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![]() Uilleann
External Forces ![]() Coll Blocked
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The Recent Past![]() Tinne |
This Crosses the Significator
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The Future![]() Duir |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.

Saille Blocked
- Tree/Plant: Willow
- Kenning: ‘Sweeping Elegance’
- Spiritual Lesson: Mastery of emotion is achieved through movement, not denial.
- Reflective Question: Where am I refusing to let grief or inspiration flow?
- Affirmation: ‘I bend; I do not break.’

This Crosses the Significator denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
Ór
- Tree/Plant: Spindle Tree
- Kenning: ‘Weaver’s Gold’
- Spiritual Lesson: Destiny is not found—it is crafted.
- Reflective Question: What thread must I pick up now, even if it scares me?
- Affirmation: ‘I spin my future with sacred hands.’

The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
Eadha Blocked
- Tree/Plant: Aspen
- Kenning: ‘Shield of Courage’
- Spiritual Lesson: Courage is trembling action.
- Reflective Question: What fear am I called to face and outgrow?
- Affirmation: ‘I tremble, but I move.’

The Foundation reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
Iodhadh
- 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 Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
Tinne
- Tree/Plant: Holly
- Kenning: ‘Warrior’s Crown’
- Spiritual Lesson: Victory is hollow without a worthy cause.
- Reflective Question: What is truly worth fighting for now?
- Affirmation: ‘I wear the crown of sacred battle.’

The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
Ór
- Tree/Plant: Spindle Tree
- Kenning: ‘Weaver’s Gold’
- Spiritual Lesson: Destiny is not found—it is crafted.
- Reflective Question: What thread must I pick up now, even if it scares me?
- Affirmation: ‘I spin my future with sacred hands.’

The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
Beith Blocked
- Tree/Plant: Birch
- Kenning: ‘Brightest of Trees’
- Spiritual Lesson: Purification requires surrender; beginnings require mourning.
- Reflective Question: What old story must I finally lay to rest to allow my rebirth?
- Affirmation: ‘I welcome the purity of the unknown.’

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

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