Celtic Cross Spread

Celtic Cross

 

 

Difficulty: Average

This is probably the most well-known tarot spread. A good, basic spread for beginners to practise with, the Celtic Cross is useful for questions of all types. In this spread, it can be helpful to notice the relationships between the pairings of cards #5 & #9, #1 & #2, #3 & #4, and #6 & #10.

  1. The significator epitomizes what the reading deals with, the initial situation.
  2. An added impulse that compounds the significator, which may be either complimentary or contradictory.
  3. This is what is consciously known (thoughts).
  4. Unconscious driving forces that may not be known fully (emotions).
  5. The immediate past regarding the current situation.
  6. The first future card indicates the immediate future.
  7. This card represents the reader and their attitude towards cards #1 and #2.
  8. The external influences, the places and people which influence the topic.
  9. This tarot card suggests expectations; what is secretly hoped for or feared.
  10. The second future card reveals the long-term outcome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Celtic Cross Reading

 

The Crown

3 of Cups – Abundance

  The Outcome

4 of Swords – Truce


Hopes and Fears

Queen of Cups


External Forces

Ace of Disks


The Querent

7 of Wands – Valour

The Recent Past

7 of Cups – Debauch

The Crossing Card

10 of Wands – Oppression


The Significator

5 of Disks – Anxiety

The Future

7 of Disks – Failure


Foundation card

8 of Swords – Interference

 

 

 

The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.

 

 

5 of Disks – Anxiety

Mercury in Taurus

Sparks fly as five gears grind away. The nervous energy of the element of air has descended upon the earth plane, creating an atmosphere of great friction.

Meaning:
Intense strain accompanying a period of inactivity. Anxiety, loss.
When well-dignified: construction, building, labour, cultivation.

 

 

 

 

 

The Crossing Card denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.

 

10 of Wands – Oppression

Saturn in Sagittarius

The wands have now become bars. We live in prisons of flesh. We are each our own warden and we all do our own time.

Meaning:
Brute force with no apparent spiritual source. Lies, repression, cruelty, malice. The element of fire in its most destructive form.

 

 

 

 

 

The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.

 

3 of Cups – Abundance

Mercury in Cancer

Two cups combine their essence into a third cup, their offspring. This card is about creation, fertility, and pregnancy. A collaborative effort. The process of reproduction.

Meaning:
Fulfilment, conclusion, plenty, fertility, hospitality, bounty, kindness, creation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foundation card reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.

 

8 of Swords – Interference

Jupiter in Gemini

Two swords of one kind have gone on a power trip over six swords of different kinds. They have interfered with the natural chaos in establishing order.

Meaning:
Waste of energy in attention to details at the expense of the big picture. Restriction. Bad news, sickness, crisis, censure, distress, hardship, misfortune.

 

 

 

 

 

The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.

 

7 of Cups – Debauch

Venus in Scorpio

Seven copper cups in the shape of a septagram overflow with the oil of gladness, pleasure taken once again to excess. The star of Babylon is a symbol of whoredom.

Meaning:
Loss or lack of moral values. Deception, shameless indulgence, lust, fornication, intoxication, delusion, promises unfulfilled.

 

 

 

 

 

The Future depicts that which lies ahead.

 

10 of Wands – Oppression

Saturn in Sagittarius

The wands have now become bars. We live in prisons of flesh. We are each our own warden and we all do our own time.

Meaning:
Brute force with no apparent spiritual source. Lies, repression, cruelty, malice. The element of fire in its most destructive form.

 

 

 

 

 

The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.

 

7 of Wands – Valour

Mars in Leo

This card shows an uphill battle. The snake-rods have come alive. Six of them are doing battle against one.
The central snake however is the strongest, as god is with him.

Meaning:
Struggles, obstacles, difficulties met with courage. Small victories.
When ill-dignified: quarrelling.

 

 

 

 

 

External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.

 

Ace of Disks

The Root of Earth

A coin toss. This card represents the very first beginnings of the process that leads to material gain.

Meaning:
Materialistic concerns, contentment, earthly power and success. A calculated risk with good chances.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.

 

Queen of Cups

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.

 

 

 

 

 

The Outcome of your question. Interpret this card in the context of the entire reading and as an indicator of the path you are currently on, but not necessarily bound to.

 

4 of Swords – Truce

Jupiter in Libra

Four swords come together in union. The square formed in the centre is a white flag. This card represents reconciliation. The Process.

Meaning:
Recovery from a period of trouble. An oasis. Authority in the realm of intellect. Establishment of dogma.

 

 

 

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