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
The Root of Earth: This card heralds the spark of material existence—a seed of contentment and the promise of success. The Ace of Diamonds invites you to harness the energies of the physical world, celebrating the genesis of creative endeavours that manifest into real-world achievements. It suggests that now is the moment to establish a solid foundation for future prosperity, embracing both resourcefulness and grounded ambition.
Materialistic concerns, contentment, earthly power and success.
2: Person #2
Strife (Saturn in Leo): The Five of Clubs confronts you with the inevitable friction that accompanies any great endeavour. Under the stern influence of Saturn in Leo, this card signals conflicts—be they internal struggles, competitive battles, or clashes of will—that test your resolve. It serves as a reminder that growth often comes through adversity. It challenges you to confront your obstacles with discipline and fortitude, transforming strife into a catalyst for personal evolution.
Struggle, competition, opposition, violence, quarrelling, lust and carnal desire.
3: Person #3
Victory (Jupiter in Leo): After the trials of conflict comes the sweet taste of victory. The Six of Clubs, buoyed by the expansive energy of Jupiter in Leo, heralds triumph and the fulfilment of long-held aspirations. It suggests that your perseverance has set the stage for success and that good news is on the horizon. This card encourages you to embrace your achievements with generosity and let your victorious spirit uplift those around you.
Success, gain, good news, expectations fulfilled.
4: Person #1's view of #2
Defeat (Venus in Aquarius): The Five of Spades embodies the sting of loss and the undercurrents of malice that can fracture resolve. With Venus in Aquarius tinting its energy, this card reflects moments of weakness and spite—times when external pressures and internal conflicts sap your strength. It cautions that defeat might be a necessary, though painful, lesson, urging you to recognise vulnerability as a stepping stone towards reclaiming dignity and reasserting your personal integrity.
Weakness, loss, spite, malice, trouble, dishonour, anxiety. A driver of wedges.
5: Person #2's view of #3
Success (Moon in Taurus): Under the nurturing glow of the Moon in Taurus, the Six of Diamonds is a celebration of material achievement and generous influence. This card reflects not only financial gain but also the nobility that comes from sharing success with others—be it through philanthropy, leadership, or personal integrity. It invites you to recognise and build upon your accomplishments, transforming tangible rewards into legacies of prosperity and goodwill.
Material success and gain. Influence, philanthropy, nobility.
6: Person #3's view of #1
Strength (Moon in Sagittarius): Quiet yet undeniable, the Nine of Clubs speaks of deep-seated resilience and the lasting power of inner strength. Influenced by the reflective Moon in Sagittarius, it underscores the importance of healing, recovery, and the persistence required to rise after setbacks. This card invites you to draw on the strength that comes from within—trust that your capacity for renewal will enable you to transform adversity into a source of power and stability.
Great strength, tremendous force, recovery, health, power, triumph. Change is stability.
7: Person #2's view of #1
Disappointment (Mars in Scorpio): Turbulent waters mark the Five of Hearts—a card that speaks to the pain of unfulfilled expectations and the sting of betrayal. Its energy, charged by Mars in Scorpio, often manifests as intense grief, regret, or the aftermath of a broken bond. It serves as a sombre reminder that emotional setbacks are part of the transformative process, urging you to confront and heal your wounds so new growth may eventually emerge.
Grief, misfortune, sadness, regret, loss, treachery, bitterness, frustration, bad marriage, expectations unfulfilled.
8: Person #3's view of #2
Failure (Saturn in Taurus): Saturn in Taurus casts a sobering light on the Seven of Diamonds, which speaks to the perils of wasted effort and unfulfilled promises. This card reflects moments when hard work yields little gain, or when hopes are dashed by unforeseen obstacles. It urges you to reassess your strategies, learn from setbacks, and recognise that even failure carries the seeds of wisdom—encouraging you to recalibrate your approach for more fruitful outcomes.
Sloth, abandoned labour, hopes deceived, promises unfulfilled, disappointment.
9: Person #1's view of #3
Futility (Moon in Aquarius): The Seven of Spades carries the haunting echo of battles fought in vain. Under the enigmatic Moon in Aquarius, it reveals the sense of exhaustion that arises when energy is expended on endeavours destined to yield only partial or delayed victories. This card serves as a reminder to assess whether continued struggle is worth the cost, or if redirecting your efforts might lead to a more meaningful, albeit different, path to success.
10: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #2
Debauch (Venus in Scorpio): The Seven of Hearts warns of the dangers of unbridled passion when it tips into excess. With Venus in Scorpio intensifying its energy, this card highlights a descent into moral ambiguity—where the allure of indulgence may lead to deception and loss of integrity. It calls for reflection on your desires, encouraging you to cultivate a balance between passion and ethical grounding, lest you become entangled in fleeting, self-destructive pursuits.
Deception, shameless indulgence, lust, fornication, intoxication, delusion, promises unfulfilled.
11: Overall relationship between persons #2 and #3
Abundance (Mercury in Cancer): Overflowing with the energy of creative fertility, the Three of Hearts celebrates the fullness of life. It speaks of bountiful emotional riches, the nurturing of relationships, and the joy found in shared kindness and hospitality. This card encourages you to embrace generosity and allow your heart to be a wellspring of inspiration, fostering growth and fulfilment in both personal and communal realms.
Fulfilment, conclusion, plenty, fertility, hospitality, kindness, creation.
12: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #3
Prudence (Sun in Virgo): Guided by the precise and diligent energy of the Sun in Virgo, the Eight of Diamonds champions the virtues of careful planning and industrious management. This card is a call to exercise prudence in all material endeavours—whether through agriculture, construction, or financial planning. It reminds you that success is often the result of meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to building your dreams step by step.
Industriousness, agriculture, building, construction, intelligence in material affairs.
13: Overall 3-way Relationship
Aquarius: A brilliant and restless intellect, this figure thrives on innovative ideas and a stream of ever-changing thoughts. Clever yet unpredictable, he often abandons one notion as quickly as it appears in favour of the next. In your reading, he challenges you to harness your creative mind while seeking consistency and depth—transforming fleeting inspirations into purposeful action.
