Celtic Cross Spread
Difficulty: Average
This is probably the most well-known tarot spread. A good, basic spread for beginners to practise with, the Celtic Cross is useful for questions of all types. In this spread, it can be helpful to notice the relationships between the pairings of cards #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 card indicates the immediate future.
- This card represents the reader and their attitude towards cards #1 and #2.
- The external influences, the places and people which influence the topic.
- This tarot card suggests expectations; what is secretly hoped for or feared.
- The second future card reveals the long-term outcome.
Your Celtic Cross Reading
The Crown |
The Outcome Prince of Disks
External Forces  Art
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The Recent Past 8 of Wands – Swiftness |
The Crossing Card
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The Future 9 of Swords – Cruelty |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.
6 of Cups – Pleasure
Sun in Scorpio
Two hearts come together forming a unicursal hexagram. Four bunches of grapes symbolise that balance has been achieved.
Meaning:
Natural harmony, satisfaction, beginnings of steady increase, fond memories.
When ill-dignified: presumptuousness, vanity, lack of gratitude and respect.
The Crossing Card denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
The Beast
Leo
Also known as Lust or Strength. The carnal experience. The whore rides the great beast of the apocalypse. She knows one way to tame the beast.
Meaning:
Strength, courage, energy, control of vital forces, resorting to magic, love affair.
The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
Death
Scorpio
A skull and crossbones present obvious symbolism here. Something coming to an end, a necessary transition into the next stage.
Meaning:
Transformation, change, transitional period leading to a new way. Loss of the status quo.
Foundation card reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
5 of Swords – Defeat
Venus in Aquarius
The pale blue background of this card symbolises airy weakness. A chipped sword attempts to battle four bent swords in the shape of a pentagram. A hopeless struggle, this solitary sword is the weakest of the five.
Meaning:
Weakness, loss, spite, malice, trouble, dishonour, degradation, infamy, revocation, loss, humiliation, anxiety. A driver of wedges.
The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
8 of Wands – Swiftness
Mercury in Sagittarius
A sudden burst of energy causes eight arrows to explode into action. This card indicates that something is about to happen fast.
Meaning:
Action, explosive energy, electricity, fast communication, gain of rapid speed, light, quickness.
When ill-dignified: Too much too fast, a flash in the pan.
The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
The Beast
Leo
Also known as Lust or Strength. The carnal experience. The whore rides the great beast of the apocalypse. She knows one way to tame the beast.
Meaning:
Strength, courage, energy, control of vital forces, resorting to magic, love affair.
The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
9 of Wands – Great Strength
Moon in Sagittarius
Great Strength. Eight arrows have been collected and are now under the authority of a headmaster arrow. They have been completed by this arrangement and the addition of the moon-heads. The driving force that empowers them is the sun.
Meaning:
Great strength, tremendous force, power, competition, warrior spirit, focused rage. Change is stability.
External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
Art
Sagittarius
Temperance or Alchemy. Creation by way of the marriage of opposites. You are what you create. An androgenous figure stirs the pot. The unity of opposite alchemical symbols (lion + eagle) has produced alchemical GOLD.
Meaning:
Realisation of objectives and goals. Successful combination of energies. A string of successful magickal manoeuvres culminating in solidification. Calculated action. Management.
Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
The Lovers
Gemini
Lovers are eternally bound in Soul. A nude family holding hands in the form of a lemniscate represents natural purity.
Meaning:
Attraction, childishness, openness to inspiration, love, beauty.
When ill-dignified: shallow, superficial union. Instability, insecurity, indecision.
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.
Prince of Disks
8:00 – 10:00 Male
Taurus
The Prince of Disks rides his chariot pulled by the bull. His disk is a sphere. The air of earth is represented by the vegetation he ploughs through. He is a worker at heart, grounded on the earth plane, and concerned with materialism above all else. He may resent the spirituality that eludes his grasp.
Meaning:
A young man with skill in practical matters, reliable, and perhaps dull.
