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The Celtic Cross

A Tarot Spread Guide

The Celtic Cross is considered the oldest and most traditional of all Tarot Spreads.  It consists of 10 cards and is great in that you don’t necessarily need to have a specific question in mind.  The cards will actually reveal a question that already lies deep within you, show a situation that is currently impacting you, or provide an overview of your life as of that moment.  So when you’re needing guidance or advice, this is a great spread to do!  That being said, there’s no doubt that this 10-card Spread can be quite intimidating to new Tarot Card Readers.  That’s ok!  Hopefully this post will help you through this Spread.  So let’s have fun, my friends, in looking at this classic Tarot Spread and see what we can learn from it together!

Table of Contents

    The Cross & The Staff

    One way to tackle the Celtic Cross Spread is to think of it as two main sections: The Cross and The Staff.  Let’s break this down further so it may aid you in tackling this Spread one part at a time:

    The Cross (Cards 1 – 6)

    This section of the Celtic Cross will provide insight to the current situation/problem/question, etc.  They show current external/internal happenings in your life.  Check out the slideshow below to have a visual of each part that makes up The Cross:

    • The Axis (Cards 1 and 2) is the foundation of this Reading and describes the “heart of the matter” at hand.  
    • The Wheel (Cards 3 – 6) surround the Axis.  Just as it is laid out, it shows life events, thoughts/emotions, that influence you involving the central Axis situation.  
    • The Horizontal Line (Cards 1 – 2, 5 – 6) express life events and time, especially regarding the external world.  
    • The Vertical Line (Cards 1 – 4) highlight your internal world or personal aspects about yourself.

    The Staff (Cards 7 – 10)

    This section of the Celtic Cross is much more straightforward and will provide a course of action after examining all of the elements, if you will.

    • Card 7 is the starting point with your personal status. 
    • Cards 8 – 9 looking at external (Card 8) and internal (Card 9) influences.
    • Card 10 being a potential outcome after examining the entire context of factors.  

    Now that we have broken that down into more manageable parts, let’s look at the actual card positions in detail, shall we?

    Celtic Cross Card Positions

    • Card 1:  Querent / Situation
      • You as of this moment.  Is there something on your mind?  Is there something happening?
    • Card 2:  Challenge or Compliment
      • If it’s a negative card, what challenge/obstacle is crossing you in negative way?  If it’s a positive card, what is complementing or helping you?
    • Card 3:  Your Consciousness
      • What are your conscious desires/goals/objectives of extreme value right now?  Of what are you consciously aware?  This may reveal your strongest energy and/or how to use that energy.
    • Card 4:  Your Subconsciousness
      • What does your heart truly desire?  What is powerfully impacting your everyday life that you may not realize?
    • Card 5:  The Past
      • What past events/issues are impacting your present?  If it’s a bad card, you need to let go of that past situation.  If it’s a good card, acknowledge this past moment as a life inspiration.
    • Card 6:  The (Near) Future
      • As of right now, if you continue down the same path, where are you heading?  Some Tarot Readers say this card represents the near future while others say it’s represents the future in no specific time frame.
    • Card 7:  You
      • What are your thoughts, attitudes, ideals, and actions?  How do you perceive yourself?  What qualities/characteristics do you carry?
    • Card 8:  Environmental Influences
      • What external influences are affecting you?  What is the energy like of the people or external environment around you?  Is it helpful? 
    • Card 9:  Hopes and Fears
      • What internal influences are affecting you?  If it’s a good card, what about it do you hope to carry or foresee?  If it’s a bad card, what about it is a fear that you may have?
    • Card 10:  Outcome
      • This is a potential outcome you may encounter.  If it’s a good card, see what other positive cards in the Spread may help guide you and do some internal reflection on the Spread’s messages for guidance on how to address potentially negative cards.  If it’s a negative card, reflect on the Spread’s messages to see how you can address the current situation so you can change your current path direction and potentially ending up with a good outcome.  For example, see if this card has complimenting or conflicting energy with Cards 1 and 3 since it may help guide you into 

    Spread Variations

    As with any Spread, there can be slight variations in the card positions.  If you find yourself finding more accurate results with a particular variation, great!  Please go ahead and stick with that one!  I would recommend to not go back and forth with variations, though.  You want a solid foundation of what each card positions means.  That way, when it does seem not accurate, it could be the cards reflecting on your mind/heart being confused, “all over the place,” or blocked.  There are a lot of Celtic Cross variations out there and many Readers actually create their own version that works best for them. For our purposes, below is a list of a few Celtic Cross variation examples:

    Focusing on the Present & Future Variation by Tarot Elements

    • Card 1:  The Querent  (You.)
    • Card 2:  The Block  (What’s preventing you to get what you want?)
    • Card 3:  Possibilities  (All possibilities available to you now.)
    • Card 4:  The Root  (The “root of the problem” or the underlying energy/influences.)
    • Card 5:  The Recent Past  (Recent past events/moments.)
    • Card 6:  Where You’re Headed  (Your future and where you’re headed.  Also reveals the best and most efficient way to achieve your desired outcome.)
    • Card 7:  How You View Yourself Right Now  (How do you view yourself?  Negatively or positively?  In what way?)
    • Card 8:  Your Environment  (People [including family, friends, etc.] who are helping/hindering the situation.)
    • Card 9:  Hopes and Fears  (How are you feeling about the situation?  Your general outlook on the situation.)
    • Card 10:  The Outcome  (Shows where your energy is heading as opposed to a firm prediction.)  

    Higher Power Guidance Variation by Rowline Brown

    • Card 1:  Situation
    • Card 2:  Recent Past  (Influential recent past event/moment.)
    • Card 3:  Higher Power  (It’s influence, message, guidance in the situation.)
    • Card 4:  Near Future  (What it looks like as of right now, based on your actions/energy.)
    • Card 5:  Self  (Your thoughts, feelings, actions, self-perceptions.)
    • Card 6:  Challenges  (Obstacles that you are now facing.)
    • Card 7:  Blockers and Inhibitions  (What’s preventing you internally/externally?)  
    • Card 8:  Allies  (Who are your allies?  What traits/qualities do they have that will help you?)
    • Card 9:  Advice  (What advice do the cards or Higher Power wish to send you?)
    • Card 10:  Long-Term Potential  (If you follow the advice, this is a potential outcome with positive qualities.)

    Strength-Focused Variation by Earth Magick

    • Card 1:  Where You Are Now
    • Card 2:  Potential or Challenge  (If it’s a good card, then it’s a potential aid.  If it’s a negative card, then it’s a potential challenge/obstacle that is hindering you.)
    • Card 3:  Where to Direct Focus  (Where to focus a lot of energy towards, which will help you.)
    • Card 4:  Look at the Past  (Will resemble a past event that will provide a helpful lesson/message that will aid you now.)
    • Card 5:  Your Unique Strength  (What positive traits/qualities do you possess that you can rely on?)
    • Card 6:  Glance at the Near Future  (If you continue your current path, this is a potential near future.)
    • Card 7:  Suggested Approach  (The deck’s advice that could help you move in a more positive direction.)
    • Card 8:  What You Need to Know  (The deck’s message you should keep in mind as you continue this journey.)
    • Card 9:  Your Hopes or Fears  (If it’s a positive card, your hopes.  If it’s a negative card, it may highlight some fears you hold.)
    • Card 10:  Potential Outcome  (If you follow the cards’ advice and remember their messages, then this may be a potential outcome with positive qualities.)

    Example Reading

    I had a Student do a Celtic Cross Spread for me so we had an example to have fun with!  These are the cards that were drawn for me and let’s explore possible meanings together!

    • Card 1:  Querent / Situation –> 7 of Pentacles
      • I was surprised when this card was drawn!  Typically, the 7 of Pentacles represents work and the potential for success. This is something that I’ve truly been thinking about and working towards.  I’ve been focusing and working very hard towards a goal in mind, which has yet to come to full fruition.  
    • Card 2:  Challenge or Compliment –> The Empress
      • It felt reassuring to have drawn the Empress for the second card.  I’ve been very lucky in having people in my life who have been supportive and generous in helping me.  I have also been told that I can be quite creative, which I try to apply in my projects/work.
    • Card 3:  Your Consciousness –> The Chariot
      • I laughed out loud when I drew the Chariot here!  It’s so true!  The Chariot carries meanings of determination, especially towards victory or a journey.  Since I’ve started my project, I have been working extremely hard lately and am driven to keep pushing forward.
    • Card 4:  Your Subconsciousness –> The Moon
      • The Moon was revealed, which traditionally represents dreams, illusion, or a crisis.  It can reflect a time of emotional vulnerability or a crisis of faith.  This hit home for me, because subconsciously, I have wondered if all of my hard work would actually pay off in the end with my work.  Maybe my idea of being successful is just an illusion.  Sometimes I let my head of doubts get in the way with my heart of dreams.  These are actually things I’ve contemplated a bit lately.
    • Card 5:  The Past –> King of Wands
      • I had to think for a bit on this one.  The King of Wands typically refers to an honorable man, which I don’t think really applies to me in this case.  As an influence, The King of Wands could represent a right time to express one’s individuality and ideas.  In fact, it could show a time of entrepreneurial spirit with practical support.  It also reminds us to not let perfectionism get in the way of creativity.  This interpretation seems more likely for my case because I started this work path earlier this year with excitement, ideas, and applying creativity towards a plan with a practical support system.
    • Card 6:  The (Near) Future –> 9 of Wands
      • Obviously, I can’t really claim the accuracy of cards that are placed in the Future position.  The 9 of Wands reflect strength and defense.  It’s a positive card that shows someone being in a strong position after fighting hard over a period of time.  It can also highlight the fine line between appropriately defending yourself with established, protected boundaries versus being defensive with a negative mindset.  I guess we shall see!
    • Card 7:  You –> The Hierophant 
      • The Hierophant expresses notions such as unity, education, and spiritual direction.  It also shows expansion, self-realization, support, and development emotionally/spiritually.  If offers an opportunity to integrate the mind and the spirit and ascend to a higher plane of awareness.  In regards to work, it can show progress in organization, inspired growth and leadership, and decisions and direction.  I think this can accurately represent me.  I have been learning a lot through my work and feel like I am making progress in it, too!
    • Card 8:  Environmental Influences –> 4 of Wands
      • I gave a sigh of relief when I drew the 4 of Wands, which tend to represent creativity, freedom, and domestic happiness.  It can also represent a time of reward and/or one beaming with confidence and vitality.  It often is referred to as the “honeymoon card,” in that it shows a time to run free, celebrate, and enjoy life.  I do feel a sense of this in my home life for I do have a few people who have been supporting me on my project’s journey.  I am very lucky in that my immediate external environment has been supporting and positively influencing my mental/emotional health, too.
    • Card 9:  Hopes and Fears –> Justice
      • I was pleasantly surprised when Justice was presented.  It typically represents perception, objectivity, and balance.   These are things I do hope for while doing my work.  I do hope to benefit from a fair system as long as I keep being honest and accountable.  I also hope for a sense of justice in that my hard work will pay off fairly in the end.
    • Card 10:  Outcome –> Page of Wands
      • I must admit, I had to pause and think about the Page of Wands in the Outcome position.  This card tends to mean good news and communication.  As an influence, it can show good outcomes for projects or situations that require negotiations.  It can also reveal a creative enterprise, or a job offer.  So I guess that’s good, right?!  Hahaha!  Obviously, I can’t predict the future, so I can only wait and see what comes in the end. 

    Interpretation

    Well, I would say overall that this Celtic Cross Reading was surprisingly accurate!  My work on this blog has been on the forefront of my mind and I’ve been actively working hard on it almost every day lately (Card 1).  I have some creativity qualities that I have applied to my work plus I’ve had a few people close to me who have been extremely generous in helping me with my blog goals (Card 2).  Consciously, I’m constantly on the go, go, go!  I’ve been working hard almost nonstop lately towards my blog goals and aspirations (Card 3).  But subconsciously, I think deep down there may be some sense of doubt that my blog goals/dreams are an illusion and/or that my hard work will not pay off in the end (Card 4).  In the past, I’ve decided to take the “leap of faith” and just start working on this blog.  I had the project in mind and wanted to start this work with the practical support that was offered to me (Card 5).  I can’t foresee the future, but I’ll need to remind myself of the delicate balance of establishing proper boundaries versus being defensive in a negative mindset if something comes up with my blog (Card 6).  Since starting my blog, I have noticed a change in my self-perception.  Through rigid organization, direction, and inspiration, I feel like I am learning a lot about this big, wide world of magic and providing you, my friends, a solid reference to fall back on, shall you ever need it (Card 7).  For external influences, a few people close to me have been extremely supportive of my blog and have been celebrating my small successes as they pop up.  Plus, I feel like I’m currently experiencing a bit of a “honeymoon phase” by truly enjoying setting up my blog and writing down what I learn over time (Card 8).  For internal influences, I do hope for a fair outcome, whatever that may entail.  I hope my hard work pays off in the end and I do sometimes worry that all my efforts will go to waste (Card 9).  I do hope, that by balancing practicality and my creative goals, I will achieve a positive outcome that provides good news or even new, exciting opportunities (Card 10).  

    My Advice

    Patience.  Take a deep breath, relax, and take your time.  There’s no hurry, there’s no rush.  You would much rather be slow and accurate than rushed and missing out on the cards’ messages.  

    Do one card at a time.  Flip one card and interpret its meaning in that card position.  Once you feel ready, move onto the next card.  Do not flip all the cards at once for it can be quite overwhelming and intimidating, especially for new Tarot Readers.

    Look at a guidebook or reference for potential card meanings.  It’s ok, even professionals need reminders!

    Write it down!  I recommend beginners to keep a journal so they can record the cards with their meanings.  That way you can more quickly move between cards and look back to your personal reference when wanting to “connect the dots” of the Spread as a whole.  I also recommend dating the entries so you can look back and see with a fresh set of eyes on another day to see if your readings were understandable, accurate, or if they were a bit off.  It’ll help you with future readings!

    Trust your intuition.  I would say most of the time your instinct or your gut is on to something and is oftentimes correct.  Trust yourself as you would trust your cards.  The answer lies within you and the cards are merely there to guide you to self-reflection in finding the answer.  

    Pay attention to patterns!  Notice any similarities and conflicts in meanings.  Is there a common theme or message between cards?  If there seems to be zero connections between them, does that say something about your emotional, spiritual, or mind set at the time of the Reading?  

    Look at the bigger picture.  Look at the Spread as a whole.  A goal you should have is being able to “tell a story” by “going with the flow” between one card to the next and make connections between them.  It helps you see the big theme or topic plus the important messages the cards present to you. 

    Look at Celtic Cross Spread variations if something doesn’t seem to fit.  Does a card not seem it that card position’s topic?  Then maybe look at other potential Spread variations to see if a card better represents a different life aspect.  For example, if your Card 9 “Hopes & Fears” does not feel true, but rather is more like a Card 9 variation of “Action Advice,” go with that.  Try sticking with this particular variation for a few more tries to see if that card position meaning is more accurate for you.  Do not go back and forth with variations.  You want a solid foundation of what each card positions means.  That way, when it does seem not accurate, it could be the cards reflecting on your mind/heart being unclear or cluttered for whatever reason.

    Practice, practice, practice!  Don’t give up.  It can be quite hard at first.  But the more you practice, the easier it will get. Believe in yourself, you can do it! 

    Deck Used

    The deck I used for this post is “Tarot Vintage” by Arthur Edward Waite, Pamela Colman Smith, Sasha Graham.  It’s basically the classic Rider-Smith-Waite deck in a beautiful, vintage artwork.  I thought it would fit perfectly with this classic, traditional Tarot Spread!  The deck I have is in French, but they do have an English version available here: https://amzn.to/3EE0Hbm

    So what are your thoughts on the Celtic Cross Spread?  Were you nervous or intimidated when you first started?  If so, how did you fair in the end?  If you read Tarot Cards, are there any other pieces of advice you can provide from your personal experiences?  Also, do you have a different Celtic Cross variation that you personally find useful for your needs?  Please share your thoughts for I would also love to learn from you, my dear friends!  Thank you for reading this post and I look forward to learning more with you in the future!

    “Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind.  To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.” 

    – Buddha

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