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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 Empress

The Outcome

King of Cups


Hopes and Fears

7 of Swords


External Forces

9 of Swords


The Querent

The Moon

The Recent Past

The Emperor

The Crossing Card

Page of Swords


The Significator

Knight of Pentacles

The Future

3 of Swords


Foundation card


Ace of Wands

 

 

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

 

 

Knight of Pentacles

He rides a slow but steady horse, which is just like him. He holds the pentacle, but does not look therein.

Reversed Meaning:

Inertia, idleness, stagnation, placidity, discouragement, carelessness, blame, irresponsibility, affliction, hardship, trial, burden, stress.

 

 

 

 

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

 

Page of Swords

A lithe, active figure holds a sword upright in both hands, while in the act of power walking. He is passing over rugged land, and about his way the clouds are collocated wildly. He is alert and aware, looking this way and that, as if an expected enemy might appear at any moment.

Upright Meaning:

Authority, overseeing, secret service, vigilance, spying, examination.

 

 

 

 

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

 

The Empress

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

Reversed Meaning:

The unravelling of important matters, vacillation, difficulty, doubt, ignorance, over-possessiveness, smothering.

 

 

 

 

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

 

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 Recent Past represents past events and concerns.

 

The Emperor

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

Upright Meaning:

Authority, stability, power, protection, benevolence, realisation a greatness, aid, reason, conviction, willpower.

 

 

 

 

The Future depicts that which lies ahead.

 

3 of Swords

Three swords piercing a heart; cloud and rain behind.

Reversed Meaning:

Mental alienation, error, loss, distraction, disorder, confusion, a storm brewing.

 

 

 

 

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

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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

 

9 of Swords

One seated on her couch in lamentation, with the swords over her. She is as one who knows no sorrow which is like unto hers. It is a card of utter desolation.

Upright Meaning:

Death, failure, miscarriage, delay, deception, disappointment, despair, nightmares, worry, tension, extreme anxiety, obsession.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

7 of Swords

A man in the act of carrying away five swords hastily; missing two which remain stuck in the ground. He is a thief. A camp is close at hand.

Reversed Meaning:

A dangerous plan that may fail, quarrelling, annoyance, disturbance, thievery, crime, slander, babbling.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

King of Cups

He holds a short sceptre in his left hand and a great cup in his right; his throne is set upon the sea; on one side a ship is riding and on the other a dolphin is leaping.

Upright Meaning:

Fair man, man of business, law, or divinity; responsible, disposed to oblige the Querent; also equity, art and science, including those who profess science, law and art; creative intelligence.