The Lovers and the Six of Wands

Love and success line up in public view. The Lovers bring a deep bond and a choice grounded in true values, and the Six of Wands brings victory, deserved reward and respect from others. Many readers see a proposal or the next step here, an engagement or moving in, that shows the strength of the relationship and is greeted warmly by the people around it. Couples who have come through difficulties together feel the pride of shared achievement. At work, a well-chosen partnership or career path succeeds, colleagues and superiors recognise it, and new leadership opportunities follow. Money from a joint venture or a deal brings good returns and the satisfaction of a choice that paid off. The Six's advice to rest after the win and gather strength fits well, since the Lovers also ask for balance between work and private life.

A good choice with little applause. The upright Lovers still describe harmony and a choice made with the heart. The reversed Six of Wands adds a lack of recognition, delays and self-doubt, or a fear of success that holds the querent back. A couple may be happy while small obstacles stall the relationship, or one partner may doubt they deserve it. Misunderstandings and a lack of equality between partners can come up and deserve attention before they settle in. At work, a good partnership may go unnoticed, effort may not be rewarded, and the querent may lose confidence. Money gains slip, and an overconfident move risks losses. The reversed Six advises focusing on your own growth instead of comparing yourself with others. The upright Lovers still back the choice itself, so the delay concerns the reward.

The parade goes on while the rider hesitates. With the Six upright, there is victory, recognition and a reward that has been earned. With the Lovers reversed, the querent doubts the choice that led there, feels inner conflict between desire and obligation, or sees a partnership falling out of balance. A relationship can look like a success to everyone outside it while doubts about mutual feelings grow. At work, a promotion may come in a job the querent no longer wants, or a partnership wins while its members disagree. The Lovers' money theme fits: a choice between the more principled path and the one that pays better, and the applause attached to the second. Smith's horse is draped in a heavy cloth that hides its legs, and some readers take it as a stage horse, a reminder to ask whether the win is real for you.

Disappointment on both fronts. The reversed Six of Wands brings delays, lack of recognition, self-doubt and plans that fail despite effort, and the reversed Lovers bring discord, indecision or a breakup. A relationship may feel stagnant and short of seriousness, with one or both partners unsure whether they want to continue. A short-lived romance, never taken quite seriously, is another possibility. At work, a partnership falters, support from colleagues is missing, and conflicts arise over who carries what. Money suffers from mistakes, failed investments and rash decisions. The reversed Six counsels learning from setbacks and taking care to avoid burnout, and the reversed Lovers ask for patience and understanding.