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

Reversed
Symbolism:
The World depicts a powerful figure standing within a glowing circle of blood-red roses, symbolizing completion and unity. The four corners of the card feature elemental creatures: a bat, a wolf, a raven, and a serpent, representing balance and harmony among all forces. A starry night sky stretches infinitely behind the figure, while they hold a silver orb and a golden key, symbolizing mastery and fulfillment.

Meaning:
The World represents completion, fulfillment, and the achievement of long-term goals. It signifies harmony, wholeness, and the realization of your place in the greater tapestry of existence. This card often marks the end of a significant journey, celebrating your success and inviting you to share your gifts with others.

Reversed, the World suggests delays, unfinished business, or feelings of incompleteness. It may indicate the need to tie up loose ends before moving forward.

Keywords:
Reversed: Delays, lack of closure, incompletion, stagnation, unfinished business, imbalance.

2: Person #2

Symbolism:
The Hierophant stands in a candlelit crypt, robed in dark ceremonial attire. His face is obscured by a mask resembling a skull, emphasizing his role as a mediator between the living and the dead. In his hands, he holds an ancient grimoire, its pages glowing faintly as if infused with sacred knowledge. Behind him, shadowy figures bow in reverence, symbolizing tradition and the transfer of esoteric teachings.

Meaning:
The Hierophant represents tradition, spiritual guidance, and conformity to established systems of belief. He serves as a bridge between the divine and the mundane, reminding you to honor time-tested wisdom and moral values. This card often calls for introspection about your relationship with tradition and how it shapes your choices. It may also suggest seeking counsel or mentorship from someone with greater experience or spiritual authority.

Keywords:
Upright: Tradition, spiritual guidance, mentorship, morality, conformity, ritual, education.

3: Person #3

Symbolism:
The Devil is portrayed as a towering, horned figure shrouded in shadow, with glowing crimson eyes and skeletal bat wings. Chains dangle from its outstretched hands, tethered to two figures who appear entranced rather than distressed, symbolizing voluntary bondage. A fiery pit burns at its feet, while the moon above is obscured by dark clouds, representing ignorance and illusion. Behind the Devil, a cracked mirror reflects hidden desires and fears.

Meaning:
The Devil signifies temptation, materialism, and self-imposed limitations. It highlights the darker aspects of human nature, such as obsession, addiction, or unhealthy attachments. This card often serves as a wake-up call to recognize and confront these influences, reclaiming your power and freedom.

Keywords:
Upright: Temptation, bondage, addiction, materialism, obsession, illusion, control.

4: Person #1's view of #2

Symbolism:
The Hanged Man is shown suspended upside-down from a barren tree, his foot bound by a chain of silver. His expression is serene, as if willingly surrendering to his predicament. A pool of crimson liquid forms beneath him, reflecting a full moon, symbolizing surrender and the potential for transformation. Surrounding him, shadows twist into shapes of wings, hinting at the freedom that comes through letting go.

Meaning:
The Hanged Man represents surrender, perspective, and the need to pause. It encourages you to let go of control and view a situation from a different angle. This card often signals a period of waiting or self-sacrifice, where stepping back can lead to greater understanding or personal growth.

Keywords:
Upright: Surrender, perspective, pause, letting go, reflection, patience, transformation.

5: Person #2's view of #3

Reversed
Symbolism:
Death is depicted as a cloaked, skeletal figure riding a dark horse with glowing red eyes. In one hand, it wields a scythe, its blade glinting in the moonlight, while the other hand scatters withered petals onto the barren ground. The landscape around them is bleak, with twisted trees and ruins, but in the distance, the faint glow of dawn promises renewal. At the figure's feet, flowers begin to bloom amid the decay.

Meaning:
Death symbolizes transformation, endings, and the promise of new beginnings. It encourages you to release what no longer serves you, making way for growth and renewal. This card often marks a significant transition or the closure of a chapter in life, reminding you that every ending carries the seed of a new beginning.

Reversed, Death warns of resistance to change, fear of endings, or stagnation. It may suggest clinging to the past or delaying the inevitable.

Keywords:
Reversed: Resistance, fear of change, stagnation, clinging to the past, avoidance, inertia.

6: Person #3's view of #1

Reversed
Symbolism:
The Empress sits upon her throne, her presence commanding yet nurturing. She holds the Hand of Glory, a macabre artifact symbolizing her power to claim whatever she desires. Her surroundings are lush and fertile, with dark roses blooming amidst the decay—symbols of beauty and abundance arising from even the grimmest conditions. Her expression is one of calm authority, radiating life-giving energy.

Meaning:
The Empress represents creation, fertility, and the nurturing aspects of life. She signifies abundance and the ability to bring ideas, projects, or relationships to fruition. This card invites you to connect with your creative or maternal instincts and embrace the cycles of growth and renewal. It may also point to emotional or physical abundance and a celebration of life's pleasures.

Reversed, the Empress warns of stagnation, overbearing tendencies, or emotional imbalance. It may point to neglect, smothering, or difficulties in manifesting creativity.

Keywords:
Reversed: Stagnation, neglect, overbearing, creative block, emotional imbalance.

7: Person #2's view of #1

Symbolism:
The Lovers stand under a blood-red moon, their forms entwined yet distinct. One figure appears human, while the other is clearly vampiric, emphasizing the tension between attraction and duality. Between them, a single rose blooms, its petals tinged with crimson—a symbol of both love and sacrifice. In the background, a shadowy figure looms, hinting at the influence of external forces or choices yet to be made.

Meaning:
The Lovers symbolize connection, union, and the choices that shape our relationships and paths. This card often appears during moments of deep emotional connection or when a major decision requires alignment with your values and desires. It reminds you to consider the balance of give and take in relationships, whether romantic, platonic, or spiritual.

Keywords:
Upright: Love, connection, union, harmony, choice, alignment, trust, passion.

8: Person #3's view of #2

Symbolism:
Justice is depicted as a pale, vampiric figure holding a pair of scales in one hand and a blood-stained sword in the other. One side of the scale holds a black feather, while the other holds a human heart, symbolizing the balance between moral accountability and emotional truth. Her blindfold is sheer, hinting at impartiality tempered with insight. Behind her, a blood-red curtain reveals fragmented mirrors reflecting distorted truths.

Meaning:
Justice embodies fairness, truth, and accountability. She calls for honesty and objectivity in your actions and decisions, ensuring that you consider all perspectives before rendering judgment. This card often signals the need to weigh your choices carefully and to take responsibility for the consequences of past actions.

Keywords:
Upright: Fairness, truth, accountability, integrity, balance, objectivity, karma.

9: Person #1's view of #3

Symbolism:
The Moon is depicted as a blood-red orb casting an eerie glow over a desolate landscape. Two wolves—one dark and one light—howl at the moon, representing instinct and duality. A twisted, thorn-covered path winds between them, leading into a dense forest shrouded in mist. Shadows shift and twist unnaturally, suggesting the illusions and fears that dwell in the subconscious.

Meaning:
The Moon symbolizes intuition, dreams, and the realm of the subconscious. It warns of illusions, hidden truths, or fears clouding your judgment. This card encourages trusting your instincts and exploring your inner world to uncover what lies beneath the surface.

Keywords:
Upright: Intuition, dreams, subconscious, illusion, mystery, emotions, uncertainty.

10: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #2

Symbolism:
Strength is portrayed as a vampiric figure gently taming a feral wolf under the light of a crescent moon. The figure's touch is both commanding and tender, symbolizing the balance of power and compassion. The wolf, once a creature of wild aggression, now gazes at its tamer with loyalty and calm. Around them, thorny vines twist, a reminder of the challenges inherent in mastering one's inner beasts.

Meaning:
Strength embodies courage, inner power, and the triumph of compassion over brute force. It urges you to face challenges with patience and resilience, relying on your inner calm to overcome fear and adversity. This card often signals the need to master emotions, demonstrating that true strength lies in self-control and grace.

Keywords:
Upright: Inner strength, courage, resilience, patience, self-control, compassion, calm.

11: Overall relationship between persons #2 and #3

Symbolism:
The Tower is shown as a crumbling gothic spire, struck by lightning and engulfed in flames. Figures are seen falling from the heights, their faces contorted in shock and despair. The dark sky above swirls with storm clouds, while the ground below splits open, exposing molten lava. Amid the destruction, a single raven perches on the rubble, symbolizing the potential for renewal through upheaval.

Meaning:
The Tower represents sudden upheaval, revelation, and the breaking down of false structures. It signals a dramatic, often unexpected event that shakes the foundations of your life, forcing you to confront harsh truths. While challenging, this card ultimately clears the way for genuine growth and transformation.

Keywords:
Upright: Upheaval, revelation, chaos, destruction, truth, transformation, awakening.

12: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #3

Reversed
Symbolism:
The Emperor is a Nosferatu seated on a blood-soaked throne, gripping the Hand of Glory as his scepter of authority. His crimson cloak flows like a river of lifeblood, symbolizing his dominion over life and death. Behind him, a craggy fortress rises, representing stability and the structures of power. His stern, commanding gaze reinforces his role as a protector and enforcer of order.

Meaning:
The Emperor symbolizes authority, stability, and protection. He represents the need for structure and discipline to achieve goals and maintain order. As a figure of leadership, he encourages reason and conviction in decision-making. This card often indicates a time to take control of your environment or to rely on a strong, supportive figure for guidance.

Reversed, the Emperor warns of rigidity, tyranny, or a loss of control. It may signify struggles with authority, immaturity, or the misuse of power.

Keywords:
Reversed: Tyranny, rigidity, immaturity, chaos, rebellion, over-control.

13: Overall 3-way Relationship

Reversed
Symbolism:
The Magician is depicted as a Nosferatu vampire standing in a commanding pose, a sphere of influence hovering above his outstretched hand. This sphere glows with an otherworldly light, symbolizing his power to manipulate unseen forces. His posture exudes confidence, and the tools of his craft—representing the elements—are subtly embedded in the imagery, hinting at his mastery over earth, air, fire, and water. The shadows around him pulse with potential, representing untapped energy and possibility.

Meaning:
The Magician embodies willpower, creativity, and the ability to manifest one's desires. He is the ultimate initiator, reminding you that you have the power within to transform ideas into reality. This card urges action and focus, calling upon the seeker to harness their innate talents and take charge of their destiny. In situations requiring ingenuity or problem-solving, the Magician assures you that all the tools you need are at your disposal.

Reversed, this card warns of misuse of power, manipulation, or deceit. It may suggest self-doubt, a lack of clarity, or misguided actions that backfire due to overconfidence or ill intentions.

Keywords:
Reversed: Manipulation, deception, power misuse, lack of direction, overconfidence, self-doubt.