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

XVI – The Tower

  The Outcome

Queen of Swords


Hopes and Fears

Six of Swords


External Forces

Five of Swords


The Querent

Ace of Coins

The Recent Past

Three of Swords

The Crossing Card

Two of Wands


The Significator

XVII – The Star

The Future

XX – Judgement


Foundation card

Four of Swords

 

 

 

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

 

 

XVII – The Star

Finding, regaining, or holding on to hope. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The calm after the storm. Meditation. Seeking inner tranquillity or a spiritual awakening. A time to develop a special talent or ability.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Two of Wands

An enterprise is faltering due to infighting. An intractable conflict where neither side is willing to budge an inch. An unfair fight. The need to achieve self-mastery before you can gain the upper hand in a conflict.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

XVI – The Tower

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Four of Swords

Taking a vacation or some needed 'downtime'. Rest and recuperation. A reminder to take care of yourself. Finding peace or a break from the stress of life. Escaping the 'rat race'. Introspection.

 

 

 

 

 

The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.

 

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 Future depicts that which lies ahead.

 

Two of Wands

An enterprise is faltering due to infighting. An intractable conflict where neither side is willing to budge an inch. An unfair fight. The need to achieve self-mastery before you can gain the upper hand in a conflict.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Ace of Coins

A new venture is faltering. Desired results are not delivered or will be delayed. Someone is late in providing payment, or payment is not complete. The inability to meet financial obligations. Someone who was 'born with a silver spoon in his mouth'.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Five of Swords

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Six of Swords

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

Queen of Swords

Having a keen understanding of other people. Wisdom based on past hardship and sorrow. Being brutally honest is what's called for now. Independence and self-reliance are more important than emotional ties. Not a great time for romance.

 

 

 

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