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![]() Ten of Swords
External Forces ![]() Queen of Wands
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The Recent Past![]() Queen of Cups |
The Crossing Card
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The Future![]() Knight of Wands |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.
VIII – Justice
Justice indicates that your life is coming back into balance with a strong sense of fairness. This fairness indicates not to concentrate so much on right and wrong. Odds are you are a good person. Consequences and outcomes are more important at this time. Suggested to work to be considerate rather than being agreeable at this time. Consideration is a fitting use of the energies of Justice. Be mindful of yourself as you are, and mindful of others as they are. Your life decisions and the fabric of your unfolding patterns is indicated to be informed by your inner scale of weights and measures.
The Crossing Card denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
Nine of Swords
The 9 of Swords indicates that situations or events are nearing completion, or have just been completed and another plateau waits. This is a card about the pain in the false summit of mental anguish. Though misery, suffering, desolation, and illness may be present, the path is indicated to be clear.
Understand the false summit of a mountain climb as a trail-marker of progress and an immediate horizon rather than a destination. Pass through this time, through your false summit without judgment on yourself as you will only pick up things that weigh yourself down. Sprint through! And simply find enjoyment in the scenery as you continue.
There's maybe a diamond in your rough experience right before you. Right before you so big and so there you aren't seeing it. It is your experience. Feel it. Experience, and no more. Contemplate or meditate at this time in your thoughtfully aware actions. It's indicated to be one of those places where the farmer's wisdom shines. If you realise you're in a hole, stop digging. A shovel is an indelicate tool for this time. Visualise your experience AS the situation. Own up and try a new perspective. . .YOURS!!!
The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
Five of Pentacles
The 5 of Pentacles indicates emotional, physical, material and /or spiritual crises that manifest as loss and lack on the physical plane. Look within. Determine what must be changed to improve your situation. Healing the inside. Weed. Amend your soil. Forgiveness of yourself, others. Transform negative thought patterns while not feeling sorry for yourself, not being a separatist, or blind to the blessings all around. Anger is a fabulous reminder that there are still some things misunderstood, and if you're mad at yourself, change gears with a nap, a warm bath, or meditation. Feel the hope and bright warmth hiding in oppressive circumstances.
Creatively using oppressive circumstances, rise above your own limitations. Recognise your own appreciation. . .Drop the things that are expected but unnecessary and you get more valuable all the time!
Beware of daydreams that substitute patterns that keep you from manifesting your dreams. Think self-limitation, your soul becoming more conscious, isolation for the purpose of gathering strength and gaining focus to develop your own uniqueness. Shamanic work is also indicated. Simply value your life. . .and do not act on reactive impulses. As soon as you decide, then take at least ONE more step. It may feel like rock bottom, but perspective can also place that as something strong on which to stand. Look for the glow!
Foundation card reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
Two of Wands
The 2 of Wands card indicates a warning of potential disaster by overload and imbalance. Do not blindly go. Look for your natural path. Do not perceive many little things as one big thing. It is often one reflected through all. You may be daydreaming, hoping in vain, perceiving your preconceptions or fixations. Listen. Wait. Be on the move like The Hermit.
Also indicated that reflections can be delusions, mirages. Reflect through them, past them and look for what feels to be your natural path, and / or simply your natural path of action.
* 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 Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
Queen of Cups
The Queen of Cups indicates harmony with your emotional and intuitive realm. Relying on inner guidance, one's perspective is well-suited to respond to external influences from a flowing inner perspective that is thick and rich. Take charge in matters regarding your inner life. Your emotions draw upon the wisdom of the ages. Imagination. Creative. Loving. Supportive.
Odds are you are very impressionable at this time. In the positive this indicates a strong feeling-sense, and ability to be sensitively and effectively responsive. As still waters run deep, there are hidden depths not readily apparent.
The Queen of Cups indicates naturally charismatic leadership, an ability to express your emotions confidently at this time.
The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
Nine of Swords
The 9 of Swords indicates that situations or events are nearing completion, or have just been completed and another plateau waits. This is a card about the pain in the false summit of mental anguish. Though misery, suffering, desolation, and illness may be present, the path is indicated to be clear.
Understand the false summit of a mountain climb as a trail-marker of progress and an immediate horizon rather than a destination. Pass through this time, through your false summit without judgment on yourself as you will only pick up things that weigh yourself down. Sprint through! And simply find enjoyment in the scenery as you continue.
There's maybe a diamond in your rough experience right before you. Right before you so big and so there you aren't seeing it. It is your experience. Feel it. Experience, and no more. Contemplate or meditate at this time in your thoughtfully aware actions. It's indicated to be one of those places where the farmer's wisdom shines. If you realise you're in a hole, stop digging. A shovel is an indelicate tool for this time. Visualise your experience AS the situation. Own up and try a new perspective. . .YOURS!!!
The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
XVI – The Tower
The Tower indicates your pond turning over, a major change. Resistance to change has already been torn down and renewal is at hand. It is indicated that the smoke is clearing on this your new playing field! False structures and beliefs are dramatically tumbling down! Tumbling down suddenly, violently, and all at once.
Grief may be present but be mindful not to re-hydrate old fears as they fall of their own accord. Breathe in the change. Enjoy and take in what remains first. You may have just dismissed single-mindedness!
No-one said this one's gonna be easy, but smile. This is you. . .only NEW!
External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
Queen of Wands
The Queen of Wands indicates great power to attract what you want. Abundance of mind and body, a fire of life, expresses her. With a love of nature and home indicated, a practicality with money is also present. A life acumen inclusive of a strong and intensely enjoyable balance of business and pleasure reigns. This complete scenario, a vibrant and reflective mind-body-beautiful, has strong and wonderful emotional content to infuse life into every step.
There is strength in kindness and generosity. With the Queen of Wands, you are no sleeping tiger. More so you are a white tiger, awake and present and strong to the degree that there is nothing to prove, and though nothing may be new, you feel and see the original in everything. Your sense of smell may even attune your perception. Reasons are unreasonable here.
Visualise and feel the tiger's life. . .towing your life with the weight of your own body, grace and strength and passion are present and not petitioned. Rather than living your dream, your dream is the heartbeat of all your doings.
Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
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 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.
Ten 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.

