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

III – The Empress

  The Outcome

XIV – Temperance


Hopes and Fears

XVIII – The Moon


External Forces

XVII – The Star


The Querent

VI – The Lovers

The Recent Past

XXI – The World

The Crossing Card

XII – The Hanged Man


The Significator

XIX – The Sun

The Future

II – The Priestess


Foundation card

IV – The Emperor

 

 

 

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

 

 

XIX – The Sun

Enjoying or celebrating success. Having energy and vitality, being optimistic and active. Triumph over obstacles. Recognition for work done. Trusting others and experiencing a sense of unity. Coming out of a dark period. Critical reasoning leads to clarity and understanding.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

XII – The Hanged Man

Patience. Humility. Making a small sacrifice so that a larger gain might be made. Seeking redemption. Entering a 12-step program. 'Letting go and letting God'. A unique perspective on a situation. Putting a project on hold in order to properly evaluate the situation.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

III – The Empress

The Mother archetype, which implies mothering qualities such as nurturing, compassion, devotion, creativity, and fertility. An endeavour is coming to fruition. Love and sexuality. Hard work that pays off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

IV – The Emperor

The Father archetype, which implies things like strictness, providing for others, and having respect and recognition from others. The ability to rationally resolve issues and problems. Having structure, stability, and order in your life. An authority figure, a person who is in a position of power.

 

 

 

 

 

The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.

 

XXI – The World

An unwillingness or inability to finish a job. Unfinished business in your life needs to be attended to. A need to tie up loose ends and finally put something to rest. Feelings of boredom or powerlessness. Bridling at constraints that have been imposed on you. 'Living in your own little world'.

 

 

 

 

 

The Future depicts that which lies ahead.

 

XII – The Hanged Man

Patience. Humility. Making a small sacrifice so that a larger gain might be made. Seeking redemption. Entering a 12-step program. 'Letting go and letting God'. A unique perspective on a situation. Putting a project on hold in order to properly evaluate the situation.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

VI – The Lovers

A relationship ending or turning sour (it may or may not be romantic). 'Star-crossed lovers;' an ill-fated relationship. The inability to make a choice for any number of reasons – fearing to commit to a decision, being indecisive, or having inner conflict. Choosing the 'low road' in life.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

XVII – The Star

Pessimism. Taking a 'glass is half empty' approach instead of viewing it as half full. Not being able to recognise the value of a situation or opportunity. Holding on to desperate or unrealistic hopes. Having your head in the clouds when you need to keep your feet on the ground instead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

XVIII – The Moon

A time of deception, hidden agendas or unseen perils. There is some scheming going on behind the scenes. Suffering misunderstandings or confusion. Something eerie or haunting is going on. Hidden fears are coming to the surface. Feeling alone and abandoned, or that you have lost your way in life. Depression or nightmares.

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

XIV – Temperance

Inflexibility causes problems in resolving issues. An inability to be open to others' viewpoints or to find a middle ground or compromise in a troublesome situation. Taking extreme measures when a more balance approach is required. Adhering to either extreme of abstinence or self-indulgence.

 

 

 

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