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 Queen of Swords
External Forces  Knight of Pentacles
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The Recent Past 5 of Pentacles |
This Crosses the Significator
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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.
3 of Wands
A calm, stately personage, with his back turned, looking from a cliff's edge at ships passing over the sea. Three staves are planted in the ground, and he leans slightly on one of them.
Divinatory Meaning:
He symbolises established strength, enterprise, effort, trade, commerce, discovery; those are his ships, bearing his merchandise, which are sailing over the sea. The card also signifies able co-operation in business, as if the successful merchant prince were looking from his side towards yours with a view to help you.
This Crosses the Significator denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
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.
The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
8 of Wands
The card represents motion through the immovable – a flight of wands through an open country; but they draw to the term of their course. That which they signify is at hand; it may be even on the threshold.
Reversed Meaning:
Arrows of jealousy, internal dispute, stinging of conscience, quarrels; and domestic disputes for persons who are married.
The Foundation reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
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 eight 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.
The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
5 of Pentacles
Two mendicants in a snow-storm pass a lighted casement.
Divinatory Meaning:
The card foretells material trouble above all, whether in the form illustrated – that is, destitution – or otherwise. For some cartomancers, it is a card of love and lovers – wife, husband, friend, mistress; also, concordance, affinities. These alternatives cannot be harmonised.
The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
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.
The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
Page of Pentacles
A youthful figure, looking intently at the pentacle which hovers over his raised hands. He moves slowly, insensible of that which is about him.
Reversed Meaning:
Prodigality, dissipation, liberality, luxury; unfavourable news.
External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
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.
Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
6 of Swords
A ferryman carrying passengers in his punt to the further shore. The course is smooth, and seeing that the freight is light, it may be noted that the work is not beyond his strength.
Divinatory Meaning:
Journey by water, route, way, envoy, commissionary, expedient.
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.
Queen of Swords
Her right hand raises the weapon vertically and the hilt rests on an arm of her royal chair the left hand is extended, the arm raised her countenance is severe but chastened; it suggests familiarity with sorrow. It does not represent mercy, and, her sword notwithstanding, she is scarcely a symbol of power.
Divinatory Meaning:
Widowhood, female sadness and embarrassment, absence, sterility, mourning, privation, separation.
