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![]() 8 of Cups
External Forces ![]() 6 of Swords
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The Recent Past![]() Page of Pentacles |
This Crosses the Significator
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The Future![]() The Devils |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.
5 of Cups
The problem with a hand of glory is that wax melts and glory fades.
This Crosses the Significator denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
8 of Wands
The means by which you arrive are not necessarily the means by which you'll stay.
The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
4 of Pentacles
It doesn't always come out the way you wanted. That doesn't mean you can't still enjoy it.
The Foundation reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
Queen of Cups
Queen Bees begin developing in specially constructed cells within the hive. They are often oriented differently from other cells in the honeycomb, and are filled with Royal Jelly, a substance which determines the physiology of the queen to be.
The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
Page of Pentacles
An homage to Arthur Edward Waite, Aleister Crowley and George Sprague, the three revolutionary authors of Tarot systems that inspired this deck. Also, a very bad pun, apologies.
Life demands study, not worship. Study your problems, don't just pray for them to go away.
The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
8 of Wands
The means by which you arrive are not necessarily the means by which you'll stay.
The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
King of Cups
An homage to H.P. Lovecraft and the culture that's grown around his works in the modern world. Charlemagne has been replaced by Cthulhu. Past insanity has been replaced with new insanity, but it's still madness all the same. Don't believe that just because it's changed means it's been fixed.
External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
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.
Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
6 of Wands
If you're stuck, the first step to freedom is to examine what's holding you in place.
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.
8 of Cups
D cups in this case. Don't be ashamed to enjoy your vices, and never regret the sins you enjoy.
