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.

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 8 of Coins		The Outcome Death Hopes and Fears The Hermit External Forces Queen of Cups The Querent King of Coins
The Recent Past Queen of Wands	The Crossing Card 10 of Coins The Significator Ace of Swords	The Future 6 of Swords
	Foundation card Princess of Coins

The sword is rising out of the water. The blue colour in the picture symbolises clarity. The three different coloured butterflies indicate different thoughts and the perception of difference. One butterfly is sitting on the tip of the sword, a symbol of decision. The halo supports the impression of clarification and purification.

The pentacles can be found inside and outside the town, as fruits on trees, as an exchange object, as a value which can bring us beauty, knowledge, nutrition or culture, by us exchanging these values, if necessary, with the help of payment (money).

The wise man knows that only by exchanging our goods amongst ourselves can we make a rich community. One pentacle shows an upside-down pentagram.

Four pentacles are already completed and are standing under the table. They are the pentacles from the first four Pentacle cards.

The hour-glass shows that time is still needed for the work. The handle of the tool looks like a wand and indicates that, with the necessary commitment (small flame), success will slowly develop (leaf). The storm announces the future success.

The many different types of mushrooms fascinate the princess. Each one of them is like a precious stone. She collects everything she finds without considering what to do with them. As one can see, some of the mushrooms are poisonous. Her curiosity and openness can also be a danger to her.

She is in the country. The busy mice look like friends or brothers and sisters.

The orangey-yellow colour of the picture symbolises fire; the green colour portrays fertility and growth. The sunflowers also testify a connection between energy and growth.

The throne gives the impression of a sun-queen; the creases on her skirt point to sexual energy, her red hair is tied back. The black cat, with its back to us, stands for independence and magic powers. There is a precious stone on the queen's crown, this connects her to the magician's figure one.

The pentacles can be found inside and outside the town, as fruits on trees, as an exchange object, as a value which can bring us beauty, knowledge, nutrition or culture, by us exchanging these values, if necessary, with the help of payment (money).

The wise man knows that only by exchanging our goods amongst ourselves can we make a rich community. One pentacle shows an upside-down pentagram.

The king is sitting in front of his magnificent castle with its well-kept but simple park. He is proud of it and feels confident. He is aware of what he has achieved and he knows how to manage his estate.

The world seems to be a wallowing in the emotions for the queen. The waves in the background seem to be carrying her throne, which she clearly seems to be enjoying. The moon and the stars portray the light that she intuitively or indirectly sees.

The instrument she is holding under her right arm allows her to express her inspirations and to hand them on to others. She could also be an artist.

The picture is kept fairly dark. The only light can be found in the star and the house. The moon, which does not shine itself, shows the occupation with the subconscious and the concealed which have to be discovered. The star shines itself, but is still too far away. It is the star the Hermit will follow as soon as he leaves the house. It is five-pointed, which forms a connection with the Hierophant's theme.

The picture's spirals in the trees, path and window turn in different directions and refer to the inward course. This can be consciously taken, turning to the right, or intuitively, turning to the left. The Hermit finds his light in the safety of the house. The fish (newly discovered emotions) are waiting outside for him. The direction of the path, which again follows outwardly, is not clearly evident. One can suspect strong emotions in the background, portrayed by moving water.

The circuit of coming and going is symbolised by the serpent, which frames the picture and bites its own tail. The red background portrays sunset, or as the case may be, sunrise. The house and the tree, representatives for the element earth, have fallen into decay and are bare. The three tombstones show the headgear of the pope, the king and the farmer. At death there is no difference.

The skeleton's hand comes from the left and holds a blue scythe, which seems to be a mixture between a sceptre and a sword. The leaf, which is growing out of it, shows that death, due to its quality allowing old things to fade away, makes new growth possible.

The water symbolises the river Styx, which has to be crossed at death so as to reach the next world. The colour blue in the picture stands for disconnection and purification. Like its younger brother sleep, death also has a cleansing property, which is particularly emphasised by the whiteness of the skeleton's hand and the blade of the scythe. What is interesting (I only realised later) is that the scythe's blade itself gives the hint of a crescent moon.