Celtic Cross Layout
Difficulty: Average
This is probably the most well-known layout. A good, basic layout for beginners to practise with, the Celtic Cross is useful for questions of all types. In this layout, it can be helpful to notice the relationships between the pairings of runes #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 rune indicates the immediate future.
- This rune represents the reader and their attitude towards runes #1 and #2.
- The external influences, the places and people which influence the topic.
- This rune suggests expectations; what is secretly hoped for or feared.
- The second future rune reveals the long-term outcome.
Your Celtic Cross Reading
The Crown |
The Outcome  Isa
External Forces  Ehwaz
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The Recent Past  Wunjo |
The Crossing Card
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The Future  Raidho |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.
Elhaz
Elhaz is concerned with security, protection, and defence. Warding off of evil, shield, guardian. Connection with the gods, awakening, higher purpose, divine inspiration, channelling energy or spirits, spiritual enlightenment. This rune is connected to shamans and alternative medicine that are no longer popular in today's society. May indicate a need of retreat for introspection.
Follow your instincts. Elhaz warns that people may want to push you into doing something against your will. You must stand your ground to maintain the rewards of your success or to maintain a position earned.
Ill-dignification warns you to watch for people taking advantage of you. Be careful not to take on their burdens. Can mean hidden danger, deception, confusion, reversal of fortune, weakening of the divine link. Taboo, warning, peril, repugnance. A creative drought.
The Crossing Card denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
Kenaz
This is the primary female rune, representing things such as motherly instincts, guidance and support, intuition, and love. Spiritual visions, revelation, esoteric knowledge, inspiration, creativity, technical ability.
A sign of success, particularly in artistic endeavours. Vitality, harnessed ability, transformation, and reinvention. The pioneer spirit, the power to create your own reality. The power of light, to uncover and inspire.
Female passion and sexual desire. Being exposed, loss of illusion and false hope. It can conversely serve as a reminder that a loss may seem unpleasant, but that it can be a blessing in disguise.
The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
Mannaz
Mankind, the Self; the individual or the human race. Your attitude toward others and their attitudes towards you. Friends and enemies, social order. This is the rune of help. Intelligence, forethought, creative ability, divine awareness.
Ill-dignification suggests a problem with authority, or possibly a conflict with people of a different culture. Mortality, blindness, self-deception, manipulation, cunning, slyness. A warning to be more careful of people, to pay closer attention to their motives. This rune may indicate a period of depression and suggests waiting or seeking consultation before making any important decisions.
Foundation card reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
Naudhiz
Naudhiz warns about awareness of one's limitations. But resistance builds strength. Delays, restrictions, confusion, conflict, and the will to defeat them. Endurance, survival, determination. Patience and endurance are called for. Innovation, adaptation, and independence. The will power to direct fate.
An opportunity may not be what it seems. You may want to wait before making any important decisions. Tension in relationships is likely. If a risk has been taken, results are still forthcoming. Stress, and frustration are also associated with this sign.
The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
Wunjo
An omen of prosperity on the horizon. Projects relating to creativity, art, or intuition are favoured by this rune. A sign of comfort, pleasure, comradery, joy, and harmony.
Glory, ecstasy, and spiritual frenzy. If controlled, success and general increase of one's personal stock. If unloosed, over-enthusiastic zeal can lead to maniacal raving, going berserk. Don't blow your top.
The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
Kenaz
This is the primary female rune, representing things such as motherly instincts, guidance and support, intuition, and love. Spiritual visions, revelation, esoteric knowledge, inspiration, creativity, technical ability.
A sign of success, particularly in artistic endeavours. Vitality, harnessed ability, transformation, and reinvention. The pioneer spirit, the power to create your own reality. The power of light, to uncover and inspire.
Female passion and sexual desire. Being exposed, loss of illusion and false hope. It can conversely serve as a reminder that a loss may seem unpleasant, but that it can be a blessing in disguise.
The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
Gebo
Gifts, in the spirit of both giving and receiving. Gebo is one of the runes of love, relating to partnerships and generosity. Matters related to exchanges. This rune can suggest an important favour and self-sacrifice as a reward in itself.
Ill-dignification can mean selfishness, loneliness, desperation, over-sacrifice, or bribery.
External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
Ehwaz
This rune typically signifies big changes – changes for the better. Transportation. May represent a horse, car, plane, boat or other vehicle. Slow but steady progress is indicated. Trust, loyalty, harmony, teamwork, an ideal partnership.
This rune also strengthens adjacent runes, adding clarification and solidarity to their meanings when in doubt. It is also connected with science and higher education. Communication reaches peak harmony.
Ill-dignification could mean a change is craved. Haste, disharmony, betrayal. Feeling trapped. Paranoia and superstition.
Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
Ingwaz
This is the rune of male health, fertility, creativity, gestation, and personal growth. Common sense, simple virtue, family, home. The spark of a new idea could start a fire. Often relates to a pivotal point, perhaps a rest stage, a time of relief, of healing and regeneration. A time when loose ends can be tied, freeing one to possibly move in a new direction. You must listen to yourself.
Ill-dignification can suggest impotence and circular movement. Production, labour, work.
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.
Isa
A mental block presents a frustrating challenge. A standstill, when patience is a blessing, it is a good time search within one's self for clarity, a great opportunity for meditation. This rune reinforces runes around it.
Ill-dignification of this rune may mean ego-mania, self-absorption, blindness, and dissipation of willpower. Delusion, deceit, guile, stealth, ambush, plots, grievances, treachery, betrayal.
