The Hierophant and The Lovers

The traditional marriage pairing, and one where the modern and the historical readings genuinely differ. The Hierophant is institution and sanctioned form; The Lovers is choice. Read as a pair they describe a private decision being made public, which historically meant a wedding and now covers anything where a relationship acquires an official shape.

Commitment formalised: marriage, moving in, telling families. The pair is about the transition from a thing two people know to a thing everybody knows.

A partnership or agreement being made official. Contracts rather than handshakes.

The Hierophant asks whose approval is involved, and it is worth answering honestly. The Lovers is only a free choice if the answer is nobody's.