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  Ehwaz
External Forces  Othala
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The Recent Past  Elhaz |
The Crossing Card
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The Future  Mannaz |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.
Eihwaz
Eihwaz is a rune of progress. The desire for material gain provides motivation and a sense of purpose. It indicates a plan being formulated and moving forward. May indicate a person who can be trusted. Some keywords are: honesty, dependability, reliability, endurance, strength, defence, protection.
Ill-dignification can mean: confusion, delays, disturbance, destruction, dissatisfaction, weakness.
The Crossing Card denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
Thurisaz
Thor, the Thunder god. Male core fertility. Thurisaz has to do with strife, conflict, combat, defence, and aggression. Reacting forcefully, as if threatened. Instinctual will, eroticism, a catalyst for change. A purging flood, a cleansing fire, catharsis.
This rune suggests that now may not be the best time to make any hasty decisions. Perhaps time should be set aside to reflect.
The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
Laguz
Laguz is related with water and the sea. Flow, a fertility source, the healing cycle of constant change renewal. This is a strong feminine rune of intuition that also relates to fertility.
Heightened imagination and psychic abilities. Dreams, fantasies, mysteries, the unknown, the occult. A breakthrough in awareness. Success in travel or acquisition, but presenting the possibility of loss.
Ill-dignification suggests you're taking things too hard. Prevent your emotions from running wild. This indicates of a period of confusion. Lack of creativity and feelings of being in a rut may lead to bad decisions and poor judgement. Circumstances may be beyond your control, so the trick is to adapt. Terror, circular logic, avoidance, cowardice, madness, obsession, despair, perversity, sickness, depression.
Foundation card reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
Jera
Jera is a rune of harvest, abundance, reward, fortune, completion, and putting things in order. The fruits of earlier labours are ripe for the picking. Abundant peace and contentedness due to a nice surplus. The promise of success earned. The life cycle of eternal change which rules the universe.
Ill-dignification can mean a sudden setback or reversal of fortune. A major change, bad timing, conflict, poverty, or getting stuck in a repeating loop.
The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
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 Future depicts that which lies ahead.
Thurisaz
Thor, the Thunder god. Male core fertility. Thurisaz has to do with strife, conflict, combat, defence, and aggression. Reacting forcefully, as if threatened. Instinctual will, eroticism, a catalyst for change. A purging flood, a cleansing fire, catharsis.
This rune suggests that now may not be the best time to make any hasty decisions. Perhaps time should be set aside to reflect.
The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
Raidho
A rune of action and movement, Raidho indicates that business is about to pick up. Travel and movement are suggested, both in immediate terms and those of overall lifestyle. An adventure, journey, vacation, relocation, personal evolution, or other conceivable change of place or perception. Mind expansion.
Knowing what you want and going for it. The personal in rhythm with the world, the dance of life. Raidho's connection to the number 2 is a reminder that there are two sides to every story. Be careful not to get side tracked into a disruptive misadventure that could set you back.
External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
Othala
This rune is concerned with home, land, and property. What is truly important to one. Group order, group prosperity. Land of birth, spiritual heritage, experience and fundamental values. Inheritance. Aid in journeys.
Othala relates to marriage, family, and things which are fixed and unchangeable, set-in stone. On a spiritual level this is a reminder that your body is the temple and home of your soul, a source of security, increase, and abundance.
Ill-dignification can mean lack of respect, totalitarianism, slavery, poverty, homelessness. Bad karma, prejudice, injury. This is a warning to take care of what you have if you care about it.
Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
Sowilo
Sowilo is the sun; the life source of the world, the destroyer of ice. The life-force, health. A time when you will be able to grab the reins of power to make positive changes in your life. It is a rune of fortune, health, clarity of thought, vitality, accomplishment, and victory. Contact between the higher self and the unconscious.
Success, glory, honour, victory, health, and success. Wholeness, fullness, raw power, primordial force, natural phenomenon, sword of fire, baptism by fire. This very powerful and generally positive rune sheds the light of a sunny day on a reading.
Ill-dignification suggests bad ideals, bad company, tainted victory, trickery. Excessive force, destruction, retribution, bad karma.
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.
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.
