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Celtic Cross Spread

 

The Celtic Cross is the most well-known tarot spread and also the largest available here, involving ten cards. This spread begins with a pair of crossing cards at the center of the issue, essentially being two significators. When two significators are involved, they may strengthen or oppose each other, which speaks of the nature of the situation. Above and below the initial cross, we have two cards which are symbolic of the intellectual (top) and emotional (bottom) basis of the issue. The Before and After cards show the past and immediate future.

At the right, four cards are laid out, going upward. At the bottom you have a card representing yourself, and the next card shows how others may affect the situation. Card #9 indicates what you may be hoping for, or possibly, what you hope will not happen. Finally at the top is the outcome, meaning the distant or ultimate future.

Spread Positions

  1. This is it (what you asked about)
  2. This crosses it (strengthens or opposes)
  3. This crowns it (higher influences)
  4. It rests upon this (lower influences)
  5. This came before
  6. This comes next
  7. This is you
  8. The external world around you
  9. Your hopes, fears, and secret desires
  10. The result or outcome

 

 

 

Celtic Cross

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Celtic Cross Reading

The Crown

The Emperor

The Outcome

3 of Wands


Hopes and Fears

The Magician


External Forces

4 of Wands


The Querent

Strength

The Recent Past

Ace of Wands

The Crossing Card

5 of Wands


The Significator

The Chariot

The Future

The Star


Foundation card


The Moon

 

 

The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.

 

 

The Chariot

A stately figure drives a chariot pulled by a black and a white Sphinx. The canopy of his chariot is the night sky, emblazoned with stars.

Upright Meaning:

Traveling, journey, fun times, victory, battle, voyage, route, emigration, flight, change of place, challenges met boldly, triumph.

 

 

 

 

The Crossing Card denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.

 

5 of Wands

A posse of youths, who are brandishing staves, as if in sport or strife. It is mimic warfare.

Upright Meaning:

Imitation, as, for example, sham fight, strenuous competition, struggle, the search for fame and fortune, gold, gain, opulence.

 

 

 

 

The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.

 

The Emperor

The Emperor sits on his throne holding his sceptre. He represents a male figure of power and authority.

Reversed Meaning:

Creditor, borrowing, confusion to enemies, obstruction, immaturity, annoyance, irritation.

 

 

 

 

Foundation card reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.

 

The Moon

A dog and a wolf join in howling at a brilliant full moon situated between two towers. A lobster emerges from the lake, ready to embark on the journey of evolution.

Upright Meaning:

Hidden enemies, lurkers, danger, calumny, darkness, terror, occult forces, error, the unknown, thief in the night, denigration, slander.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.

 

Ace of Wands

A hand reaching out from a cloud grasps a stout wand or club.

Upright Meaning:

Creation, invention, enterprise, the powers which result in these; principle, beginning, source; birth, family, origin, and in a sense the virility which is behind them; the starting point of enterprises; according to another account, money, fortune, inheritance.

 

 

 

 

The Future depicts that which lies ahead.

 

The Star

Under the stars, a nude woman pours out two vials of water, one onto the land, the other into a pond. Opposite the angel of Temperance, her left foot is on the land, her right on the water.

Upright Meaning:

Youth, beauty, gifts, hope, bright prospects, ingenuity, genius, adept, mastery, gratitude, support, thanks, savvy.

 

 

 

 

The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.

 

Strength

A woman holds a young lion at bay with her female strength of grace. She is crowned by the lemniscate as the Magician is, revealing herself as his counterpart.

Upright Meaning:

Power, energy, action, courage, magnanimity, boldness, grace, mercy, goodwill, finesse, dexterity, soothing, tact.

 

 

 

 

External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.

 

4 of Wands

From the four great staves planted in the foreground there is a great garland suspended; two female figures uplift nosegays; at their side is a bridge over a moat, leading to an old manorial house.

Reversed Meaning:

Prosperity, increase, felicity, beauty, embellishment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.

 

The Magician

A robed figure performs the act of ceremonial magic in order to direct his will to perform his desires.

Upright Meaning:

Skill, subtlety, clandestine, self-confidence, willpower, determination, action, initiative, talent, ability.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

3 of Wands

A calm, stately personage, with his back turned, looking from a cliff's edge at ships passing over the sea. Three staves are planted in the ground, and he leans slightly on one of them.

Reversed Meaning:

The end of troubles, suspension or cessation of adversity, toil and disappointment.