Tarot Power Couples

Decks used were graciously granted permission for use. TOP: The Victorian Romantic Tarot by Alex Ukolov and Karen Mahony, published by Magic Realist Press BOTTOM: Noblet Tarot images courtesy of Letarot editions. Links to both decks will be provided in the content of the article.

I haven't been very productive keeping up with my tarot blog and I apologize for that. Part of the reason for that is because September/October is a very busy wedding schedule. As some of you know I am an ordained minister who creates and officiates custom ceremonies which during these months has consumed most of my writing efforts.

So please forgive my sporadic entries and know it is only temporary.

I seem to be on a roll, my last article was titled, 'The Odd Couple' and today's article continues on the theme of couples.

In an effort to provide interesting content to a broader audience, I realize that as much as I love tarot history, it's not eveybody's cup of tea. So I thought I'd mix it up a bit today by writing about Power Couples, pairs of cards that when they pop up in a reading, give greater weight to a concept or idea.

Today I am writing about two pairs when they pop up in a reading, the Lovers and Ace of Cups, and the Hierophant and The Tower. If this article is well received, I will write about other tarot power couples and frankly, this can keep me busy for the next few decades.

All the cards that that appear in the accompanying photo happen to be major arcana cards, as the major trumps  tend to have the most 'power', and pack the greatest punch. But power pairing might also be noted between the major and minor trumps and even between the minors.

Bear in mind that other factors always come into play. For example, the other cards in the spread, the question intended for the spread, the position of the cards themselves in the spread, and their placement among other cards in the spread can all influence the meaning of any particular card. All those things considered, some cards when they appear together strongly suggest certain concepts.

I love using the beautiful Victorian Romantic Tarot especially for readings that concern matters of the heart. And truth be told, these readings tend to be the bulk of a tarot reader's bread and butter.

How very satisfying it is when doing a reading about one's love life for the Lovers card to pop up. And with the additional appearance of the Ace of Cups, a querent can leave the table feeling especially pleased, having been told that the probability of romantic love on the horizon is a distinct possibility. Yes, of course, other cards in the spread will have an influence, but just the same, these two in a romantic reading should be enough for anyone to have just a little extra pep in their step as they face the world solo. (If The Empress or High Priestess also makes an appearance one might be tempted to suggest a pregnancy. But that's a topic for another day.)

Another frequent topic for the cards are business related questions. It can be a question regarding office dynamics, company mergers, or even what the new boss will be like to work for. When the Hierophant (or Pope) and The Tower pop up for such a reading, it sends a clear message; old ways are about to crumble. It can be due to vanity, ego, lack of flexibility, unfairness (especially if an ill placed Justice also makes an appearance), or even because an authority figure has been fired and new blood is taking over. Nothing says shake up of old ways quite like the Hierophant and the Tower when they appear together.

For information on where to purchase the decks featured in the above photo please visit their respective sites:  Victorian Romantic Tarot    Noblet Tarot