has been hurt in love they will be less likely to be open to love.
I guess it depends on the woman, or man, Maria. If you want, send me an email with some details about your character and I’ll take a look through the cards
Thanks for stopping by!
Dec 15, 2011 @ 07:07:59
Gosh, I love that last quote. “When you sit down to write, direct your energy toward just one person — your ideal reader. That way, you’ll be one of two people in communication with each other, like the Lovers in the cards. ~Tarot for Writers by Corrine Kenner”
Great advice. Especially because I image that’s how a reader wants to feel–like they are in communication with the book/part of the story.
Dec 15, 2011 @ 10:03:17
Isn’t that a great quote? And I know it’s true for me as a reader, I want to feel as though I’m part of the story. Certainly what I aim for as a writer as well.
Thanks for stopping by Erin!
Dec 15, 2011 @ 18:41:25
I probably felt a certain likening of this card for a slightly…shallow reason. The female in this lovers card is not a willowy waif or wraithlike creature. She appears full figured, full of life and, with the combination of the green dress, fertile. Not sure if that should even play into any interpretations but I must admit it made me smile.
Dec 16, 2011 @ 08:22:17
I love that she isn’t some anorexic model and I have the same feeling Angela. Thus my *cough* PC *cough* comment of the Mother Earth
Thanks for stopping by!
Dec 17, 2011 @ 05:44:37
I agree with, Angela. I love the fact that the woman in the card is full-figured and that the couple look like people I see everyday. Not idealized but realistic and still very attractive. Lovely card. And that is a great quote from Kenner’s Tarot for Writer.
Dec 17, 2011 @ 19:09:43
All the cards have people I’d expect to see everyday. Love that about this deck. And I love that quote more each time I read it. I think I’m going to paint it on my wall
Thanks for stopping by Jenna!