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

Six of Cups

  The Outcome

Five of Wands


Hopes and Fears

Eight of Swords


External Forces

King of Swords


The Querent

Queen of Wands

The Recent Past

Ten of Wands

The Crossing Card

VI – The Lovers


The Significator

King of Cups

The Future

0 – The Fool


Foundation card

Nine of Wands

 

 

 

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

 

 

King of Cups

A situation that requires compassion, mercy, or empathy. Someone who lends a sympathetic ear. Being persuasive, diplomatic and tactful. Being guided by morality, integrity, and ethics. Being able to rise above the emotional turmoil around you. Someone close to you needs your compassion and understanding.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

VI – The Lovers

An important decision needs to be made. Facing an ethical dilemma. Confronting difficult choices. Choosing a better path in life; taking the 'high road'. Choosing love in your life. A good relationship with another person (which may or may not be romantic).

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Six of Cups

Being overly sentimental. Someone is smothering a relationship by being overly protective. Inability to move beyond painful events from the past. Unwillingness to cut the apron strings from prior support systems. Someone is living in the past, which is blocking success in the present and future. Current problems are rooted in childhood traumas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Nine of Wands

Overcoming obstacles. Persistence despite setbacks. Gaining strength and fortitude as the result of hardships and difficulties – 'That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger'. Being prepared to fight if you have to, but not anxious for conflict. Choose your battles carefully. Setting firm boundaries in a relationship.

 

 

 

 

 

The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.

 

Ten of Wands

Being overburdened, overcommitted, or overwhelmed. Feeling swamped with work. Getting burned out. Working in bad conditions for low pay. A need to delegate responsibilities to others or to set priorities. The 'last straw'. Doubting that things will ever come to a successful completion.

 

 

 

 

 

The Future depicts that which lies ahead.

 

VI – The Lovers

An important decision needs to be made. Facing an ethical dilemma. Confronting difficult choices. Choosing a better path in life; taking the 'high road'. Choosing love in your life. A good relationship with another person (which may or may not be romantic).

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Queen of Wands

An interfering, domineering, or overpowering person who insists on getting their own way. Using deceit or betrayal to thwart someone they think is in their way. The imposition of your own values on others. Haughtiness and pride. The 'other woman' in an affair.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

King of Swords

Good advice or a fair decision. Tough-minded common sense. Being able to make fair and impartial decisions. Your knowledge, intelligence, and expertise are respected. A trusted advisor or expert. 'Knowledge is Power'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Eight of Swords

Self-imposed limitations. Feeling powerless in a situation. Having a victim mentality. 'Paralysis of analysis' (i.e., lack of progress due to over analysing something). Inability to understand your situation or to communicate it clearly to others. A need to understand your concerns, reservations, or fears in order to conquer them. Being hampered by blind faith in something. Not seeing 'the forest for the trees'.

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

Five of Wands

Feeling beaten down by petty bickering or office politics. Being in a 'no holds barred' situation – 'every man for himself'. Competition is getting ugly. You may be getting swallowed up in contentious rivalry. Your energy is too scattered and unfocused.

 

 

 

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