In the Tarot Deck, the card representing Gemini is The Lovers, which rules over the Element of Air and signifies both communication and duality. There is very little in terms of solidity or stability associated with The Lovers. It is the card of intellect, communication and inter-relationships, composed entirely of opposites with various polarities represented, indicating that things are together and yet not together. The numerical correspondent of this card is six...the number of synthesis, integration and balance. Six is also the number of divine force in nature, as well as symbolizing cooperation and marriage. Basically, The Lovers is a card of innocence, trust, exhilaration and joy. At its most simple level, it symbolizes the cooperation and coming together of two people...the archetypal union of male and female.
The Lovers is a member of the First Third of the Tarot's Major Arcana, representative of the masculine and feminine energies within an individual, as well as the primary dual nature of the universe itself. This is one of the Tarot's most fundamental cards, symbolic of inclination and openess toward inspiration, spiritual sensation, cognition and intuituion. However, on a more negative level, it is also indicative of childishness, superficiality and abstraction, accompanied by hesitancy, inconsistency, controversy and a tendency toward trivial and false intellectuality. In essence, The Lovers represents the exchange of qualities, the discovery of potential, and the mirroring and learning inherent in all interactions. It symbolizes the true purpose of communication...the major talent of a Gemini indivdual.
While the design appears easy to interpret, it is deceptive in that there is a great deal of hidden lore pictured within the card. On the surface, it would seem to be the simple union of two royal personages, an idea enhanced by the overall pink hue which lends itself to the notion of love, romance and marriage. The hooded figure depicted on this card is symbolic of The Hermit...an aspect associated with Mercury, Gemini's ruling planet (and one that it shares with Virgo). The hood of the figure signifies that the ultimate explanation lies hidden from human logic. The cupid flying overhead deotes divine inspiration and also blind love, while the arrows of the cherub represent spiritual intelligence. The orphic egg with the entwined snake are symbolic of rebirth, while the depicted tools indicate duality...two tools of destruction and two tools of fertility. The club is indicative of physical touch and also of destruction, while the cup symbolizes emotions and fertility. The sword stands for mental communication, compatibility, division and destruction. The flowers are representative of spiritual bonding and fertility, and the bars in the background of the card symbolize free will. According to some sources, the female figures depict Lilith and/or Eve.
In a Tarot reading, The Lovers is indicative of a choice between vice and virtue...good and evil. It is also associated with temptation and the beginning of romance. In addition, this card symbolizes harmoney of the inner and outer life, inspiration from above and love which is uncontaminated by great material desire. Reversed, it indicates infidelity and interference with marriage by in-laws. It is also indicative of quarrels over children and the possibility of a wrong choice or need to stabilize the emotions.
In the Kabbalah, this card is associated with the Sixth Path...the Path of Logic in the Service of the Heart, also known as the Way of the Lovers. It is a path between understanding and beauty. Like all love affairs, it can create a lasting union if the partners connect to their hearts. However, when judgment and misunderstandings are predominant, then this path will end in separation. Those who travel this road need to use understanding, logic and the power of reasoning in the service of beauty, love and spiritiulity. Here, there must be resistance to the belief that rationality explains all. Writers, communicators and public relations experts are associated with this path, all of whom need to remember that they are merely messengers...not the message. The Hebrew letter is Zain, which means Sword. It is also representative of the male sex organ. The sword is deemed to be an instrument of analysis which cuts through the confusion to the essentials. It is the symbol of the powerful intellect, slicing through to the crux of any issue. Thus, the lesson to be taught by The Lovers is one of looking at things through their opposites and, in so doing, to intrinsically know them.
The associated Rune is Gebo...Rune of Forgiveness. "Gebo" means "Gift" and is a reference to forgiveness, talents, abilities and partnerships. It encompasses the ability to love and be loved...to give and to receive...to forgive and be forgiven. These all are priceless treasures which cannot be measured in a tangible sense and yet, without them, humankind is lost. In times gone by, this Rune was allocated the number "seven" and is believed to be the origin of the "lucky seven" superstition. In the Ancient World, a gift always called for another in return. Thus, by accepting a gift, an individual was placed under an obligation to the giver. The symbol of Gebo ("X") is commonly used as the sign of a kiss, the symbol of affection. A gift presents the recipient with the choice of acceptance or rejection. If accepted, then the recipient must be prepared to give in return. Everything comes with a price but with spiritual gifts, the cost is always worthwhile in the long run. However a balance must be found between giving and receiving...and to whom the gift should be made since it is inappropriate to give to everyone indiscriminately. The Runic Number of Gebo is 7. Its color is dark blue, its element is air and its polarity is both male and female.
Generosity in men is to honour and praise
And dignity a prop;
And for every wrack,
Riches and substance, who has naught else.
The associated stone is Rose Quartz, also known as the Stone of Venus, the Stone of Gentle Love and the Heart Stone. It symbolizes reconciliation and healing...the soothing of past injuries and the easing of heartbreak. This stone is also said to aid in emotional balance and clear stored anger, resentment, guilt, fear and jealousy. It helps develop forgiveness, compassion and love. Thus, Rose Quartz is a stone of enduring relationships, helping to ease the hurts sometimes caused by interactions and providing the power to persevere. It promotes receptivity to the beauty of art, music and the written word. It also enlivens imagination and helps to heal emotional wounds. Rose Quartz is said to be "recharged" by setting it in the moonlight so the power of the Moon will be soaked back into the stone. It is considered to be the ideal gift from a man to a woman and is also credited with possessing the ability to soften the complexion and reduce wrinkles. Perhaps one of the most highly prized stones for its mystical properties, it is thought that to sleep with it under the pillow helps to release the pain of the past via the dream state. It is also believed to heal the inner child and bring about feelings of self worth.
In an anatomical sense, this card is said to rule the right front of the neck, the veins and de-oxygenated blood. Other associated items include jasmine, marigolds, honeysuckle, sycamore trees and magpies, while the associated magical symbols are the tripod, the egg and the flower. The colors of this card are orange, pale mauve, yellow and reddish-gray. Some of the names by which this card is also known include The Brothers, Children of the Voice, Oracle of the Mighty Gods, The Twins Emerging and Law of Discrimination. In tales of classical mythology and lore, this card is associated with Eros, Amor, Cupid, Adam and Eve, Incubus, Castor and Pollux, the Sword Excalibur (which was removed from the stone in Arthurian legend) and the Flaming Angel who wields a sword and guards the entry into Eden. It is also associated with the Deities Odin and Gefn. The credo of The Lovers is "Choice Between Two Loves Or Attractions."
"I discriminate and I make choices...wise choices, to which I am committed. I maintain the balance of masculine and feminine...male and female..consciousness and unconsciousness. I am rational and intuitive. I am a whole creation...I am Adam...I am Eve. I contain many polarities. I am a cocreative partner."
In the Tarot Deck, the card representing Mercury (the ruling planet of Gemini and one which it shares with Virgo) is The Magician. This card's Element is Gold, symbolic of the alchemist who is the original magician. It is representative of material success through perseverance, adaptability and determination. In short, The Magician is the symbol of achievement. Mercury was messenger to the Gods and is symbolic of communication. The numerological value of The Magician is one. This number is the manifestation of what was previously without form, symbolic of new beginnings, decisions and independence. It also represents the conscious mind focusing on ideas and intuitions and making them real. In short, it is representative of the energy of the initiator and leadership.
The Magician is a member of the First Third of the Tarot's Major Arcana. It is a card of creative power and duality, representing both the transformation and regeneration of life to death...and death to life. It also denotes the fine line which divides white magic from black magic. This is a power card...power whcih can be used in either a self-serving manner or in one service to the all. In order for The Magician to achieve his aims, there must be constant awareness and self-examination. This card indicates an individual who is able to discriminate between various realities and fantasies, between different points of view and yet still retain a sense of humor at life in general. The Magician represents the personal will in union with the divine will and the knowledge to create with the tools at hand. The lesson of The Magician is that there must be constant awareness and self-examination in order for an individual to achieve his or her goals.
The winged feet on this card are symbolic of Mercury and represent communication. The gold body of the figure is indicative of achievements and success, while the nakedness is representative of openness, confidence, sincerity and freedom. The smile upon the face of the figure indicates optimism and communication through humor. The crossed lines on the design of the card, being behind the figure, are symbols of freedom and liberation. The Eye of Horus at the top of the card is indicative of divine inspiration and the spreading of the divine message, while the monkey denotes flexibility and non-regulation of wisdom. The items being juggled represent the different realms of communication. The scroll indicates communication through the arts..the coins, communication through business...and fire, communication through and with the divine force. The arrow is indicative of directness in communication, while the winged egg signifies telepathy and mental communcation. The cup symbolizes sexual communication...emotions and relationships. The sword indicates logic, analysis and intellect.
In a Tarot reading, this card denotes an individual who can make the most of any opportunity that is offered...perhaps a builder of new houses or an originator of inventions or new art forms. The Magician is also symbolic of creativity within the home environment, representative of the ability to use power from above and direct it into manifestation. This card may also be indicative of organizational skills. Reversed, it indicates ineptitude and the use of power for destructive ends...perhaps even a trickster of some type. In addition, it may be indicative of failed projects and poorly constructed plans. In this reversed position, the card may also represent an individual with a learning disability or one who lacks physical coordination or some other communication-related disability.
In the Kabbalah, this card is associated with the First Path...the Path of the Trickster, also known as the Way of Magic. It is a path connecting the bright nothingness of the Crown with the materializing sphere of understanding. This path demands that personal will be manifested in addition to the will of others. The Magician is akin to a conjurer who pulls an item out of thin air. In short, it is the path of mind over matter and associated with the masters of alchemy. Those who put people or projects together and then collect a finder's fee are associated with this path...the writer, the negotiator and the orator, for example, are all associated with this road. It is here that logic rules supreme in the guise of a double-edged sword which can either destroy or hone anything to a greater clarity of understanding. Magic may be created along this path if the sword is employed in the service of the light. However, it suggests that words should be used wisely for they wield enormous power. The Hebrew letter is Beth (also known at Bet) which means House or Home. Beth denotes the transformation of what was once considered to be magic into the science of the modern day. It also represents the opposites of life and death...yet another symbol of metamorphosis and transformation. It suggests that a home or structure must be found for all personal thoughts. Words contain much creative power...a power which can be either good or bad. Thus, words must be used with reverance. The Torah begins with the letter Bet.
The associated Rune is Mannaz...Rune of Humanity. "Mannaz" means "Mankind," and "The Self" or "Inner Being." It is representative of the mind, the ego and the body. It also symbolizes devotion, kindness, consideration, charity and the willingness to change. In short, it represents the shared human nature within each individual, who in a collective sense are members of the human family and yet stand alone in life and the final journey into death. Thus, does this Rune teach that humankind possess the resources, creativity, intelligence and power to manifest personal desires. It also issues a challenge to claim birthright and destiny...and take responsibility for the choices made. Mannaz is representative of clarity of thought, tolerance and broad-mindedness. It suggests that destiny waits to be claimed but in order to achieve spirituality, an individual must balance body, mind and spirit. Everything must be embraced...good and bad alike...with total acceptance, secure in the knowledge that each new experience teaches more of life. Thus, by learning each lesson can an individual move onward and upward. The Runic Number of Mannaz is 20. Its color is deep red, its element is air and its polarity is both male and female.
A mirthful Man is to his kinsmen dear;
Yet each one must from the others turn,
Because Odin desires by his decree
To deliver that frail flesh to Earth.
The associated stone is Carnelian (also known as Sard), whose name comes from the Latin cornum, which means "cornel berry" or "cornelian cherry." This stone was a favorite of the Ancient Egyptians who often carved it into insignia seals because it would not stick to wax the way other materials were prone to do. Carnelian is representative of the message that love is there to be given and, in so doing, great things may be created. This stone is also said to stimulate curiosity and initiative, as well as offering protection against envy, fear and rage. It is also believed to banish emotional sorrow and possess connections to the spirit worlds. Once thought to show an individual how and where to find love, the Carnelian awakens inner passions and desires, allowing such emotions to be shared with others. In ancient times, this stone was thought to promote energy and is thus linked to the curing of fatigue. Also known as the Stone of Integrity, the Canelian was a symbol of strength and beauty to many Native American tribes, who also considered it a stone of blood ties and family unity.
In an anatomical sense, this card is said to rule the right eye and the right ear. It is also associated with balance and sight in general. Other associated items include primroses, ash trees and monkeys, while the associated magical symbols are the wand and the caduceus. The colors of this card are yellow, purple, gray and indigo. Some of the names by which this card is also known include Magus of Power, The Messenger, Spirit of the Temple and Law of Attention. In tales of classical mythology and lore, this card is associated with Hanuman (the Hindu Ape God), Loki (of Norse folklore) and Mercury along with his Greek counterpart, Hermes. It is also associated with the Deities Heimdall, Odin and Frigg. The credo of The Magician is "Creative Power."
"I pay attention and have creative intelligence. I am master of all my tools. I am confident...I am charismatic...I am brilliant. I work miracles and I communicate. I am articulate...I am skillful...I am persuasive. I am dynamic and resourceful. I am self-reliant, focused and powerful. I am in control of my life."
As an Air Sign, Gemini is also associated with the Tarot's Suit of Swords
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Much of the tarot information found on this page is taken from
"The Royal Road," a manual authored by Lady Shyra and used with
permission provided such credit is givenAll featured tarot card designs are from "The Book of Thoth" deck
designed by Aleister Crowley and painted by Lady Frieda Harris
