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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 Wands

The Outcome

Page of Cups


Hopes and Fears

The Emperor


External Forces

Death


The Querent

King of Cups

The Recent Past

Ace of Wands

The Crossing Card

5 of Swords


The Significator

8 of Wands

The Future

The Devil


Foundation card


Judgement

 

 

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

 

 

8 of Wands

The card represents motion through the immovable – a flight of wands through an open country; but they draw to the term of their course. That which they signify is at hand; it may be even on the threshold.

Upright Meaning:

Activity in undertakings, the path of such activity, swiftness, a messenger; great haste, great hope, speed towards an end which promises assured felicity; generally, that which is on the move; the arrows of love.

 

 

 

 

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

 

5 of Swords

A disdainful man looks after two retreating and dejected figures. Their swords lie upon the ground. He carries two others on his left shoulder, and a third sword is in his right hand, point to earth. He is the master in possession of the field.

Reversed Meaning:

Degradation, destruction, revocation, infamy, dishonour, desperation, defeat, disappointment, dissolution.

 

 

 

 

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

 

10 of Wands

A man oppressed by the weight of the ten staves which he is carrying.

Upright Meaning:

Fortune, gain, success, false-seeming, disguise, perfidy. The rods that he carries may be bad news to the place he brings them. Success is stultified if the Nine of Swords follows.

 

 

 

 

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

 

Judgement

An angel in the heavens blows a trumpet, calling the dead to rise from their graves.

Reversed Meaning:

Weakness, simplicity, deliberation, decision, sentence, lawsuit, loss, condemnation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 Devil

The devil holds the lovers, Adam and Eve in chains. This card represents the fall of man.

Upright Meaning:

Vengeance, violence, disgrace, force, lust, lies, cheating, hoax, bait, snake oil, disorder, confusion, false values, compulsion.

 

 

 

 

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

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

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 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.

 

Page of Cups

A fair, pleasing, somewhat effeminate page, of studious and intent aspect, contemplates a fish rising from a cup to look at him. It is the pictures of the mind taking form.

Reversed Meaning:

Taste, inclination, attachment, seduction, deception, artifice.