Celtic Cross Spread
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 |
The Outcome![]() XIII. Death
External Forces ![]() VIII. Strength
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The Recent Past![]() Five of Pentagrams |
The Crossing Card
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The Future![]() Ace of Cups |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.

Six of Swords
Reversed
Symbolism:
Six swords impale a young female from every direction, capturing the grim tragedy of a life prematurely lost. The scene evokes a visceral sense of waste, portraying the haunting consequences of decisions or unavoidable circumstances.
Meaning:
The Six of Swords represents transition, movement, and the pursuit of peace or resolution after difficulty. It often signals leaving behind a painful situation, not without scars, but with the hope of finding clarity or refuge. The imagery highlights the weight of such transitions, emphasizing the emotional toll of moving forward.
Reversed, this card signifies declarations, confessions, or emotional outbursts that bring hidden truths to light. It may also suggest an unexpected emotional proposal, potentially tied to love or vulnerability.
Keywords:
Reversed: Declaration, confession, outburst, exposure, proposal of love.

The Crossing Card denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
Seven of Stakes
Symbolism:
Seven stakes hold yet another of Vlad's impaled victims, a stark message to those who would challenge his authority. The grim imagery portrays valor and defiance in the face of overwhelming odds. The stakes symbolize both the challenges and the power of standing one's ground.
Meaning:
The Seven of Stakes is a card of courage and determination. It urges you to stand your ground and defend your beliefs, even when faced with opposition. Success is possible, but it requires resilience and confidence in your convictions. This card often appears when there is competition or conflict, serving as a reminder to hold firm.
Keywords:
Upright: Valor, perseverance, defiance, determination, strength.

The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
Nine of Pentagrams
Symbolism:
A voluptuous woman with her familiar in hand prepares for astral travel, representing accomplishment and the ability to reach higher realms. She symbolizes wisdom and the ability to manifest one's desires through focused intent.
Meaning:
The Nine of Pentagrams represents success, accomplishment, and the manifestation of your goals. It signifies that you have worked hard to achieve security and comfort and that your efforts are beginning to bear fruit. This card encourages confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
Keywords:
Upright: Accomplishment, success, security, confidence, manifestation.

Foundation card reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
Two of Pentagrams
Reversed
Symbolism:
A young female vampire holds two pentagrams in her hands while seated in her dungeon. She appears to be balancing both objects, a representation of adaptability and change. The setting suggests a careful juggling of duties, with an eye on the future and a mind on the present.
Meaning:
The Two of Pentagrams is a card of adaptability, change, and managing multiple responsibilities. It suggests that you may be juggling different aspects of your life—finances, work, relationships—and must find balance to avoid becoming overwhelmed. It invites flexibility and encourages you to embrace change rather than resist it.
Reversed, it warns against overcommitment or being too rigid in your approach. It may indicate that you're struggling to adapt to new circumstances or that you're experiencing instability in some area of your life.
Keywords:
Reversed: Instability, overcommitment, resistance to change, imbalance.

The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
Five of Pentagrams
Reversed
Symbolism:
Outside of the devil's church, a vampire lies in a heap of his own vomit, symbolizing excess, indulgence, and the consequences of material excess. The scene reflects the dangers of overindulgence and losing control.
Meaning:
The Five of Pentagrams represents material loss, poverty, and hardship. It signifies a time of struggle, where one may feel destitute or faced with overwhelming financial or personal challenges. It warns of consequences from reckless decisions and suggests that emotional support or help may be needed to overcome this period.
Reversed, it points to chaos, insecurity, and failed endeavors. It may indicate that the situation is worsened by your own actions or choices, leading to ruin, envy, or bad outcomes.
Keywords:
Reversed: Chaos, ruin, envy, insecurity, wasted opportunities.

The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
Seven of Stakes
Symbolism:
Seven stakes hold yet another of Vlad's impaled victims, a stark message to those who would challenge his authority. The grim imagery portrays valor and defiance in the face of overwhelming odds. The stakes symbolize both the challenges and the power of standing one's ground.
Meaning:
The Seven of Stakes is a card of courage and determination. It urges you to stand your ground and defend your beliefs, even when faced with opposition. Success is possible, but it requires resilience and confidence in your convictions. This card often appears when there is competition or conflict, serving as a reminder to hold firm.
Keywords:
Upright: Valor, perseverance, defiance, determination, strength.

The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
IV. The Emperor
Symbolism:
The Emperor is a Nosferatu seated on a blood-soaked throne, gripping the Hand of Glory as his scepter of authority. His crimson cloak flows like a river of lifeblood, symbolizing his dominion over life and death. Behind him, a craggy fortress rises, representing stability and the structures of power. His stern, commanding gaze reinforces his role as a protector and enforcer of order.
Meaning:
The Emperor symbolizes authority, stability, and protection. He represents the need for structure and discipline to achieve goals and maintain order. As a figure of leadership, he encourages reason and conviction in decision-making. This card often indicates a time to take control of your environment or to rely on a strong, supportive figure for guidance.
Keywords:
Upright: Authority, stability, protection, leadership, discipline, order, reason.

External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
VIII. Strength
Symbolism:
Strength is portrayed as a vampiric figure gently taming a feral wolf under the light of a crescent moon. The figure's touch is both commanding and tender, symbolizing the balance of power and compassion. The wolf, once a creature of wild aggression, now gazes at its tamer with loyalty and calm. Around them, thorny vines twist, a reminder of the challenges inherent in mastering one's inner beasts.
Meaning:
Strength embodies courage, inner power, and the triumph of compassion over brute force. It urges you to face challenges with patience and resilience, relying on your inner calm to overcome fear and adversity. This card often signals the need to master emotions, demonstrating that true strength lies in self-control and grace.
Keywords:
Upright: Inner strength, courage, resilience, patience, self-control, compassion, calm.

Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
Page of Pentagrams
Symbolism:
A young man clasps a pentagram, recognizing that he holds the power to shape his own destiny. This card represents potential and the beginning of a journey towards material or intellectual success.
Meaning:
The Page of Pentagrams signifies learning, new beginnings, and opportunities to grow. It points to a time when you are focused on laying the groundwork for future success. This card encourages you to be practical and take small, deliberate steps toward your goals.
Keywords:
Upright: Learning, potential, opportunities, practicality, new beginnings.

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.
XIII. Death
Reversed
Symbolism:
Death is depicted as a cloaked, skeletal figure riding a dark horse with glowing red eyes. In one hand, it wields a scythe, its blade glinting in the moonlight, while the other hand scatters withered petals onto the barren ground. The landscape around them is bleak, with twisted trees and ruins, but in the distance, the faint glow of dawn promises renewal. At the figure's feet, flowers begin to bloom amid the decay.
Meaning:
Death symbolizes transformation, endings, and the promise of new beginnings. It encourages you to release what no longer serves you, making way for growth and renewal. This card often marks a significant transition or the closure of a chapter in life, reminding you that every ending carries the seed of a new beginning.
Reversed, Death warns of resistance to change, fear of endings, or stagnation. It may suggest clinging to the past or delaying the inevitable.
Keywords:
Reversed: Resistance, fear of change, stagnation, clinging to the past, avoidance, inertia.