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![]() Nine of Cups
External Forces ![]() Seven of Swords
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The Recent Past![]() Five of Wands |
The Crossing Card
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The Future![]() 0 – The Fool |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.
Knight of Swords
The Knight of Swords indicates you are a generator of ideas. Well placed, you are putting ideas into action. Regardless of the opposition, large or small, conviction in your beliefs and ideas is indicated. Be prepared to defend your placement, your position. Full speed ahead Baby! You are working with a strong base.
The Crossing Card denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
Queen of Pentacles
The Queen of Pentacles indicates the qualities of a practical, down-to-earth woman, whether you are a woman or a man. Enthusiastic. May own a successful business. Always encouraging friends and family to exercise, nourishing by promoting to take care. Some say water conforms to its cup. You know this all too well to the point where you may see no problem with the idea that buying a Steinway piano might make a child Mozart. . .as you know only too well the far-reaching (both inner and outer) merits of a good environment, whether what's obvious is the focus or not.
This queen also indicates that you may even cherish a vehicle, or simply a well-designed dashboard in a convertible as important if you drive a bunch. Simply put, if it's going to be in your presence, it should at the very least be attractive, distinct, as exquisite to you is staple, required. The usefulness of beauty as being positive to your environment is understood.
Exquisite fetches wood and carries water, stokes the fire, exudes presence with a strong grace. These are qualities through and through, specifically and in general.
Even in silence, tasteful enthusiasm is indicated. Tasteful is a great word for you here.
* A manner of reading a reversal is to emphasise rather than a reversed meaning, an internal meaning relating more to one's inner self than indicating the outer world. Read the card with your inner context, what it says to you about your inner person.
The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
Two of Swords
The 2 of Swords indicates a balance of opposites, an upcoming decision, considering the views of your opponent. Judge clearly whether a shout or a whisper of an action will be heard more clearly, or none at all.
* A manner of reading a reversal is to emphasise rather than a reversed meaning, an internal meaning relating more to one's inner self than indicating the outer world. Read the card with your inner context, what it says to you about your inner person.
Foundation card reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
Four of Swords
The 4 of Swords indicates coming to fruition or the manifestation of an idea, along with a foundation or 'space' where things can grow.
Also indicated is a preparation time. Grow YOUR diamond in YOUR rough times. Here. . .never hurry, never rest. Pace. Enhance your preparedness without locking your muscles into play. Direct a calm flow.
The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
Five of Wands
The 5 of Wands card indicates stiff competition, not necessarily fair, with no clear winner implied. All are separate entities. Challenge with an unclear outcome, enterprise, and glory rule the wands. Like revving the engine but the clutch is in, strong competition often indicates obstacles. Do not stop the fight. Add new perspective that the competition is missing. Anger is a fabulous reminder that there are still a few things still misunderstood. At one and the same time feel the wonders of the contexts outside you, of your actions in context, and contexts inside you.
The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
Queen of Pentacles
The Queen of Pentacles indicates the qualities of a practical, down-to-earth woman, whether you are a woman or a man. Enthusiastic. May own a successful business. Always encouraging friends and family to exercise, nourishing by promoting to take care. Some say water conforms to its cup. You know this all too well to the point where you may see no problem with the idea that buying a Steinway piano might make a child Mozart. . .as you know only too well the far-reaching (both inner and outer) merits of a good environment, whether what's obvious is the focus or not.
This queen also indicates that you may even cherish a vehicle, or simply a well-designed dashboard in a convertible as important if you drive a bunch. Simply put, if it's going to be in your presence, it should at the very least be attractive, distinct, as exquisite to you is staple, required. The usefulness of beauty as being positive to your environment is understood.
Exquisite fetches wood and carries water, stokes the fire, exudes presence with a strong grace. These are qualities through and through, specifically and in general.
Even in silence, tasteful enthusiasm is indicated. Tasteful is a great word for you here.
* A manner of reading a reversal is to emphasise rather than a reversed meaning, an internal meaning relating more to one's inner self than indicating the outer world. Read the card with your inner context, what it says to you about your inner person.
The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
XXI – The World
The World indicates that you are right back where you started and the journey is complete. A complete cycle is indicated. Look to new dreams, bigger ones. See the world IN The World card! View up through the looking glass of the obelisk from its base as if you are inside the obelisk looking up. See the point of its top right in front of you. Visualise the vanishing point of the top as a portal to infinity. Step smoothly through the doorway of your next iteration remembering this one.
The World indicates a powerful completion! Indicates a powerful completion cycle in The Fool's journey, YOUR journey!
Enjoy this time as you seamlessly segue into the next.
External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
Seven of Swords
Sneaky. Devious. Sly. Stealth. Your troubles are hiding in plain sight. Underhanded, theft, robbery, unreliability, betrayal, spying, dishonour, deceit, suspicion. Mistrust. Look differently. Pause and expand outwardly. Take a day off in the middle of the week. Feel into your blind spots as they are actively deceiving you! Like the hand. Like the seventh sword. Feel the meditation of being able to hide in plain sight! You are OFF and THERE at one and the same time. Everywhere to be seen, and nowhere to be found.
Feel YOUR place. You may not be as exposed as you think. You MAY simply be in a place of creation or new place. Feel YOUR place, not your clever. The cards do not indicate your path, here. YOU DO!, with wonderful placement and awareness. Drop your stones. Your placement supersedes your trepidation. STAND and deliver!, from wherever you are IN A NEW WAY!. Silence is deliverance as well. Feel the contradiction. Feel your place in your multi-faceted context! Discern between the negativity of no-one noticing you vs the same thing indicating stealth.
* A manner of reading a reversal is to emphasise rather than a reversed meaning, an internal meaning relating more to one's inner self than indicating the outer world. Read the card with your inner context, what it says to you about your inner person.
Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
IV – The Emperor
The Emperor indicates you have the power and vision to see the big picture. Established context or developed place is also indicated. Plan and explore your ideas with deliberate action. Going step by step, even in surprise, you can re-align the pace and direction of the whole system as you go along. You are the genius of your location. Mind your placement with attentive and patient presence.
Feel the manifestations of your bigger dreams building on a strong foundation!
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.
Nine of Cups
The 9 of Cups indicates the manifestation of happiness that starts within the mind and emotions of an individual and how they are carried forth into the world. Inner happiness moving into the physical realm is indicated, your own, personalised Hierophant abilities. Take wonderfully respectful and invigorated note of your blossoms and blooms. Celebrate them!

