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 The Star
External Forces  10 of Cups
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The Recent Past The Hermit |
This Crosses the Significator
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The Future 9 of Coins |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.
2 of Wands
The picture shows coloured energy as well as a certain pallor. The brown colour suggests to us, stuck in the earth, that the right wand could help us.
The hand appears to be hesitant, the waning moon points to fear, the flag of parliament indicates false compromises. The waves in the middle show the situation's emotions.
This Crosses the Significator denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
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.
The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
King of Wands
The wall confines the fire and bundles it up. Its violet colour shows that it has been built consciously and with spiritual energy, intent on higher ideals.
The triangle on the square shows the ideal integration of divinity and mortality. The fish in the fiery water indicates fiery emotionality as the basis for materialism. The symbol of the wand is recognised by the nine-fold loop on the back of the card.
The Foundation reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
King of Coins
The king is sitting in front of his magnificent castle with its well-kept but simple park. He is proud of it and feels confident. He is aware of what he has achieved and he knows how to manage his estate.
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.
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.
The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
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.
External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
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.
Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
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 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.
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.
