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

Prince of Disks

  The Outcome

3 of Cups – Abundance


Hopes and Fears

2 of Disks – Change


External Forces

6 of Disks – Success


The Querent

7 of Cups – Debauch

The Recent Past

2 of Swords – Peace

The Crossing Card

Ace of Swords


The Significator

The Tower

The Future

5 of Cups – Disappointment


Foundation card

6 of Cups – Pleasure

 

 

 

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

 

 

The Tower

Mars

This is the dark side of The Magus; the lower self. The Demiurge has come out to play. Many are struck down on their quest to the top. Only the chosen one can climb the stairway to heaven. He must first acquire the proper understandings and tools or his climb will certainly be disastrous. Now is the time to use what you've been building up inside. Often a card of war.

Meaning:
Danger, destruction, quarrel, combat, ambition. Escape from prison. Rise to the top at the expense of others.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Ace of Swords

The Root of Air

The initial embodiment of the spirit of air is the bearer of light. The sword penetrates the crown of Kether. In the background ten rays pour out of the spiritual sun, indicating the full potential contained within the seed of the Ace. The beginning of a new way of thinking.

Meaning:
Invoked force, conquest, strength through tribulation, triumph of force. A spiritual understanding with heaven.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Prince of Disks

8:00 – 10:00 Male
Taurus

The Prince of Disks rides his chariot pulled by the bull. His disk is a sphere. The air of earth is represented by the vegetation he ploughs through. He is a worker at heart, grounded on the earth plane, and concerned with materialism above all else. He may resent the spirituality that eludes his grasp.

Meaning:
A young man with skill in practical matters, reliable, and perhaps dull.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

6 of Cups – Pleasure

Sun in Scorpio

Two hearts come together forming a unicursal hexagram. Four bunches of grapes symbolise that balance has been achieved.

Meaning:
Natural harmony, satisfaction, beginnings of steady increase, fond memories.
When ill-dignified: presumptuousness, vanity, lack of gratitude and respect.

 

 

 

 

 

The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.

 

2 of Swords – Peace

Moon in Libra

Two swords stuck in a mound form the shape of a V, the symbolic gesture of peace like the hippies were so fond of. The owners have thrown their arms down in the spirit of harmony.

Meaning:
Contradictory characteristics of the same nature coming together. Pleasure after pain. Quarrel resolved.

 

 

 

 

 

The Future depicts that which lies ahead.

 

Ace of Swords

The Root of Air

The initial embodiment of the spirit of air is the bearer of light. The sword penetrates the crown of Kether. In the background ten rays pour out of the spiritual sun, indicating the full potential contained within the seed of the Ace. The beginning of a new way of thinking.

Meaning:
Invoked force, conquest, strength through tribulation, triumph of force. A spiritual understanding with heaven.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

6 of Disks – Success

Moon in Taurus

Understanding is represented in this card by the colouration of the stained glass in the form of a rainbow spiral. The six moons revolve around the swastika-sun, each also representing a day of the week. Everything is in order here, as you achieve what you set out to do.

Meaning:
Success, accomplishment, gain. Influence, philanthropy, nobility.
When ill-dignified: conceit in success, insolence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

2 of Disks – Change

Jupiter in Capricorn

Ouroboros eats its tail as the symbol of eternal change. The snake wears a crown of the moon to symbolise constant change. Two yin-yangs spin opposite directions.

Meaning:
Constant change, likely a pleasant change, visit to friends, wandering.

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

 

View Spreads Schema