THELOVERS PATH

TAROT

by Kris Waldherrcreator of The Goddess Tarot

Published byU.S. GAMES SYSTEMS, INC.

Copyright 2004 by Kris Waldherr

All rights reserved. The illustrations, cover design, and contents are protectedby copyright. No part of this booklet may be reproduced in any form withoutpermission in writing from the author, except by a reviewer who wishes toquote brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in a mag-azine or newspaper.

First Edition

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Printed in China

ISBN 1-57281-468-3 (The Lovers Path Tarot Set)

Design by Kris Waldherr Art and Wordswww.artandwords.com Visit The Lovers Path website at www.loverspath.com

Published byU.S. GAMES SYSTEMS, INC. 179 Ludlow Street Stamford, CT 06902 USAwww.usgamesinc.com

Adapted from The Lovers Path Tarot book by AnnMarie Mclaughlin.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTSMany people helped me as I worked on this project in its manystages and forms of development, offering editorial feedback,encouragement, and friendship. It is with gratitude that I acknowl-edge their generosity: Ellen Dreyer, Elise Tobin-Dyer, SharonGlassman, Stuart Kaplan, Elizabeth Kerkstra, Lisa Hunt Kramer,Thomas Ross Miller, Theresa Park, Stephanie St. Pierre, LynneTwining and Karen Zuegner. I also wish to acknowledge those whomodeled so patiently for the art. They include: Dale Dyer, EliseTobin-Dyer, Jennifer Johnson, Thomas Ross Miller, Joe Paladino,Stephanie St. Pierre, Charles Schwartz and Christy VaughnSchwartz.

Thank you all!

INTRODUCTION

ALL LOVE RELATIONSHIPS mirror our relationship with ourselves.They ultimately reflect upon our relationship with the worldaround ushow we think others see us, what we believe we are

worthy of. Our beliefs about love relationships can even embody ourthoughts about how we feel the universe nurtures and supports us.

This truth is a rewarding but complicated conundrum, which allhumans confront throughout their lives, for we are surrounded by rela-tionships from our first breath. They begin with our dependence uponour parents for our very existence, and continue as we grow through ourfriendships. They reach their perhaps most intense expression in the mag-ical, self-contained world of lovers.

In many ways, the ultimate expression of our connection to the worldis to fall in love. Daring to love another brings us face to face with what-ever is going on within ourselves, for better or for worse. Love can beviewed as the bravest act of all, for in order to be truly intimate, we mustbe honest in our vulnerabilities. As we reveal our innermost selves to ourbeloved with all of our imperfect glories, we are truly exposed in bothbody and soul.

Experienced authentically, love relationships offer the sweetestrewards and the thorniest challenges. They also present us with an unpar-alleled opportunity to gain awareness and wisdom.

The Lovers Path Tarot is a tool to examine and improve relation-shipswhether they be with yourself, with your beloved, or with theworld. Examining our preconceptions about love, the ways we yearn toconnect with another, what we desire in a partner, is an act of self-illumi-nation. More importantly, its one way to take personal responsibility forour lives.

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ABOUT THE ART

THE ART FOR The Lovers Path Tarot was inspired by my first visit toItaly in 1990. Accordingly, the art for The Lovers Path Tarot isinspired by the art, architecture, books, and maps of the ItalianRenaissance. The decorative borders for each card were painted ingouache upon handmade paper. Other elements incorporated into thebordersthe map backgrounds, the oil paintings of the elementsweredigitally assembled.

The main card art was created with oil paints glazes, which were lay-ered over a watercolor underpainting sealed with acrylic gel medium. Thepaintings were modeled for by friends and associates, each person chosenbecause they reminded me in some manner of the character they repre-sented. In this way, the art reflects my personal belief that the human isdivine, the divine human.

THE STRUCTURE OFTHE LOVERS PATH TAROT

LIKE MOST TRADITIONAL tarot decks, The Lovers Path Tarot contains sseventy-eight cards. These seventy-eight cards are divided into twenty-two major arcana cards and fifty-six minor arcana cards.

Each major arcana card is affiliated with a story of a famous couplefrom history or mythology. Accordingly, each card is named after arche-typal emotional states represented by the stories; these, in turn, are relatedto traditional tarot symbolism.

In the minor arcana, the great themes explored in the major arcana arebrought to earth, made relevant to our individual experiences. The minorarcana is divided into four suits of cups, staves, arrows, and coins, whichare related to the elements of water, fire, air, and earth. Each suit repre-sents one classic love story, with each card progressively depicting animportant scene from the story. They serve to impart the lesson associatedwith each suit.

Meanings for reversed, or upside-down, cards are included here. Thesecan be used as you wish. I prefer to think of cards as being strong orweak by considering the question asked, tarot spread position, and sur-rounding cards. For more information on reversed cards, see page 30.

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THE MAJOR ARCANAO Q INNOCENCE

Traditional Card: The FoolLovers: Tamino and Pamina

Keywords: New Ventures, Innocence, Trust, Optimism

The Magic Flute was the last opera Mozart composed before his death in1791. Some of its fairy tale plot was inspired by the rites of the Freemasons,a secret society into which Mozart had been initiated. The Magic Flute tellsof a princess named Pamina and a prince named Tamino who learn to trusttheir hearts, innocent and inexperienced as they may be.

MEANINGS: The start of a great journey. Innocence that allows one to beopen to possibilities, and protects from difficulties. Facing fears. Trustingyour heart. Feeling protected by divine forces. REVERSED: Ignoring yourbetter instincts. Cynicism and pessimism. Distrust of the self or others.

I Q MAGICTraditional Card: The MagicianLovers:Merlin and Vivianne

Keywords: Self Empowerment, Mastery, Actualization, Growth

When we think of magic, we often think of Merlin. Famed as the influentialadvisor and wizard to King Arthur, Merlin fell in love in the winter of his lifewith the lovely Vivianne. In time, Vivianne used the very spells Merlintaught her to entrap him. Ultimately, the magic that empowered Merlin allhis life had been undone by the only thing more powerfullove.

MEANINGS: Developing the magic within yourself. Casting a spell onanother to create positive change. A yearning to grow beyond perceivedlimitations. Renewed creativity and vigor. REVERSED: Blocked power.Feeling under the spell of another. Manipulating or using others. A needto control situations behind the scenes. Secrecy. Trickster behavior, whichcreates distrust.

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II Q WISDOMTraditional Card: The High PriestessLovers: Shahrazade and Shahriyar

Keywords: Knowledge, Education, Enlightenment

Over the course of a thousand and one nights, Shahrazade, the wise bride ofKing Shahriyar, tells many compelling stories. Shahrazades wisdom won thekings love and trust. In doing so, she saved her lifeas well as those of herfellow women of the kingdom.

MEANINGS: Wisdom gained from education. Translating book learninginto understanding. A teacher who will share with you what you are seek-ing. Using wisdom to transform a difficult situation for the better.REVERSED: Unwillingness to learn. Superficiality. Intimidated by intelligenceor education. Feeling limited by a lack of knowledge or understanding.

III Q FERTILITYTraditional Card: The EmpressLovers: Cleopatra and Caesar

Keywords: Fecundity, Abundance, Growth

Cleopatra, queen of the fertile Nile, reigned as empress of Egypt for over twodecades. During this time, she became known throughout the ancient worldfor her seductive charms, musical voice, and unusual intelligence. Caesarimmediately fell in love with the young queen and successfully helped herregain her throne. Together they had a child they named Caesarion.

MEANINGS: Ruling over ones life. A new marriage or special relationship.Practical action that manifests as physical productchildren, artisticendeavors, or wealth. Pregnancy. REVERSED: Deprivation or sterility.Feeling the lack of material resources. Limitation that overwhelms.

IV Q POWERTraditional Card: The EmperorLovers: Arthur and Guinevere

Keywords: Leadership, Responsibility, Authority

The legend of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere appears in various formsin British, Breton, Celtic, and Roman history and folklore. From the first

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moment he saw her willowy form, Arthur loved Guinevere, the daughter ofKing Leodegrace of the North. But Guinevere loved Lancelot, the kings mostloyal knight. Though Merlin warned Arthur that another woman wouldbring him greater happiness, the kings heart was irrevocably set. Arthur usedhis power to marry Guinevere, just as he used his power to rule wisely.

MEANINGS: The ability to use power wisely. Meeting an authority figureor teacher who can help. The ability to lead and inspire. REVERSED:Oppressed by anothers power and authority. Insecurity. Passive aggres-sion. Using power to manipulate others for personal gain.

V Q TRADITIONTraditional Card: The Hierophant

Lovers: Romeo and JulietKeywords: Structure, Conformity, Ritual

Romeo and Juliet are considered the quintessential example of star-crossedlovers. Trapped by their families traditional hatred for each other, their lovecould only have a tragic ending. Sad as their tale may be, the love of Romeoand Juliet did bring an end to the tradition of intolerance that plagued theirfamilies. It gave way to a new tradition of peace and understanding.

MEANINGS: Following established social structures. In love relationships,the desire for marriage or some other formal structure for the sake ofsecurity. Awareness of public image and the desire to control it. Possiblerigidity. REVERSED: The need to throw out old social structures that con-strain. Fear of unconventional ideas and ways of approach.Nonconformity.

VI Q LOVETraditional Card: The Lovers

Lovers: Isis and OsirisKeywords: Love, Harmony, Passion, Sensuality

The myth of Isis and Osiris illustrates the power of love and how it can trans-form us irrevocably. Isis and Osiris were blissful in their love for each other.Jealousy ate at their brother Sets soul, granting him no rest. He trappedOsiris in a coffin and heaved him into the Nile. Using the power of her love,the goddess brought Osiris back to life for a final embrace.

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MEANINGS: Awareness of the nature of passionate love, and what is neededto encourage it. A new, important relationship. Peace within oneself. Lovethat transforms the world around you as well as yourself. REVERSED:Feeling unworthy of love. Manipulating others with sexuality. Immaturityand irresponsibility in love relationships. Game playing.

VII Q DESIRETraditional Card: The ChariotLovers: Tristan and Isolde

Keywords:Movement, Fate, Transition, Change

Without family of his own, Tristan pledged his loyalty to King Mark ofCornwall, who loved and cared for Tristan as his own son. Through irre-versible twists of fateand despite devotion to MarkTristan fell helplesslyin love with Marks bride, Isolde, and she with him.

MEANINGS: Being pulled by desire. Movement into the next phase of life.If you are feeling impatient, dont worrytransitions will go smoothly, asif they are meant to be. REVERSED: Impatience. Trapped by desires thatfeel unquenchable. Inconvenient timing. Disregard or insensitivity to theportents around yourself.

VIII Q STRENGTHTraditional Card: Strength

Lovers: Siegfried and BrunnhildeKeywords: Courage, Strength, Leadership, Confidence

The Valkyrie Brunnhilde was the favorite child of her father Wotan, divineruler of the gods and goddesses. Brunnhilde angered Wotan by betraying himwhen she was moved by mortal Siegmunds story of love. For the first time,she understood the power of love, which made her strong enough to goagainst her fathers willshe agreed to help Siegmund, though Wotan hadordered her not to. This led to Brunnhilde finding her own true love withSiegfried, the son of Siegmund.

MEANINGS: The transformation of weakness into strength. Integrity. Thestrength to do great deeds. Confident leadership. REVERSED: Feelinginsecure or fearful. The scattering of energies. Creating discord toweaken others.

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IX Q CONTEMPLATIONTraditional Card: The HermitLovers: Abelard and Eloise

Keywords: Withdrawal, Introspection, Retreat

Peter Abelard was famed as a brilliant theologian and teacher during themedieval ages. Abelard quickly became known for mastery of philosophicaldialogue and independence of thought; he even went against church policyand took positions sympathetic to pagan traditions. However it was his lovefor Eloise that caused the biggest scandal. The story of their forbidden love isset out in Abelards 1130 book, The History of My Calamities.

MEANINGS: Listening to your heart. Retreat into inner lifeat this time,your needs are not so focused on relationships with others, but on yourrelationship with yourself. REVERSED: Distracted by the world. Ignoringintuition. Superficiality. Feeling unconnected with your heart.

X Q FORTUNETraditional Card: The Wheel of Fortune

Lovers: Danae and ZeusKeywords: Chance, Fate, Expansion, Prosperity

King Acrisius had a daughter named Danaea princess with a curse, forupon her birth it was predicted that one of the princesss offspring would killthe king. When Danae came of age, the king walled her within a tower madeof bronze. Despite this, Danae was loved by Zeus and together they had a sonnamed Perseus. Perseus grew into a strong man and after many adventures,he did slay Acrisiusa just punishment for treating his only daughter socruelly.

MEANINGS: Positive fate. The generosity of the universe. The ability to beopen to abundance. Awareness of beauty and love. REVERSED:Uncomfortable feelings or disappointing experiences with chance. Feelingignored by fortunewhen will it be your turn?

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XI Q JUSTICETraditional Card: Justice

Lovers: Penelope and OdysseusKeywords: Justice, Wisdom, Fairness, Detachment

The story of Penelope and Odysseus is told in Homers The Odyssey. ThoughOdysseus had been gone for ten long years, Penelope waited loyally for hisreturn. However, she was overwhelmed with suitors who wished to fill theempty place in her marital bed. Through her cleverness, she managed todelay their advances. Pretending to be a new suitor, Odysseus won a contestPenelope had devised and slew all the suitors before claiming his wife anew.

MEANINGS: Justice will be done. Confident patience. Need for a moredetached viewpoint of a troublesome situation. REVERSED: Frustrationwith bureaucracies or organizations. Impatience. The appearance of thiscard shows that this is a temporary situation.

XII Q SACRIFICETraditional Card: The Hanged Man

Lovers: Orpheus and EurydiceKeywords: Impasse, Surrender, Patience, Compassion

Orpheus was the son of Apollo. With his songs Orpheus moved the hearts ofhumans and gods. He was loved by the nymph Eurydice and he loved herwildly in return. Eurydice was killed soon after they wed. Distraught andmad with sorrow, Orpheus decided to rescue her with his song. He stoodbefore Persephone, goddess of the dead and sang until she relented and hon-ored his request, but with a difficult condition: Orpheus must not look at hiswife until they were safely home. Orpheus failed this test as he sacrificed hisquest to ease Eurydices insecurities.

MEANINGS: Being caught between worlds. Short term sacrifice to reach along awaited goal. Taking care of others needs, even if theyre not in yourpersonal interest. Gaining compassion from difficult experiences.REVERSED: Feeling unable to make the sacrifice a situation requires.Creating difficulties for oneself.

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XIII Q TRANSFORMATIONTraditional Card: Death

Lovers: Persephone and PlutoKeywords: Changes, Endings, Beginnings

Demeter, goddess of the harvest, had a daughter named Persephone whomshe treasured more than the earth. When Persephone was abducted by Pluto,god of the underworld, Demeter cursed the soil to be barren until Zeus final-ly agreed to reunite Persephone with her motherbut only if she had noteaten while in the underworld. Persephone had eaten six seeds of a pome-granate. Thus a compromise was reached: Each year, Persephone would livesix months in the underworld (winter) and six months on earth (spring).

MEANINGS: Transformations. The need to allow something to die in orderto create room for the new. Fear of loss from change. Creating life out ofdeath. REVERSED: Stagnation. Resisting transformation. The need to movein a new direction, but the inability to do so. Rigidity.

XIV Q BALANCETraditional Card: TemperanceLovers: Venus and Vulcan

Keywords: Harmony, Self Control, Equilibrium, Artistry

Venus was first worshipped as a nature goddess associated with the arrival ofspring, only later gaining notoriety for her sensual exploits. To balance her nat-ural exuberance, the gods wed her to Vulcan, the lame god of the forge. Venusdid not appreciate her husbands skillful craftsmanship and she did not hesi-tate to share her affections with others. Despite this, Venus and Vulcans mar-riage endured. Each was necessary to the other as opposites often are.

MEANINGS: Integration and moderation. Balance between opposites. Unionof the conscious and unconscious aspects of the psyche. REVERSED:Imbalance. Discomfort. Inability to find peace within or with others. Lack ofinspiration.

XV Q TEMPTATIONTraditional Card: The DevilLovers: Paolo and Francesca

Keywords: Inner Turmoil, Obsession

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Francesca Da Polenta of Ravenna was married to Giovanni Malatesta tostrengthen their families political bonds. But there was one problem:Francesca loved Giovannis brother, the handsome Paolo. Tempted by love,Francesca and Paolos story could only end in sorrow. These true eventsinspired the poet Dante, who had a vision of Paolo tenderly embracingFrancesca to protect her against the forces swirling about them in Hades.Dante retold their sad story in his Inferno, the first book of The DivineComedy.

MEANINGS: Tempted by forces one cannot control. Obsession in the formof envy. Sensual desires. The need to be controlling. REVERSED: Freedomfrom temptation. Experiencing the envy of others. Transforming a weak-ness into a strength.

XVI Q OPPRESSIONTraditional Card: The TowerLovers: Dido and Aeneas

Keywords: Depression, Difficulties, Release

Queen Dido of Carthage was walking upon the beach when she foundAeneas and his soldiers. She was charmed by the handsome stranger andsoon fell in love. Aeneas loved Dido in return. But he was a man with a causelarger than the love he could bear for any woman. He claimed it was the godswill that he journey to found a new Troy in Italy. Distraught, Dido built afuneral pyre at the top of a tall tower and set fire to it. As Aeneas ship castoff into the sea, Dido climbed the tower and lay down upon the pyre.

MEANINGS: Feeling overwhelmed or oppressed by circumstances or emo-tions. Confusion. Inability to change our lives for the better. A pausebefore moving into a new phase of life. REVERSED: Though your situationmay feel overwhelming, hidden forces are at work. Be patient and trust-ingthings will improve.

XVII Q GRACETraditional Card: The StarLovers: Dante and Beatrice

Keywords: Inspiration, Hope, Dreams

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Beatrices presence made such an impression on Dante that he felt as thoughhis spirit had been infused with light. He was convinced that she was trulyan angel and was unable to speak to her when they met. Since he said noth-ing, Beatrice did not suspect Dantes love. Soon after she wedded another, theanguished Dante had an inspiring dream of Beatrice with the god Amor. Heawoke resolved that his love for Beatrice would be no earthly passion toexpire when they died. Instead, he would immortalize Beatrice with poemsthat would last forever.

MEANINGS: Love that inspires us and inspires others. Turning dreams intoreality. Awareness of goals. The belief and self esteem to meet them.REVERSED: Not following your bliss. Insecurity. Feelings of unworthiness.Ignoring intuition.

XVIII Q ILLUSIONTraditional Card: The Moon

Lovers: Odette and IvanKeywords: Fantasies, Intuition, Emotion, Enchantment

Princess Odette, heroine of the popular ballet Swan Lake, was cursed by asorcerer to remain a swan forever except at night. The only way her enchant-ment could be broken was by a vow of eternal lovehowever, if this vowwere broken, even by chance, she would die. When Prince Ivan met her, hepromised to love her and to return to claim her as his bride. But the sorcerertricked Ivan and he soon heard a heartrending cry in the distancethe cryof a dying swan. Ivan ran to rescue Odette, but it was too late.

MEANINGS: Enchanted by love, for better or worse. Confused by illusionsthat may or may not be real. Intense emotions. The need to know whatsreal. REVERSED: Delusion. Deception. Discomfort with emotions or rela-tionships. Lack of satisfaction.

XIX Q AWAKENINGTraditional Card: The SunLovers: Cupid and Psyche

Keywords: Creativity, Success, Fertility, Optimism

Venus was jealous of Psyches outstanding beauty. She instructed her sonCupid to pierce Psyche with his arrow, so she would foolishly love the firstcreature she saw. But Cupid loved Psyche. He rescued her and secretly took

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her as his bride. Psyche burned Cupid by accident when she tried to see himby lamplight and the angered god flew away. Venus put forth many trials toPsyche when she pleaded for her forgiveness. Cupid and Psyche were soonrejoined, awakened to the preciousness of their love by its testing.

MEANINGS: Emotional awakening. An expansive, life-affirming energythat brings opportunities and optimism. Love and sexuality. Creativityand procreation. Relationships with children. REVERSED: Unwillingnessto accept affection. Problems with children. Creativity blocked by exter-nal or internal forces. Refusal to grow.

XX Q JUDGMENTTraditional card: Judgment

Lovers: Tannhauser and ElisabethKeywords: Choices, Passages, Changes

Though Tannhauser loved the virtuous Elisabeth, he left her to wander theworld in search of adventure. During these travels, Tannhauser enchantedVenus, the goddess of love. She quickly seduced the minnesinger and broughthim to her magical kingdom. In time, he longed for his true loveElisabeth.Unable to prove himself worthy of her to others, he went on a journey torepent. Upon his return Elisabeth collapsed into his embrace and expired,leaving only her pure love behind.

MEANINGS: A choice that must be made, sometimes between higher andlower impulses. Passage into the next phase of life. Self knowledge.REVERSED: Stagnation. Inability to act. Blockage. Giving up control.

XXI Q TRIUMPHTraditional Card: The WorldLovers: Ariadne and Dionysus

Keywords: Expansion, Success, Travel, Closure

Princess Ariadne helped Theseus slay the Minotaur by teaching him to use agolden thread as a path within the labyrinth where the Minotaur lived.Ariadne thought they would live together forever, but Theseus abandonedher upon the island of Naxos. Bereft as she was, Ariadne did not know shewas fated for a greater loveDionysus, god of divine intoxication. He lovedAriadne for her passionate bravery and loyalty. Now a goddess by marriage,she went on to live in blissful triumph with her immortal husband.

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MEANINGS: Triumph after difficulties. Feeling supported by the universe.Happy closure to a phase of life. Travel and communications. REVERSED:Fear of expansion. Feeling pessimisticeven if youre uncertain how yourfuture will manifest, you are moving into a more hopeful period.

THE MINOR ARCANAThe Suit of Cups

LOVERS: TRISTAN AND ISOLDE

IN THE LOVERS PATH TAROT, the suit of cups represents the path ofemotion. It is associated with Tristan and Isolde, represented uponDesire (VII), the eighth of the twenty-two major arcana cards. The storyof Tristan and Isolde presents a heady example of lives ruled by extremeemotions such as love, desire, sorrow, yearning, and anger.

ACE OF CUPSKeywords: Receptivity, Emotion, Inspiration, Satisfaction

MEANINGS: The beginning of a new cycle ripe with potential for happi-ness and satisfaction. Joy. Start of an important love relationship or nur-turing friendship. Creative inspirationa visitation from the Muses.REVERSED: Rejection of others affection. Creative blocks. Disillusionmentwith love. Sadness or melancholy.

TWO OF CUPSKeywords: Harmony, Partnership, Love

MEANINGS: Enchantment. The integration of masculine and feminineaspects within oneself. An attraction that may become an importantfriendship or love relationship. REVERSED: Infatuation. Overindulging insensuality for the sake of the emotional high.

THREE OF CUPSKeywords: Celebration, Joy, Happy Unions

MEANINGS: Great satisfaction. Peace between family generations or ene-mies. A celebration involving women. Possibly a wedding feast. REVERSED:Overindulgence. Procrastination. Time to get back to work!

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FOUR OF CUPSKeywords: Dissatisfaction, Overindulgence, Boredom

MEANINGS: Taking something for grantedlove, talents, beauty. Need fora more authentic life. Reevaluation of a relationship that feels superficial.REVERSED: Acceptance of the situation, though discontent is still present.A passing phase.

FIVE OF CUPSKeywords: Disappointment, Sadness, Pessimism

MEANINGS: Feeling trapped. Concentrating on problems instead of assets.Not seeing opportunities. Creative blockage or infertility. REVERSED: Agrowing awareness that relationships are what you make of them. Theability to appreciate what one has.

SIX OF CUPSKeywords:Memories, Children, Innocence, Peace

MEANINGS: Children and childhood memories. Shedding sad thoughtsand constraints. The ability to create sweetness within the home, incor-porating the strengths of the past into the present. REVERSED: Feelingrestricted by the past or memories. Lost harmony. Cynicism.

SEVEN OF CUPSKeywords: Choices, Indecisiveness, Fantasy

MEANINGS: Overindulging in thoughts of what the future may bring.Daydreams. A decision must be made in order to move forward andrejoin the world. REVERSED: Allowing fantasies to influence how you viewlife. Projecting onto others instead of seeing things as they truly are.

EIGHT OF CUPSKeywords: Leavetakings, Disillusionment, Transitions

MEANINGS: Time to move on. Need for more substance in lifewhetherthat be more satisfying relationships, or a more authentic way of life.REVERSED: Lingering too long in a difficult or superficial situation.Uncertainty about a relationship, whether to stay or leave. Doubts.

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NINE OF CUPSKeywords: Ecstasy, Granting of Wishes, Sensuality

MEANINGS: Joyful sensuality. Reunion with a loved one. Some considerthis card to be the wish card, meaning a wish will be granted if it appearsin a tarot reading. REVERSED: Complacency. Taking a relationship forgranted. Overindulgence. Inability to receive pleasure. Dissatisfaction.

TEN OF CUPSKeywords: Joyful Closure, Fertility, Happiness, Community

MEANINGS: Satisfying emotional life. Abundance. Deep emotional satis-faction. Endurance in love relationships. Expansion of family or friends inyour community. REVERSED: Dissatisfaction though uncertain whyeverything looks perfect on the surface. An inability to experience joy.

PRINCESS OF CUPSKeywords: Gentleness, Intuition, An Invitation, Loyalty

MEANINGS: Grace and talent. Emotional receptivity. An enticing invita-tion. REVERSED: An empty offer or invitation. Fickleness or immaturity ofaffection. Inconsistent or unreliable messages. Ambivalence. Codependence.

PRINCE OF CUPSKeywords: Inspiration, Grace, Pleasure, Artistry

MEANINGS: Grace and talent. Making dreams into reality. A young manwho represents the forces of love, beauty, and emotional richness and hasthe ability to inspire. REVERSED: The need to be more receptive to beauty,love, and harmony. Overindulgence in fantasies.

QUEEN OF CUPSKeywords: Soulfulness, Emotion, Inspiration, Receptivity

MEANINGS: Emotional mastery of all the suit of cups represents: Art,beauty, intimacy, love. Seductive emotions. The ability to express love, tonurture others. REVERSED: Overwhelmed by emotions that need sorting.Need to take control of these feelings. Disharmonious relationships.

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KING OF CUPSKeywords: Practical Artistry, Mastery, Emotional Wisdom

MEANINGS: Learning from love relationships. Ability to live up to idealsand dreams. Emotional maturity, wisdom, and integrity. Someone whosymbolizes these forces. REVERSED: Desire to have more control over onesartistic aspirations. Need to stop fantasizing and get to work.Inconsistency. Unreliability.

THE MINOR ARCANAThe Suit of Staves

LOVERS: SIEGFRIED AND BRUNNHILDE

THE ACTION-PACKED suit of staves arrives after the mysterious realmof emotions explored within the suit of cups. In The Lovers PathTarot, the suit of staves is associated with Brunnhilde and Siegfried, rep-resented upon Strength (VIII), the ninth of the twenty-two majorarcana cards. The story of Brunnhilde and Siegfried shows how the forceof love can spur us to great deeds, making us strong where we were once weak.

ACE OF STAVESKeywords: Energy, Growth, Action, Creativity

MEANINGS: Beginning of a focused period of growth. Inspiration thatinspires action. New opportunities. The masculine, or yang, aspect of life.REVERSED: Difficulties with new ventures. The need to focus.

TWO OF STAVESKeywords: New Ventures, Partnership, Ideas

MEANINGS: Beginnings of a new venture. Helpful influences. A dynamicpartnership. Transforming inspiration into action. REVERSED: Venturethat loses momentum after a promising start. Disappointment in proj-ects. Frustration or impatience. Needing help.

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THREE OF STAVESKeywords:Waiting, Successful Enterprises, Planning

MEANINGS: An enterprise about to cumulate in success. The ability totransform goals into realistic action. Focused activity. REVERSED:Ambitious plans that may not be grounded in reality. Frustrating delays.

FOUR OF STAVESKeywords: Stability, Creating a Home, Closure

MEANINGS: A new home. Accomplishing goals and enjoying them. Firstsuccess of a new venture. Satisfaction. Possibly a marriage or domesticpartnership. Closure to an unstable situation. REVERSED: Wanting stabil-ity. Frustrations or disappointments at home.

FIVE OF STAVESKeywords: Conflict, Competition, Dissension

MEANINGS: Ego-oriented competition. Losing sight of whats importantbecause of petty disagreements. REVERSED: Moving beyond petty con-cerns and worries to understand whats important. Unifying forces.

SIX OF STAVESKeywords: Triumph, Honor, Heroism

MEANINGS: Enjoying success after much hard work and struggle.Acknowledgment and honor from those around you. The fruits ofcourage and integrity. REVERSED: Victory is elusive. Youve done the work,you deserve the honors, but they havent comeperhaps because of a lackof awareness in those around you. Lack of courage or honor.

SEVEN OF STAVESKeywords: Defense, Combat, Struggle

MEANINGS: Instability. Success is possible, but only after dealing with difficultpeople or situations that oppose your intentions. Be careful not to let theirmess become yours. REVERSED: Feeling overwhelmed. Being your own worstenemy. Creating problems to distract from what is really going on.

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EIGHT OF STAVESKeywords: Sudden Communications, Movement, Release

MEANINGS: Energetic movement. Quickness and suddenness. Unknowninformation finally released that makes sense. REVERSED: Waiting toolong for communication. Perhaps it is time to take the initiative, to createwaves. Waiting for others to make the first move. Passiveness.

NINE OF STAVESKeywords: Responsibility, Pause Before Success, Work

MEANINGS: Temporary success. A pause in work to rest, to reconsiderplans. Need for protection or separation from others who may not befully supportive in order to finish a project. REVERSED: Feeling over-whelmed by work. Need for a break. Denial of responsibilities.

TEN OF STAVESKeywords: Cumulation, Success, Creativity

MEANINGS: The cumulation of the creative venture begun with the one ofstaves. Success that becomes overwhelming with its responsibility.REVERSED: Overwhelmed and burdened by responsibilities.

PRINCESS OF STAVESKeywords: New Ideas, Communications, Enthusiasm

MEANINGS: Important communications. Need to listen to inspiration. Aninexperienced young person who may be very passionate but not veryexperienced. REVERSED: Too much energy and not enough focus. Ideas andmessages that fizzle out after initial enthusiasm.

PRINCE OF STAVESKeywords: Passion, Integrity, Action, Movement

MEANINGS: The ability to create change in the world. Initiative. New ideasor ventures that must be acted upon immediately. REVERSED: Scatteredenergy. Hesitation. Inability to focus on matters at hand. Need to developskills to bring dreams into reality.

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QUEEN OF STAVESKeywords: Power, Cleverness, Talent

MEANINGS: Intelligence and power applied to creating pragmatic actions,material goods, business expansion. Wit and wisdom. Enthusiasm andaction. Support. REVERSED: Waiting too long to use your forces. Notshowing the world your strengths. Feeling powerless.

KING OF STAVESKeywords: Confidence, Mastery, Support

MEANINGS: Dynamic, stable enthusiasm. The ability to bring ideas tofruition. Creative inspiration and help. REVERSED: Wanting to harnessthese forces, but not quite strong enough to do so. Someone who seemssupportive, but isnt reliable.

THE MINOR ARCANAThe Suit of Arrows

LOVERS: CUPID AND PSYCHE

JUST AS FIRE, associated with the preceding suit of staves, burns us totake action in our lives, arrows prick our consciousness into awaken-ing. In The Lovers Path Tarot, the suit of arrows is associated with Cupidand Psyche, represented upon Awakening (XIX), the twentieth of thetwenty-two major arcana cards. The myth of Cupid and Psyche depictshow love grants wisdom. Love transforms us, just as Cupids magicalarrows transforms all who are struck by them.

ACE OF ARROWSKeywords: Wisdom, Understanding, Intelligence

MEANINGS: The incisive powers of the heart. Clarity and good judgment.Truth. Beginning of a cycle of intellectual growth. REVERSED: Need forthought. Self-recrimination and rejection of personal power to blameothers. Confusion.

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TWO OF ARROWSKeywords: Peace, Truce, Impasse

MEANINGS: Understanding a difficult situation. Balance attained, buteventually issues will have to be confronted. Emotional control.REVERSED: Discomfort with a decision. Overreliance on intellect, leavingemotions unconsidered.

THREE OF ARROWSKeywords: Loss, Sorrow, Oversensitivity

MEANINGS: A sharp pain to the heartdisappointment, end of a loverelationship, separation. Sorrow that can enlighten or debilitate. Time forhealing. The need to transform grief into understanding. REVERSED:Overindulging in grief for the sake of drama. Slow easing of sorrow.

FOUR OF ARROWSKeywords: Healing, Introspection, Isolation

MEANINGS: Need time to heal or rest. Peace after emotional disappoint-ment. Detachment from the everyday world to regain balance. REVERSED:Enforced isolation. Loneliness. Needing a more detached view of problems.

FIVE OF ARROWSKeywords: Struggle, Distrust, Arguments

MEANINGS: Lack of trust that leads to conflict. Possible defeat or feelingsof defeat. The need for self-protection or caution. Discomfort or strugglewith a situation. REVERSED: Disingenuous surrender. Defeat because ofindecisiveness. Paranoia. Dishonesty.

SIX OF ARROWSKeywords: Transitions, Travel, Movement

MEANINGS: Transitions that go smoothly. New knowledge that helps onemove beyond current limitations. The lessening of difficulties.Detachment to better understand a situation. REVERSED: More under-standing of a situation is needed before it can change. Travel delays.

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SEVEN OF ARROWSKeywords: Defense, Caution, Self-Protection

MEANINGS: Feeling vulnerable. The ability to defend oneself in a difficultsituation. Need for caution and examination. REVERSED: Paranoia. Feelingdefensive. Guilt. Denying need for protection.

EIGHT OF ARROWSKeywords: Depression, Entrapment, Victimization

MEANINGS: Entrapped by emotions and sorrow. Inability to move. Feelingvictimized. Extreme sorrow. REVERSED: Things may not be as bad as theyseem. Obsession with personal problems to the detriment of others.Problems that may come from within. Narcissism.

NINE OF ARROWSKeywords: Anxiety, Unresolved Issues, Insomnia

MEANINGS: Worries that keep one awake. An issue that needs to be lookedat more closelyonly then will it be transformed. Trials and tribulations.Guilt. Psychic disturbances. REVERSED: The fading away of these worries.Catharsis. Understanding. The ability to transform pain into strength.

TEN OF ARROWSKeywords: Understanding, Cumulation, Wisdom

MEANINGS: Perfect emotional wisdom gained through experience. Theending of a difficult situation. Sharing knowledge with others. REVERSED:More needs to be considered before complete understanding can begained. Overwhelmed by too much information. Getting lost in details.

PRINCESS OF ARROWSKeywords: Messages, Education, Articulation

MEANINGS: News that brings sense to a situation. The ability to createinfluence and bring understanding, using the power of words. REVERSED:Waiting for news. Not understanding as much as one would like to.Ignorance. Confusion.

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PRINCE OF ARROWSKeywords: Decisiveness, Clarity, Determination

MEANINGS: The ability to move in an incisive way. Creating clarity fromconfusion. Being able to defend oneself brilliantly. Helping others withwords. REVERSED: Not understanding as much as one would like to.Feeling unable to stand up for oneself, inarticulate.

QUEEN OF ARROWSKeywords: Brilliance, Honesty, Wisdom

MEANINGS: Wisdom in matters of the heart. Self knowledge. Brilliance inwriting and speaking. REVERSED: May symbolize loss or woundsdespitegood intentions, sharp words wound people and affect relationships.Psychological or emotional manipulation.

KING OF ARROWSKeywords: Authority, Responsibility, Detachment

MEANINGS: Calm authority and integrity. Perfect understanding. Incisiveintellect. High values that demand hard work. REVERSED: Placing toomuch trust in the intellect. Being too critical. Emotional detachment.

THE MINOR ARCANAThe Suit of Coins

LOVERS: DANAE AND ZEUS

COINS SYMBOLIZE the best the world can offer us, which can only bemanifested by undergoing the three preceding suits of cups, staves,and arrows. In The Lovers Path Tarot, the suit of coins are associatedwith Danae and Zeus, represented upon Fortune (X), the eleventh of thetwenty-two major arcana cards. The myth of Danae was consideredduring the Italian Renaissance to be a metaphor for the courtesana

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woman, much like a geisha, who was able to create her own independ-ent fortune by accepting coin for conversation and affection. Danaesjourney, as she grows from an innocent princess to the wealthy respectedmother of a hero, depicts the power of the suit of coins to transform lives.

ACE OF COINSKeywords: Fertility, Growth, Prosperity

MEANINGS: The beginning of a new phase filled with good fortune.Attainment of material goals. Contentment in personal life. REVERSED: Adesire to reap the fruits of labor. Elusive success.

TWO OF COINSKeywords: Choices, Juggling, Balance

MEANINGS: The ability to juggle several situations at oncejobs, oppor-tunities, ideas. Opposing desires. Balance between the earthly and thespiritual worlds. REVERSED: Taking on too much for now. Feeling over-whelmed by demands. Overcommitting oneself.

THREE OF COINSKeywords: Building, Manifestation, Construction

MEANINGS: Building of career, relationships, or home. The ability to man-ifest material goods or business success. Cooperating with others to con-struct such a venture. REVERSED: Recheck plans for expansionare theypractical? Time to confer with those who may be more experienced.

FOUR OF COINSKeywords: Wealth, Security, Inheritance

MEANINGS: Stability of material forces in ones life. A family inheri-tancethis could be a talent, money, land, or a quality that adds richnessto life. Satisfaction. REVERSED: Being miserly with wealth, talents.Conversely, being an overly generous spendthrift. Need to conserve andprotect resources.

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FIVE OF COINSKeywords: Poverty, Insecurity, Spiritual Richness

MEANINGS: An experience of poverty that forces one to look within forgreater resources. This poverty may be personified as a lack of wealth orin a sense of emotional sterility. REVERSED: These feelings are transitory.Have faith in the futurea more prosperous phase of life is on its way.

SIX OF COINSKeywords: Generosity, Helping Others, Charity, Fortune

MEANINGS: Appreciation. Trusting in the prosperity of the universe.Helping others who are less fortunate. REVERSED: Using wealth to manip-ulate others. Giving with expectations. Resenting those who need help.

SEVEN OF COINSKeywords: Patience, Expectations, Nurturing

MEANINGS: Waiting for a harvest of a creative project, personal relation-ship, or any venture that time and work is invested in. Tending your garden.REVERSED: Impatience. Insecurity about whether the reward received forthe work rendered will be worth it.

EIGHT OF COINSKeywords: Talent, Compensation, Work

MEANINGS: Fair payment. Meeting deadlines. Developing talents for themarketplace. Working with integrity and discipline. REVERSED: Avoidingwork. Need to bring talents to the next levelperhaps it is time for voca-tional education. Dissatisfaction with payment for work done.

NINE OF COINSKeywords: Luxury, Prosperity, Fertility, Pleasure

MEANINGS: Feeling blessed by life. Enjoying the fruits of ones labors.Material prosperitynow that this has been accomplished, perhaps it istime to create a family. REVERSED: Overindulgence in material pleasures,perhaps to the point of compromising financial stability. Guilt over pos-sessing so much; inability to enjoy it. Fear of envy or jealousy.

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TEN OF COINSKeywords: Cumulation, Prosperity, Expansion, Property

MEANINGS: Great satisfaction. Creating a family to share wealth with. Thesuccessful cumulation of business plans. An inheritance. REVERSED:Discontent at home or difficulties with family relationships. Elusive suc-cess on the material plane.

PRINCESS OF COINSKeywords: Taking Responsibility, Messages, Fertility

MEANINGS: Gaining the knowledge necessary to make an idea a reality.Practical planning. Mail or messages that bring possibilities for expan-sion. Business opportunities. REVERSED: Too much time thinking, notenough doing. Waiting for money, business news. Unrealistic planning.

PRINCE OF COINSKeywords: Opportunities, Hard Work, Development

MEANINGS: The hard work and wisdom necessary to create growth.Seeking opportunities for development. Taking care of the self on thematerial level, and enjoying the pleasures associated with this. REVERSED:Inertia or laziness. Not taking action or responsibilities.

QUEEN OF COINSKeywords: Fertility, Prosperity, Beauty, Generosity

MEANINGS: Creating prosperity and harmony. Fertility, possibly parent-hood. Loyalty. Warmth and affection. Love. REVERSED: Need to groundoneself. An overmaterialistic orientation to life. Disappointment in the home.

KING OF COINSKeywords: Persistence, Business Acumen, Riches, Success

MEANINGS: The ability to create wealth. Real estate transactions.Investmentsmoney or emotional. Steadfastness and persistence.REVERSED: Need to be more realistic. Involvement with people who maypromise more than they are able to deliver.

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USING THE LOVERS PATH TAROT

THE SIMPLEST WAY to work with The Lovers Path Tarot is to meditateupon a chosen card. Use its images and symbols as a starting pointfor self-examination, the same way you would a dream and its accompa-nying symbolism. While you do so, you might like to try a techniquesometimes used in Gestalt therapy. As you gaze at your card, see if you canexperience it from the point of view of the card itself. Try to create a firstperson narrative as you do so.

What follows are some other techniques for working with The LoversPath Tarot.

Choose a Card Q Q Q

If you have an issue on your mind that requires guidance, try choosing atarot card at random. To do so, spread the deck face down upon a table.Close your eyes and place your hand over the cards. Allow a card to pullyour hand toward it.

You could also shuffle the deck at random, cut the deck in half, andchoose the top card. Consider this card an oracle granting you the infor-mation you need at that moment. Read the entry for the card in thisbooklet. Take note of the thoughts and emotions that arise as you gaze atthe card. While you could use any tarot card for this exercise, workingwith the major arcana alone is a great way to learn about each love storyrepresented in The Lovers Path Tarot.

Have a Conversation Q Q Q

Another useful technique is to have a conversation with the cards. Just asyou would speak with a friend to clarify an issue, tarot cards can be usedin a similar back-and-forth manner. This exercise is also helpful in build-ing a relationship with The Lovers Path Tarot.

Shuffle the tarot deck while you consider your issue at hand. Whenyou are ready to begin your conversation with the cards, start by posing asingle question to them. Your question may be as simple as Is it in mybest interest to go on a vacation with this person? or as complex as Whatis the purpose of my life? Then randomly choose one card in answer toyour query.

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Depending on the card chosen in reply, new questions may arise. Asyou would in a conversation, continue to choose cards until a satisfyingclosure has been achieved.

TAROT SPREADS

TAROT SPREADS ARE created by placing a number of cards into a pre-ordained pattern. Different tarot spreads fill different purposessome are contemplative, others predictive.

As used in the following two spreads, the word couple is meant tosignify two people who may or may not be romantically involved; thecouple could be lovers, friends, business associates, even two aspects ofyour psyche you yearn to reconcile. For simplicitys sake, the terms cou-ple and partner are used when describing these variations. They referto the two people doing the reading, not necessarily a romantic partner.

Whichever spread you decide to use for your tarot reading, as you lookover the cards chosen try to think of each one as a chapter in a story youare telling. What do the pictures tell you? How can this story be changed,if change is wanted? What lesson is being taught, what challenges offered?Personal feelings or memories may also surface as you gaze at the imagesbefore you. These are important and should be noted as well.

Also take note of the proximity and position of a card, whether thereis a preponderance of any one suit or arcana. When major arcana cardsdominate a reading, it suggests significant life events or issues at play.Minor arcana cards often fill in the details of everyday life. Court cardsprincess, prince, queen, kingcan symbolize people in our lives as well asparticular aspects of ourselves.

Preparing for a Tarot Reading Q Q Q

Before a tarot reading starts, a question needs to be decided upon. How tophrase this question is an important consideration. Generally questionsthat receive the best responses are those that are posed with the greatestclarity. Choose your words carefully; wording is important and implies anawareness of the responsibility involved.

Next comes the choosing of the tarot cards for the spread. Cards areusually chosen for a tarot reading by shuffling the cards a preordainednumber of times to assure randomness, and cutting the deck. I often

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think of tarot as a talking book, where various pages can be reordered totell different stories. Shuffling the deck allows this story to emerge.

Some tarot readers prefer to shuffle their cards themselves, allowingthe querent, or the person who is asking the question, only to handle thedeck while cutting it. This can relieve the querent of the belief that theymust choose the right cardsthe responsibility is literally taken out oftheir hands. Other readers prefer to have the querent shuffle the cards asa way to participate in his or her own reading.

Another thing to consider before you choose your cards is whetheryou wish to include reversed, or upside-down, cards in your readings.These can be created by turning some of the cards around as you shuffle.Some people believe that reversed cards add another dimension of clarityto readings; these cards serve as focal points, showing where energy maybe blocked or special attention is needed. Others feel that all the informa-tion needed to create a full picture is already contained within the seventy-eight cards of the tarotreversed cards just muddy the water. Again, thisis a matter of personal preference.

However you decide to proceed, it is important to focus yourselfbefore the reading. A simple ritual, such as lighting a candle or closingyour eyes for a moment, can help create a properly receptive atmosphere.

THE RELATIONSHIP CROSS

THIS TAROT SPREAD, taught to me by tarot reader Melanie HopeGreenberg, is valuable for exploring complex questions where twopeople are involvedperfect for The Lovers Path Tarot. In TheRelationship Cross, three cards are read as one to sum up each areaexplored, creating a more complete portrait than can be revealed by asolitary card. This spread is also unusual because of the order in which thecards are examined. Instead of reading from the first card to the last, cardsare read by group position.

When reading The Relationship Cross, youll need to first examinecards 13 through 11, which represent the past. Then move onto cards 1through 3, symbolizing the present. Cards 5 to 7 represent the other per-son in the situation, while cards 8 through 10 depict the future as it mayplay out. Finally, card 4 offers an overview for the entire reading.

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Reading the cards in groups may sound complicatedits really not,so dont be afraid. Try to see them as elements making up one big picture,a snapshot of the specific area being examined.

After shuffling and cutting the deck, choose thirteen cards from thetop. Place them according to the diagram below.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

11

12

13

10

9

8

TO BE READTOGETHER

TO BE READTOGETHER {

{

{ {

TO BE READTOGETHER

{

{

TO BE READTOGETHER

TO BE READTOGETHER{{ TO BE READTOGETHER

THERELATIONSHIP

SPREAD

Cards 1 through 3: These three cards, which are read together, representthe querents present role in the relationship.

Card 4: The overall outcome of the question regarding the relationship, ifthings continue along the path they have been.

Cards 5 through 7: These three cards, which are read together, representthe other person involved in the relationship. It also symbolizes his or hercurrent situation, for better or worse.

Cards 8 through 10: These three cards, which are read together, reveal thefuture of the relationship, if things continue as they have been.

Cards 11 through 13: These three cards depict the past, or history, of therelationship. It shows how it has affected the present situation underexamination.

Variation for Two:

The Relationship Cross can be easily adapted for couples seeking toexplore an issue in greater depth.

Alternate deck shuffles with your partner while concentrating uponyour relationship. Proceed as described earlier for cards 4, 8 through 10,and 11 through 13. However, cards 1 through 3 and cards 5 through 7should be read as follows.

Cards 1 through 3: These three cards, read as one, represent the first per-sons role in the relationship and his or her current situation.

Cards 5 through 7: These three cards, read as one, represent the secondpersons role in the relationship and his or her current situation.

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THE LOVERS PATH

ATOOL FOR MEDITATION, The Lovers Path is intended for times whenaa romantic relationship requires deep examinationnot becausethere are problems, but because you want to become more intimatewith your loved one. This spread studies the relationship on four levels,mirroring the elemental areas of water, fire, air, and earth, as symbolizedby the four minor arcana suits of cups, staves, arrows, and coins. It offersa complex picture of the relationship as it is at that moment, providingfood for thought.

The Lovers Path is unusual in that the major and minor arcanas areused separately. The major arcana emphasizes the core issues propellingyour relationship, while the minors fill in the details.

The first step in creating The Lovers Path is to separate the major andminor arcanas. Once you have two pilesone bearing only major arcanacards, the other only minor arcanashuffle each pile separately, focusingon the relationship under examination as you do so. When you are ready,choose eight cards from the minor arcana pile, and four cards from themajor arcana pile. Then take the remaining cardsthey should still be intwo pilesand shuffle them together to choose one card; this is card thir-teen. Place these thirteen cards as shown in the diagram on pages 3435.Cards one through eight are minor arcana cards; cards nine through 12are major arcana cards; card 13 could be either major or minor arcana.

Cards 1 and 2 (minor arcana): These two cards symbolize the water, oremotional, nature of your relationship. They reveal how you express yourfeelings, what fulfills your soul. Card 1 represents the first partners emo-tional needs; card 2 represents the second partners.

Cards 3 and 4 (minor arcana): These two cards symbolize the fire, oractive, nature of your relationship. Every person has his or her way of cre-ating change in his or her personal and professional life. Card 3 representsthe first partners way of moving through life, how to achieve the goals heor she set; card 4 the second partners.

Cards 5 and 6 (minor arcana): These two cards symbolize the air, orintellectual, aspect of your relationship. They suggest how you communi-

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cate, the wisdom you offer each other. Card 5 represents the first partnersintellectual needs and communication style; card 6, the second partners.

Cards 7 and 8 (minor arcana): These two cards symbolize the earth, orphysical, aspect of your relationship. They reveal how you show affectionand express sexuality. Card 7 represents the first partners sensual needs;card 8, the second partners.

Card 9 (major arcana): This card offers an overview of how water, or theemotional, supports your love for each other. Its a summation of theemotional issues faced within your relationship.

Card 10 (major arcana): This card offers an overview of how fire, or theactive, supports your love for each other. Its a summation of the goals setand attained by your relationship, how you work together in the world.

Card 11 (major arcana): This card offers an overview of how air, or theintellectual, supports your love for each other. It reveals the wisdom yougain by loving each other.

Card 12 (major arcana): This card offers an overview of how earth, or thephysical, supports your love for each other. It shows how you please eachother, ways you can invite joy into your romantic life.

Card 13: This card is chosen randomly from the remaining major andminor arcana cards, which have been shuffled together. It presents anoverall theme for the love relationship, suggesting how each partner istransformed by loving each other.

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1 2

9

3 4

10

THELOVERS PATH

SPREAD

Variation for Two:

The Lovers Path can be used as easily for two people as it can for one.Since this spread is intended as a meditative tool, take time to create aconducive environment: candles, quiet music, or anything else that feelstransformational. Couples should alternate shuffles, and take turnschoosing each of the cards used within this spread.

After laying out the cards and examining them, spend some time talk-ing about your reactions with your loved one. How accurately did thecards reflect your relationship? Where can you create change, if change isdesired? This exercise can be a powerful intimacy builder, opening up newvistas for your consideration.

It is my hope that The Lovers Path Tarot brings harmony and enlighten-ment to your life and personal relationships. As you work with TheLovers Path Tarot, you may want to keep a journal of your experiences. Atarot journal is a potent tool for processing your thoughts as you growand learn. You can record your tarot conversations, tarot readings, aswell as specific cards chosen for guidance.

Q Q Q

135 6

11

7 8

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