The tree of knowledge is behind the woman and the tree of life is behind the man. The angel Raphael is watching over them from the sky. The angel wears a purple robe, which symbolizes spirituality and royalty. The woman looks towards the angel and the man looks towards the woman. The man looks to the physical and the woman looks to the spiritual. There is a duality to this card represented by Gemini.

There is a mountain surging between the couple. It seems to point to the angel. A trinity connects all of them together. The man’s desire is more carnal and passionate as he looks towards the woman. The man doesn’t even notice the angel, yet the woman does. She gazes up at the angel as if awaiting a spiritual message. She knows the truth about the man’s carnal desire.

The angel Raphael blesses both the man and the woman as if in a spiritual marriage that is written in the heavens. His eyes are closed as if in a deep spiritual meditation. He comes out of the sky through a patch of clouds which are close to the earth. The sun is shining all around the angel, and looks more like spiritual light than a real sun.

The woman stands next to the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden, which represents temptation. The man stands next to the tree of life or the Jewish kabbalistic tree. Each leaf is a small flame, perhaps a flame of passion or desire.

The woman or perhaps the man has a choice. The card depicts a choice between two loves: earthly desire and spiritual development, but the card means more than that. It can be a choice between a good path and a bad path. The angel has bestowed his blessing on the couple. What lays in the blessing is the right choice. To deny a spiritual connection is the wrong choice. If you choose poorly you will regret it.

You have two choices. One just seemed to pop up out of nowhere. You are enamored by the other choice. You thought you wanted to go down one direction, but then you came across another option. It could be a childhood friend, a new love, an idea, an opportunity, but whatever it is you have another choice.

The Lovers is about falling in love, sexual attraction, taking a relationship to another level. There could be a tremendous amount of sexual attraction or a declaration of feelings, but first the right choice must be made. The right choice is the soul mate. It is a much better choice. You are not just enamored with her/him, it is a destined love and match made in heaven if only you could free yourself from the situation you are in currently. Make the right decision. You will make the right decision. The querent almost always chooses the soulmate path. When the querent doesn’t it will take time for things to snap back into place due to predestination. This is a card all about predestination. Perhaps there is free will on earth, but you decided a certain path before you came to earth.

The lovers card comes after the ridged rules of the Emperor who dwells in the earthly plane and the Hierophant who dwells in the realm of doctrine. But now you have to make a spiritual decision. One that is governed by the stars, the moon and the laws of the spirit. These laws are not governed by the land, the earth or structure, but your heart, the air, the spiritual realm. You have to make a choice and if you do not choice wisely it will be a decision you will come to regret immensely and profoundly.

In the traditional Celtic Cross Tarot Spread, often the card you place over the Situation Card will reveal whether the crux of the situation is an obstacle (hindering) or helping (strengthening).  This placement is the second card drawn in a traditional Celtic Cross Tarot Spread.

The Lovers as a Strength

You have the power of discernment. The path you take will be the right one. You are able to cut through all the smoke and mirrors and see the truth.

The Lovers card is about two choices and the discrimination to chose the right one. There is a right choice and a wrong choice. If the Lovers card comes up about a career reading, then you’ll have a choice between two professions. If you are younger, you might have the option of working versus going to college. Or perhaps even a choice between two schools. The angel is watching over you, so if you listen carefully the right choice will be found.

Whether or not you make the right choice will be indicated by the surrounding cards. The Lovers and the Five of Cups would indicate the wrong choice that brings sadness. While the Lovers and the Ace of Pentacles indicate a new financial beginning with a partner.