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 Emperor
External Forces  Ace of Wands
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The Recent Past The Hermit |
This Crosses the Significator
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The Future The Swamp |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.
4 of Cups
When you order people to do something, be certain that your orders are clear.
This Crosses the Significator denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
5 of Cups
The problem with a hand of glory is that wax melts and glory fades.
The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
7 of Cups
'It's hard to fill a cup that's already full'. –James Cameron, Avatar. What fills your cup? If you like what's there don't let the nightmares in. But if you want to learn more, you have to spill your past preconceptions.
The Foundation reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
3 of Swords
The Vikings were once the most feared force on the northern seas, now they are remembered by statues, Swedish death metal, and Antonio Banderas movies. Do what you will to ensure your name, but once you're gone you have no control over what will become of it.
The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
The Hermit
4:00 – Card 5
Male, Air, Virgo.
A card of loneliness, disconnection and solitude. Also, a card of hope – If you have half of something it means the other half is out there somewhere. It may be far away, you may have to wade through the nastiest slums to find it, but when you do it's brilliant.
The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
5 of Cups
The problem with a hand of glory is that wax melts and glory fades.
The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
2 of Wands
This artist loves Thai food. Tom Yum soup and fried rice mostly. To be honest though I'm very poor at chopsticks.
External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
Ace of Wands
A wand is a means to a magical end. If you don't like what you're seeing, use yours to change the channel.
Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
8 of Pentacles
Things grow from other dead things. Don't overlook them for their dark origins, and don't dismiss the dead as a total erasure of what was.
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 Emperor
In this case King Sargon of Akkad. A great ruler in his own time rarely even makes the history books in ours.
