VI. The Flowers

Element: Air

 
Formal / Casual

Thoughtful / Careless

Courting / Breaking Up

Invitation / Declination
 

The Flowers card
 

Upright

    • Extending or accepting an invitation to an event, or to share a new experience, as in opening oneself up in a new way to someone or something.
    • Courting someone, trying to initiate a relationship.
    • Formal occasions, special social occasions.
    • Mindfully opening up, revealing more about oneself.
    • Establishing healthy interpersonal boundaries which strengthen and preserve relationships.
    • Learning one's own social boundaries, or learning others' social boundaries.

There exist many levels to this card — The Flowers — just as there are many intentions behind gifts of flowers between friends, family, and lovers.

Decisions involving interpersonal relationships and personal boundaries are represented by The Flowers. This is a card of deliberation and choices in social affairs, and therefore it exists within the realm of Air. The ability to judge character, and the ability to intentionally build rewarding relationships are the crowning triumphs of this major. Sharing in social joys, like bouquets of flowers, with good people is a reward of such good judgment and social skills.

This card also represents the myriad bonds that can exist between people. It represents maintaining and strengthening those bonds, through time and perhaps trials, to the extent that it is beneficial. It represents exploring ways of connection with others, emotionally, intellectually, perhaps romantically or sexually, but definitely responsibly.

Card Affiliations

The Flowers are the Two Worlds Tarot counterpart to The Lovers, Major Arcana number VI in the Waite-Smith tarot and in many universal tarot decks. This card's meaning differs moderately from the universal meanings widely used for The Lovers. Universal meanings for The Lovers can be substituted or used to alter this card's meaning if the reader desires.

 

Reversed

    • Comfortable relationships where one does not have to constantly exercise their best judgment. Relationships where people can relax and let their guard down.
    • Relationships which one does not take seriously, and thus runs the risk of hurting other people involved.
    • Declining an invitation, to an event or to a new way of relating to another person.
    • Ending relationships, or ending of certain aspects of present relationships.
    • Choosing to conceal more about oneself.
    • Being reserved out of caution.

Upright, The Flowers indicates diligence and formality in relationships, as well as opening oneself up to others and to new social experiences. Reversed, The Flowers may represent relationships which are more casual in nature, or relationships which are not taken too seriously— sometimes to the detriment of people involved. Alternatively it may represent closing oneself off from relationships, ending relationships, or declining invitations.