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

XV – The Devil

  The Outcome

II – The Priestess


Hopes and Fears

XX – Judgement


External Forces

III – The Empress


The Querent

VII – The Chariot

The Recent Past

XVI – The Tower

The Crossing Card

XVII – The Star


The Significator

0 – The Fool

The Future

XIX – The Sun


Foundation card

VI – The Lovers

 

 

 

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

 

 

0 – The Fool

A time to begin something new, especially when done without bias or preconceived notions. 'Leap and the net will appear'. Keep an open mind. A situation with promise or potential. 'Beginners luck'.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

XVII – The Star

Finding, regaining, or holding on to hope. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The calm after the storm. Meditation. Seeking inner tranquillity or a spiritual awakening. A time to develop a special talent or ability.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

XV – The Devil

'Facing your demons'. Overcoming an addiction. Pushing past obsessions and working to limit the number of toxic situations and friendships in your life. Getting help for your problems with addictions, anger management issues, etc. Resisting temptation. 'Better the devil you know than the devil you don't'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.

 

XVI – The Tower

The end or resolution of a crisis. A time to pick up the pieces and move forward. Alternately, an inability to move forward because you feel confined by powers beyond your control. The discovery that a crisis that you hated was actually 'a cosmic kick in the pants' which has liberated you from a bad situation.

 

 

 

 

 

The Future depicts that which lies ahead.

 

XVII – The Star

Finding, regaining, or holding on to hope. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The calm after the storm. Meditation. Seeking inner tranquillity or a spiritual awakening. A time to develop a special talent or ability.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

VII – The Chariot

Feeling pulled in several directions at once. Feeling a loss of control in your life. An inability to properly master outside influences. Charging ahead rashly. Running roughshod over other people. Losing yourself in the role you have to play in order to succeed. Failure or a very costly victory.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

XX – Judgement

A lack of common sense. A hasty or ill-considered decision that brings an unwelcome change to your life. Clinging to the confines of conventional thinking. A reluctance to move forward with your life. Holding on to a grudge.

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

II – The Priestess

Intuitively understanding underlying factors or unconscious motivations. Follow the guidance of your dreams. Meditation and contemplation is important now. Inner peace and tranquillity. Spirituality.

 

 

 

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