For centuries, people have been shuffling, pulling and reading tarot cards in hopes of dancing with divination and gleaning insights into their past, present, and future.
The oldest surviving set of tarot cards, the Visconti-Sforza deck, dates to 16th-century Italy.
But the tarot was truly adopted for purposes of fortune telling in France around 1780 — and hit pay dirt in 1909 — when Libra mystic Arthur Edward Waite commissioned Pamela Colman Smith, AKA Pixie, to illustrate the widely circulated and wildly popular Waite-Smith, or Rider-Waite deck.
In relationship to astrology, every zodiac sign has a corresponding card in the Major Arcana — read more about the stars and their cards here.
Devotees of tarot reading believe the cards hold the key to predicting and understanding major life events, be it turmoil, fortune, or the fortuitous turmoil of love itself.
With tarot receiving an increase of over 5,000% in searches over the past year, Antonella, professional astrologer and diviner at Psychic World, is on hand with hand on deck to offer her insights into the tarot of love.
Which cards predict the best and worst outcome for your love life? Read on to learn more.
The Lovers
It wouldn’t be love without the presence of The Lovers card. This major arcana card is a major power player and indicates an intense connection.
Antonella adds, “When this card is pulled, it can suggest a decision needs to be made within your love life.”
She warns you to proceed cautiously as your choices around or within your relationship are of principal importance: “This card also begs the question of what love means to you; for some it’s commitment, for others it’s freedom.”
The Lovers card also covers the territory of self-love. When it is pulled upside down, it can indicate low self-esteem or a relationship in which one party is giving more than they are receiving, an imbalance that spells misalignment and misfortune.
The Two of Cups
The Two of Cups symbolizes unity, harmony, abundance, and a hearty cheers betwixt soul mateys, a fortuitous card for those in or looking for love.
Antonella explains, “If you’re single, this card could suggest blossoming romance is in your future or a deep connection with someone close to you. If you’re in a relationship, it indicates a harmonious, balanced, and loving relationship with mutual respect between both parties.”
Can dig.
Yet, Anotella imparts that if the Two of Cups is pulled upside down, the cups runneth empty, indicating you may be taking your relationships for granted, failing to put in or pour in the work needed to fortify your bond.
Additionally, an inverted Two of Cups can be a signifier of an imbalanced relationship marred by arguments and feelings of resentment.
The Ten of Cups
Another cup card, the Ten of Cups, is synonymous with stable ground and peaceful energy, suggesting the love you have or will soon find is built on a strong foundation.
Antonella imparts, “This is the type of love that will last a lifetime! The love from this relationship will be fulfilling, blissful, and harmonious. It is certainly one of the best cards to pull when asking about your romantic compatibility.”
However, when the Ten of Cups is drawn upside down, the good luck hath run out. Inverted, the card suggests deep misalignment in values between romantic partners and/or destabilizing outside forces that make it difficult for the relationship to take root.
Astrology 101: Your guide to the star
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports back on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture, and personal experience.
