Celtic Cross Spread
Difficulty: Average
This is probably the most common spread. A good basic spread for beginners to use for practice, 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 shows 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 the querent is consciously aware of (thoughts).
- Unconscious driving forces the querent may not be aware of (emotions).
- The immediate past regarding the current situation.
- The first future card indicates the immediate future.
- This card represents the querent and their attitude towards cards #1 and #2.
- The external influences, the places and people which influence the topic.
- This card is the querent’s expectations; what is secretly hoped for or feared.
- The second future card shows the longer-term outcome.
Your Celtic Cross Reading
The Crown |
The Outcome  4 of Pentacles
External Forces  2 of Pentacles
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The Recent Past  Page of Swords |
The Crossing Card
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The Future  8 of Pentacles |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.
Page of Cups
A fair, pleasing, somewhat effeminate page, of studious and intent aspect, contemplates a fish rising from a cup to look at him. It is the pictures of the mind taking form.
Divinatory Meaning:
Fair young man, one impelled to render service and with whom the Querent will be connected; a studious youth; news, message; application, reflection, meditation; also these things directed to business.
The Crossing Card denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
Knight of Cups
Graceful, but not warlike; riding quietly, wearing a winged helmet, referring to those higher graces of the imagination which sometimes characterize this card. He too is a dreamer, but the images of the side of sense haunt him in his vision.
Divinatory Meaning:
Arrival, approach - sometimes that of a messenger; advances, proposition, demeanour, invitation, incitement.
The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
3 of Pentacles
A sculptor at his work in a monastery. Compare the design which illustrates the Eight of Pentacles. The apprentice or amateur therein has received his reward and is now at work in earnest.
Reversed Meaning:
Mediocrity, in work and otherwise, puerility, pettiness, weakness.
Foundation card reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
Knight of Pentacles
He rides a slow, enduring, heavy horse, to which his own aspect corresponds. He exhibits his symbol, but does not look therein.
Reversed Meaning:
Inertia, idleness, repose of that kind, stagnation; also placidity, discouragement, carelessness.
The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
Page of Swords
A lithe, active figure holds a sword upright in both hands, while in the act of swift walking. He is passing over rugged land, and about his way the clouds are collocated wildly. He is alert and lithe, looking this way and that, as if an expected enemy might appear at any moment.
Divinatory Meaning:
Authority, overseeing, secret service, vigilance, spying, examination, and the qualities thereto belonging.
The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
Knight of Cups
Graceful, but not warlike; riding quietly, wearing a winged helmet, referring to those higher graces of the imagination which sometimes characterize this card. He too is a dreamer, but the images of the side of sense haunt him in his vision.
Divinatory Meaning:
Arrival, approach - sometimes that of a messenger; advances, proposition, demeanour, invitation, incitement.
The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
4 of Swords
The effigy of a knight in the attitude of prayer, at full length upon his tomb.
Divinatory Meaning:
Vigilance, retreat, solitude, hermit's repose, exile, tomb and coffin. It is these last that have suggested the design.
External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
2 of Pentacles
A young man, in the act of dancing, has a pentacle in either hand, and they are joined by that endless cord which is like the number 8 reversed.
Divinatory Meaning:
On the one hand it is represented as a card of gaiety, recreation and its connexions, which is the subject of the design; but it is read also as news and messages in writing, as obstacles, agitation, trouble, embroilment.
Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
The Wheel of Fortune
The four Living Creatures of Ezekiel occupy the angles of the card, and the wheel itself follows other indications of Levi in respect of Ezekiel's vision, as illustrative of the particular Tarot Key. With the French occultist, and in the design itself, the symbolic picture stands for the perpetual motion of a fluidic universe and for the flux of human life. The Sphinx is the equilibrium therein. The transliteration of Taro as Rota is inscribed on the wheel, counterchanged with the letters of the Divine Name - to shew that Providence is imphed through all. But this is the Divine intention within, and the similar intention without is exemplified by the four Living Creatures. Sometimes the sphinx is represented couchant on a pedestal above, which defrauds the symbolism by stultifying the essential idea of stability amidst movement.
Behind the general notion expressed in the symbol there lies the denial of chance and the fatality which is implied therein. It may be added that, from the days of Levi onward, the occult explanations of this card are - even for occultism itself - of a singularly fatuous kind. It has been said to mean principle, fecundity, virile honour, ruling authority, etc. The findings of common fortune-telling are better than this on their own plane.
Reversed Meaning:
Increase, abundance, superfluity.
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 Pentacles
A crowned figure, having a pentacle over his crown, clasps another with hands and arms; two pentacles are under his feet. He holds to that which he has.
Reversed Meaning:
Suspense, delay, opposition.
