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
11:00 – 1:00 Female
Aries
The Queen of Wands sits on a throne of flames. She holds a torch in her left hand and grasps the horn of a white ram in her right hand. The ram's eyes glare forward, but her eyes are closed, with a look of contentment on her face. She represents a strong figure of feminine authority with a laid-back attitude.
Meaning:
A calm attractive woman. Strength relaxed. Persistent, adaptive, but intolerant of opposition.
When ill-dignified: a vengeful, domineering woman with an itchy trigger finger.
2: Person #2
Jupiter in Leo
This card represents energy in its most balanced and powerful state. Six snake-rods are crossed with nine flames burning at the joints. This represents the male energy being reflected by the female in a state of perfect harmony and balance.
Meaning:
Triumph after strife. Success and gain, good news, expectations fulfilled.
When ill-dignified: excessive pride and insolence.
3: Person #3
Venus in Aries
The process has now taken shape. Four opposite deities have come together to establish order in the form of a new understanding of the universe.
Meaning:
Solidification of a work. Conclusions drawn from previous knowledge. Harmony. Rest after completion of a work. A goal fulfilled.
When ill-dignified: haste makes waste
4: Person #1's view of #2
11:00 – 1:00 Male
Leo
The Prince of Wands rides a chariot of fire pulled by a lion. In his right hand he bears the phoenix wand, a symbol of power and authority. Just as air fuels the fire, expansion is his nature.
Meaning:
A young man, just, noble, generous, impulsive, humorous, strong.
When ill-dignified: Brash, proud, prejudiced, intolerant, cruel.
5: Person #2's view of #3
Mercury
The Magician stands on the mountain commanding the forces to obey his will.
Meaning:
Drive, willpower, skill, wisdom, craft, cunning, messages, business, creativity, wit, initiative, self-discipline. Sometimes occult wisdom or power.
When ill-dignified: knowledge interfering with the objective of the matter.
6: Person #3's view of #1
Venus in Scorpio
Seven copper cups in the shape of a septagram overflow with the oil of gladness, pleasure taken once again to excess. The star of Babylon is a symbol of whoredom.
Meaning:
Loss or lack of moral values. Deception, shameless indulgence, lust, fornication, intoxication, delusion, promises unfulfilled.
7: Person #2's view of #1
Aries
The king of the world represents power, authority, and male vitality. The ruler sitting on his throne bears the male symbols of earthly authority. The lamb at his feet represents not only the sheepishness of his servants, but the self-sacrifice required of a great leader.
Meaning:
Ambition, conquest, originality, leadership, stability, realisation, power, fortitude, powerful man, authority, conviction.
Ill-dignified: bad temper, counterproductive pride, rashness, even megalomania.
8: Person #3's view of #2
Saturn in Libra
Two swords are crossed with a short sword connecting them into the form of a triangle. The upside-down pyramid symbolises a creation gone wrong. A deep storm is brewing in the background.
Meaning:
Melancholy, disruption, discord, delay, separation, trouble, remorse, rupture, dispersion, removal, division.
When well-dignified: faithfulness and honesty in love and commerce.
9: Person #1's view of #3
The Root of Fire
This is the initial spark without which there is no fire. It represents the spiritual aspect of energy and vitality at its initial manifestation.
Meaning:
Energy, natural force, strength, creation, invention, pioneer spirit, enterprise, source, beginning, birth.
10: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #2
Saturn in Pisces
Eight cups stand on a bed of mud where the water receded. Dark clouds have rolled in to overcast the pale-yellow sky. Half of the cups have been spilled. This is the morning after.
Meaning:
Success abandoned, apathy, misery, transience, instability, a small victory. Sometimes means abandonment of materialistic pursuits in favour of the spiritual.
11: Overall relationship between persons #2 and #3
Leo
Also known as Lust or Strength. The carnal experience. The whore rides the great beast of the apocalypse. She knows one way to tame the beast.
Meaning:
Strength, courage, energy, control of vital forces, resorting to magic, love affair.
12: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #3
Jupiter in Gemini
Two swords of one kind have gone on a power trip over six swords of different kinds. They have interfered with the natural chaos in establishing order.
Meaning:
Waste of energy in attention to details at the expense of the big picture. Restriction. Bad news, sickness, crisis, censure, distress, hardship, misfortune.
13: Overall 3-way Relationship
Mercury in Aquarius
Six swords in the form of a hexagram converge in the centre of the rose cross. There is wisdom in the symbolism of this card, a multifaceted intellect that goes straight to the heart.
Meaning:
A goal realised.
When ill-dignified: selfishness, conceit, intellectual pride.
