Liminal/New Liminal Tarot - Lovers

6 – Lovers

Surrounded by pastel colored clouds, two winged beings gaze into the other’s eyes as they hold each other.

The Lovers represents a choice, a union and/or a commitment. The choice might be based on a transactional motive – give to get – or it might be based on love and respect for another. The pastel clouds makes me think of the ‘pink cloud’ syndrome, an initial period of elation and euphoria when some novelty pings the reward center in the brain (increasing dopamine levels). Attraction based only on the excitement of something new will rarely stand the test of time. Union suggests a coming together and intimacy. Do we look for something to complete or complement us? If completion is what we seek, what happens when we or our partner changes? Intimacy requires knowing ourselves well before attempting to create a lasting relationship. Fear of not being ‘enough’ and neediness won’t sow the seeds for a healthy partnership. Yet initial attraction can lead to discovering someone who inspires us and challenges us. We find a complement, a cake to their ice cream or peanut butter to their jelly. Our partnership then can develop as a joint effort.

“Too often we forget that an ideal partner is someone who enhances an already full existence.” ―Mariella Frostup