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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1: Person #1
Interference (Jupiter in Gemini): Marked by the restless energy of Jupiter in Gemini, the Eight of Spades warns against the dangers of distraction and needless complexity. It speaks of interference—where attention to minutiae undermines the broader vision, leading to restrictions and unforeseen misfortunes. This card urges you to step back from over-analysis and focus on the larger picture, lest the clutter of details obscure your true objectives and sap your momentum.
2: Person #2
Power (Sun in Capricorn): Radiating with the commanding energy of the Sun in Capricorn, the Four of Diamonds symbolises earthly dominion and structured success. This card speaks to the attainment of power through established order, discipline, and skilled confrontation. It indicates that mastery over your environment is achievable through strategic control and authority—reminding you that the wise use of power can create stability and influence in the material realm.
Earthly power, dominion, law and order, material success, skill in confrontation.
3: Person #3
Science (Mercury in Aquarius): In the precise, methodical energy of Mercury in Aquarius, the Six of Spades represents the culmination of intellectual endeavours. This card heralds the successful alignment of thought, analysis, and innovative insight—where every faculty converges on a clear, singular truth. It symbolises that through reason and collective understanding, even the most challenging problems can be dissected and resolved, paving the way for progress grounded in rationality.
4: Person #1's view of #2
Pleasure (Sun in Scorpio): Radiating the warmth of the Sun filtered through the intense lens of Scorpio, the Six of Hearts signals a period of emotional contentment and the gentle emergence of satisfaction. It suggests that harmony is returning after a period of strife, paving the way for steady emotional growth. This card invites you to relish the simple joys of life and trust that glee awaits as you continue to nurture your inner world.
Natural harmony, satisfaction, beginnings of steady increase
5: Person #2's view of #3
Sagittarius: A man of action and expansive vision, he strides forward with unyielding generosity and an adventurous spirit. His pride and impetuosity propel him into leadership, yet his fiery nature reminds you to balance spontaneity with wisdom. He is the call to pursue your goals with both bold passion and reflective insight.
A man of action, generosity, pride, and impetuousness.
6: Person #3's view of #1
Indolence (Saturn in Pisces): Here, the Eight of Hearts reflects a state of emotional stagnation—a weariness that comes from either a deliberate renunciation of worldly pursuits or a surrender to melancholic inertia. Under Saturn's disciplined influence in Pisces, it signals a pause, a moment of introspection where success is abandoned or delayed. This card prompts you to assess whether you're disengaging from life out of necessary spiritual recalibration or simply succumbing to apathy, urging you to find the courage to reawaken your heart's ambitions.
Success abandoned, apathy, misery, transience, instability, a small victory. Sometimes means abandonment of materialistic pursuits in favour of the spiritual.
7: Person #2's view of #1
Oppression (Saturn in Sagittarius): The Ten of Clubs serves as a stark warning about the misuse of raw power. Under the heavy hand of Saturn in Sagittarius, this card represents energy turned destructive—brute force that suppresses growth and stifles creativity. It cautions against the potential for self-imposed or external repression, where ambition may devolve into cruelty or malice if not guided by wisdom and compassion. It urges you to seek balance and channel your fiery energy constructively, lest it become an instrument of oppression.
Lies, repression, cruelty, malice. The element of fire in its most destructive form.
8: Person #3's view of #2
Gemini: A dynamic master of communication and wit, he moves with agile energy and versatile skill. His clever mind and active nature drive him to explore multiple facets of any challenge, though his quicksilver approach can sometimes border on impetuosity. His presence inspires you to embrace duality—melding rapid thought with careful deliberation to achieve a well-rounded vision.
An active, skilful, witty, clever, fierce man.
9: Person #1's view of #3
The Root of Fire: This card bursts forth as the primal spark of creation, embodying raw, unbridled energy and the promise of new beginnings. It signals the moment when inspiration ignites—an invitation to harness your inner fire and pioneer fresh ventures. The Ace of Clubs encourages you to tap into that potent creative force and step into uncharted territory, trusting that the energy you release now will forge the path to future success.
Energy, natural force, strength, creation, invention, pioneer spirit, enterprise, source, beginning, birth.
10: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #2
Peace (Moon in Libra): In the delicate balance of the Two of Spades, contradictory qualities converge to form a fragile equilibrium. Influenced by the reflective Moon in Libra, this card speaks of reconciliation and the emergence of calm after strife. It suggests that true peace can arise from the integration of opposing forces—an eventual harmony where past conflicts settle into a state of bittersweet resolution and renewed understanding.
Pleasure after pain. Quarrel resolved.
11: Overall relationship between persons #2 and #3
Capricorn: The Queen of Diamonds exudes a grounded, nurturing power that is both practical and affectionate. Her influence is marked by a sense of duty and well-cultivated charm that brings warmth to even the most restrictive environments. She symbolises a person—or an energy—who combines the rigour of material success with kindness, nurturing the prosperity of those around her while maintaining a firm grasp on reality.
A practical, kind, domesticated, affectionate, charming woman
12: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #3
Taurus: The Jack of Diamonds embodies youthful practicality and a keen sense for the material world. Representing a person skilled in pragmatic affairs, he is dependable, resourceful, and attuned to the tangible aspects of life. This card may indicate a youthful figure—perhaps a messenger or a guide—who values stability and efficiency, yet may find himself at odds with more spiritual or abstract perspectives.
13: Overall 3-way Relationship
The Joker exudes playful disruption and unexpected vitality. It invites you to break free from the routine and consider that sometimes a sudden change can lead to new opportunities. It encourages a bold, creative stance—urging you to experiment with unconventional approaches and trust in the energy of spontaneity.
