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![]() XI – Strength
External Forces ![]() XIII – Death
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The Recent Past![]() Five of Cups |
The Crossing Card
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The Future![]() Six of Cups |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.
Six of Wands
The 6 of Wands indicates receiving victory and glory, where through teamwork obstacles will be overcome.
The Crossing Card denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
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!
The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
Six of Pentacles
The 6 of Pentacles indicates giving and receiving in life's epic spiral. This is no charity. The 6 of Pentacles indicates justice in reciprocity, the power of an everyday devotion, honest communication.
Visualise the giving and receiving in a vast spiral, which is part of life. Not charity in action, it is justice. We are only doing what we should, caring for each other in both times of hardship and times of plenty. We give what we get; we get what we give. It's a circle where no one loses, a circular branch giving and receiving at all scales in every direction.
Foundation card reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
Seven of Cups
The 7 of Cups indicates having your head in the clouds. Your dreams are flourishing, but encroaching on you at the expense of your actions. Dreams are wonderful, but not so much when by contrast their inspiration is lessened causing disconnect in actions.
Also indicated is to watch that you don't get caught up in your dream world at the expense of reality. Balance and centre and you will be clear.
As with gardening, it is not recommended to cut things back too hard. In fact, do not cut them at all. Increase your actions. Start with a big breath. All dreams and no action may be pie in the sky, and as well may be more markedly that you are in a new place. Do not be afraid to act. Simply renew and think of a great wind. The smoke and chaff will begin to clear as the wheat of your dreams nourishes your newfound zeal.
* 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.
Five of Cups
The 5 of Cups indicates rough, turbulent, or confusing times. Possible loss, or loss already occurred are also indicated. Cups indicate that all is not lost, though. Like the seagull seeing something positive in the tumultuous sea, hope for the future and treasure discovered in your emotions is indicated.
Reversal often indicates the presence of a similar but inner, aspect streaming in the unconscious.
The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
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!
The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
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.
External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
XIII – Death
Death indicates transformation. It is indicated to sacrifice unnecessary preconceptions you hold. The old you is evolving. A Phoenix is rising as a birth's introduction. Visualize a winter garden where things are resting for renewal. Patience is in fact a virtue of the Death card. Your perennial ideas and actions may naturalize to come back in different places more vibrantly.
If you are distressed at this time, mind your timing and placement. Do not trample on the new things in your life that appear small. Renewal and awakening may begin subtly. More is present than meets the eye.
Haste is not indicated. Slow your pace to be patiently present.
Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
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!
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.
XI – Strength
Strength indicates mastering self-control and taming fears or impulses. Feel infinite fortitude and self-restraint while incorporating your voice at this time. Visualize a sprinter sitting, a tiger napping. Strength is not indicated to tame your beast, but to harness your voice. A simple way is indicated. A simple gesture will establish your direction as your strength is naturally present. Anything more than necessary may cause decay.
Understand you are very powerful at this time. Be mindful of others as you are playing with more power than you may know. Step as only you need at this time.
Develop an understanding that the strength of your presence is felt without threat, backlash, or skepticism. * A manner of reading a reversal is to emphasize 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.

