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 | ||
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3to1 |  |
Overall |  |
2to1 |  |
| 1+3 |  |
1to3 |  |
1to2 |  |
1+2 |
 |
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P#1 |  |
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||
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1: Person #1
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.
2: Person #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.
3: Person #3
The Ace of Swords symbolises mental clarity, new ideas, and breakthrough moments. It represents the power of the mind to cut through confusion and offer insight, truth, and understanding. This card marks a moment of intellectual clarity, a new beginning for thought processes, and the potential to solve problems or resolve conflicts through logic and sharp perception.
Symbolism: The solitary sword represents a decisive force, a sharp intellect cutting through the fog. The flowery background highlights the clarity that accompanies the realisation or epiphany. This card invites you to embrace your mental power and use it.
In Relationships: A breakthrough in communication or understanding in your relationship. This could signify a moment of honesty or intellectual connection that clears misunderstandings.
In Work: The arrival of new opportunities for intellectual growth or clarity in your professional life. It's a time to make decisions based on logic and rational thinking.
Spiritually: Spiritual clarity or a new insight into your path. The Ace of Swords encourages you to seek the truth in your spiritual journey, embracing the power of clear thought and discernment.
When ill-dignified: Confusion, dishonesty, or unclear thinking. The Ace of Swords warns against impulsive decisions or misinterpretations.
4: Person #1's view of #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.
5: Person #2's view of #3
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.
6: Person #3's view of #1
The Nine of Coins represents self-sufficiency, abundance, and material comfort. It signifies a time of enjoyment, where hard work has paid off, and you can enjoy the fruits of your labour. This card celebrates the pleasures of luxury, refinement, and personal achievement.
Symbolism: The stacked arrangement of nine coins reflects abundance and harmony. The stable design conveys accomplishment, stability, and satisfaction.
In Relationships: A relationship that is self-sufficient and fulfilling. The Nine of Coins suggests enjoying the fruits of love and mutual respect, with a sense of independence.
In Work: Financial success and personal achievement. This card represents enjoying the rewards of your hard work and attaining a comfortable, stable position in your career.
Spiritually: Fulfilment and the joy of having reached a place of peace and abundance in your spiritual journey.
When ill-dignified: Over-indulgence, isolation, or dependence. The Nine of Coins warns against relying too heavily on material comforts or becoming disconnected from others.
7: Person #2's view of #1
The Ten of Staves represents burden, responsibility, and the weight of obligations. It suggests a time when you may feel overwhelmed or overextended by the demands placed upon you.
Symbolism: The ten staves, tightly clustered, evoke the image of a heavy load or responsibility that is difficult to bear. The densely packed design highlights the weight and complexity of the situation, while the pale tan background provides a calm counterpoint to the intensity of the composition.
In Relationships: Being overburdened by responsibilities or feeling weighed down by obligations. This card may indicate that you're taking on too much, or the relationship is becoming a source of stress.
In Work: A period of overwhelming responsibility or pressure at work. The Ten of Staves advises you to assess whether you are spreading yourself too thin or neglecting self-care.
Spiritually: Feeling weighed down by obligations or spiritual duties. You may be carrying too much responsibility, making it difficult to find peace or progress.
When ill-dignified: Burnout, exhaustion, or an inability to delegate. This card warns against carrying too much on your shoulders without seeking help or finding balance.
8: Person #3's view of #2
The Popess signifies intuition, mystery, and hidden wisdom. She represents the need to look inward and trust one's inner voice while respecting the unknown and unseen.
Symbolism: Her veil and book symbolise the sacred mysteries she guards. The golden background elevates her presence, while her fancy robes reflect the complexity of her spiritual knowledge. Her composed demeanour conveys her role as a keeper of divine truths.
In Relationships: A time to trust your instincts. The Popess may suggest unspoken feelings or the need for patience.
In Work: Hidden opportunities or knowledge may come to light. Use intuition and discretion when making decisions.
Spiritually: A call to explore inner wisdom and the mysteries of life. Trust the subtle guidance of intuition.
When ill-dignified: Secrets, deception, or an overreliance on logic at the expense of intuition.
9: Person #1's view of #3
The Queen of Coins represents nurturing, abundance, and practical wisdom. She is a motherly figure who embodies warmth, security, and the ability to create a stable and prosperous environment for others. This card speaks to a balance of generosity, practicality, and a grounded approach to material wealth.
Symbolism: The Queen's regal yet nurturing posture, along with her detailed gown and the coin she holds, reflects her ability to create abundance through care, planning, and attention to detail. The golden tapestry symbolises wealth and elegance.
In Relationships: A loving, supportive partner who creates a warm, stable home. The Queen of Coins encourages a relationship rooted in care, nurturing, and shared prosperity.
In Work: A grounded, practical approach to career success. The Queen of Coins suggests using your skills to create financial security for yourself and others.
Spiritually: Spiritual abundance through nurturing practices. The Queen of Coins advises using your spiritual wisdom to care for yourself and others.
When ill-dignified: Over-protection, possessiveness, or neglecting your own needs for the sake of others. The Queen of Coins warns against being controlling or too focused on material wealth.
10: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #2
The Nine of Staves represents resilience, endurance, and standing firm against adversity. It symbolises the strength to keep going despite challenges or setbacks.
Symbolism: The nine staves crossing evoke the image of a protective barrier. The design reflects both endurance and vigilance, as each staff represents a test that has been overcome, yet the gaps remind you to stay aware. The pale tan background reinforces the card's quiet strength and perseverance.
In Relationships: Endurance and commitment through difficult times. The Nine of Staves suggests that, despite obstacles or struggles, you have the strength to maintain and protect the relationship.
In Work: Perseverance and resilience in your professional journey. This card suggests you may be nearing the end of a difficult period and are strong enough to push through.
Spiritually: The Nine of Staves reflects inner strength and resilience in your spiritual journey. You may face trials, but you possess the endurance to stay true to your path.
When ill-dignified: Exhaustion, defensiveness, or being overwhelmed. You may feel the burden of too much resistance, and it's time to evaluate whether you're pushing yourself too hard.
11: Overall relationship between persons #2 and #3
The Six of Coins represents generosity, charity, and balance in giving and receiving. It speaks to the flow of wealth, where resources are shared. This card emphasises the importance of fair exchange and the joy of helping others.
Symbolism: The even arrangement of the six coins suggests balance and fairness. The vertical alignment represents the flow of giving and receiving, highlighting harmony in financial or material exchanges.
In Relationships: A balanced relationship where both partners give and receive equally. The Six of Coins encourages acts of kindness, generosity, and mutual support.
In Work: Financial generosity or fair exchanges at work. This card suggests that assisting others can bring abundance and harmony into your career.
Spiritually: The spiritual law of giving and receiving. The Six of Coins encourages you to give freely, knowing that your actions will come back to you in time.
When ill-dignified: Imbalance in giving or receiving, manipulation, or exploitation. The Six of Coins warns against selfishness or using generosity to manipulate others.
12: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #3
The Ace of Coins symbolises new beginnings, prosperity, and material abundance. It represents the potential for success and growth, especially in financial or practical matters. This card speaks to opportunities that can lead to long-term stability and tangible rewards, laying the foundation for prosperity.
Symbolism: The coin represents a seed of potential, offering the promise of wealth, success, or material security. The subtle background allows the coin's design to take centre stage, highlighting the auspicious nature of this opportunity.
In Relationships: New beginnings or opportunities to build a secure and prosperous relationship. The Ace of Coins invites you to invest in a long-term, stable partnership.
In Work: A new opportunity for financial gain or career advancement. This is a time to focus on practical steps towards building a secure foundation.
Spiritually: A time to focus on manifesting your material and spiritual desires. The Ace of Coins calls for alignment between your physical and spiritual goals.
When ill-dignified: Missed opportunities, poor financial decisions, or a lack of effort to build towards long-term goals.
13: Overall 3-way Relationship
The Hermit symbolises introspection, solitude, and the search for wisdom. He represents the retreat from worldly distractions to find enlightenment within.
Symbolism: The Hermit's lantern lights the way, symbolising inner guidance. His heavy robes and staff reflect humility and steadfastness, while the muted tones and golden accents emphasise the sacred nature of his solitary journey.
In Relationships: A period of introspection. The Hermit may suggest a need for space or reflection before moving forward.
In Work: Time to step back and assess your goals. The Hermit advises seeking clarity and wisdom before making decisions.
Spiritually: The Hermit represents the inner search for truth and enlightenment through meditation and solitude.
When ill-dignified: Isolation, withdrawal, or a refusal to seek help. It warns against becoming too introspective or disconnected.