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

King of Swords

  The Outcome

Four of Swords


Hopes and Fears

Eight of Coins


External Forces

XXI – The World


The Querent

Six of Wands

The Recent Past

King of Coins

The Crossing Card

Eight of Swords


The Significator

Nine of Wands

The Future

Queen of Wands


Foundation card

Ten of Wands

 

 

 

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

 

 

Nine of Wands

Feeling ambushed or caught off-guard. Underestimating the opposition. Obstacles and difficulties have made someone bitter and defensive. The inability to let anyone into your life. The need to properly define your space in a relationship or a lack of respect for someone else's space.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Eight of Swords

Self-imposed limitations. Feeling powerless in a situation. Having a victim mentality. 'Paralysis of analysis' (i.e., lack of progress due to over analysing something). Inability to understand your situation or to communicate it clearly to others. A need to understand your concerns, reservations, or fears in order to conquer them. Being hampered by blind faith in something. Not seeing 'the forest for the trees'.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Ten of Wands

Being overburdened, overcommitted, or overwhelmed. Feeling swamped with work. Getting burned out. Working in bad conditions for low pay. A need to delegate responsibilities to others or to set priorities. The 'last straw'. Doubting that things will ever come to a successful completion.

 

 

 

 

 

The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.

 

King of Coins

Hospitality and charity. Exhibiting extravagant generosity. Good business or financial advice. Success in business ventures or projects. A philanthropist or benefactor. A 'sugar daddy'.

 

 

 

 

 

The Future depicts that which lies ahead.

 

Eight of Swords

Self-imposed limitations. Feeling powerless in a situation. Having a victim mentality. 'Paralysis of analysis' (i.e., lack of progress due to over analysing something). Inability to understand your situation or to communicate it clearly to others. A need to understand your concerns, reservations, or fears in order to conquer them. Being hampered by blind faith in something. Not seeing 'the forest for the trees'.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Six of Wands

Success is not immediately forthcoming. Not receiving the recognition you deserve, or not getting the support you need. Victory leads to pride.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

XXI – The World

An unwillingness or inability to finish a job. Unfinished business in your life needs to be attended to. A need to tie up loose ends and finally put something to rest. Feelings of boredom or powerlessness. Bridling at constraints that have been imposed on you. 'Living in your own little world'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

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 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.

 

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.

 

 

 

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