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.

1. The significator epitomizes what the reading deals with, the initial situation.
2. An added impulse that compounds the significator, which may be either complimentary or contradictory.
3. This is what is consciously known (thoughts).
4. Unconscious driving forces that may not be known fully (emotions).
5. The immediate past regarding the current situation.
6. The first future ogham indicates the immediate future.
7. This ogham represents the reader and their attitude towards oghams #1 and #2.
8. The external influences, the places and people which influence the topic.
9. This ogham suggests expectations; what is secretly hoped for or feared.
10. The second future ogham reveals the long-term outcome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Celtic Cross Reading

	The Crown Nion		The Outcome Huathe Hopes and Fears Uilleann Blocked External Forces Gort Blocked The Querent Coll Blocked
The Recent Past Iodhadh Blocked	This Crosses the Significator Onn The Significator Duir Blocked	The Future Eabhadh Blocked
	The Foundation Ngetal

 

 

 

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

 

 

Duir Blocked

• Tree/Plant: Oak
• Kenning: ‘Door to Strength’

Blocked Oak crumbles into tyranny or weakness. You may either dominate when you should lead, or abdicate when you should stand firm. Know the difference between stubborn pride and rightful authority. Strength unused is strength lost. Step up—or step aside.

• 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’

Gorse blazes golden on barren land. It teaches that abundance can be summoned even from wastelands. Creativity, sexuality, and prosperity burn bright if tended. Onn invites you to stoke the fire: light your desires without shame. Plant the seeds of future harvests with daring and joy.

• 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’

Ash roots into the underworld and crowns into the heavens. Nion is the ladder between realms—initiation, connection, growth beyond the self. You are called to think larger: your actions ripple beyond your little life. A decision made today weaves into the bones of your descendants. Rise into responsibility. Carry the vision of the ancestors with you, but blaze new trails they could only dream of.

• 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’

Reed sings in the marshes—a simple stalk, yet a carrier of songs and messages. Ngetal reminds you that true communication is born of humility and clarity. Speak, but also listen. Your voice can guide or heal, if you align it with spirit. Let your truth ripple across 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’

Blocked Yew is fear of endings so deep, it calcifies life itself. You cling to what's gone rotten rather than face the sacred unknown. Let death do its work. Let silence speak. New roots must drink from ancient soil.

• 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’

Gorse blazes golden on barren land. It teaches that abundance can be summoned even from wastelands. Creativity, sexuality, and prosperity burn bright if tended. Onn invites you to stoke the fire: light your desires without shame. Plant the seeds of future harvests with daring and joy.

• 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’

Blocked Hazel creates confusion, ignorance, or misuse of knowledge. Perhaps you seek easy answers where there are none, or hoard knowledge without application. Wisdom is not merely knowing; it is knowing when, and how, and why. Choose discernment over cleverness.

• 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’

Blocked Ivy suffocates instead of survives. Are you holding onto dead things? Are you climbing structures that no longer serve you? Growth for its own sake is cancer. Attach wisely—or learn when to release.

• 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’

Blocked Uilleann is distraction disguised as sweetness. Are you chasing illusions because they smell nice? Or are you ignoring the real treasures underfoot? The sweetness you seek is real—but you must seek with the right senses.

• 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’

Hawthorn is the guardian hedge—neither hostile nor tame, but fiercely loyal to its sacred task. Huathe asks you to protect what is holy: your heart, your dreams, your boundaries. Sacred spaces need walls. Not everything and everyone deserves access to your inner garden. Wield your thorn wisely—defend, but do not imprison yourself.

• Spiritual Lesson: True protection is conscious, not reactionary.
• Reflective Question: What am I defending, and is it truly sacred?
• Affirmation: ‘I protect without imprisoning.’