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.
The Crown |
The Outcome  The Hermit
External Forces  5 of Wands
|
||
The Recent Past  9 of Cups |
The Crossing Card
|
The Future  The Wheel of Fortune |
|
|
|||
Ace of Swords
A hand reaches out from a cloud, grasping a sword, the point of which is encircled by a crown.
Upright Meaning:
Triumph, the excessive degree in everything, conquest, triumph of force. It is a card of great force, in love as well as in hatred. The crown may carry a much higher significance than comes usually within the sphere of fortune telling.
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.
8 of Swords
A woman, blindfolded and bound, with the swords of the card around her. Yet it is rather a card of temporary endurance than of irretrievable bondage.
Upright Meaning:
Bad news, violent chagrin, crisis, censure, power in trammels, conflict, calumny, sickness, having one's hands tied, insanity.
6 of Swords
A ferryman delivering passengers to the further shore. The course is smooth, and seeing that the freight is light, as the workload is not beyond his ability.
Upright Meaning:
Journey by water, route, way, envoy, commissionary, expedient, travelling, a short trip.
9 of Cups
A goodly personage has feasted to his heart's content, and abundant refreshment of wine is on the arched counter behind him, seeming to indicate that the future is also assured. The picture offers the material side only, but there are other aspects.
Upright Meaning:
Concord, contentment, physical ,; also, victory, success, advantage; satisfaction for the Querent or person for whom the consultation is made.
The Wheel of Fortune
The Sphinx sits atop a wheel in the sky, symbolic of the wisdom of fate. Other Egyptian characters ride the wheel as it turns, which is surrounded by four cherubs who serve as the guardians of Heaven.
Reversed Meaning:
Increase, abundance, superfluity, comfort, gain, eminence, convenience, luxury, extravagance, benefit.
8 of Pentacles
An artist in stone at his work, which he exhibits in the form of trophies.
Upright Meaning:
Work, employment, commission, craftsmanship, skill in craft and business, preparedness, readiness.
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.
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.
The Hermit
An old man with a walking stick holds up a lantern to enlighten his path.
Upright Meaning:
Prudence, circumspection, insight, self-awareness, retreat, solitude, detachment, isolation, peace, withdrawal.
