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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

10 of Cups

The Outcome

7 of Wands


Hopes and Fears

The Hierophant


External Forces

Knight of Cups


The Querent

8 of Cups

The Recent Past

4 of Pentacles

The Crossing Card

Death


The Significator

The Moon

The Future

The Emperor


Foundation card


The Empress

 

 

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

 

 

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.

Reversed Meaning:

Instability, inconstancy, deception, gossip, spite, malice, depreciation, discouragement.

 

 

 

 

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

 

Death

The Grim Reaper rides into town on a pale horse. The king has fallen, and the Pope greets Death with the king's family. The sun sets in the gateway on the horizon.

Upright Meaning:

End, destruction, loss, failure, terminus, conclusion, completion, closure, resolution, outcome, annihilation, downfall, rebirth.

 

 

 

 

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

 

10 of Cups

Appearance of Cups in a rainbow; it is contemplated in wonder and ecstasy by a man and woman below, evidently husband and wife. His right arm is about her; his left is raised upward; she raises her right arm. The two children dancing near them have not observed the prodigy but are happy after their own manner. There is a home-scene beyond.

Reversed Meaning:

False heart, indignation, violence, deception, in-satiety.

 

 

 

 

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

 

The Empress

Seated on her throne, the Empress holds up the golden sceptre. She represents the archetypal female.

Upright Meaning:

Fertility, pregnancy, motherly instincts, fruitfulness, compassion, diplomacy, public rejoicings, jubilation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.

 

4 of Pentacles

A crowned figure, having a pentacle over his crown, clasps another with hands and arms; two pentacles are under his feet. He clings to what he has.

Reversed Meaning:

Suspense, delay, opposition, bad economy, repression, stubbornness, penny wise – pound foolish.

 

 

 

 

The Future depicts that which lies ahead.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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

 

8 of Cups

A man of dejected aspect is deserting the cups of his felicity, enterprise, undertaking or previous concern.

Upright Meaning:

Giving joy, mildness, timidity, honour, modesty; the decline of a matter, or that a matter which has been thought to be important is really of slight consequence.

 

 

 

 

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

 

Knight of Cups

Graceful, and not warlike; riding quietly, wearing a winged helmet, referring to those higher graces of the imagination which sometimes characterise this card. He too is a dreamer, but the images of the side of sense haunt him in his vision.

Upright Meaning:

Arrival, approach – sometimes that of a messenger; advances, proposition, demeanour, invitation, incitement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

The Hierophant

Seated on his throne, the Pope symbolises the male understanding of the spiritual workings of the world and traditional values. Two monks flank him on either side.

Upright Meaning:

Tradition, custom, light, truth, marriage, alliance, captivity, servitude, mercy, inspiration, understanding, spiritual awareness.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

7 of Wands

A young man on a craggy eminence brandishing a staff; six other staves are raised towards him from below.

Reversed Meaning:

Perplexity, embarrassments, anxiety. It is also a caution against indecision.