Tarot spread
The Celtic Cross
The Celtic Cross is a spread of ten cards: six form a cross in the middle and four stand in a column on the right. Arthur Edward Waite described it in 1910, in the book that came with the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. It is used for an in-depth analysis of complex problems and when you want to see every aspect of a situation: from the past, through the present, to the future.
The spread interpreter: with a sign-in and “Full Access”.
10 cards, face down; the numbers are the places in the list
10 places
The meaning of the places
The numbers are the order in which the cards are drawn and laid out, as in the drawing above.
- 1The Situation. What is happening now: the central question.
- 2The Challenge. What stands in your way (even a “positive” card here is an obstacle).
- 3The Foundation. Subconscious influences and the root of the matter.
- 4The Past. Events that are fading but still have an influence.
- 5The Crown (Goal). The best that can be achieved.
- 6The Near Future. What lies ahead in the coming weeks.
- 7You. Your attitude and position within the situation.
- 8Your Surroundings. How others see you and external factors.
- 9Hopes and Fears. The psychological factor: what you expect.
- 10The Final Outcome. The result if everything continues as it has so far.
Practice
When and how
Best for
- Complex life questions
- A deep analysis of a situation
- When you want the full picture
- Serious decisions and crossroads
Tips
- Do not use it for trivial questions: set aside the time.
- Cards 1 to 6 form the cross; 7 to 10 are the “staff” on the right.
- Card 2 is always an obstacle, even if it is a “good” card.
- Card 10 is not set in stone: you can change course.
- Practice with simpler spreads before the Celtic Cross.