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
The 6 of Cups indicates adjustments in thoughts, attitudes, conditions, and the ability to transcend difficulties. Equilibrium. Balance. Sentimental values. A connection or reconnection to something in your past – either meeting an old acquaintance, pleasant memories of the past, perhaps even a message from someone you had lost contact with. New surroundings, new opportunities. Familiar surroundings viewed differently also bring new opportunities. Inheritances come in many forms on a daily basis.
* A manner of reading a reversal is to emphasise rather than a reversed meaning, an internal meaning relating more to one's inner self than indicating the outer world. Read the card with your inner context, what it says to you about your inner person.
2: Person #2
The Tower indicates your pond turning over, a major change. Resistance to change has already been torn down and renewal is at hand. It is indicated that the smoke is clearing on this your new playing field! False structures and beliefs are dramatically tumbling down! Tumbling down suddenly, violently, and all at once.
Grief may be present but be mindful not to re-hydrate old fears as they fall of their own accord. Breathe in the change. Enjoy and take in what remains first. You may have just dismissed single-mindedness!
No-one said this one's gonna be easy, but smile. This is you. . .only NEW!
3: Person #3
The Sun indicates who you really are but forgot when you entered life. Smiling, you reconcile opposites. You have your own inner light serving to illuminate the way on your path. This will always come and go like the Sun. Remember, though, even when it is gone, it is soon to return. . . .like the sun!
Visualise dawn and dusk. Note the marked difference between them, the powerful changes present between night and day, between day and night.
Here it is indicated that you meet your inner light in a way that moves you to shine more brightly with the truth of the purpose you feel. Shining brightly, feeling who you are, be refreshed both inside and out! The Sun card indicates that you will experience your own glory and respect what you have to offer. Honour and utilise your own gains, feel your pleasures, experience your triumphs. With your refreshed brightness enthusiastically reap your success!
This is a time where you are more visible, and your way feels bright.
* A manner of reading a reversal is to emphasise rather than a reversed meaning, an internal meaning relating more to one's inner self than indicating the outer world. Read the card with your inner context, what it says to you about your inner person.
4: Person #1's view of #2
The 4 of Swords indicates coming to fruition or the manifestation of an idea, along with a foundation or 'space' where things can grow.
Also indicated is a preparation time. Grow YOUR diamond in YOUR rough times. Here. . .never hurry, never rest. Pace. Enhance your preparedness without locking your muscles into play. Direct a calm flow.
5: Person #2's view of #3
The Devil indicates earthly desires rising in you. Mind that such feelings are nothing to fear, be ashamed of, or avoid so long as you are compassionate with yourself. Inhibitions can enslave as easily as excesses.
It is indicated that your expectations can be blind spots OR magical and invisible connections between things. It is also indicated to be mindful of your intensities. Your tethers are loose at this time. Don't let your intensities take you by surprise as you use the greater mobility.
Earthly desires can light you up and inspire you and make you feel great! Unrequited anything may be hurtful. Abolish your toxins of fear and you may very well feel the purity of your desires. Ambitions you have may be frightening and dangerous, but feel how they can be less frightening and dangerous than the subtle decay present if your hands are idle.
This is a strong time to start learning how it feels to be honest and alive inside and out!
6: Person #3's view of #1
The Empress indicates you carrying your ideas and projects to full term, abundantly bringing them to fruition. Feel the stability in the depth of your character as you orchestrate the crucial last gestures and finishing touches.
This is a wonderful time to fully bring things to life!
A creative or physical birth of some kind is indicated.
* A manner of reading a reversal is to emphasise rather than a reversed meaning, an internal meaning relating more to one's inner self than indicating the outer world. Read the card with your inner context, what it says to you about your inner person.
7: Person #2's view of #1
Sneaky. Devious. Sly. Stealth. Your troubles are hiding in plain sight. Underhanded, theft, robbery, unreliability, betrayal, spying, dishonour, deceit, suspicion. Mistrust. Look differently. Pause and expand outwardly. Take a day off in the middle of the week. Feel into your blind spots as they are actively deceiving you! Like the hand. Like the seventh sword. Feel the meditation of being able to hide in plain sight! You are OFF and THERE at one and the same time. Everywhere to be seen, and nowhere to be found.
Feel YOUR place. You may not be as exposed as you think. You MAY simply be in a place of creation or new place. Feel YOUR place, not your clever. The cards do not indicate your path, here. YOU DO!, with wonderful placement and awareness. Drop your stones. Your placement supersedes your trepidation. STAND and deliver!, from wherever you are IN A NEW WAY!. Silence is deliverance as well. Feel the contradiction. Feel your place in your multi-faceted context! Discern between the negativity of no-one noticing you vs the same thing indicating stealth.
8: Person #3's view of #2
The 7 of Pentacles indicates that the hard work has been done. It is time for quiet watchfulness, gestation, letting things develop. Tangible material success in some form is on its way.
Visualise wonderful outcomes and let them come as they may. Do not be attached to the outcomes. Be attached to being delightfully surprised. Use this time wisely by being actively invigorated!
9: Person #1's view of #3
The 4 of Cups indicates one's desires manifesting, good fortune, good luck. Enjoying the fruits of one's labours is indicated. Stagnation is a possibility. . .so is a continual attentive, patient, and present care to your enjoyment! Enjoy what you have made! Responsibility at this time is indicated to be thorough and inherent.
* A manner of reading a reversal is to emphasise rather than a reversed meaning, an internal meaning relating more to one's inner self than indicating the outer world. Read the card with your inner context, what it says to you about your inner person.
10: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #2
The knight of Wands indicates too great an emphasis on spiritual matters, thoughtless action, new and unfamiliar actions and feelings. The house cracked so to speak. . .hard to mend damage. . .or an awakening. Spiritual matters are indicated as being overly focused upon. . .or you are experiencing more spirit, adding / growing from your spiritual core rather than from / at the edges. A means of introspection is indicated. Your house is in some form of flux, transition, healing, renewal, awakening.
* A manner of reading a reversal is to emphasise rather than a reversed meaning, an internal meaning relating more to one's inner self than indicating the outer world. Read the card with your inner context, what it says to you about your inner person.
11: Overall relationship between persons #2 and #3
The 7 of wands indicates going in headlong, taking affirmative and decisive action, and succeeding. Success is indicated even when out-numbered or swamped by adversity.
* A manner of reading a reversal is to emphasise rather than a reversed meaning, an internal meaning relating more to one's inner self than indicating the outer world. Read the card with your inner context, what it says to you about your inner person.
12: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #3
The Queen of Wands indicates great power to attract what you want. Abundance of mind and body, a fire of life, expresses her. With a love of nature and home indicated, a practicality with money is also present. A life acumen inclusive of a strong and intensely enjoyable balance of business and pleasure reigns. This complete scenario, a vibrant and reflective mind-body-beautiful, has strong and wonderful emotional content to infuse life into every step.
There is strength in kindness and generosity. With the Queen of Wands, you are no sleeping tiger. More so you are a white tiger, awake and present and strong to the degree that there is nothing to prove, and though nothing may be new, you feel and see the original in everything. Your sense of smell may even attune your perception. Reasons are unreasonable here.
Visualise and feel the tiger's life. . .towing your life with the weight of your own body, grace and strength and passion are present and not petitioned. Rather than living your dream, your dream is the heartbeat of all your doings.
13: Overall 3-way Relationship
The 9 of Wands indicates that your preparation is complete. This is a pause, a commencement period before the first guests arrive. Sit back and breathe deep. Look into your distance and smile. A wonderful feeling of contentedness may fill your being. Ding-dong. Let the celebration begin!
* A manner of reading a reversal is to emphasise rather than a reversed meaning, an internal meaning relating more to one's inner self than indicating the outer world. Read the card with your inner context, what it says to you about your inner person.