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

IX – The Hermit

  The Outcome

Five of Cups


Hopes and Fears

XX – Judgement


External Forces

King of Wands


The Querent

Youth of Coins

The Recent Past

King of Swords

The Crossing Card

Ten of Coins


The Significator

XIX – The Sun

The Future

Five of Coins


Foundation card

Youth of Wands

 

 

 

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.

 

Ten of Coins

A good time to go into business for yourself or to take your career to the next level. Good dealings with big businesses or institutions. Wealthy people are involved. An inheritance. Trying to see beyond material things.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

IX – The Hermit

Someone has been too withdrawn, antisocial, or introverted and would benefit from the company of others. Loneliness or aloofness. Isolation from people who might provide help or useful guidance. Feeling ostracised, left out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Youth of Wands

A proverbial 'wild child' – someone who is unruly and unmanageable, perhaps even savage. Someone who was abused as a child. Immature social skills. Bad or upsetting news. The possible violation of a confidence.

 

 

 

 

 

The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.

 

King of Swords

Having your mind made up and being closed to new ideas. Guarding your secrets or not sharing your knowledge. Intrusive meddling. Unfair decisions or bad advice. Following the letter of the law may allow you to ignore unfairness and cruelty in yourself and others. Having or exercising 'book learning' but not common sense.

 

 

 

 

 

The Future depicts that which lies ahead.

 

Ten of Coins

A good time to go into business for yourself or to take your career to the next level. Good dealings with big businesses or institutions. Wealthy people are involved. An inheritance. Trying to see beyond material things.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Youth of Coins

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

King of Wands

Someone with a sense of entitlement. Being arrogant, insufferable, or oppressive to others. Megalomania and a desire for power at any price. A charismatic leader who is dictatorial or is acting out of his own self-interest. Someone in authority who takes an unyielding position. Your creativity is being squashed by others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

Five of Cups

Feelings of loss or abandonment by a loved one. Feeling betrayed by someone you loved or trusted. A relationship has turned ugly and unpleasant, or a painful ending is coming. Seeing the glass as half empty instead of as half full. 'Crying over spilt milk'.

 

 

 

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