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 II – The Priestess		The Outcome Six of Swords Hopes and Fears Three of Coins External Forces XVI – The Tower The Querent Knight of Coins
The Recent Past XVII – The Star	The Crossing Card Queen of Swords The Significator Ace of Wands	The Future Youth of Swords
	Foundation card Ten of Coins

A flash of inspiration; a spark of excitement. The excitement of a new interest, venture or enterprise. Someone with the energy to start a new project. Being creative with how you handle things. A revived passion or enthusiasm.

Being moralistic, self-righteous, sanctimonious, prudish, or emotionally barren. Someone behind the scenes is pulling the strings. Someone is not what she seems. She may be wearing a mask, or she may be using guile and cunning to manipulate someone to do something for her or to do things her way.

Intuitively understanding underlying factors or unconscious motivations. Follow the guidance of your dreams. Meditation and contemplation is important now. Inner peace and tranquillity. Spirituality.

Being burdened with financial responsibilities. The need to liquidate your assets. Investments do not turn out as expected. Financial dealings fall apart sending you back to square one. Problems with big businesses or institutions. A bad time to start new business dealings.

Pessimism. Taking a 'glass is half empty' approach instead of viewing it as half full. Not being able to recognise the value of a situation or opportunity. Holding on to desperate or unrealistic hopes. Having your head in the clouds when you need to keep your feet on the ground instead.

Being moralistic, self-righteous, sanctimonious, prudish, or emotionally barren. Someone behind the scenes is pulling the strings. Someone is not what she seems. She may be wearing a mask, or she may be using guile and cunning to manipulate someone to do something for her or to do things her way.

Beginning to see tangible results. Achieving material prosperity. A possible new source of income; working a second job. Diligence, prudence, and hard work. Working hard to prove yourself.

The end or resolution of a crisis. A time to pick up the pieces and move forward. Alternately, an inability to move forward because you feel confined by powers beyond your control. The discovery that a crisis that you hated was actually 'a cosmic kick in the pants' which has liberated you from a bad situation.

Cooperation, especially in a work environment. Working well with others on a project too large for one person. Working on a creative venture. A good start of an enterprise, which promises eventual rewards. A talented and competent person or group of people.

An inability to move beyond the current situation, or feeling stuck in that situation. A long, difficult road lies ahead to turn your life around. Living 'a life of quiet desperation'. Trying to escape a problem instead of resolve it.