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 7 of Wands
External Forces  Queen of Cups
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The Recent Past 9 of Swords |
This Crosses the Significator
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The Future Princess of Swords |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.
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.
This Crosses the Significator denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
4 of Cups
A fourth cup, which, does not really want to fit in the well-balanced harmony of the other three, joins the three cups. The hand with its intensive colour shows the rejection it experiences. The fourth fish is green, as though it felt ill. Altogether the colours are lighter than those of the Three of Cups.
The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
Prince of Cups
By winking, the prince is trying to make the marshy spot more attractive for a bathe. The content of his cup doesn't look like water. The sun brightens the scene, although the first cloud has already appeared.
The Foundation reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
Judgement
Classical symbols are also used here. Five graves are opening up, out of which stretches a hand to awaken a new life. The implication of the archangel Gabriel is blowing the trumpet of the Resurrection. One of the hands shows three fingers, which portrays a release from the grave's number four. It is also a gesture of the Hierophant.
The number five, shown by the number of hands and flowers, points to entirety. The aim is to see material things as being divine, so as to unite them and not to damn them and so create a new division. The flowers are about to bloom and through their colours the subjects of integration and entirety are emphasised again.
The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
9 of Swords
The swords look like teeth, which at any moment could bite. The hands are held up for protection. The eye wants to open, but its vision is obstructed.
The waning moon emphasises the existing fear. The sunrise is at hand. Roses promise development, joy of life and the coming forth of emotions in the near future.
The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
4 of Cups
A fourth cup, which, does not really want to fit in the well-balanced harmony of the other three, joins the three cups. The hand with its intensive colour shows the rejection it experiences. The fourth fish is green, as though it felt ill. Altogether the colours are lighter than those of the Three of Cups.
The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
5 of Coins
Wealth and poverty are separated by a wall. The rich man is wearing white gloves. He doesn't want to get his fingers dirty. The poor man has a missing middle-finger, the centre has been lost. His stick is brittle.
The colour blue separates the colours red and yellow from brown and green. The yellow is similar to gold. Red used to belong to the most expensive colours. Green is also the colour of mould and brown is the colour which at first appears to be inert.
The candle is helping the poor man to find sense and the distant path, as far as he is aware of them.
External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
Queen of Cups
The world seems to be a wallowing in the emotions for the queen. The waves in the background seem to be carrying her throne, which she clearly seems to be enjoying. The moon and the stars portray the light that she intuitively or indirectly sees.
The instrument she is holding under her right arm allows her to express her inspirations and to hand them on to others. She could also be an artist.
Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
3 of Wands
In front of the rising sun the first posts are being erected for the building of a new house. The hand has taken a firm hold of the wand; part of the wall has already been erected.
The wall symbolises the appearance of our conceptions. The mountains in the background show the definite ideas and conceptions that will materialise in the future.
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.
7 of Wands
The beam in the Five of Wands picture has been supported. On this card a hand has taken over the leadership and restrained the different impulses from the other five hands, or as the case may be, straightened them up so that they cannot cause any more damage to the successful work. The top and the bottom of the picture show the two sides of the number seven.
