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 The Magician (Le Bateleur)		The Outcome The High Priestess (La Papesse) Hopes and Fears The Moon (La Lune) External Forces The Hanged Man (Le Pendu) The Querent The Hermit (L'Hermite)
The Recent Past The Lovers (L'Amoureux)	The Crossing Card The Hierophant (Le Pape) The Significator The World (Le Monde)	The Future The Star (L'Étoile)
	Foundation card The Empress (L'Impératri

Symbolism:
Symbolism:
A dancing figure surrounded by a wreath occupies the center, representing completion and harmony. The four corners of the card feature symbols of the elements or the four cherubs, signifying unity. The figure holds wands or batons, symbolising mastery and balance.

Meaning:
The World signifies completion, fulfilment, and wholeness. It represents the successful culmination of a journey and the integration of all aspects of your life. This card invites you to celebrate your achievements while embracing the interconnectedness of existence. It heralds a time of balance, unity, and alignment with your purpose. The World also indicates readiness for new adventures following the conclusion of one phase.

In relationships, it signifies harmony and mutual understanding. Spiritually, it reflects enlightenment and integration with the cosmos.

Keywords:
Completion, fulfilment, harmony, unity, wholeness, success, integration, achievement, enlightenment, new beginnings.

Symbolism:
The Hierophant sits between two pillars, with his hand raised in blessing and two followers kneeling before him. He holds a triple cross sceptre, symbolising his spiritual authority. The keys at his feet represent access to higher wisdom and the mysteries of life. His robe and crown emphasise tradition and institutional power.

Meaning:
The Hierophant symbolises tradition, guidance, and spiritual learning. He represents the wisdom passed down through teachings, rituals, and institutions. This card may indicate seeking guidance from a mentor, joining a community, or adhering to established norms. It also encourages you to examine your beliefs and values to ensure they align with your inner truth.

In relationships, the Hierophant suggests shared values and a strong moral foundation. Spiritually, he urges you to connect with divine teachings and the collective wisdom of humanity.

Keywords:
Tradition, guidance, spiritual learning, mentorship, wisdom, community, rituals, institutions, moral alignment, shared values.

Symbolism:
The Magician is a youthful figure standing behind a table, holding a wand aloft while other tools lie before him—often a coin, a cup, and a sword. These tools represent mastery over the elements and the power to manifest intentions. His hat, shaped like a lemniscate, symbolises infinite potential, and his posture suggests readiness and action. The vibrant colours of his attire evoke creativity, energy, and a zest for life.

Meaning:
The Magician represents the power of initiative, skill, and resourcefulness. He embodies the ability to turn ideas into reality, combining intellect, action, and willpower. The card often signals the beginning of a new venture or opportunity, where focus and confidence are key. However, it also serves as a warning to avoid manipulation or overconfidence.

The Magician invites you to be aware of your tools and talents, urging you to act with intention. It also reminds you that success depends on your ability to harmonise thought and action.

Keywords:
Initiative, manifestation, skill, potential, confidence, willpower, beginnings, resourcefulness, action, focus.

Symbolism:
The Empress sits on her throne, holding a scepter that signifies authority. A shield bearing the symbol of Venus is nearby, emphasising love, fertility, and creation. She is adorned in flowing robes, indicating abundance.

Meaning:
The Empress is the archetype of creation and abundance, representing fertility, nurturing, and growth in all aspects of life. She is a motherly figure who provides support and encouragement, guiding you to cultivate your ideas or relationships into something beautiful. Her presence suggests a time of prosperity and fulfilment.

In relationships, she signifies a loving, nurturing connection. Spiritually, she urges you to embrace the rhythms of nature and the divine feminine within you, celebrating life's creative energy.

Keywords:
Creation, abundance, fertility, nurturing, growth, love, prosperity, nature, creativity, fulfilment.

Symbolism:
The Lovers card depicts a man standing between two women, with Cupid above aiming an arrow. The scene suggests a choice or a union, with the women often representing opposing influences. In some interpretations, the figures are Adam and Eve, symbolising the duality of earthly and spiritual love.

Meaning:
The Lovers represent connection, harmony, and the power of choice. This card speaks to deep relationships, whether romantic or platonic, and the alignment of values and goals. However, it also highlights the necessity of making meaningful decisions, often at a crossroads where the heart and mind must collaborate.

In relationships, the Lovers symbolise love, commitment, and mutual respect. Spiritually, they encourage balancing the dualities within yourself and finding unity in diversity.

Keywords:
Love, harmony, connection, choice, duality, relationships, unity, attraction, alignment, crossroads.

Symbolism:
The Hierophant sits between two pillars, with his hand raised in blessing and two followers kneeling before him. He holds a triple cross sceptre, symbolising his spiritual authority. The keys at his feet represent access to higher wisdom and the mysteries of life. His robe and crown emphasise tradition and institutional power.

Meaning:
The Hierophant symbolises tradition, guidance, and spiritual learning. He represents the wisdom passed down through teachings, rituals, and institutions. This card may indicate seeking guidance from a mentor, joining a community, or adhering to established norms. It also encourages you to examine your beliefs and values to ensure they align with your inner truth.

In relationships, the Hierophant suggests shared values and a strong moral foundation. Spiritually, he urges you to connect with divine teachings and the collective wisdom of humanity.

Keywords:
Tradition, guidance, spiritual learning, mentorship, wisdom, community, rituals, institutions, moral alignment, shared values.

Symbolism:
The Hermit is an elderly figure carrying a lantern and a staff. The lantern symbolises inner wisdom and guidance, while the staff represents support and stability. His cloak signifies introspection, reflecting the solitude of his journey.

Meaning:
The Hermit represents introspection, wisdom, and solitude. He invites you to step back from external distractions and seek answers within. This card often appears during periods of self-discovery, encouraging you to listen to your inner voice.

In relationships, the Hermit may indicate a need for personal space or reflection. Spiritually, it highlights the quest for enlightenment and the value of solitary contemplation.

Keywords:
Wisdom, introspection, solitude, guidance, reflection, self-discovery, enlightenment, patience, inner truth, retreat.

Symbolism:
The Hanged Man is shown suspended upside-down by one foot from a live tree, with his free leg bent to form a cross-like shape. His serene expression suggests surrender rather than distress. This represents enlightenment gained through sacrifice or altered perspective. The tree may symbolise the axis mundi, a bridge between worlds.

Meaning:
The Hanged Man symbolises surrender, letting go, and viewing situations from a different perspective. It suggests a pause or suspension of action, encouraging reflection and patience. This card often appears when you need to relinquish control or embrace sacrifice to gain deeper understanding.

In relationships, it can signal a need for a fresh outlook or willingness to adapt. Spiritually, it points to awakening through non-resistance and the acceptance of higher truths.

Keywords:
Surrender, perspective, patience, sacrifice, reflection, letting go, enlightenment, suspension, adaptation, non-resistance.

Symbolism:
The Moon hangs high in the sky, casting a dim, mysterious light over a landscape. A dog and a wolf howl at the moon, representing instincts and the untamed subconscious. A pool sits between two towers, suggesting the unknown. A crayfish crawls out of it, symbolising hidden emotions emerging.

Meaning:
The Moon represents intuition, mystery, and the subconscious. It suggests a time of uncertainty where not everything is as it seems. This card invites you to trust your instincts and explore hidden depths. It also warns against illusion or confusion, urging clarity.

In relationships, it can indicate emotional complexity or hidden dynamics. Spiritually, it calls for embracing intuition and the mysteries of the psyche.

Keywords:
Intuition, mystery, subconscious, illusion, uncertainty, emotions, dreams, instincts, exploration, hidden truths.

Symbolism:
The High Priestess is shown seated, holding an open book, signifying hidden knowledge and mysteries. She is flanked by two pillars (sometimes black and white), representing duality and balance. Her veil hints at the separation between the conscious and subconscious. Her serene expression reflects her mastery of the inner world and her connection to divine intuition.

Meaning:
The High Priestess embodies mystery, wisdom, and the power of intuition. She encourages stillness and reflection, guiding you to trust your inner voice over external noise. This card often appears when something hidden needs to be uncovered, whether it's a secret, a truth, or a deeper understanding of oneself.

In relationships, the High Priestess may suggest emotional depth or hidden dynamics. Spiritually, she symbolises the gateway to higher knowledge, urging you to explore the realms of dreams and symbols to uncover your truth.

Keywords:
Intuition, mystery, inner wisdom, reflection, subconscious, hidden knowledge, spirituality, patience, introspection, stillness.