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 Knave of Cups
External Forces  Seven of Swords
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The Recent Past Knight of Cups |
The Crossing Card
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The Future Five of Staves |
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The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.
Ace of Coins
The Ace of Coins symbolises new beginnings, prosperity, and material abundance. It represents the potential for success and growth, especially in financial or practical matters. This card speaks to opportunities that can lead to long-term stability and tangible rewards, laying the foundation for prosperity.
Symbolism: The coin represents a seed of potential, offering the promise of wealth, success, or material security. The subtle background allows the coin's design to take centre stage, highlighting the auspicious nature of this opportunity.
In Relationships: New beginnings or opportunities to build a secure and prosperous relationship. The Ace of Coins invites you to invest in a long-term, stable partnership.
In Work: A new opportunity for financial gain or career advancement. This is a time to focus on practical steps towards building a secure foundation.
Spiritually: A time to focus on manifesting your material and spiritual desires. The Ace of Coins calls for alignment between your physical and spiritual goals.
When ill-dignified: Missed opportunities, poor financial decisions, or a lack of effort to build towards long-term goals.
The Crossing Card denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
Six of Cups
The Six of Cups represents nostalgia, memory, and emotional healing. It suggests a return to simpler times, either through revisiting the past or through healing that allows you to reconnect with the joy and innocence of youth. This card speaks to emotional renewal through reflection and reconciliation.
Symbolism: The six chalices arranged in two neat rows represent order, structure, and continuity. The card's composition evokes feelings of harmony and nostalgia, with continuity between past and present. The ornate designs on the chalices emphasise the beauty of memories and the emotional depth of this reflection.
In Relationships: Reconnection with a past relationship or rekindling old emotional bonds. The Six of Cups speaks to the sweetness of nostalgia and the healing power of revisiting old joys.
In Work: Reflecting on experiences in your career and using them to inform future decisions. This card can also suggest a time to revisit childhood dreams or talents.
Spiritually: A return to emotional balance through spiritual healing. The Six of Cups invites you to connect with the joy and simplicity of your spiritual roots.
When ill-dignified: Living too much in the past, or being stuck in memories. This card warns against becoming too nostalgic and neglecting the present.
The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
Three of Swords (from another Visconti deck)
The Three of Swords represents heartbreak, emotional pain, and sorrow. It signifies a time of emotional distress or grief, often stemming from betrayal, rejection, or loss. This card highlights the painful but necessary process of healing and moving through emotional challenges.
Symbolism: The three swords crossing reflect the pain of emotional betrayal or hurt. The inverted triangular formation emphasises the gravity of the situation, drawing attention to the emotional core. The stark simplicity of the design reinforces the rawness of emotional distress.
In Relationships: Heartbreak or emotional turmoil caused by separation, betrayal, or unrequited love. The Three of Swords encourages you to face your pain and allow yourself time to heal.
In Work: Disappointments or challenges in your professional life. This card can represent a painful decision or the end of an important chapter.
Spiritually: A time of spiritual grief or disillusionment. The Three of Swords invites you to process your emotional wounds and trust in the healing process.
When ill-dignified: Holding onto hurt or bitterness. The Three of Swords warns against allowing emotional pain to define you or inhibit growth.
Foundation card reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
Four of Swords
The Four of Swords represents rest, recuperation, and mental recovery. It signifies a need to step back and regain mental and emotional energy. This card speaks to the importance of rest and finding peace after a period of mental or emotional exhaustion.
Symbolism: The four swords arranged symmetrically evoke order, rest, and structure. Their placement suggests a time for reflection, calm, and withdrawal. The flowery background enhances the peaceful atmosphere, encouraging a pause for recovery.
In Relationships: A time to take a break from a relationship or to focus on self-care. The Four of Swords invites you to restore emotional equilibrium and reflect on your feelings.
In Work: Rest or reflection in your professional life. This card may suggest taking a break or re-evaluating your career goals to prevent burnout.
Spiritually: A time to retreat from the hustle and bustle of life to reconnect with your spiritual self. The Four of Swords calls for reflection and peace to heal your mind and spirit.
When ill-dignified: Withdrawal, avoidance, or mental stagnation. The Four of Swords warns against becoming detached or disconnected from your emotions or responsibilities.
The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
Knight of Cups
The Knight of Cups represents emotional pursuit, idealism, and romanticism. It speaks to the pursuit of dreams, following one's heart, and embarking on emotional quests with passion and dedication.
Symbolism: The knight on horseback, holding a cup, exudes an energy of romantic idealism and emotional drive. The pale horse's steady gait and the knight's confident posture suggest a balance between passion and grace.
In Relationships: Pursuing romance with enthusiasm and idealism. The Knight of Cups suggests a time of emotional pursuit, whether the beginning of a romance or a passionate phase in an existing relationship.
In Work: A pursuit of creative or emotional fulfilment. This card represents following your heart and idealism in professional endeavours.
Spiritually: The quest for spiritual or emotional fulfilment. The Knight of Cups invites you to pursue your highest ideals and trust your intuition on your spiritual journey.
When ill-dignified: Impulsiveness, emotional highs and lows, or unrealistic expectations. The Knight of Cups warns against becoming too idealistic or pursuing unrealistic goals without grounding.
The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
Six of Cups
The Six of Cups represents nostalgia, memory, and emotional healing. It suggests a return to simpler times, either through revisiting the past or through healing that allows you to reconnect with the joy and innocence of youth. This card speaks to emotional renewal through reflection and reconciliation.
Symbolism: The six chalices arranged in two neat rows represent order, structure, and continuity. The card's composition evokes feelings of harmony and nostalgia, with continuity between past and present. The ornate designs on the chalices emphasise the beauty of memories and the emotional depth of this reflection.
In Relationships: Reconnection with a past relationship or rekindling old emotional bonds. The Six of Cups speaks to the sweetness of nostalgia and the healing power of revisiting old joys.
In Work: Reflecting on experiences in your career and using them to inform future decisions. This card can also suggest a time to revisit childhood dreams or talents.
Spiritually: A return to emotional balance through spiritual healing. The Six of Cups invites you to connect with the joy and simplicity of your spiritual roots.
When ill-dignified: Living too much in the past, or being stuck in memories. This card warns against becoming too nostalgic and neglecting the present.
The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
Seven of Staves
The Seven of Staves represents defence, resistance, and standing your ground. It symbolises the courage to protect what you've built and assert your position, even in the face of opposition.
Symbolism: The seven staves arranged in a symmetrical pattern suggest a challenge to your stability or position, yet they also indicate the strength and resilience required to protect it. The uneven arrangement reflects the dynamic energy of struggle and resistance. The pale tan background continues the theme of elemental energy, grounding the conflict within a broader context.
In Relationships: A time to defend your boundaries or assert your position. This card may indicate a need to stand firm in your values or beliefs, especially if they are being challenged.
In Work: A period of resistance in your professional life, where you must protect your ideas, position, or accomplishments from competition or opposition.
Spiritually: The Seven of Staves represents spiritual defence, a time to stand firm in your beliefs and spiritual practices. It invites you to protect your inner peace from outside forces.
When ill-dignified: Over-defensiveness, stubbornness, or aggression. This may indicate that you are unnecessarily guarding yourself from challenges or are too resistant to change.
External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
Seven of Swords
The Seven of Swords represents secrecy, deception, and strategy. It speaks to situations where you may feel the need to be clever, sneaky, or evasive to get what you want. This card can indicate an act of stealth or even betrayal, but it also highlights the need for careful planning and discretion.
Symbolism: The unbalanced arrangement of the swords suggests movement, stealth, and uncertainty. The overlapping blades hint at hidden motives or the complexity of a situation that requires more than just straightforward action.
In Relationships: Hidden agendas or deception. The Seven of Swords advises caution, as someone may not be entirely honest with you or you may be hiding something.
In Work: Strategic planning or taking calculated risks. The Seven of Swords can suggest that you are working behind the scenes to achieve your goals, but caution is needed to avoid deceit.
Spiritually: Secrets or hidden truths within your spiritual path. This card encourages you to examine any areas where dishonesty or avoidance might be hindering your growth.
When ill-dignified: Betrayal, dishonesty, or evasion. The Seven of Swords warns against deceitful actions or neglecting the truth for personal gain.
Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
Two of Staves
The Two of Staves symbolises duality, decision-making, and the balancing of forces. It represents a time when a choice must be made, but the way forward is clear only through contemplation and internal balance.
Symbolism: The two staffs, arranged symmetrically, reflect the concept of partnership, opposition, or balance. The delicate flourishes at the bases suggest that, though the decision may be significant, it need not be rushed. The flowery background continues the theme of elegance, inviting you to focus on the inner dynamics between opposing forces.
In Relationships: A decision lies ahead—whether to commit, balance differences, or choose a path together. This card invites careful deliberation before taking action.
In Work: A time to evaluate your options, whether expanding your horizons or staying the course. It speaks to the importance of balancing ambition with patience.
Spiritually: The Two suggests an inner conflict or a need to find balance within yourself. This card encourages introspection and a search for harmony.
When ill-dignified: Indecision, imbalance, or the inability to make a clear choice. You may be stuck in a state of conflict, unable to resolve opposing forces in your life.
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.
Knave of Cups
The Knave of Cups represents new emotional beginnings, curiosity, and intuition. It signifies the start of a new emotional journey, often marked by creativity, exploration, and open-heartedness.
Symbolism: The youthful figure holding a cup symbolises emotional openness and the willingness to explore new feelings and ideas. The vibrant green background contrasts with the figure's more muted robes, indicating that while this journey is new, it is rooted in emotional understanding.
In Relationships: A new romantic adventure, or the beginning of emotional exploration. This card signals fresh beginnings and open-hearted communication.
In Work: Creative opportunities or a new phase in your professional life. The Knave of Cups suggests following your intuition and embracing new emotional connections in your work.
Spiritually: A time of exploration and discovery. This card invites you to listen to your inner voice and follow your emotional intuition on your spiritual journey.
When ill-dignified: Emotional immaturity, unrealistic expectations, or a lack of direction. The Knave of Cups warns against rushing into things without considering the consequences.