The Celtic cross tarot spread consists of ten card placements, each of which stands for a distinct question. When put together, they form the shape of a cross, and to its right is a vertical row of four cards. Astrologer and tarot reader Clarisse Monahan claims that this spread enables you to delve far deeper into a subject than, for example, a straightforward one- or three-card spread, in order to obtain clarity and solutions. It also dates long back.
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In tarot, what does crossing mean?
It should be noted that there are two possible interpretations for a card that is good but in a negative position, such as this one. A strong card can suggest that the issue is not as bad as the seeker believes it to be. A 9 of Cups would indicate to me that the things the seeker aspires for are not good for them. This is another way in which the card might assume the negative characteristics of that card.
The King of Pentacles, which may be either positive or negative, is the Court Card I drew in this situation. In my opinion, a judge in this situation exhibits a mindset or ideal that the applicant is attempting to attain. The King of Pentacles appeared to me.
“I have the King of Pentacles for this job, which emphasizes that I’m attempting to be the best businessperson possible and clearly generate more money. I do believe that altering my page is a wise commercial decision. It will not only provide me more time to focus on other things, but it will also make it simpler for me to compare and run company advertisements.
It should be noted that even if I didn’t know the topic of the question, I could probably determine from this vantage point that the seeker was really interested in business and/or making money. So for those with hesitant searchers, this spread is excellent!
Card 3: This is what Crowns the Seeker
The ideal outcome that the seeker can typically aspire for is represented by this position. It may also indicate the direction the seeker may be going if no adjustments are made to make things better. Because this position appears to conflict with position 10, seekers frequently become perplexed.
While a 10 of Pentacles is permitted in the Outcome, a 10 of Swords is permitted here. This would indicate to me that the seeker is on the verge of destruction, makes amends, and then is rewarded with the Ten of Pentacles.
The seeker could have the 10 of Pentacles, but because of something they need to change (and don’t), they end up with the 10 of Swords. This would be indicated by a 10 of Swords in the Outcome and a 10 of Pentacles in position 3.
I was dealt a Queen of Pentacles for this position. This is how I would interpret it:
“A Queen of Pentacles is the finest card I can hope for in this scenario. The feminine equivalent of the King, the Queen of Pentacles is kind and well-off. So, I assume that integrating my pages is a smart move.
Card 4: This is what is Below the Seeker
This card stands for the source of whatever uneasiness the seeker may be experiencing. In a nutshell, it underpins the psychological factors that lead a seeker to want to know what will happen in the future rather than accept things as they are. The seeker is in a position that symbolizes an event from their history.
I received judgment for this position:
“Judgment generally makes me think of a calling, the kind of calling where you are called to do what you are supposed to be doing. When I resumed fortune telling, I frequently received this card; before to that, nothing had gone right for me. Many of my work-related anxieties stem from this underlying dread that my current employment will turn out to be unsuitable for me as well. Judgment frequently serves as a reminder that we risk missing out on opportunities if we don’t seize them. I have this overwhelming urge to seize the moment. I have witnessed this happen to people close to me; they went from being highly sought-after readers to yesterday’s news quite rapidly. People’s popularity may wane pretty quickly. Since I can manage and control just one page, I feel as though I should use it as a platform to make my mark on everything.
Some of the claims you will make during your explanation of position 4 may surprise some searchers. This occurs frequently because folks who do not read Tarot find it rather alarming to be able to delve into someone’s concerns and where they originate.
Card 5: What is Behind the Seeker
Because my Significator (Card 0), which should be facing this card, is not, I am reading The Hermit in this position (as in the past) (For the picture below I have removed cards 1 and 2 so that you can see what I mean about where my significator is facing). If such were the case, The Hermit would be read as the future. Please read the section of the article titled “Card 0: The Significator” if you haven’t previously.
In order for you to see which direction my significator is facing on my Celtic Cross, I have deleted cards 1 and 2. The past and future are represented by the following:
How does my tarot spread make me feel?
This section is for you if you’ve ever wondered what a “three-card spread is. Tarot readings can be done in a variety of ways, and frequently the instructions that come with the cards will show images of the most common spreads. You’ll soon discover that there is a spread for any circumstance, and you can always come up with your own, too. These include the straightforward three-card spread, the Celtic cross, and a seven-day spread.
After the deck has been shuffled and divided in half by the client, a reader will pull three cards from it for a three-card spread (more on that in a moment). The past, present, and future are typically represented by the first call pulled, second call pulled, and third call pulled, respectively. Depending on the reading and the question being posed, the timeframes can be understood to indicate either tomorrow or ten years from now.
A daily card reading is another popular way to use tarot cards. In this practice, one card is chosen at random from the top of the shuffled deck and used as a reminder or a direction for the day. Anyone wishing to become more acquainted with the tarot deck and the meanings of the cards can find this to be a very beneficial practice.
As vital as it is to think about the specific meaning of each card, it is also crucial to think about the atmosphere and symbolism of the spread as a whole. There is just as much information to be learned from the whole picture as there is from its component parts, especially in bigger spreads. This is an opportunity to collaborate with them if you are reading for someone else. This will be more difficult the more pressure you put on yourself to mind-read. Tarot reading does not make you psychic, which is a relief: It’s acceptable to inquire about the cards with the audience and come up with ideas for how the cards might relate to their initial query collectively. When a customer asks about money, you might pick two cups cards and “the lovers,” but sometimes the cards won’t match up at all. This could imply that their love life was what they truly wanted to talk to you about. Doesn’t everyone?
Tarot reading can be done in many different methods, but they all require practice. It takes effort to learn 78 different cards, especially when many of them have numerous possible interpretations. However, the more you study and handle the cards, the more comfortable you’ll feel using them as a tool to better understand both yourself and others.
There are several books you can buy and classes (online and off) you can take to hone your interpretation abilities if you want to move up in the tarot world. Online courses are occasionally made available by Tarot for Change author and well-known tarot reader Jessica Dore. On a sliding rate, Little Red Tarot also provides an eight-week course. Free courses from teachers like John Ballantrae, who has a very relaxing accent, and spiritual advisor Mystic Rainn are also widely available on YouTube.
How should I maintain my Tarot deck?
While rearranging the cards in the tarot deck is a good approach to purify and clear their energy, there are some circumstances in which you might wish to perform a more specialized ritual. If you’re just getting started with tarot, cleaning your deck can be an excellent place to start.
You might want to clean your tarot deck for a variety of reasons, including:
- beginning with a fresh deck
- readings for other people
- You think you need to recharge.
- Your card readings seem a touch “odd” or “disconnected”
- Your deck hasn’t been used recently.
- Your deck has been handled by others
- You think you’ve been utilizing your deck a lot. A LOT, especially for books with strong emotional content
Why should you cleanse or clear your tarot deck?
Tarot deck cleansing helps keep the energy flowing between you and your deck. Consider it as a little spiritual hygiene to maintain a strong and clear connection. It’s not necessary, but if you have any of the aforementioned symptoms, try a few of the energetic cleansing techniques listed below and note which ones seem to work the best for you.
How often should you cleanse your tarot deck?
This is another way of stating USE YOUR INTUITION: there are no hard and fast laws. Don’t stress if you don’t believe it is necessary for your deck. Alternately, if you like to cleanse them once per week or once per month, that’s great. If it feels appropriate to you, you can even place your favorite crystal on the balcony each night.
If you frequently place crystals on your deck and store it on an altar while not in use, you might not feel the need to cleanse it frequently because this quick ritual will likely be sufficient to keep your deck feeling nice.
There are numerous ways to cleanse your cards, just as there are numerous reasons why you might desire to do so.
Different ways to cleanse your tarot deck
Use holy smoke. Light a dried rosemary, lavender, cedar, sage, or palo santo cleansing wand until it begins to smoke. Hold the smoke a safe distance below the deck while holding the burning herbs in one hand and the deck in the other so that the smoke drifts upward onto the cards. Turn the deck so that the smoke covers it from all angles. Next, safely put your deck to the ground and put out the fire.
On the deck, set a selenite stone (or a black tourmaline or a transparent quartz). It works well to leave it like way for an hour, but I prefer to leave it overnight.
Set them on display during a new moon. The New Moon is energy of a blank slate; you can purify the deck by setting it on a window sill on a new moon night. At this moment, you can also make a brand-new intention for your deck.
Place the cards in a salty dish. A strong and stabilizing cleaner is salt. My preferred choice for a thorough cleansing is this. Allow it to sit anywhere from one to eight hours in a dry area.
Unorderly shuffle. Spread the cards out on the ground, then shuffle them around like a child playing in dirt. This method’s freedom and randomization serve as an excellent reset.
the shuffle and sort. Set up the deck in rows of seven cards across, commencing with the Major Arcana numbers 0 to 22. (see photo above). Next, arrange the cards, Ace through King, one for each suit, as follows: Swords, Pentacles, Cups, and Wands. View the deck in this configuration, then mix everything up (like the chaotic!) and shuffle it thoroughly.
Is it possible for me to read my own Celtic Cross?
According to Monahan, the card directly above the seventh card depicts your environment, which includes the friends and family members that are either assisting or obstructing the problem.
The card just above the eighth card in the Celtic cross tarot spread, which is in the ninth position, gives insight into the questioner’s emotions, as well as their hopes and anxieties regarding the circumstance. According to Monahan, “It does not represent what will occur actually, but more our outlook on it.”
The Celtic cross tarot spread’s last card, which is positioned above the ninth card, depicts the “result.” “This is not a hard and fast prediction, but more to demonstrate where the energy is headed,” Monahan cautions. We all possess free will, she continues, and the allure of tarot is that you can alter your attitude and energy in any given circumstance in order to get a different result.
Make the Celtic tarot cross spread your own
After you’ve spread out all 10 of your cards, you may start deciphering their meanings based on their placement. Although following the Celtic cross tarot spread’s conventional layout and structure is beneficial, Monahan advises experimenting with other iterations until you find one that feels right to you. Don’t be afraid to personalize it. Play around with the meanings of the cards until you come up with something that feels appropriate, she advises. If the traditional interpretation of the card doesn’t resonate with you, offer your own interpretation. Tarot is all about using our imagination and developing our intuitive abilities.
Pay attention to patterns or repetition
Monahan advocates paying attention to recurrence or patterns when you read the cards. She cites the example of repeating cards with the number seven, which can represent pressure and obstacles that must be overcome in order to succeed. Or, if there are a lot of pentacles cards in a spread, it can indicate that security and wealth are important.
Use your intuition
Your intuition is king when it comes to interpreting the messages of a tarot spread, in addition to the conventional interpretations of each card and their positions. Monahan advises utilizing your intuition to guide your choice of cards to focus on as a result. You may be particularly drawn to a card in a different position, she adds, adding that the outcome card does not always have to be the most significant card. “Trust what you are pulled to and then piece together the tale the cards are attempting to tell utilizing the framework of each specific position.”
Last but not least, give a Celtic cross reading some time. Monahan advises outlining your initial thoughts in writing before returning to them later.
How is a Celtic spread read?
Things start to get interesting at this point! A lot of new Tarot readers start out by analyzing each card. But the magic happens when we take a closer look at the relationships between the Tarot cards and go further into the reading’s narrative!
Consider the Celtic Cross divided into two main sections: the Circle/Cross segment on the left (Cards 16), and the Staff section on the right (Cards 7 to 10).
What is happening in the querent’s life at the time of the reading is depicted in the Circle/Cross. Two crosses make up this section: a little cross in the middle (Cards 1 and 2), nestled inside a larger cross (Cards 3 to 6). The smaller cross stands for the subject matter that is more important to the reader at that moment.
Two lines make up the larger cross, which sits on top of the smaller cross. Time moves from the past on the left to the future on the right as depicted by the horizontal line (Cards 1, 3, and 4). Cards 1, 5, and 6 form a vertical line that represents the querent’s consciousness as it moves from unconsciousness at the bottom to consciousness at the top.
These six cards taken as a whole provide an overview of the internal and external environments at the time of a reading.
A greater sense of what is happening in the larger context may be found in the Staff section, which depicts the link between the querent and the environment in which they function.
Second, to develop the “narrative,” start examining the following Tarot card combinations:
- Compare the cards on the top and bottom (Cards 5 and 6). Do the conscious and subconscious levels work in concert? Are the person’s motivations and their goals in line with one another? It will be much simpler to fix the problem if there is alignment. If not, let the asker comprehend what’s going on subconsciously and how it can affect how they respond to the problem.
- Compare the outcome and above cards (Cards 5 and 10). Once more, is there agreement between what the customer wants and what will actually happen? Does the respondent aid or hinder the situation? If Cards 5 and 10 are found to be in opposition, the questioner will need to carefully consider how to bring about the results they desire. For more advice, consult the Advice card (Card 7).
- Compare the cards for the future and results (Cards 4 and 10). How are the impending events affecting or impacting the final result? Will the respondent need to handle these occurrences in a certain way to produce the desired results? Once more, extra information can be found on the Advice card (Card 7).
- Compare the Hopes/Fears and Below cards (Cards 6 and 9). Look at what is going on in the subject’s subconscious if you are having trouble deciphering their hopes and fears (Card 6). Is there something stirring up either fear or hope in their subconscious? The querent is probably unaware of their subconscious drivers and how this is affecting them in the “real world” if you see reversed cards in these situations.
- Compare the cards for advice and results (Cards 7 and 10). Does the respondent dislike the result? Check out the Advice card to discover what the questioner can do to influence a better outcome. Assist the client in managing these events by taking into account what occurrences are expected to happen soon (Card 4).
Then, combine everything for a comprehensive understanding of the current scenario.
Are you prepared to learn even more tricks and resources for deciphering the Celtic Cross like a pro? Check out my Masterclass on How to Master the Celtic Cross!
Should tarot cards be bent?
The Quick. Even if it lets you identify which Tarot card has which mark, a few marks and bends won’t really matter. They won’t know if you’re reading for someone else. Even if they are not a surprise to you, the Universe will nevertheless direct you to the correct cards.
What tarot card has the most influence?
The Fool is typically seen as a card from the Major Arcana when performing a tarot reading. Contrary to popular belief, the Fool does not fall under either category in tarot card games. Instead, the Fool serves a function that is distinct from both the simple suit cards and the trump cards. As a result, the Fool has no number assigned to it in the majority of tarot decks that were initially created for playing games. Although Waite assigns the Fool the number 0, in his book, the Fool is discussed between Judgment (number 20) and The World (number 21). The Tarocco Piemontese is the only traditional game deck that numbers the Fool 0. Since the 1930s, the corner index for the Fool in Tarot Nouveau decks has frequently been a black inverted mullet. The Fool is one of the most expensive cards in practically all tarot games.
What faith are Tarot cards based on?
Tarot cards also include four suits, but they are different depending on the region: French suits are found in Northern Europe, Latin suits are found in Southern Europe, and German suits are found in Central Europe. Each suit contains 14 cards: four face cards (King, Queen, Knight, and Jack/Knave/Page) and ten pip cards, numbered from one (or Ace) to ten. In addition, the tarot features a unique 21-card trump suit and a solitary card known as the Fool; this 22-card group of cards is referred to as the Major Arcana in the world of divination. The Fool may serve as the top trump or alternatively may be played to avoid doing so, depending on the game. In parts of Europe, these tarot cards are still used to play traditional card games without any occult connotations.
Tarot cards are mostly employed for amusement and divination in English-speaking nations where these activities are less popular, typically with the aid of specially created packs. Although academic research has shown that tarot cards were partially invented in northern Italy in the 15th century (16 of the modern 22 Major Arcana cards) and combined with a deck of four suits, “the Mamluk deck,” some people who use tarot for cartomancy believe the cards have esoteric links to ancient Egypt, Iran, the Kabbalah, Indian Tantra, or the I Ching. The Mamluk deck of cards was created in or before the 14th century and arrived in Western Europe after paper was produced in Asia (see Playing Card – Egypt and following sections). By the end of the thirteenth century, Europeans were making the Mamluk deck with customized “court cards” and suit symbols.
Although some people think that tarot cards were not used for divination until the late 18th century, there is evidence of an early tarot deck that was “used in divination to determine the querent’s prospects in love” (Fernando de la Torre’s “Juego de Naypes” deck of Spain, 1450), each card having an image and verse.