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
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.
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 Knave of Staves represents youthful enthusiasm, exploration, and new beginnings. This card signifies a time of discovery and creative energy, where the world is seen with fresh eyes.
Symbolism: The Knave, holding a staff and standing confidently, embodies the spirit of adventure and curiosity. The lush green ground beneath their feet suggests new beginnings rooted in fertile possibilities, while their elaborate, dark robes signify maturity and depth despite their youth. The golden background emphasises their potential and promise.
In Relationships: A new, exciting chapter in your romantic life. The Knave of Staves suggests the beginning of a passionate connection or the rekindling of youthful excitement.
In Work: A time of learning and exploration in your professional life. The Knave of Staves indicates being on the verge of an exciting new venture or creative project.
Spiritually: The beginning of a new spiritual path or awakening. This card invites you to approach your spiritual journey with open-mindedness and enthusiasm.
When ill-dignified: Immaturity, impulsiveness, or lack of direction. This suggests you may be rushing into something without considering the consequences.
4: Person #1's view of #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.
5: Person #2'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.
6: Person #3'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.
7: Person #2's view of #1
The Three of Cups represents celebration, community, and joyful reunions. It speaks to the power of friendship, collaboration, and shared experiences. This card is often associated with a time of happiness and gathering, where emotional connections are strengthened.
Symbolism: The three chalices arranged with one on its side symbolise unity, community, and the strength of mutual support. The simple yet elegant design reflects harmony and shared joy among individuals. The card highlights the importance of celebration and connection in your emotional life.
In Relationships: Joyful celebrations, whether a reunion, an engagement, or sharing happy moments with a partner. It's a card of communal happiness and togetherness.
In Work: Successful collaborations or team efforts that lead to achievement. This card can also suggest celebrating your professional accomplishments with others.
Spiritually: A sense of spiritual community and shared experiences. The Three of Cups invites you to celebrate your spiritual growth with others and honour the joy of collective connection.
When ill-dignified: Overindulgence, exclusion from a group, or conflicts within a community. This card may warn against neglecting your emotional connections or becoming too focused on external celebrations.
8: Person #3's view of #2
The Seven of Coins represents patience, investment, and assessment. It signifies a time to step back and evaluate the progress of your efforts. This card emphasises the importance of patience and the need to wait for the fruits of your labour to manifest.
Symbolism: The irregular arrangement of the seven coins suggests growth, progress, and the anticipation of results. Their grouping represents the natural rhythm of growth, with some efforts taking longer to bear fruit than others.
In Relationships: Reflecting on the progress of a relationship and taking stock of where things are headed. The Seven of Coins encourages patience and careful assessment before making major decisions.
In Work: Evaluating your career progress and investments. This card advises you to assess the returns of your efforts, as growth may be gradual.
Spiritually: A time of spiritual assessment, where you evaluate your progress on your path. The Seven of Coins encourages patience and trust in the process.
When ill-dignified: Impatience, frustration, or lack of faith. The Seven of Coins warns against rushing or abandoning your efforts prematurely.
9: Person #1's view of #3
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.
10: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #2
The Ten of Cups represents emotional completion, harmony, and fulfilment. It signifies a time of lasting happiness, contentment, and the realisation of emotional dreams. This card speaks to family, love, and the joy of emotional unity.
Symbolism: The ten chalices arranged in two rows of five suggest a perfect balance and alignment of emotional forces. The detailed decoration of the cups emphasises the richness of emotional life and the culmination of desires fulfilled.
In Relationships: The achievement of emotional harmony and fulfilment in your relationships. The Ten of Cups signals lasting love, happiness, and emotional contentment.
In Work: A sense of emotional fulfilment in your professional life, especially in work that aligns with your values and passions.
Spiritually: Complete emotional and spiritual harmony. This card invites you to embrace the fulfilment of your soul's desires and live in emotional balance.
When ill-dignified: Emotional discontent, disharmony, over-indulgence, or a sense that things are not as perfect as they appear. The Ten of Cups warns against taking happiness for granted.
11: Overall relationship between persons #2 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.
12: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #3
The Eight of Swords represents restriction, feeling trapped, and mental entanglement. It suggests a period of limitation or confusion, where you may feel stuck or constrained by your circumstances or thoughts. This card points to the mental barriers you may have created for yourself.
Symbolism: The interwoven swords evoke a sense of entrapment or restriction, highlighting how mental or emotional limitations can keep you bound. The design suggests the situation may be self-imposed, and the way forward is through clarity of thought.
In Relationships: Feeling trapped or restricted. The Eight of Swords suggests you may feel mentally or emotionally stuck, but the path to freedom lies in confronting your fears or limiting beliefs.
In Work: Mental or professional restrictions that prevent progress. This card encourages you to evaluate the factors keeping you stuck and break free from limiting patterns.
Spiritually: Spiritual imprisonment or being trapped in limiting beliefs. The Eight of Swords calls for introspection to uncover ways you might be blocking your own spiritual growth.
When ill-dignified: Overthinking, fear, or paralysis. The Eight of Swords warns against remaining in situations where you are not truly trapped but are instead allowing yourself to feel helpless.
13: Overall 3-way Relationship
The Two of Coins signifies balance, adaptability, and juggling multiple responsibilities. It represents the need to find harmony between different areas of your life, such as work and home, or managing various projects. This card encourages you to be flexible and adaptable, finding ways to keep everything in motion.
Symbolism: The symmetrical placement of the coins highlights balance and duality. The harmonious design suggests that while there is a need to manage different aspects of life, it is possible to do so successfully with care and focus.
In Relationships: Balancing responsibilities. This card suggests you must strike a balance to maintain a stable and fulfilling partnership.
In Work: A time to juggle multiple roles or responsibilities at work. The Two of Coins advises flexibility and time management to ensure success.
Spiritually: Finding the balance between the material and spiritual aspects of life. The Two of Coins encourages you to integrate both into a cohesive whole.
When ill-dignified: Overwhelm, imbalance, or struggling to manage responsibilities. The Two of Coins warns against neglecting one area of life for another.