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.

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

Your Celtic Cross Reading


	The Crown 2 of Swords – Peace		The Outcome Ace of Swords Hopes and Fears Prince of Disks External Forces Ace of Disks The Querent The Emperor
The Recent Past Queen of Cups	The Crossing Card 8 of Wands – Swiftness The Significator 10 of Cups – Satiety	The Future Knight of Disks
	Foundation card 10 of Wands – Oppression

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

10 of Cups – Satiety

Mars in Pisces

The nine lower cups are filled with the shining light of Kether from above, just as in the blueprint contained within the Ace all along. Overwhelming emotions here risk crossing the boundaries of sanity.

Meaning:
Pleasure fulfilled yet incomplete.
When ill-dignified: waste, stagnation, debauchery.

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

8 of Wands – Swiftness

Mercury in Sagittarius

A sudden burst of energy causes eight arrows to explode into action. This card indicates that something is about to happen fast.

Meaning:
Action, explosive energy, electricity, fast communication, gain of rapid speed, light, quickness.
When ill-dignified: Too much too fast, a flash in the pan.

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

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.

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

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 Recent Past represents past events and concerns.

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 Future depicts that which lies ahead.

8 of Wands – Swiftness

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

The Emperor

Aries

The king of the world represents power, authority, and male vitality. The ruler sitting on his throne bears the male symbols of earthly authority. The lamb at his feet represents not only the sheepishness of his servants, but the self-sacrifice required of a great leader.

Meaning:
Ambition, conquest, originality, leadership, stability, realisation, power, fortitude, powerful man, authority, conviction.
Ill-dignified: bad temper, counterproductive pride, rashness, even megalomania.

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.

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.

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.

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.