Two of Roses (Two of Cups)

What’s on the card

A young man reaches out his hand to a young woman. It’s a sign of trust and coming together. A gesture of openness. He takes the first step toward her, wiping out the distance between them.

There’s also a winged lion on the card. It speaks of the alchemical union of opposites. Male and female merging. Anima and animus. It’s the fiery energy of the lion and the water element that Cups rule. The lion has always been linked with strength, passion, the heart, love. And the wings add a spiritual lift, raising earthly love to a heavenly, spiritual union.

Money and work

A successful partnership, signing a contract that works for both sides. A productive new project. The atmosphere should be one of full understanding and trust within the team. In other words, a relationship between equals.

Love and relationships

The start of a romance. Falling for each other. Or making up after a fight. The card can talk about help, about trust between equals. It can be meeting someone new. It can point to moving from one relationship into another.

Personal growth

What matters here is finding peace of mind and self-acceptance, finding balance between head and heart. Healing inside through contact with another person.

Choices and decisions

A decision to join forces and compromise, to trust a partner or form a partnership on equal terms.

Hidden motives

Genuine interest, liking, wanting to get closer. Openness and no hidden agenda. The person is set on connection and working together.

From the wider tradition

Not Tahmina’s own words: meanings common among other tarot readers, which she has reviewed and approved.

• The caduceus of Hermes (a staff with snakes) — healing, an exchange of energy, a balanced give-and-take.
• Mutual attraction, an engagement, “your other half.”
• Making up and restoring balance in a couple.

The section above is the shadow side of the upright card — every card has one. I don’t read cards upside down — here is why.