Understanding The Lovers Reversed
The reversed Lovers indicates disharmony in relationships or within yourself. You may be struggling with important choices, unable to decide between different paths or values. This card can represent relationship problems, incompatibility, or the aftermath of poor romantic choices. There might be a disconnect between your actions and values, leading to internal conflict. The reversed Lovers can also indicate being overly dependent on others for validation, or conversely, being unable to commit or open your heart. Sometimes this card points to temptation leading you astray from your true path, or choosing immediate gratification over long-term happiness. When reversed, the The Lover energy turns inward or becomes blocked, often manifesting as the shadow side of this archetype.
Understanding The Lovers Reversed
The reversed Lovers indicates disharmony in relationships or within yourself. You may be struggling with important choices, unable to decide between different paths or values. This card can represent relationship problems, incompatibility, or the aftermath of poor romantic choices. There might be a disconnect between your actions and values, leading to internal conflict. The reversed Lovers can also indicate being overly dependent on others for validation, or conversely, being unable to commit or open your heart. Sometimes this card points to temptation leading you astray from your true path, or choosing immediate gratification over long-term happiness. When reversed, the card's symbols take on different meanings: The angel raphael, which normally represents divine blessing and spiritual guidance in relationships, now suggests this energy is blocked, hidden, or working against you. The two naked figures, which normally represents vulnerability, authenticity, and pure connection, now suggests this energy is blocked, hidden, or working against you. The tree of life (behind man), which normally represents the twelve flames representing the zodiac and conscious choice, now suggests this energy is blocked, hidden, or working against you.
Shadow Aspects
The shadow side of The Lover emerges when The Lovers appears reversed. Instead of follow your heart, you may find yourself blocked, resistant, or expressing this energy in unhealthy ways. Key shadow themes include: disharmony, poor choices, indecision, incompatibility. Thoughts become obsessive, communication breaks down, analysis leads to paralysis.
Working With This Energy
The Lovers reversed is not a "bad" card - it's an invitation to look inward and address what's blocked. Ask yourself: What important choice am I facing, and how do my values guide this decision? Consider what aspects of love you may be resisting or avoiding. The card's guidance, when reversed, suggests examining where you're not following this wisdom: Choose love in all its forms - romantic, spiritual, and self-love. Make decisions based on your deepest values rather than external pressure.
Life Areas Affected
In love: Relationship problems, infidelity, or inability to commit to love. In career: Poor partnerships, value conflicts at work, or career choices misaligned with beliefs. In finances: Financial conflicts with partners, values-money misalignment, or impulsive spending. In health: Health imbalances, relationship stress affecting wellbeing, or neglecting self-care. In spirituality: Spiritual conflicts, disconnection from divine love, or choosing fear over love.
Reversed Meanings by Life Area
Love Reversed
In love, the reversed Lovers warns of serious relationship challenges. There may be fundamental incompatibilities, value conflicts, or communication breakdowns creating disharmony. This card can indicate infidelity, either physical or emotional, or the temptation to stray from your committed relationship. For singles, it suggests difficulty making romantic choices, perhaps being torn between multiple options or unable to commit to anyone. The reversed Lovers can also indicate self-sabotage in relationships, pushing away love due to fear or past wounds. There may be issues with codependency, unrealistic expectations, or trying to force a relationship that isn't meant to be.
Career Reversed
Professionally, the reversed Lovers indicates problematic partnerships or collaborations. You may be working with people whose values or methods conflict with yours, creating tension and inefficiency. This card can warn against business partnerships that haven't been properly thought through, or career choices that compromise your integrity. There might be workplace conflicts, unfair treatment, or pressure to act against your values. The reversed Lovers suggests you may have made professional choices based on external pressure rather than authentic desire, leading to dissatisfaction. It's time to realign your career with your true values.
Finances Reversed
Financially, the reversed Lovers warns of money conflicts, particularly with romantic or business partners. You may have different financial values, spending priorities, or approaches to money management that create tension. This card can indicate impulsive financial decisions based on emotion rather than wisdom, or spending money in ways that don't align with your stated values. There might be financial temptations leading you away from your long-term goals, or disagreements about shared financial responsibilities. The reversed Lovers suggests examining whether your money habits reflect your true priorities and values.
Health Reversed
The reversed Lovers in health matters indicates that relationship stress or emotional disharmony may be affecting your physical wellbeing. You might be neglecting self-care due to relationship problems, or your health issues might be creating strain in your relationships. This card can suggest imbalances between different aspects of health - perhaps focusing too much on physical fitness while neglecting emotional needs, or vice versa. There may be conflicting health advice or difficulty choosing between different treatment approaches. The reversed Lovers reminds you that healing requires harmony between mind, body, and spirit.
Esoteric Correspondences
Understanding The Lovers's deeper symbolism enriches your reversed interpretation.
Golden Dawn Title
L'Amoureux
Gli Amanti
Element
air
Planet
Venus
Zodiac Sign
Gemini
Dates
May 21 - June 20
Hebrew Letter
ז (Zayin)
Sword, discernment, choice
Tree of Life
Path 17
Binah to Tiphareth (Understanding to Beauty)
Explore The Lovers in Other Contexts
The Lovers Reversed FAQs
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