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 8 of Wands
External Forces  5 of Swords
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The Recent Past The Hermit |
This Crosses the Significator
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The Future Queen of Cups |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.
Prince of Swords
The strong helmet protects the prince, while, with eyes closed and head bent forward, he is demolishing the hard wall. Some bricks are falling down. A part of the wall looks like a bookcase.
This is all about ancient knowledge and opinions, the details of which are being asked about or, in the truest sense of the word, which are being blown into mid-air. However, with his eyes closed the prince cannot take into consideration what he is throwing around.
This Crosses the Significator denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
7 of Coins
Seven pentacles are lying on a heap of leaves which is being swept up. They look like unusable fruit. Two tears show that the sweeper is grieving over his lost harvest. The star in the background suggests that the loss is small in comparison with the high goal which is being aimed at.
The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
The Tower
A small ray of light shines through a crack in the wall and arouses our yearning for freedom and knowledge. The prison walls burst open and we can escape. We have already taken hold of the sword which stands for differentiation, consciousness and independent thought.
The monarch's insignia of the Emperor shows we are prepared to reconquer the seat on our own throne.
The Foundation reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
6 of Wands
Six trees have been felled in a forest, which couldn't be entered and be used, because the trees were growing in all directions. They are lying to the left-hand side of the path, which is now free to let in light, causing new leaves to sprout.
The wood from the forest has been used to melt down the iron for an axe, to turn a style and therefore to create a significant relationship between growth and order.
The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
The Hermit
The picture is kept fairly dark. The only light can be found in the star and the house. The moon, which does not shine itself, shows the occupation with the subconscious and the concealed which have to be discovered. The star shines itself, but is still too far away. It is the star the Hermit will follow as soon as he leaves the house. It is five-pointed, which forms a connection with the Hierophant's theme.
The picture's spirals in the trees, path and window turn in different directions and refer to the inward course. This can be consciously taken, turning to the right, or intuitively, turning to the left. The Hermit finds his light in the safety of the house. The fish (newly discovered emotions) are waiting outside for him. The direction of the path, which again follows outwardly, is not clearly evident. One can suspect strong emotions in the background, portrayed by moving water.
The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
7 of Coins
Seven pentacles are lying on a heap of leaves which is being swept up. They look like unusable fruit. Two tears show that the sweeper is grieving over his lost harvest. The star in the background suggests that the loss is small in comparison with the high goal which is being aimed at.
The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
Ace of Wands
The orangey yellow colour of the picture emphasises energy and liveliness. A wand is growing out of the ground. Liveliness grows out of stability, which gives security and nutrition.
The leaf indicates slow change, but the fire indicates a definite basic change and dissolving of processes. The heart, which seems to be inside the flame, pronounces love' passion. Energy-rays are hinted at through the wand's aura. The field of corn in the background gives a further reference to growth and fertility.
External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
5 of Swords
The middle sword divides the scene. It symbolises disconnection in itself and is the only one that has remained whole.
The 'winner's' sword, decorated with a laurel wreath, seems to be less bent than that of the 'loser', but it is also unusable. The pierced heart shows the 'loser's' certainty of having injured his enemy in the worst possible way.
The dark colours in the picture show that it is a matter of something unpleasant. The energetic connection, portrayed by the waves at the top and bottom, has been cut off.
Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
The Star
Nine stars are pointing towards a goal. The violet colour in the picture illustrates the spiritual atmosphere, the blue water and the fish symbolise clarity, flow of energy and liveliness, the path is well lit and seems to become easier and the sky is clearing to a light blue.
The signs of the Zodiac point towards methods, which are occupied with one's own future, and act as deputy for all oracle techniques.
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.
8 of Wands
The sketch quotes the picture from the Raider-Waite deck. Eight wands are flying through the air.
