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 Knight of Cups
External Forces  4 of Swords
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The Recent Past 10 of Cups |
This Crosses the Significator
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The Future Ace of Swords |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.
Knight of Wands
Read 'The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha', preferably the edition with illustrations by Gustav Dore. At the very least see the play 'Man of La Mancha'.
Mock what lunatics you may, but at some point you've been the fool too, and fools, whatever else they are, are also the best dreamers.
This Crosses the Significator denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
Page of Wands
If you're going to use a pool stick, first be sure that you aren't one of the balls.
The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
8 of Swords
Why in Pulp Fiction did he go with a Samurai Sword? He had a damn Chainsaw! Half the swords in pawn shops are cheap crap that'll break if you try to use it, chainsaws are dangerous, vicious weapons. It would have been way wiser and way cooler if he went with the Chainsaw. Way cooler.
That aside: It's about sacrifice. Nothing's free and nothing ventured means nothing gained.
The Foundation reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
5 of Cups
The problem with a hand of glory is that wax melts and glory fades.
The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
10 of Cups
The most valuable things in the world are worthless if you throw them down the drain. And yes, those are Zebetites.
The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
Page of Wands
If you're going to use a pool stick, first be sure that you aren't one of the balls.
The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
Queen of Wands
An homage to H.R. Giger's Alien Hieroglyphs and an insult to perspective. A wand that does nothing more than sap the life from you and squirt it down the drain.
External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
4 of Swords
Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam!
(Today is a good day to die!)
Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
5 of Wands
The means may be grotesque, but if they get you what you want you'd do well to use them.
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.
Knight of Cups
An homage to David Lynch. I don't know what divinatory meaning you might get out of a cowboy duel in a kitchen sink, but please do let me know if you find one.
Traditionally, it means romantic change is coming. If you're smart about it, for the better.
