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.
- The significator epitomizes what the reading deals with, the initial situation.
- An added impulse that compounds the significator, which may be either complimentary or contradictory.
- This is what is consciously known (thoughts).
- Unconscious driving forces that may not be known fully (emotions).
- The immediate past regarding the current situation.
- The first future card indicates the immediate future.
- This card represents the reader and their attitude towards cards #1 and #2.
- The external influences, the places and people which influence the topic.
- This tarot card suggests expectations; what is secretly hoped for or feared.
- The second future card reveals the long-term outcome.
Your Celtic Cross Reading
The Crown |
The Outcome![]() Ten of Swords
External Forces ![]() III – The Empress
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The Recent Past![]() XIII – Death |
The Crossing Card
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The Future![]() XVI – The Tower |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.
Three of Wands
Foresight, long-range planning, and patience will help ensure success. The first steps of an enterprise are completed, and everything looks good. Opportunity for travel or for the shipment of goods. Someone who has an air of easy confidence.
The Crossing Card denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
Eight of Coins
Willingly doing the work required for success, everything down to the lasts detail. Dedication to your job. 'Practice makes perfect'. Success comes one step at a time. A need to pay close attention to details. Working at home or for yourself. Industriousness.
The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
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.
Foundation card reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
Two of Coins
Making choices or decisions that will ease stress and tension in life. Several tasks require your attention, so maintain your balance and prioritise your efforts carefully. Being flexible and keeping things in perspective. Having fun at your work. Grace, style, and skill make things look easy.
The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
XIII – Death
Clinging to old ideas, beliefs, situations, or relationships that no longer serve a purpose. Fear of change, or a refusal to change, which may hinder growth or make an inevitable change more painful when it eventually does happen. Being in denial about a significant loss.
The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
Eight of Coins
Willingly doing the work required for success, everything down to the lasts detail. Dedication to your job. 'Practice makes perfect'. Success comes one step at a time. A need to pay close attention to details. Working at home or for yourself. Industriousness.
The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
Knight of Coins
A new source of income doesn't come through. Struggling to make ends meet. 'All work and no play;' a 'stick in the mud'. Being possessive with your things or defensive about your work. Losing interest in your work.
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.
Three of Swords
Avoiding painful truths. Unscrupulous actions. Having no regrets for your actions. Moving on and leaving the past behind you. Struggling to recover from psychological wounds.
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.
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.

