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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 World

The Outcome

9 of Wands


Hopes and Fears

Queen of Wands


External Forces

2 of Wands


The Querent

4 of Pentacles

The Recent Past

Knight of Wands

The Crossing Card

2 of Swords


The Significator

Page of Swords

The Future

Queen of Swords


Foundation card


The Empress

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

2 of Swords

A hoodwinked female figure balances two swords upon her shoulders.

Reversed Meaning:

Imposture, falsehood, duplicity, disloyalty, treason, back-stabbing.

 

 

 

 

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

 

The World

A nude, dancing female holding two batons, symbolic of Mother Earth and Mother Nature. She is encircled by a wreath and surrounded by the cherubs who are the guardians of Heaven and Earth.

Reversed Meaning:

fixity, stagnation, absence, nullification, dullness, discouragement, false visions, non-existence, lack-lustre, nullity.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

Knight of Wands

A man on a journey, armed with a short wand, and although armoured it is not on an errand of war. He is passing mounds or pyramids. The motion of the horse is a key to the character of its rider, suggesting his mission.

Reversed Meaning:

Rupture, division, interruption, discord.

 

 

 

 

The Future depicts that which lies ahead.

 

Queen of Swords

Her right hand raises the weapon vertically and the hilt rests on an arm of her royal chair the left hand is extended, the arm raised her countenance is severe but chastened; it suggests familiarity with sorrow. She is a bitter, unmerciful oppressor of those who fall under her reign.

Reversed Meaning:

Malice, bigotry, artifice, prudery, bale, deceit, infidelity, cheating, lack of moral values.

 

 

 

 

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

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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

 

2 of Wands

A tall man looks from a battlemented roof over sea and shore, holding a globe in his right hand, while a staff in his left rests on the battlement; another is fixed in a ring. The Rose and Cross and Lilly are on the left side.

Upright Meaning:

Marriage not possible, riches, fortune, magnificence, surprise, wonder, enchantment, emotion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Queen of Wands

Emotionally and otherwise, the Queen's personality corresponds to that of the King of Wands, though she is more charismatic.

Upright Meaning:

A dark woman, countrywoman, friendly, chaste, loving, honourable. If the card beside her signifies a man, she is well disposed towards him; if a woman, she is interested in you. Also indicates love of money, or a certain success in business.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

9 of Wands

The figure leans upon his staff and has an expectant look, as if awaiting an enemy. Behind are eight other staves – erect, in orderly disposition, like a palisade.

Reversed Meaning:

Obstacles, adversity, calamity, troubles.