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 Four of Staves represents completion, stability, and celebration. It signifies a time of solid foundations, harmony, and joy in both personal and professional endeavours.
Symbolism: The four staves, arranged in a balanced, crossing pattern, suggest structure and completion. The subtle detailing reflects refinement and attention to detail, while the flowery backdrop emphasises the simplicity and elegance of the accomplishment. The card's composition signifies a time to celebrate what has been achieved and appreciate the stability now in place.
In Relationships: A time of stability and celebration within your relationship. The Four of Staves suggests harmony, engagement, or even marriage. It's a time to enjoy the fruits of shared efforts.
In Work: Achievement and recognition. This card signifies the completion of a project, a successful milestone, or the solidification of your professional position.
Spiritually: A sense of spiritual fulfilment and peace. The Four of Staves indicates that you are grounded in your spiritual journey, enjoying the harmony you've created within.
When ill-dignified: Complacency or an inability to move beyond the current structure. It may indicate the stability you've achieved has become stagnant, or you've lost sight of future growth.
2: Person #2
The Lovers represent choice and the uniting of opposites. It embodies the transformative power of love and the necessity of making meaningful decisions.
Symbolism: The young couple standing beneath Cupid symbolises connection and divine guidance in love. The formal Renaissance clothing and the golden background elevate their union to a sacred level, while the static composition emphasises balance and deliberate choice.
In Relationships: A powerful connection that unites hearts and souls. It may signify a new relationship or a pivotal choice in love.
In Work: A partnership or decision with far-reaching consequences. The Lovers encourage the alignment of values with your work.
Spiritually: The Lovers symbolise unity with your higher self and the harmonious integration of opposites.
When ill-dignified: Temptation, discord, or indecision. It warns against superficial connections or poor choices.
3: Person #3
The King of Coins signifies mastery of wealth, business, and material resources. He is a figure of authority and stability, using his intelligence and experience to build lasting wealth. This card speaks to leadership, responsibility, and achieving long-term financial success.
Symbolism: The King's commanding posture and golden robes reflect his mastery and authority in the material world. The coin he holds symbolises his wealth, and the background design speaks to the regal nature of his position.
In Relationships: A stable partner focused on creating long-term prosperity for their family. The King of Coins encourages a mature, responsible approach to relationships.
In Work: Mastery in your career or business, especially in financial management. The King of Coins represents achieving a position of leadership or success through wisdom and effort.
Spiritually: Mastery over your material world and the wisdom to balance it with your spiritual life. The King of Coins suggests stability and prosperity grounded in wisdom.
When ill-dignified: Materialism, greed, or a desire for control. The King of Coins warns against focusing only on wealth at the expense of relationships or spiritual growth.
4: Person #1's view of #2
The King of Staves represents authority, vision, and mastery. He is the embodiment of focused action, leadership, and the ability to direct energy towards a clear, long-term goal.
Symbolism: The King sits on his throne, holding his staff with dignity. His royal robes and crown symbolise his mastery and wisdom, while his composed expression suggests thoughtful decision-making. The repeating ornate pattern in the background reinforces the themes of structure, control, and power.
In Relationships: Leadership, vision, and maturity. The King of Staves represents a steady and visionary partner who provides guidance and stability.
In Work: Mastery of your craft and a clear vision for your future. The King encourages strategic leadership and long-term planning in your professional endeavours.
Spiritually: Mastery over your spiritual path. The King of Staves invites you to embody your inner wisdom and use it to lead others or further your own spiritual journey.
When ill-dignified: Dictatorship, narrow-mindedness, or rigid thinking. This card warns against becoming too controlling or focused only on your vision at the expense of others' needs.
5: Person #2's view of #3
The Chariot symbolises determination, willpower, and triumph through self-discipline. It represents the ability to move forward and achieve success by mastering conflicting forces.
Symbolism: The stationary horses reflect control rather than speed, while the charioteer's detailed attire and golden background emphasise victory and refinement. The calm pose suggests strength in discipline over chaos.
In Relationships: A time to take charge of your relationship's direction. The Chariot signals progress but warns against domination.
In Work: Triumph through focus and determination. It's a call to harness all resources and overcome obstacles confidently.
Spiritually: The Chariot encourages the mastery of inner conflicts to progress along the spiritual path.
When ill-dignified: Loss of direction, lack of control, or excessive force. It warns against being carried away by ambition or unchecked emotions.
6: Person #3's view of #1
The Eight of Staves represents speed, movement, and swift action. It signals rapid progress and the need to act suddenly to seize opportunities.
Symbolism: The eight staves arranged diagonally and flowing in two directions convey a strong sense of momentum and forward motion. The flowery pale tan background allows the focus to remain on the energy and speed represented by the staves, urging you to move quickly and decisively.
In Relationships: Rapid movement or sudden developments. This could indicate fast progress, new developments, or even a sudden romantic spark.
In Work: Swift action or an unexpected opportunity in your career. The Eight of Staves suggests now is the time to act quickly to capitalise on momentum and make the most of what comes your way.
Spiritually: Rapid spiritual growth or sudden insight. The Eight of Staves signals that clarity and enlightenment are on the horizon, and you must act swiftly to harness these energies.
When ill-dignified: Hastiness, impulsiveness, or lack of foresight. This warns against rushing into decisions or actions without considering the consequences.
7: Person #2's view of #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.
8: Person #3's view of #2
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.
9: Person #1's view of #3
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.
10: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #2
The Knight of Staves represents energy, action, and adventure. This card signifies someone who is driven, determined, and fearless in the pursuit of their goals.
Symbolism: The Knight riding a white horse, holding a staff, exudes power and motion. The horse's rearing pose conveys energy, while the knight's noble attire suggests refinement and authority. The background patterns reinforce the balance between dynamism and structure in his approach.
In Relationships: Boldness and action in your romantic life. The Knight of Staves signifies a passionate pursuit, whether the beginning of a thrilling romance or an energising reconnection.
In Work: Ambition, action, and boldness in your professional life. The Knight encourages you to take swift, passionate action towards your goals.
Spiritually: Rapid spiritual movement and growth. The Knight of Staves urges you to pursue your spiritual goals with energy, fearlessness, and determination.
When ill-dignified: Recklessness, impulsivity, or lack of thought. You may be moving too fast or charging ahead without considering the full implications of your actions.
11: Overall relationship between persons #2 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.
12: Overall relationship between persons #1 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.
13: Overall 3-way Relationship
The Five of Cups represents loss, grief, and emotional setbacks. It reflects mourning or disappointment where the focus is on what has been lost rather than what remains. This card is about emotional recovery and learning to move forward from past hurt.
Symbolism: The five chalices, with one on its side, suggest an imbalance or disruption in your emotional life. The card highlights the contrast between the four cups still standing and the spilled one, reminding you that in loss there is still something to salvage or learn from. The detailing of the cups reinforces the depth of emotional investment.
In Relationships: Emotional pain due to loss or disappointment. This card encourages processing grief and finding hope in what remains.
In Work: Setbacks or disappointment in your professional life. The Five of Cups reminds you to focus on the lessons learned and not just the losses incurred.
Spiritually: A time of mourning or spiritual disillusionment. This card invites you to heal from old wounds and rebuild your spiritual connection.
When ill-dignified: Despair, regret, or an inability to move past emotional pain. The Five of Cups warns against dwelling on the past and losing sight of new opportunities.