Archive: April 2025
Celtic Cross #2
Published by Mandy on
The Celtic Cross layout is the most familiar and wide-ranging snapshot spread, and it’s the one most tarot readers learn first (illustration 21). Almost every book on the tarot has a variation on the Celtic Cross. Keep in mind that there are many variations of this spread!
1
Position 1: Covering (the significator)—This is the situation, which is so closely aligned with the querent that it completely covers her. (This is why a significator is important in this spread. The entire reading will take place as if the querent is the significator and the cards surround her.) .
2
Position 2: Crossing—This is what crosses the querent, what works against her interests, specifically in regard to card 1. The crossing card is always read as if reversed.
3
Position 3: Above—Known as the “crown” card, this is variously read as the goal, the best possible outcome, or the possible future (the future following card 10).
4
Position 4: Below—Known as the “foundation” card, this is the reality that the querent stands upon. It’s not the situation or the question, it’s the unquestioned background—like water to a fish.
5
Position 5: Behind—The recent past; this is anything that has happened in the past one to three weeks, and/or anything with a fading influence.
6
Position 6: Ahead—The near future; this is a prediction of something that will happen in the next few days.
7
Position 7: Environment—The people and things around the querent, including family, living companions, coworkers, job conditions, and so on. It’s not the querent and should never be interpreted as the querent’s inner life.
8
Position 8: Self-Image—Who the querent thinks she is.
9
Position 9: Hopes and Fears—This is a purely psychological card and should not be mistaken for a prediction or a description of how things really are.
10
Position 10: Outcome—This card answers the question. If there wasn’t a question, it indicates what the current actions will lead to. It adds up the past (card 5), present (cards 1, 2, and 4), future (card 6), and other conditions surrounding the querent (cards 7, 8, and 9), and says what the result will be if nothing is changed.
Spread author: Deborah Lipp
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Joined Sep 2024
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