Celtic Cross Layout
Difficulty: Average
This is probably the most common layout. A good basic layout for beginners to use for practice, 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 shows 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 the querent is consciously aware of (thoughts).
- Unconscious driving forces the querent may not be aware of (emotions).
- The immediate past regarding the current situation.
- The first future rune indicates the immediate future.
- This rune represents the querent and their attitude towards runes #1 and #2.
- The external influences, the places and people which influence the topic.
- This rune is the querent’s expectations; what is secretly hoped for or feared.
- The second future rune shows the longer-term outcome.
Your Celtic Cross Reading
The Crown |
The Outcome ![]() Othala
External Forces ![]() Tiwaz
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The Recent Past ![]() Uruz |
The Crossing Card
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The Future ![]() Perthro |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.

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, labor, work.

The Crossing Card denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
Ansuz
Ansuz signifies the protection of Odin, concerned with man's connection with the universe, spiritual messages, learning, communication, and the spoken word. Signs, inspiration, visions, and the symbolic power of words and names.
Acceptance of good advice yields blessings in health, harmony, and wisdom. Non-acceptance of good advice results in manipulation by others, misunderstanding, and delusion. Vanity and arrogance may deceive one's self. This rune may indicate that dreams are giving you important messages that you should take note of.

The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
Jera
Jera is a rune of harvest, abundance, reward, fortune, completion, and putting things in order. The fruits of earlier labors 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.

Foundation card reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
Thurisaz
Thor, the Thunder god. Male core fertility. Thurisaz has to do with strife, conflict, combat, defense, and aggression. Reacting forcefully, as if theatened. 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 Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
Uruz
Self improvement is the ideal of this rune, which indicates the formation of a pattern of success. Responsibility and authority earned raise one's personal stock. New awarenesses make it possible to capitalize on new opportunities, and this rune's appearance suggests that opportunity is about to knock. This rune suggests a period of wonder and adventure before adaptation settles in. Beginner's luck, freedom, electricity, action, courage, strength, tenacity, understanding, experience. Masculine sexual potency.

The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
Ansuz
Ansuz signifies the protection of Odin, concerned with man's connection with the universe, spiritual messages, learning, communication, and the spoken word. Signs, inspiration, visions, and the symbolic power of words and names.
Acceptance of good advice yields blessings in health, harmony, and wisdom. Non-acceptance of good advice results in manipulation by others, misunderstanding, and delusion. Vanity and arrogance may deceive one's self. This rune may indicate that dreams are giving you important messages that you should take note of.

The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
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, defense, protection.
Ill-dignification can mean: confusion, delays, disturbance, destruction, dissatisfaction, weakness.

External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
Tiwaz
Tiwaz is the warrior rune, and also one of the runes of love. It is concerned with self-knowledge, self-actualization, leadership, authority, rationality, honor, justice, and self-sacrifice. Opportunities should be seized. Success is indicated by this rune, particularly in competitive and legal matters.
Ill-dignification can mean writer's block, creative slump, over-analysis, over-sacrifice, injustice, imbalance. Conflict, strife, and losing in competitive matters. A lack of passion, miscommunication, even a separation. The male in a relationship may be involved for superficial reasons.

Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
Raidho
A rune of action and movement, Raidho indicates that business is about to pick up. Travel and movement is 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 2 sides to every story. Be careful not to get side tracked into a disruptive misadventure that could set you back.

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.
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.