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  The Empress
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The Recent Past 7 of Cups |
This Crosses the Significator
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The Future The Slave |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.
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.
This Crosses the Significator denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
The Sun
Damn bright thing always vomiting heat and blinding light onto the populous. The artist of this deck isn't a fan.
The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
7 of Pentacles
'And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof'. –Rev 5:5
The Foundation reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
5 of Wands
The means may be grotesque, but if they get you what you want you'd do well to use them.
The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
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 Future depicts that which lies ahead.
The Sun
Damn bright thing always vomiting heat and blinding light onto the populous. The artist of this deck isn't a fan.
The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
5 of Pentacles
Air conditioning is not a luxury, it's one of the most important things humankind ever invented. Comfort too is not to be taken lightly, if you aren't comfortable you can't enjoy what's before you, and if you can't enjoy what you've got, what's the point in living?
External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
The Empress
Regime change in action, it happens more in the sewers than the senates. One goes out, another comes in.
Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
8 of Wands
The means by which you arrive are not necessarily the means by which you'll stay.
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.
