Love Tarot Spreads

Tarot for love is tricky because emotions make us delusional. When you're crushing hard or heartbroken, you want the cards to tell you what you want to hear. But here's the thing: tarot works best when you're willing to hear the truth—even if it's not the fairy tale you're hoping for. **The right questions vs. the wrong questions:** **Wrong:** "Will they text me back?" **Right:** "What do I need to know about this connection?" **Wrong:** "Are they my soulmate?" **Right:** "What is this relationship here to teach me?" **Wrong:** "When will I meet my person?" **Right:** "What's blocking me from attracting healthy love?" See the difference? The first set of questions gives your power to someone else. The second set returns power to you. Tarot isn't a magic 8-ball—it's a mirror. It shows you what you already know but haven't fully accepted yet. **Tarot boundaries for love readings:** — Pull for yourself max once a week on the same question (otherwise you're obsessing) — Don't pull on someone who doesn't consent to being read (it's invasive) — If the cards keep saying the same thing, listen instead of re-pulling until you get a "better" answer — Use tarot for insight, not prediction—you still have free will — If a reading makes you spiral, step away from the cards and talk to a friend or therapist Love tarot is powerful when you use it for self-awareness. It's toxic when you use it to control outcomes or stalk someone energetically.

Use this spread to get an honest assessment of where your relationship actually is—not where you wish it was. **7-card spread layout:** 1. **Current State** — The vibe of the relationship right now 2. **Your Energy** — What you're bringing to the relationship 3. **Their Energy** — What they're bringing to the relationship 4. **Strengths** — What's working between you 5. **Challenges** — What needs attention or healing 6. **External Influences** — Outside factors affecting the relationship 7. **Potential Outcome** — Where this is heading if nothing changes **How to read it:** Start with card 1 to get the overall vibe. Is it positive, neutral, or struggling? Look at cards 2 and 3 together—are you both showing up equally? Is one person carrying the relationship? Is there balance? Card 4 (Strengths) shows what to lean into. If you pull The Lovers, deep compatibility is there. If you pull Three of Cups, friendship and joy are your foundation. Card 5 (Challenges) is the most important card. This is what's actually causing friction. Don't ignore it. If you pull Five of Swords, communication is toxic. If you pull The Devil, codependency or unhealthy patterns need addressing. Card 6 (External Influences) shows what's outside your control—family opinions, work stress, exes, distance, etc. Acknowledge these factors but don't let them become excuses. Card 7 (Outcome) is NOT fixed fate—it's where things are headed IF you continue on the current path. If you don't like the outcome, use the other cards to see what needs to change. **Example reading:** 1. Current State: Five of Cups (dwelling on what's wrong, disappointment) 2. Your Energy: Queen of Swords (emotionally detached, guarded, intellectualizing) 3. Their Energy: Knight of Wands (distracted, inconsistent, chasing excitement elsewhere) 4. Strengths: Two of Cups (genuine connection underneath the issues) 5. Challenges: Seven of Swords (dishonesty, avoidance, someone's not being real) 6. External Influences: Ten of Wands (both overwhelmed with life responsibilities) 7. Outcome: The Tower (if nothing changes, this ends suddenly and dramatically) **Interpretation:** There's real connection (Two of Cups) but both people are checked out—you're guarding your heart (Queen of Swords), they're looking elsewhere (Knight of Wands), and someone's being dishonest (Seven of Swords). The stress of life (Ten of Wands) is making it worse. If this continues, the relationship will implode (The Tower). The fix? Get real with each other, address the dishonesty, and decide if you're both willing to show up fully—or walk away cleanly.

Use this when you're genuinely torn about whether to stay in a relationship or leave. This spread doesn't make the decision for you—it gives you clarity so you can decide. **6-card spread layout:** 1. **If I Stay** — What staying looks like 2. **If I Leave** — What leaving looks like 3. **What I Gain by Staying** — Benefits of staying 4. **What I Lose by Staying** — Costs of staying 5. **What I Gain by Leaving** — Benefits of leaving 6. **What I Lose by Leaving** — Costs of leaving **How to read it:** This spread shows you both paths clearly. Neither path is "right" or "wrong"—the cards just show you the likely reality of each choice. Cards 1 and 2 show the overall vibe of each path. Staying might bring stability (Four of Wands) or stagnation (Four of Cups). Leaving might bring freedom (The Fool) or loneliness (Five of Cups). Cards 3-6 show the trade-offs. Every choice has gains and losses. The question is: which set of gains and losses aligns with your values and growth? **Example reading:** 1. If I Stay: Four of Cups (boredom, emotional numbness, complacency) 2. If I Leave: Eight of Swords (fear, feeling trapped by your own mind, anxiety) 3. Gain by Staying: Ten of Pentacles (financial security, stability, family approval) 4. Lose by Staying: The Star (hope, inspiration, belief in something better) 5. Gain by Leaving: The Fool (freedom, new beginnings, adventure) 6. Lose by Leaving: Six of Pentacles (financial support, generosity, partnership resources) **Interpretation:** Staying brings security and stability (Ten of Pentacles) but kills your hope and inspiration (The Star). You'll be comfortable but emotionally numb (Four of Cups). Leaving brings freedom and new beginnings (The Fool) but you'll lose financial stability and support (Six of Pentacles), and you'll battle fear and self-doubt (Eight of Swords). Neither option is easy. But the question becomes: What do you value more—security or hope? Comfort or growth? Only you can decide that.

Use this when you're starting to date someone new and want to understand the potential and pitfalls early. **5-card spread layout:** 1. **The Foundation** — What this connection is built on 2. **What They See in You** — How they perceive you 3. **What You See in Them** — How you perceive them 4. **Potential** — What this could become 5. **Warning** — What to watch out for **How to read it:** Card 1 (Foundation) shows what's actually bringing you together. Is it genuine attraction (The Lovers)? Shared goals (Three of Pentacles)? Or just loneliness and timing (Two of Cups reversed)? Cards 2 and 3 show if you're seeing each other clearly or if projections are at play. If they see you as Queen of Wands (confident, magnetic) but you see yourself as The Hermit (withdrawn, introspective), there's a disconnect. Card 4 (Potential) shows what's possible IF both people are emotionally available and willing to do the work. This isn't guaranteed—it's just the highest potential. Card 5 (Warning) is the card you ignore at your own risk. If you pull The Devil, codependency or addiction is a risk. If you pull Seven of Swords, someone's not being fully honest. If you pull Five of Pentacles, financial or stability issues will strain things. Don't ignore this card. **Example reading:** 1. Foundation: Ace of Cups (new emotional beginning, genuine feelings, openness) 2. What They See: The Empress (nurturing, beautiful, abundant, feminine energy) 3. What You See: The Magician (skilled, confident, resourceful, has their shit together) 4. Potential: Ten of Cups (emotional fulfillment, long-term happiness, partnership) 5. Warning: Knight of Wands (moves too fast, gets bored easily, inconsistent follow-through) **Interpretation:** The foundation is solid—there are real feelings here (Ace of Cups). They see you as nurturing and beautiful (The Empress), you see them as capable and together (The Magician). The potential for long-term happiness is real (Ten of Cups). BUT—they might move too fast, lose interest, or be inconsistent (Knight of Wands). Pace yourself, set boundaries, and watch for flakiness. If they can't match your emotional investment, walk away early.

Before you can attract healthy love, you need to love yourself. This spread helps you assess where you're at with self-love and what needs attention. **6-card spread layout:** 1. **How I Currently See Myself** — Your self-perception 2. **What I'm Doing Well** — Where you're already loving yourself 3. **Where I'm Abandoning Myself** — Where you're betraying your needs 4. **What I Need to Release** — Beliefs or patterns to let go of 5. **What I Need to Embrace** — Qualities or practices to develop 6. **My Self-Love Affirmation** — The energy to embody **How to read it:** Card 1 shows your current relationship with yourself. Is it critical (Five of Pentacles, The Devil)? Confident (The Sun, Strength)? Confused (Seven of Cups)? Card 2 reminds you of what you're already doing right. Celebrate it. If you pull The Star, you're keeping hope alive. If you pull Six of Pentacles, you're generous and giving (even to yourself). Card 3 is the most uncomfortable but most important card. Where are you betraying yourself? Ignoring your needs? Settling? People-pleasing? If you pull Nine of Swords, you're torturing yourself with anxiety instead of resting. If you pull The Hanged Man, you're sacrificing too much. Cards 4 and 5 show the path forward: what to release and what to embrace. If card 4 is The Tower, release the need for control. If card 5 is The Empress, embrace self-care and nurturing. Card 6 becomes your daily affirmation. If you pull Strength, your affirmation is "I am gentle with myself and courageously authentic." If you pull The Star, it's "I trust that I am healing and worthy of hope." **Example reading:** 1. How I See Myself: Five of Pentacles (unworthy, lacking, left out in the cold) 2. What I'm Doing Well: The Hermit (taking time alone, doing inner work, setting boundaries) 3. Abandoning Myself: Two of Swords (avoiding hard truths, refusing to make necessary decisions) 4. Need to Release: The Devil (codependency, addiction to validation, toxic attachments) 5. Need to Embrace: The Empress (self-care, abundance mindset, worthiness) 6. Affirmation: Strength (I am gentle with myself and I am enough as I am) **Interpretation:** You're seeing yourself as unworthy and lacking (Five of Pentacles), but you're actually doing good work by taking time alone and setting boundaries (The Hermit). The problem? You're avoiding hard decisions (Two of Swords) and still seeking external validation or clinging to toxic connections (The Devil). You need to release that codependency and embrace self-care, worthiness, and the belief that you are already abundant (The Empress). Your daily practice: "I am gentle with myself and I am enough as I am" (Strength).

Use this after a breakup to process, heal, and integrate the lessons before moving on. **7-card spread layout:** 1. **What This Relationship Taught Me** — The lesson 2. **What I'm Grieving** — What I'm mourning or missing 3. **What I'm Grateful For** — What this relationship gave me 4. **What I Need to Forgive** — What to let go of (in them or yourself) 5. **What I'm Taking With Me** — Skills, growth, or wisdom gained 6. **What I'm Leaving Behind** — Patterns or beliefs to release 7. **How I Move Forward** — Guidance for healing and next steps **How to read it:** This spread isn't about getting them back. It's about closure and integration. Card 1 (Lesson) shows why this relationship happened. Even painful relationships teach you something. If you pull The Tower, you learned that unstable foundations can't last. If you pull The Hanged Man, you learned to let go and surrender. Card 2 (Grieving) validates your pain. It's okay to miss them or mourn what could have been. Don't skip this step. Card 3 (Gratitude) helps you see the good even in the pain. Maybe they taught you what you don't want. Maybe they showed you your capacity to love deeply. Find the gift. Card 4 (Forgiveness) is where you release resentment. This doesn't mean excusing bad behavior—it means freeing yourself from the emotional weight of holding onto anger. Cards 5 and 6 show what you carry forward and what you leave behind. Take the growth. Leave the patterns. Card 7 (Moving Forward) is your next step. If you pull The Star, it's time to hope again. If you pull The Hermit, it's time to be alone and heal. Trust the guidance. **Example reading:** 1. Taught Me: The Fool (to trust myself and take risks despite fear) 2. Grieving: Ten of Cups (the dream of a happy partnership, the future I imagined) 3. Grateful For: Ace of Cups (they showed me I can love deeply and open my heart) 4. Need to Forgive: Seven of Swords (their dishonesty, my ignoring red flags) 5. Taking With Me: Strength (resilience, self-compassion, the ability to survive heartbreak) 6. Leaving Behind: The Devil (codependency, losing myself in relationships) 7. Moving Forward: The Hermit (spend time alone, heal, get to know yourself again) **Interpretation:** This relationship taught you to be brave and trust yourself (The Fool). You're mourning the future you imagined together (Ten of Cups), but you're grateful that they showed you your capacity for deep love (Ace of Cups). You need to forgive their dishonesty and your own denial (Seven of Swords). You're taking resilience and self-compassion forward (Strength) and leaving behind the pattern of losing yourself in relationships (The Devil). Your next step is solitude and healing (The Hermit)—not dating again yet. Honor that.