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![]() XVII – The Star
External Forces ![]() Knight of Pentacles
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The Recent Past![]() I – The Magician |
The Crossing Card
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The Future![]() XVIII – The Moon |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.
Page of Swords
The Page of Swords indicates a developing of understanding. Curiosity. Analysis. Thorough creativity in your vision. Now is the time you can penetrate through to the truth or essence of a thing or situation, or thoughtfully will it to reify. Mental facility and skill, an ability to communicate ideas, and receiving news are also indicated.
* 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 Crossing Card denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
Six of Swords
The 6 of Swords indicates a person is dragging with baggage from their past, oftentimes problems that have been dwelt on at length. Realise your transparent beliefs, and work to stop depending on them. They are not crushing you, but open your eyes and see what the world has to offer. Face your problems, it's time to fight them off. See what IS rather than what you expect.
Also indicated is that expectations right in front of you can dull your senses to make for multiple blind spots. Sometimes all your problems may not be problems at all. Before jettisoning them, take a look and see if your perspective is simply one of not feeling how all these things are working together. A disassembled car in a garage can be a mess. The key's just another part. But, put together, and that key may = VROOOOOM!!! And, there's also the other side of taking out the trash when the pieces don't fit. Be mindful to not trick yourself into thinking things are working when they are not. As with the re-assembled car, but with several extra pieces in your hand. . .where key might not = VROOM!
Reversed the 6 of Swords indicates that you may be blocking out invigorating energies that are calling you to action. Though an awareness of the facts may be present, you may be ignoring them or moving around or sitting still afraid of facing them. Most probably the solution and / or course of action is present. You may be refusing to see the solution. The solution may be so big and there and present that you aren't seeing it out of the blind spot of comfortable expectations.
The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
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.
* 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.
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.
The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
I – The Magician
The Magician indicates the house of your creativity. You are receiving those first sparks, the first inklings of your inspiration. Your insight is flashing in a pure vessel. Visualise your first exciting strokes across a blank page! You have both an intense focus and a vibrant enthusiasm available to you at this time.
Now is a great time to begin something new!
* 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 Future depicts that which lies ahead.
Six of Swords
The 6 of Swords indicates a person is dragging with baggage from their past, oftentimes problems that have been dwelt on at length. Realise your transparent beliefs, and work to stop depending on them. They are not crushing you, but open your eyes and see what the world has to offer. Face your problems, it's time to fight them off. See what IS rather than what you expect.
Also indicated is that expectations right in front of you can dull your senses to make for multiple blind spots. Sometimes all your problems may not be problems at all. Before jettisoning them, take a look and see if your perspective is simply one of not feeling how all these things are working together. A disassembled car in a garage can be a mess. The key's just another part. But, put together, and that key may = VROOOOOM!!! And, there's also the other side of taking out the trash when the pieces don't fit. Be mindful to not trick yourself into thinking things are working when they are not. As with the re-assembled car, but with several extra pieces in your hand. . .where key might not = VROOM!
Reversed the 6 of Swords indicates that you may be blocking out invigorating energies that are calling you to action. Though an awareness of the facts may be present, you may be ignoring them or moving around or sitting still afraid of facing them. Most probably the solution and / or course of action is present. You may be refusing to see the solution. The solution may be so big and there and present that you aren't seeing it out of the blind spot of comfortable expectations.
The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
Ace of Cups
The Ace of Cups indicates opening up to love, to new life beginning. Opening up to the psychic and spiritual realm is also indicated. Trust your intuition. Receive the blessing of your psychic messages. That's a voicemail code to remember! Only think the good ones into action. The rest. . .let them rest. Initiate your emotional and intuitive cycle of nurturing love and restoring joy. Your cup is filled with dreams, visions, and inspirations welling up from within. Share them. Take a walk and crank your iPod on the beach!
External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
Knight of Pentacles
The Knight of Pentacles indicates making earthbound goals come into being. Consistently and steadily applying their highest aspects. Related to the Hierophant as a more mundane, every day devotion, one may call to their mate as they shuffle through the leaves in the forest, may work diligently but more so fully in feeling their task AS the meaning. This is the card of the joy of getting “lost” on a walk or run, in / on a kayak in the middle of a bay or the ocean. . . lost while traveling intently, conscious only of your traveling, exploration. Loss as freedom rather than deficient.
This is not necessarily a card about being physical per se, but of being present in one's body in context. This feeling of being lost, or of stillness. . .this is the loss where one is fully present, a meditation where reasons have wonderfully gone missing. Reason is lost. This is the card indicating a full mind-body-beautiful presence with the justice of strength simply present. Imagine your own tiger cubs frolic-stumble-rolling over your paws. . . and your secret glance and smile. This is the card of the youthful silverback.
Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
XIX – The Sun
The Sun indicates who you really are but forgot when you entered life. Smiling, you reconcile opposites. You have your own inner light serving to illuminate the way on your path. This will always come and go like the Sun. Remember, though, even when it is gone, it is soon to return. . . .like the sun!
Visualise dawn and dusk. Note the marked difference between them, the powerful changes present between night and day, between day and night.
Here it is indicated that you meet your inner light in a way that moves you to shine more brightly with the truth of the purpose you feel. Shining brightly, feeling who you are, be refreshed both inside and out! The Sun card indicates that you will experience your own glory and respect what you have to offer. Honour and utilise your own gains, feel your pleasures, experience your triumphs. With your refreshed brightness enthusiastically reap your success!
This is a time where you are more visible, and your way feels bright.
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.
XVII – The Star
The Star indicates continually finding your cosmic groove and going for it! Eternal hope in the diamond-like seat of your mind-body-beautiful is indicated to be sparkling brightly! The Star card indicates the immutable and vibrant presence of your memories, your hope, and your knowledge.
The Star encourages you to shift your focus and re-direct your scale without moving the gaze upon your focus. Even the smallest star provides a glimmer of hope.
This is a bright time for feeling your possibilities expanding!

