Celtic Cross Layout
Difficulty: Average
This is probably the most well-known layout. A good, basic layout for beginners to practise with, the Celtic Cross is useful for questions of all types. In this layout, it can be helpful to notice the relationships between the pairings of oghams #5 & #9, #1 & #2, #3 & #4, and #6 & #10.
- The significator epitomizes what the reading deals with, the initial situation.
- An added impulse that compounds the significator, which may be either complimentary or contradictory.
- This is what is consciously known (thoughts).
- Unconscious driving forces that may not be known fully (emotions).
- The immediate past regarding the current situation.
- The first future ogham indicates the immediate future.
- This ogham represents the reader and their attitude towards oghams #1 and #2.
- The external influences, the places and people which influence the topic.
- This ogham suggests expectations; what is secretly hoped for or feared.
- The second future ogham reveals the long-term outcome.
Your Celtic Cross Reading
The Crown |
The Outcome![]() Huathe
External Forces ![]() Gort Blocked
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The Recent Past![]() Iodhadh Blocked |
This Crosses the Significator
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The Future![]() Eabhadh Blocked |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.

Duir Blocked
- Tree/Plant: Oak
- Kenning: ‘Door to Strength’
- Spiritual Lesson: Power without purpose is decay.
- Reflective Question: Where must I claim authority—or surrender pride?
- Affirmation: ‘I am the door that withstands all storms.’

This Crosses the Significator denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
Onn
- Tree/Plant: Gorse
- Kenning: ‘Flame of Fertility’
- Spiritual Lesson: Sacred fire creates; false fire consumes.
- Reflective Question: Where does my fire want to bloom?
- Affirmation: ‘I blaze the barren into bloom.’

The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
Nion
- Tree/Plant: Ash
- Kenning: ‘World-Tree of the Ancestors’
- Spiritual Lesson: True growth demands humility before the unseen web of life.
- Reflective Question: What legacy am I weaving with my daily choices?
- Affirmation: ‘I walk the worlds rooted and crowned.’

The Foundation reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
Ngetal
- Tree/Plant: Reed
- Kenning: ‘Voice of the Waters’
- Spiritual Lesson: The purest messages are the simplest.
- Reflective Question: What truth needs my voice right now?
- Affirmation: ‘I am the voice of clear waters.’

The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
Iodhadh Blocked
- Tree/Plant: Yew
- Kenning: ‘Tree of Death and Continuity’
- Spiritual Lesson: Death is not the end—it is the sacred beginning beneath all beginnings.
- Reflective Question: What am I clinging to that refuses to die cleanly?
- Affirmation: ‘I descend to rise.’

The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
Onn
- Tree/Plant: Gorse
- Kenning: ‘Flame of Fertility’
- Spiritual Lesson: Sacred fire creates; false fire consumes.
- Reflective Question: Where does my fire want to bloom?
- Affirmation: ‘I blaze the barren into bloom.’

The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
Coll Blocked
- Tree/Plant: Hazel
- Kenning: ‘Wellspring of Wisdom’
- Spiritual Lesson: Wisdom must be lived, not stored.
- Reflective Question: What hidden knowledge am I being invited to embrace?
- Affirmation: ‘I drink from the sacred well.’

External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
Gort Blocked
- Tree/Plant: Ivy
- Kenning: ‘Tenacity of the Green Path’
- Spiritual Lesson: Persistence must serve true growth.
- Reflective Question: What am I climbing toward—and is it worth it?
- Affirmation: ‘I cling to the light that feeds me.’

Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
Uilleann Blocked
- Tree/Plant: Honeysuckle
- Kenning: ‘Hidden Sweetness’
- Spiritual Lesson: Not all that tempts is treasure—but real treasure rarely announces itself.
- Reflective Question: What unseen blessing have I ignored?
- Affirmation: ‘I follow sweetness hidden in shadow.’

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.
Huathe
- Tree/Plant: Hawthorn
- Kenning: ‘Thorn of Protection’
- Spiritual Lesson: True protection is conscious, not reactionary.
- Reflective Question: What am I defending, and is it truly sacred?
- Affirmation: ‘I protect without imprisoning.’