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![]() Three of Wands
External Forces ![]() Queen of Cups
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The Recent Past![]() King of Cups |
The Crossing Card
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The Future![]() Eight of Pentacles |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.
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 Crossing Card denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
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!
The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
Ten of Cups
The 10 of Cups indicates joyfully reflecting on one's family and home. Great happiness, contentment, peace, and love are indicated. Count your blessings, for if there is trouble in your family or home, this joy can be realised if you work toward that goal together. The strength of family weathers any storm, the strength of a healthy family inside and out shines such that all benefit. Express your joy with a surprise hidden in plain sight, a token sent in an altogether different way. Odds are it's already there. Courier a gift certificate for a massage to your honey to arrive while you're out to eat together. Advise to use a professional in that case, massage AND courier.
Get creative. Odds are you have a flow that is priceless right now. Share it. If you're single and far from family, treat the family of your experiences with the same powerful and grand love you would for someone special that you love. Family is forever as you are forever in it. As many a wise 14 year old sage has said, “we're all immortal until we die.” Wondrously and wonderfully step up to explore that in a love of your experiences.
* 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 Pentacles
The 4 of Pentacles indicates that you support rather than bearing the weight of the world. Material strength. Stability. Power in any material form that expresses the abundance or your security and stability. Strength of body. Strength of your fortress.
The power of your bank balance. In whatever manner the material realm brings you security and stability, this is it. Note your material context.
* 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.
King of Cups
The King of Cups indicates that you are a protective figure with abundance and prosperity. Rather than a guide showing the path, you are supportive and protective, a friend and companion on the track of life. Your abilities to inspire in simple conversation shine as those around you sip from the cup of your abundant energy. At this time rather than being half empty or half full, your cup is simply a wonderful place to put a flower. Shine in the joyousness of your milieu. Now is a great time to have a get-together.
Be it small or be it big, flow with those you care about, flow in your context. The cup of your abundant energy indicates you can have a party anywhere you go.
The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
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!
The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
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.
* 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.
External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
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.
* 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.
Six of Cups
The 6 of Cups indicates adjustments in thoughts, attitudes, conditions, and the ability to transcend difficulties. Equilibrium. Balance. Sentimental values. A connection or reconnection to something in your past – either meeting an old acquaintance, pleasant memories of the past, perhaps even a message from someone you had lost contact with. New surroundings, new opportunities. Familiar surroundings viewed differently also bring new opportunities. Inheritances come in many forms on a daily basis.
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.
Three of Wands
The Three of Wands card indicates your new world is in place, and success is implied. As enthusiastically as you made this place for yourself, look to your planning to drive success. Now is a grand time for partnerships in work or career. Travel may be indicated or communications with distant places as you have a good perspective from the new place you've created.
* 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.

