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 |
 |
 |
P#1 |  |
 |
||
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1: Person #1
Fire
Judgement is reserved for god. The Guardian Angel blows his trumpet. He has been sent to judge the man. This is true Judgement, all else is mere opinion. The earthling sheds all his earthly coverings and comes to naked truth. He has been X'ed out of this world. The wolf lies with the lamb.
Meaning:
Always means taking a new step. Leaving the past behind.
2: Person #2
2:00 – 4:00 Female
Libra
The Queen of Swords sits on the throne of heaven. The moon has eclipsed the sun, making for a strange overcast. The eclipse is a symbol of two that are one, a reference to the dual nature of Libra. The eclipse also represents her as a dominant female, overshadowing the male, and this is also apparent in her left hand. She represents clear perception and the pinnacle of thought. However, superficial attractiveness coupled with a lack of empathy makes her the most dangerous female in the deck.
Meaning:
A confident, gracious, just, perceptive, graceful, elegant woman.
When ill-dignified: A cruel, sly, deceitful, unreliable woman who uses charm as a weapon.
3: Person #3
Saturn in Taurus
Seven seals linked by the rainbow bridge descend enlightenment to the bull. Ignorant and arrogant, he blocks his own path. The darkness of his own delusions repels his gift from above, scattering the light.
Meaning:
Sloth, abandoned labour, hopes deceived, promises unfulfilled, disappointment. Great effort producing little gain.
When well-dignified: charity work for no profit, growth after delay.
4: Person #1's view of #2
Capricorn
The Devil is your opposite, <%custom1%>, your Anima or Animus, your Demonic Self. (s)He is your dark side and your inner child. The traits that we lack in our own selves causes us to seek completion in many of our relationships. Most of our earthly relationships are based on fulfilling this Devil inside of us. In certain people such as the very well-rounded or spiritually developed, this part of the personality may already be fulfilled. The children walk with The Devil hand in hand.
Meaning:
Temptation, obsession, impulsiveness, ambition, materialism, self-fulfilment, fate.
5: Person #2's view of #3
5:00 – 7:00 Male
Scorpio
The Prince of Cups rides a vapoury chariot of water. His draft animal is the eagle, but the scorpion is his familiar. His cup is represented by the trident of Neptune. He is receptive to outer influences, which he twists and manipulates to his own ends. He is a ruthless man of great ambition, but he moves in secrecy.
Meaning:
A man who moves in shadows, who ambitiously lusts for great wisdom and power. His calm appearance masks an ocean of passion.
When ill-dignified: a merciless man of insatiable ambition.
6: Person #3's view of #1
Cancer
Your soul is like the driver and your body is the vehicle for your personal exploration of the universe.
Meaning:
The charioteer is a link in a chain of command. Exploration of the universe, obedience, hope, triumph.
When ill-dignified: status-quo maintenance muscle.
7: Person #2's view of #1
5:00 – 7:00 Female
Cancer
The Queen of Cups sits on a waterfall throne in front of a cave. In her right hand she holds a lotus and in her left she holds a silver cup. On her crown is a crab, a symbol of Cancer. In the background is a dark canyon and in the foreground her reflection is visible in the water. She represents the most passive and receptive type of person.
Meaning:
A dreamy, imaginative, tranquil, poetic, and extremely receptive woman. Generous, yet not overly hospitable. She is very dependent on the neighbour cards in determining dignification.
8: Person #3's view of #2
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
9: Person #1's view of #3
A voluptuous young woman stands in an Autumn forest, plunging her sceptre into the earth, symbolising the union of masculine and feminine energy. Underground, her sceptre evolves into a diamond. She wears the skull of a ram and a coat of wool. Her disk is the yin-yang inside of a rose with golden petals. Represented here is the eternally pregnant spirit of the earth.
Meaning:
A generous, kind, caring young woman.
When ill-dignified: a wasteful young woman out of touch with reality, at war with herself.
10: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #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.
11: Overall relationship between persons #2 and #3
Virgo
Solitary time. Father Time retreats from society to be alone. The mirror represents reflection and inner self-discovery. Cerberus follows the lantern as the Hermit enlightens his dark side. Turned sideways, the hourglass represents a moment of timelessness, and at this juncture the Hermit realises the nature of eternity.
Meaning:
Divine inspiration, wisdom, finding one's guiding light, a period of time being out of touch with society, circumspection, self-knowledge.
When ill-dignified: loneliness, despair, loss of sanity, paranoia.
12: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #3
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.
13: Overall 3-way Relationship
Sun in Capricorn
The disks have become square. At this phase revolution of the disks is undesirable. The fortress shows law and order. Earthly power and authority have been established.
Meaning:
Earthly power, dominion, law and order, material success, skill in confrontation. Also, fortress, shelter, defence, home.
When ill-dignified: Prejudice, envy, suspicion.
