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 XV – The Devil		The Outcome Knight of Cups Hopes and Fears Five of Swords External Forces Six of Cups The Querent Four of Cups
The Recent Past Five of Wands	The Crossing Card V – The Hierophant The Significator Knight of Wands	The Future Four of Swords
	Foundation card Youth of Coins

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.

Conformity; sticking with conventional wisdom. A traditional rite, ritual, or ceremony. Religious teachings or education in general. Peer pressure. Listening to your conscience. Being devout; having faith in something.

'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'.

The need to learn useful skills or to learn more about a financial or material matter. Inexperienced or inept financial dealings. Losing the initiative on a business deal. Vain hopes for a quick reward. Naïve business dealings; falling for a scam.

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.

Conformity; sticking with conventional wisdom. A traditional rite, ritual, or ceremony. Religious teachings or education in general. Peer pressure. Listening to your conscience. Being devout; having faith in something.

Awakening from a period of boredom or apathy. Finding motivation. Recognition that you need to find meaning in your life. Increased social engagements and interactions. Being open to new opportunities.

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.

Petty acts and treacherous deeds are revealed. An end to gossip or slander. Being vindicated or absolved of guilt. A sense of remorse or guilt for bad behaviour. Forgiving or just turning a blind eye to a nasty situation.

A chance to meet new people. The start of a new relationship (romantic or otherwise). The desire to reach out to someone else. Someone who is a hopeless romantic, 'a lover, not a fighter'. Acting upon your emotions, intuition, or gut feeling.