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 IX – The Hermit		The Outcome Four of Cups Hopes and Fears Eight of Swords External Forces Queen of Swords The Querent Youth of Coins
The Recent Past Three of Swords	The Crossing Card Knight of Swords The Significator Nine of Wands	The Future XIV – Temperance
	Foundation card Three 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.

Being headstrong, argumentative, opinionated, sarcastic or cruel. Having a hero complex. 'Shoot first and ask questions later'. Wanting to win at any cost. Avoiding confrontation. Ill-conceived plans are falling apart.

Someone has been too withdrawn, antisocial, or introverted and would benefit from the company of others.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.

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.

Facing a harsh reality. The pursuit of truth, no matter how painful it may be. A need to work through a pain experience or memory. Learning a hard lesson. Doing what you have to in order to survive. Making a necessary sacrifice. A period of loneliness.

Being headstrong, argumentative, opinionated, sarcastic or cruel. Having a hero complex. 'Shoot first and ask questions later'. Wanting to win at any cost. Avoiding confrontation. Ill-conceived plans are falling apart.

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.

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.

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'.

Inability to recognise the good in a relationship or a situation. Feeling depressed, bored, or apathetic about something. Experiencing melancholy. Trying to escape problems through empty pleasures. Being jaded. The novelty of a new situation has worn off and it now seems mundane and boring.