The Lovers is the card that tells of the connective tissue of the Universe, or, one could say, the connective force that binds all there is into one conscious unity. The Lovers is the modern name of this card; in some historic decks it was called "The Amorous One". The card is about you or someone else falling in love with something, be it a job, a person, a new apartment or anything else that seems destined for you. This is the union of opposite but essentially compatible things. Love and sex are also possible subjects and themes of this card. The urge for union in this card is so strong that the angel blesses the couple. It is interesting that this is the first card in the Major Arcana in which we actually see real human beings and not some anthropomorphic symbol of a divine principle. This card is also about the crossroads and choices that everyone has to pass through. Often it symbolizes some sort of sacrifice, a choice between duty and the heart's desire, spirituality and sensuality. The echo of this choice and sacrifice can be seen in some decks where a man is portrayed between two women, with an obvious choice to make. The Hebrew letter of the card is Zayin, meaning sword, indicating the mental discrimination that this card brings.
On the card
This card is a step over the threshold, from childhood towards adulthood. The energy in this card transforms us with an intense impulse and an affinity towards the next step in our development as individuals. Sometimes this impulse is just raw desire, and sometimes it is one's purpose in life. The cross sum of fifteen, the number of The Devil card, is six, indicating a possible source of the impulse behind the action in this card. This situation can be regarded as the exit from the Garden of Eden. Thus we see Adam and Eve standing naked in the Garden. Behind Eve there is the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil with the serpent coiled around it, and behind Adam we see the Tree of Life. The Tree of Life has twelve flames, a familiar reminder of the twelve signs of the Zodiac and the twelve tribes of Israel. The fruits of the trees are the intoxications of the material world. Besides the famous interpretation of the serpent in the Bible, we can connect the concept of Kundalini with the picture, an additional detail that gives this card a possible sexual tone. The sexual energy that is harnessed as we go downwards with the Kundalini through the spine can be seen as a source of original sin and the reason why there is an angel in the picture, forbidding the re-entry of Adam and Eve into the Garden of Eden. The serpent in this card does not depict sexual energy as evil, but indicates that spiralling downwards is a path of separation from the Creator and the emergence of Creation. In fact, we see that the serpent is oriented upwards, back towards the Creator and the Sun. Also, Adam looks at Eve and Eve looks at the angel. Adam represents the conscious mind, Eve the subconscious and the angel the superconscious. In that order we can attain divine status: through conscious decisions that become a subconscious state of being, opening into the universal mind. The mental nature of this card can be seen in its astrological sign, Gemini. Gemini is not the most emotional sign of the zodiac, as its ruler Mercury and its element Air are more mental and curious. Curiosity is the main characteristic of the transformation from childhood into adulthood or, if you wish, the motive behind the act of eating the forbidden fruit.
Upright
Beauty and love are at work here. Some kind of harmony can be expected to enter the scene. The ties between you and the object of your desire are strong. Some kind of initial impulse is possible, through which you will attain a goal or perhaps see a new opportunity that you will "fall in love" with.
Reversed
This card might represent an important choice that you must resolve before you can move on. Maybe your heart wants to go where your mind is afraid to go? Break some bonds and attachments and go forward. Dissatisfaction or sadness are potential dangers. Unfulfilment in a relationship may be at hand.