Celtic Cross Spread

Celtic Cross

 

 

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.

  1. The significator epitomizes what the reading deals with, the initial situation.
  2. An added impulse that compounds the significator, which may be either complimentary or contradictory.
  3. This is what is consciously known (thoughts).
  4. Unconscious driving forces that may not be known fully (emotions).
  5. The immediate past regarding the current situation.
  6. The first future card indicates the immediate future.
  7. This card represents the reader and their attitude towards cards #1 and #2.
  8. The external influences, the places and people which influence the topic.
  9. This tarot card suggests expectations; what is secretly hoped for or feared.
  10. The second future card reveals the long-term outcome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Celtic Cross Reading

 

The Crown

7 of Wands

  The Outcome

The Devils


Hopes and Fears

4 of Cups


External Forces

The Norn


The Querent

The Star

The Recent Past

The Sorceress

This Crosses the Significator

The Emperor


The Significator

6 of Swords

The Future

9 of Swords


The Foundation

9 of Wands

 

 

 

The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.

 

 

6 of Swords

Something has to make the rain come down. It got up there but once there's enough of it, it falls back to Earth. It's not enough just to let it happen, if you want to understand you have to observe.

 

 

 

 

 

This Crosses the Significator denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.

 

The Emperor

In this case King Sargon of Akkad. A great ruler in his own time rarely even makes the history books in ours.

 

 

 

 

 

The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.

 

7 of Wands

The BLOB! The blob has taken the streets! It's reproducing, the blob will kill us all!!! THE BLOOOOB!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Foundation reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.

 

9 of Wands

Thank you Mario, but your princess is in another castle. Besides, this one's blocked by a cypress tree fence. Lofty goals are nothing if you can't get to them.

 

 

 

 

 

The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.

 

The Sorceress

12:00 – Card 11

AKA The Priestess in traditional Tarot. Female, Fire, Leo.

The master of events, the shaper of destiny, the will in action. The opposite of the fool, the Sorceress is active, in control. Aware instead of ignorant, wise instead of apathetic. A goddess, for the only gods that exist are men and women who make deities of themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

The Future depicts that which lies ahead.

 

The Emperor

In this case King Sargon of Akkad. A great ruler in his own time rarely even makes the history books in ours.

 

 

 

 

 

The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.

 

The Star

AKA The Star in traditional Tarot.

In this case it's Perseus slaying Medusa, a homage to Marqueste's sculpture.

Crowley explained every man and woman is a star. Astrologically, we all effect the fates with our rises and falls. We also congregate into bodies which are no mere illusion, but powerful forces in time. Other people have power over you, but you too have power over them.

 

 

 

 

 

External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.

 

The Norn

2:00 – Card 10

AKA The Wheel of Fortune in traditional Tarot. Female, Air, Gemini.

Symbolic of fate, and what is fate but change? Everything changes in time; change is the only constant. What one cannot control one must predict, and act in accordance with. Opposition to the inevitable yields only pain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.

 

4 of Cups

When you order people to do something, be certain that your orders are clear.

 

 

 

 

 

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 Devils

11:00 – Card 9

AKA The Devil in traditional Tarot. Female, Fire, Capricorn.

Predators, perpetrators, the strong over the weak. They are movers and manipulators of fate, but always at each other’s throats. Time devours its own children and this is the card of that act, for time itself is only a continuum, it's really time's children that devour each other.

 

 

 

 

Home   Tarot Reading   Meanings   Spreads   Decks   Artists   FAQ   Zone31   Shadow Alchemy   About   Terms   Privacy     Facebook   X   LinkedIn


Copyright © 2025 Tarotsmith. All rights reserved.