Traditionally The Lovers, the 6th Major Arcana, represent choices, not only of a romantic nature but also of a life altering nature, and the coming together of opposites, polarities and opposition, the feminine and the masculine.  It represents the principle of relatedness and choice.  The Lovers is often seen to represent choices and paths we take in life.  It can also symbolize romantic partnership and alliances. 

Interesting, this is the second time I've drawn this card in the past few days.  Obviously there is something about its energy that I still need to consider.  Looking at the Celtic card I find it interesting that the pair represented - Elatha and Eriu, symbolize not just a romantic and sexual partnership but a cultural one as well.  Elatha is one of the Formoire, hereditary enemies of the Tuatha de Danaan.  Yet he was able to woo and win Eriu's hand and they eventually have a son together.  Their son, Bres, eventually marries Brighid and they have a son Ruadan.  Bres and Ruadan has a pattern of sneaky, underhanded behavior that led to their undoing.  But Elatha was seen as attractive both inside and out, although one wonders if he had not left Eriu and his son perhaps his son would have developed more positive qualities.

Once again it brings to me the importance of considering your options before making a decision.  Had Eriu not succumbed to Elatha's charms would events have unfolded in a different way?  Would Bres not have become King of the Tuatha da Danaan?  Would he and Brighid not have had a son who demise led to the first time keening was heard in Ireland?  Who knows?  There is no way to answer these questions or rather the answer is that these outcomes would have happened but perhaps the way they happened would have been different.  It's an interesting conundrum.

Even looking at the romantic and elaborately dressed figures on the Enchanted card we see that all may not be well.  The couple at the center of the card seem happy together but at the same time, they do not look at each other.  Are they being realistic in their choice?  Do they see each other for who and what they really are or are they projecting their own dreams onto each other?  The languid, dissatisfied looking woman who reclines at the bottom of the card is a puzzle.  Is she the partner not chosen?  Is she still on the man's mind (or perhaps the woman's mind).  Is she a distraction; a missed opportunity?  Or is she something that lies in the past? 

I have seen many instances of couples who come together without realistic expectations and beliefs about each other.  They may possess flaws that each convinces the other can be "worked out".  In reality they are not seeing the truth.  They delude themselves into thinking the other will change.  When that does not happen it sets off a chain of events that often leads to unhappiness and maybe even a dissolution of the partnership.  How many times have I seen a couple who are clearly unhappy at the current state of their relationship, but rather than trying to work together to heal these issues, one partner becomes involved in another relationship.  He or she is seeking the unprejudiced adoration in the eyes of another.  They are able to start off with a clean slate - this new partner has no negative impressions of this person.  And if the pattern ultimately starts to repeat itself, the partner simply walks away and starts over again.  Rather than taking responsibility for the choices and decisions she or he has made, they try to erase the slate and start anew.  Unfortunately that is not realistic or fair to ourselves and to our partners.