The Love Triangle Spread
Difficulty: Complicated
Casually referred to as the Love Triangle, this spread can be used to determine the dynamics of the relationship between three people, regardless of whether romance is involved. This spread is arranged in the form of a hexagram, consisting of several large and small triangles. This tarot spread may seem somewhat complicated, but it is not entirely that difficult.
The first step is to interpret the card for each individual position in the spread. Generally, one might ask about a relationship they are involved in, but this does not have to be the case. Ordinarily, the reader's representative card is #1, their main person of interest is #2, and the other person would be #3.
The second step fills in the downward triangle and involves further examination of the individuals through their views of the other people. Each person has two more cards showing the way they see and relate to the other members of the triangle. For example, Card #6 indicates how Person #3 relates to Person #1, while Card #9 stands for Person #1's attitude toward Person #3.
The next step completes the upward triangle and the hexagram, focusing on cards #10–13. It also completes the many smaller triangles and hints at the potential for each relationship. The final card, #13 can be considered the significator of the reading, which suggests the overall potential for this three-way relationship.
Your Love Triangle Reading
| P#3 | 3to2 | 2+3 |
2to3 | P#2 | ||
 |
3to1 |  |
Overall |  |
2to1 |  |
| 1+3 |  |
1to3 |  |
1to2 |  |
1+2 |
 |
 |
P#1 |  |
 |
||
 |
1: Person #1
The Emperor symbolises structure, authority, and stability. He represents the power of rules and order to create security and success, though sometimes at the expense of flexibility.
Symbolism: Seated upright with a sceptre and orb, the Emperor exudes control and dominion. His luxurious robes and the golden background emphasise his regal and unshakable power. His stillness reflects his role as a protector of order and enforcer of discipline.
In Relationships: A relationship built on structure and commitment. It can suggest the presence of a protective partner or the need to establish boundaries.
In Work: Leadership, organisation, and discipline are essential for achieving success. The Emperor encourages taking control and assuming responsibility.
Spiritually: The Emperor teaches the importance of structure and discipline in spiritual practice, encouraging grounded growth.
When ill-dignified: Tyranny, rigidity, or abuse of power. It warns against controlling behaviours or excessive adherence to rules.
2: Person #2
The Fool symbolises new beginnings, innocence, and an open-hearted journey. He represents the spirit of adventure and trust in the unknown, unburdened by experiences or material concerns. His path is one of discovery, where curiosity leads the way.
Symbolism: The vagabond's tattered clothing reflects detachment from societal norms, while his staff and bundle suggest minimal baggage—both physical and emotional. The golden background highlights his eternal and universal journey. His carefree, open-mouthed expression conveys both the naivety of youth and the wisdom of freedom from expectations.
In Relationships: A signal to take risks or approach relationships with spontaneity and trust. It cautions against naivety or reckless behaviour.
In Work: An invitation to embrace a new path or project with an open mind. The Fool encourages experimentation and trust in one's instincts.
Spiritually: The Fool represents faith in the journey ahead and the courage to step into the unknown. He invites the seeker to trust the divine flow.
When ill-dignified: Foolishness, poor judgement, or recklessness. It warns against ignoring practicalities or rushing ahead blindly.
3: Person #3
The Empress symbolises abundance, creativity, and nurturing energy. She represents the generative force of nature and the ability to create and sustain growth, both literally and figuratively.
Symbolism: The Empress's sceptre and crown symbolise her authority, while her shield connects her to the Visconti family lineage. The floral embroidery on her gown reflects her connection to nature and fertility. The golden background underscores her divine and regal status.
In Relationships: A time of emotional abundance and nurturing. The Empress signals love, harmony, and growth.
In Work: Creative projects flourish under the Empress's guidance. She encourages nurturing ideas and building strong foundations.
Spiritually: The Empress represents the divine feminine, inviting the seeker to embrace growth and connect with nature's rhythms.
When ill-dignified: Stagnation, overindulgence, or a smothering presence in relationships.
4: Person #1's view of #2
The Pope represents tradition, spiritual authority, and shared values. He embodies the connection between divine wisdom and earthly institutions, urging adherence to established principles.
Symbolism: The Pope's raised hand conveys blessing, while his staff with a triple cross represents divine authority. The kneeling figures at his feet highlight devotion and the transmission of sacred teachings. The symmetrical composition and golden background reinforce his role as a stabilising spiritual guide.
In Relationships: A union founded on shared values or traditions. It may suggest the influence of societal expectations on relationships.
In Work: Success comes through adherence to established systems or mentorship from a trusted authority figure.
Spiritually: The Pope urges respect for spiritual traditions and the wisdom passed down through generations.
When ill-dignified: Dogma, blind conformity, or resistance to innovation. It cautions against rigid adherence to outdated ideas.
5: Person #2's view of #3
This card no longer exists, so the Marseille version is filling in. The Devil represents bondage, temptation, and the shadow self. It highlights the chains we impose upon ourselves through fear, obsession, or indulgence, urging us to confront these darker aspects to reclaim our freedom.
Symbolism: The Devil embodies primal instincts and the seduction of material or carnal desires. The chained figures symbolise voluntary entrapment, their loose bindings reminding us of the ability to escape our vices. The pedestal signifies false power, while the scene hints at the potential for redemption through self-awareness.
In Relationships: The Devil warns of unhealthy attachments, jealousy, or manipulative relationships. It challenges you to examine whether passion has turned into obsession.
In Work: This card can signify being trapped in a toxic work environment, greed, or overreliance on material success. It urges you to reflect on what fulfils you.
Spiritually: The Devil calls for self-awareness and shadow work. Confronting your inner fears or desires will lead to personal liberation.
When ill-dignified: When reversed or ill-dignified, the Devil signifies breaking free from constraints, overcoming addiction, or realising what binds you.
6: Person #3's view of #1
This card no longer exists, so the Marseille version is filling in. The Tower symbolises upheaval, sudden change, and the destruction of false structures. It heralds moments of revelation that, while shocking, clear the way for growth and truth.
Symbolism: The lightning bolt represents divine intervention shattering illusions and falsehoods. The crumbling tower signifies the collapse of unstable foundations. The falling figures illustrate vulnerability and the inevitability of change, while the broken shield reflects the fragility of ego and human constructs. Despite the chaos, the background suggests this upheaval is necessary for enlightenment.
In Relationships: The Tower signals a sudden shake-up, possibly a breakup or revelation. Though painful, it clears the way for honesty and authenticity.
In Work: Expect abrupt changes, such as a job loss or major restructuring. Though unsettling, this card pushes you to re-evaluate your priorities and rebuild stronger foundations.
Spiritually: The Tower challenges false beliefs and spiritual stagnation. A moment of crisis will lead to profound insight and transformation.
When ill-dignified: When reversed or ill-dignified, the Tower suggests avoiding necessary change, delaying the inevitable, or clinging to a crumbling situation. It warns that resisting transformation can lead to prolonged suffering.
7: Person #2's view of #1
Temperance represents harmony, balance, and the art of blending opposites. It suggests a time of calm, careful moderation, and the synthesis of differing energies into a cohesive whole.
Symbolism: Pouring liquid from one vessel to another symbolises the balance and exchange between opposing forces—emotion and intellect, fire and water, inner and outer worlds. Her graceful posture and tranquil demeanour indicate deliberate action, emphasising that peace comes through moderation. The golden background elevates balance to the divine level, suggesting that harmony is sacred.
In Relationships: Temperance encourages balance in relationships. It asks for patience and moderation in interactions, fostering an environment where both partners can harmonise their differences.
In Work: Success comes through collaboration and maintaining equilibrium. This card advises you to blend your talents with those of others, seeking compromise rather than extremes.
Spiritually: Temperance represents spiritual equilibrium. It calls for integrating the material and spiritual worlds, balancing one's desires and needs for peace and alignment.
When ill-dignified: Imbalance, excess, or a lack of harmony. This could indicate dissonance in relationships, career, or spiritual practice, warning against overindulgence or extremes.
8: Person #3's view of #2
Judgement is the call for awakening, renewal, and reckoning. It signals a time of reckoning with the past, a moment of judgement that clears the way for a fresh start and new direction.
Symbolism: The angel blowing the trumpet signals a divine call to action, summoning figures from their tombs to rise and transform. The symmetrical composition emphasises the balance between life and death, while the golden glow underscores the sacred nature of the awakening. The figures' age gap represents a new life, renewed through divine grace.
In Relationships: Judgement invites you to release past hurts and transform your relationships. It calls for honesty, introspection, and a fresh start in emotional matters.
In Work: A moment of reckoning, where past actions may come to light. This card suggests an opportunity for reinvention, a chance to leave behind outdated modes of working and embrace new ways.
Spiritually: Judgement calls for spiritual awakening and enlightenment. It asks you to evaluate your choices and rise to your higher calling.
When ill-dignified: Denial, resistance to transformation, or an inability to face the truth. This may indicate emotional or spiritual stagnation, or the refusal to heed the call of renewal.
9: Person #1's view of #3
The Moon is the card of intuition, illusion, and the subconscious. It calls attention to hidden truths, dreams, and the mysterious undercurrents that govern one's emotional landscape.
Symbolism: The barefoot woman holding a crescent moon reflects the card's connection to the primal, intuitive side of the psyche. Her gaze towards the sky suggests an awareness of the mysteries beyond the surface of reality. The wild, untamed landscape beneath her speaks to the untapped and often misunderstood forces of the unconscious mind. The golden background heightens the mystical quality, suggesting the moonlight reveals hidden paths.
In Relationships: The Moon indicates that not everything is as it seems in your romantic life. Trust your intuition, but also be cautious of illusions or deceptions.
In Work: Hidden factors or unclear circumstances may influence your professional life. The Moon calls for careful introspection and a deeper understanding of the forces at play.
Spiritually: This card calls for exploring the subconscious and trusting your intuitive wisdom. There may be deep truths that need to be uncovered.
When ill-dignified: Confusion, illusion, or deception. This warns of misunderstandings or hidden motives that could lead to emotional instability or false perceptions.
10: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #2
The Wheel of Fortune signifies cycles, fate, and the ever-changing nature of life. It reminds us of the importance of adaptability and acceptance in the face of change.
Symbolism: Figures ascending and descending on the wheel represent the ups and downs of life. The patterns add richness to the composition, while the golden background underscores the divine and inevitable nature of change.
In Relationships: A turning point in relationships, whether for better or worse. The Wheel reminds us to embrace change.
In Work: Unexpected opportunities or setbacks. It advises adaptability and resilience in navigating shifting circumstances.
Spiritually: The Wheel teaches surrender to the cycles of life and faith in the greater plan of the universe.
When ill-dignified: Resistance to change, bad luck, or repeating cycles. It warns against clinging to the past or fearing the future.
11: Overall relationship between persons #2 and #3
The Star is the card of hope, inspiration, and divine guidance. It signals a time of clarity and renewal, where one is aligned with their highest potential and the energies of the universe.
Symbolism: The woman beneath the large, radiant star symbolises divine connection and the flow of universal wisdom. Her upward-reaching arms indicate a yearning for enlightenment or higher understanding, while her delicate robes and the shimmering golden backdrop suggest purity, healing, and inspiration. The simplicity of the composition focuses on the power of the celestial symbol above, offering a vision of clear direction.
In Relationships: A time of healing and optimism. The Star signals hope for the future of a relationship, inspiring trust and a deep connection between partners.
In Work: Clarity and insight bring success. The Star indicates that inspiration and divine guidance will lead you towards the right path.
Spiritually: A card of spiritual renewal, the Star calls you to reconnect with your higher self and seek inspiration from the divine.
When ill-dignified: Delusion, disillusionment, loss of hope, or a feeling of being disconnected from your higher purpose. This warns against losing sight of your spiritual or personal goals.
12: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #3
Death signifies the inevitable conclusion of one cycle and the heralding of another. It's a powerful symbol of transformation, renewal, and the necessity of endings to foster new beginnings.
Symbolism: The skeletal figure with a scythe represents the impartial and unrelenting nature of time and change. The image of fallen bodies suggests the end of a phase, but the subtle floral designs interwoven with the scene offer hope, symbolising rebirth and the cyclical nature of existence. The golden background emphasises the universal truth of transformation and the inevitability of all life cycles.
In Relationships: This card suggests the end of an old emotional pattern or relationship, clearing the way for renewal. Let go of what no longer serves you to make space for new, healthier connections.
In Work: Death marks the close of one professional chapter. It's a time for endings, making way for new opportunities and growth. Embrace the transition instead of fearing it.
Spiritually: Death calls for a transformation, letting go of old beliefs or attachments. Spiritual rebirth requires an embrace of the unknown and a surrender to the cycles of existence.
When ill-dignified: Resistance to change, stagnation, and fear of letting go. This can manifest as clinging to the past or an inability to move forward, hindering growth.
13: Overall 3-way Relationship
Justice represents fairness, balance, and accountability. It signifies the importance of truth and the consequences of one's actions, urging you to act with integrity.
Symbolism: The seated figure holds a sword and scales, embodying fairness and the enforcement of law. The richly adorned gown and golden background highlight the divine and universal nature of justice, while the knight in the background underscores executive authority.
In Relationships: A need for honesty and balance. Justice may signal the resolution of conflicts or the importance of mutual respect.
In Work: Fair rewards for effort and accountability for mistakes. Justice encourages acting with integrity and taking responsibility.
Spiritually: Justice emphasises the law of karma and the importance of living a life aligned with truth and fairness.
When ill-dignified: Bias, dishonesty, or imbalance. It warns against unfair judgements or evading accountability.