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 Swords
External Forces  Queen of Wands
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The Recent Past 4 of Coins |
This Crosses the Significator
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The Future The High Priestess |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.
Princess of Wands
The princess is apparently in a holiday situation with palm-trees, a beach and the sea. Fire (sun) and water (sea) come together here. Heat and refreshment alternate. There are enough references to the erotic theme in the picture.
This Crosses the Significator denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
2 of Swords
The picture shows a closed eye. A lot is still taking place inwardly. The heart and water in a way are being crossed out. Emotions have to be left out for the moment.
The varying thoughts seem to influence one another. Both hands are open. Each thought is equally valuable at the moment.
The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
10 of Cups
The sprouting seed refers to actual growth. The heart leads two ends together into a point. The house offers an outward protection for a partnership for life.
The child (small hand) shows itself as being an actual product of its parents' love. The snake suggests that the child will carry this cycle on, one day, as a parent.
The Foundation reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
The Hanged Man
The sole of the foot is turned upwards, the world is turned upside down. This is what the picture shows. The beam and the rope are blue. Rationality, an attempt to consciously act, binds the hanged man. But here there also seems to be hope. Leaves are growing out of wood.
The colour yellow at the bottom of the picture stands for the light which the hanged man experiences when he manages to let himself fall. The wide path in the background leads to a dead-end against blue rocks. Walking back a bit one can find a narrow track which leads around the rocks back into the light. The violet background portrays the night sky. Normal vision is not carried any further.
The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
4 of Coins
The safe symbolises the need for protection. Certain themes are referred to: money, possessions, love and relationships. The star stands for the vision, which is worth holding on to.
The blue-and-white checked-pattern portrays narrow-mindedness through misunderstood reliability. At the bottom of the picture the devil's horns and some hell-fire have found their place, illustrating dependence.
The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
2 of Swords
The picture shows a closed eye. A lot is still taking place inwardly. The heart and water in a way are being crossed out. Emotions have to be left out for the moment.
The varying thoughts seem to influence one another. Both hands are open. Each thought is equally valuable at the moment.
The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
10 of Coins
The pentacles can be found inside and outside the town, as fruits on trees, as an exchange object, as a value which can bring us beauty, knowledge, nutrition or culture, by us exchanging these values, if necessary, with the help of payment (money).
The wise man knows that only by exchanging our goods amongst ourselves can we make a rich community. One pentacle shows an upside-down pentagram.
External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
Queen of Wands
The orangey-yellow colour of the picture symbolises fire; the green colour portrays fertility and growth. The sunflowers also testify a connection between energy and growth.
The throne gives the impression of a sun-queen; the creases on her skirt point to sexual energy, her red hair is tied back. The black cat, with its back to us, stands for independence and magic powers. There is a precious stone on the queen's crown, this connects her to the magician's figure one.
Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
5 of Wands
The beam of a building or some construction shows a definite crack and looks as if it will soon break; therefore, there is need for action. Five different coloured hands are trying to mend it by supporting the beam with stakes. But they are lacking in coordination and a united aim. One has the impression that the stakes could form an upside-down five-pointed star.
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 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.
