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 4 of Hearts
External Forces  Imprisoned Instincts
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The Recent Past The Tower |
This Crosses the Significator
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The Future 7 of Spades |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.
3 of Spades
Loss of faith or believe, a pessimistic outlook in general. Internalising of negative emotions. A numbing of the soul or spirit to the extent we also become numbed to the pain or hurt that comes from external sources. The need to use insight to identify the real cause of pain or upset, as opposed to misperceived sources. The urge to cut within in order to release harmful or negative emotions.
This Crosses the Significator denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
King of Diamonds
Making do with what you have at hand. Growing or cultivating for yourself, lessening the burden on others to provide for you. Create a sense of discipline and order with everything being in its appropriate place. Keeping of a level head, or having your feet on the ground when considering what is important in life. This could indicate a person who is very good regulating their financial or material life, identifying with and working with any fluctuations around them.
The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
5 of Diamonds
Experiencing of hardship. Acknowledgement that suffering can be partnered with dignity, particularly if it is open to public scrutiny. Either being supported, or the offering support at a time of need. Being receptive to the energies of others, particularly if they are there to help or protect against external influences.
The Foundation reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
The Empress
The Empress card suggests a stage of gestation; it is defined by how one develops providence into something more. If an opportunity presents itself, this card represents the need find the balance between knowing when to foster growth and when to let go.
As the Seeker, this card represents the reality that too much attention stifles development, too little and it verges on neglect.
In a situation, The Empress card is a reminder that opportunities are abundant, it's what we do with them that determines success or failure.
The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
The Tower
Is it be better to hold on to a lie because it gives us hope;
or is it be better to know a truth that throws us off the edge of deception into the abyss below?
The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
King of Diamonds
Making do with what you have at hand. Growing or cultivating for yourself, lessening the burden on others to provide for you. Create a sense of discipline and order with everything being in its appropriate place. Keeping of a level head, or having your feet on the ground when considering what is important in life. This could indicate a person who is very good regulating their financial or material life, identifying with and working with any fluctuations around them.
The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
7 of Diamonds
Paying attention to the finer detail or to what is actually present as opposed to what could be. Taking ownership of only what is needed, allowing excess or clutter fall to the way side. Possibility of lost opportunities due to too narrow of a focus on what is already present. Being happy and content with what you have, not wanting to chase anything that is not needed or necessary at this time.
External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
Imprisoned Instincts
Imprisoned Instincts is traditionally known as the Wheel of Fortune card in tarot. While it denotes sudden change for better or worse, nothing in life happens overnight. Sometimes, we are aware of signs of change and address them or we may overlook them and pay for consequences later.
As the seeker, this card indicates that methods of coping to circumstance surrounding us contribute to what happens in the future. Thus, taking responsibility for decisions we make empower us to create the future we wish for ourselves. Taking action is a choice; doing nothing to change our circumstances is also a choice.
As a situation, Imprisoned Instincts suggest a change and while the circumstances may be out of our control but how we deal with what happened/happens is. Perhaps it is time to assess at personal methods of coping and not the event itself.
Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
Page of Diamonds
Transformation on a spiritual level, leading to an understanding our 'magic' is apparent through what you are and not what you have. Being shielded from the allure of material wealth at the expense of self-realisation. Understanding what you can be, or what you could have is something that you can direct with our own hand. Preparation in readiness to move on from something that is no longer of relevance or is no longer providing anything of value.
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.
4 of Hearts
Possible conflict of emotion or thought. An imbalance of subconscious needs when compared to conscious desires. Requirement to stay calm and focused when faced with external disharmony or conflict. The need to understand when to get involved in restoring harmony and when to let the parties involved sort things out for themselves.
