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

Three of Swords

  The Outcome

Nine of Swords


Hopes and Fears

Ten of Cups


External Forces

XV – The Devil


The Querent

Five of Coins

The Recent Past

Eight of Wands

The Crossing Card

Knight of Wands


The Significator

III – The Empress

The Future

King of Cups


Foundation card

Ten of Swords

 

 

 

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

 

 

III – The Empress

A project is having problems coming to fruition. Obstacles to creativity, such as writer's block. Sterility or loss. Someone is being unproductive. Having issues with your mother. Being smothered by someone. Chaos. Stagnation.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Knight of Wands

Being spontaneous, eager for adventure, bold and courageous in a new enterprise. Living 'in the moment'. Someone who is the life of the party. A willingness to take a chance on a new way of doing things. Embracing change or being an agent of change.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Three of Swords

Facing a harsh reality. The pursuit of truth, no matter how painful it may be. A need to work through a pain experience or memory. Learning a hard lesson. Doing what you have to in order to survive. Making a necessary sacrifice. A period of loneliness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Ten of Swords

End of a bad time; a resolution will occur or problems will be resolved. Letting go of something, letting it die and fade away. Getting help from others. Finding the silver lining within a dark cloud. A need to stop over-analysing things and start listening to your intuition instead.

 

 

 

 

 

The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.

 

Eight of Wands

Watch out – things are moving too quickly or spinning out of control. Spending too much energy on the wrong problem. Spinning your wheels. Making decisions too hastily. Moving forward with reckless abandon. Feeling overwhelmed by the fast pace of events.

 

 

 

 

 

The Future depicts that which lies ahead.

 

Knight of Wands

Being spontaneous, eager for adventure, bold and courageous in a new enterprise. Living 'in the moment'. Someone who is the life of the party. A willingness to take a chance on a new way of doing things. Embracing change or being an agent of change.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Five of Coins

Improvement in health, finances, or business. Help is on the way. Hardship and strife are finally easing up. Using your resources more effectively. Being welcome back into the fold. Moving away from materialism and toward a more spiritual life.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

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'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Ten of Cups

Relaxation and contentment after struggles or hard work. Feeling at peace with others and with the world. An idyllic time. A good time for love, relationships, and spiritual growth. Gathering of loved ones in celebration. Affection, well-being and contentment.

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

Nine of Swords

Realisation that fears were blown out of proportion. Things are turning out to be not as bad as expected. Regaining hope or peace of mind. Finding or having someone to comfort you or to help you through difficult times.

 

 

 

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