# Holy triangle

Getting started · 3 positions

Holy triangle uses 3 positions to examine cause, current situation and conditional development. Each position has a distinct role; read it together with the complete card meaning.

Numbers identify positions; the reading sequence is explained below. Other versions may assign different roles.

Practice deck: all 78 RWS cards

## Version and dealing convention

Positions 2 and 3 are above, and 1 is below: past, present and possible future. The straight time-arrow layout uses the same roles. With Major Arcana, the exercise selects absolute shuffled-deck positions 7, 14 and 21; with Minor Arcana or the full deck it draws three cards consecutively.

## A question to try

What can I examine about cause, current situation and conditional development?

## Before you draw

- Write one open question and define its scope. Keep factual questions separate from symbolic reflection.

- Choose the position order and decide whether to include reversals before drawing.

- Read each card in its role, then compare the positions. Note uncertainty and one practical next question.

## Position guide

### 1. Past: the cause

This position explores “Past: the cause”. Compare the card’s theme with known circumstances, and note what you still need to check.

### 2. Present: current situation

This position explores “Present: current situation”. Compare the card’s theme with known circumstances, and note what you still need to check.

### 3. Future: possible development

This position explores “Future: possible development”. Compare the card’s theme with known circumstances, and note what you still need to check.

## How to connect the positions

Reading sequence (read grouped roles together as explained below): 1 → 2 → 3

Read 1, 2 and 3 as a causal sequence. The triangular layout and the straight timeline share these three roles in this version; define the time frame before drawing.

## What to watch for

A symbolic reading cannot verify hidden facts or make an outcome certain. Keep observations separate from assumptions and revisit the interpretation when circumstances change.

## Cards to explore alongside this spread

[The Hermit ↗](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/cards/hermit/)[Justice ↗](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/cards/justice/)[The Star ↗](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/cards/star/)
[Study guide →](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/study-guide/)

## Explore another structure

[Reading layout · Getting started · 3 positions

### Past, present and possible direction

A three-card timeline for examining how a situation developed and which current conditions may shape its next stage.

↗](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/spreads/three-card/)[Reading layout · Exploring a problem · 4 positions

### Core question spread

Four positions separate the central issue, a difficulty, a response and an available resource. Useful when a question has become tangled.

↗](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/spreads/core-question/)