Celtic Cross Spread
Difficulty: Average
This is probably the most common spread. A good basic spread for beginners to use for practice, 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 shows 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 the querent is consciously aware of (thoughts).
- Unconscious driving forces the querent may not be aware of (emotions).
- The immediate past regarding the current situation.
- The first future card indicates the immediate future.
- This card represents the querent and their attitude towards cards #1 and #2.
- The external influences, the places and people which influence the topic.
- This card is the querent’s expectations; what is secretly hoped for or feared.
- The second future card shows the longer-term outcome.
Your Celtic Cross Reading
The Crown |
The Outcome
![]() The Tower
External Forces ![]() Art
|
||
The Recent Past ![]() Death |
The Crossing Card
|
The Future ![]() Fortune |
|
| Lust |
The Significator represents what the main theme of the reading deals with, the initial situation.

The Magus
Mercury
Skill, wisdom, adroitness, elasticity, craft, cunning, deceit, theft. Sometimes occult wisdom or power, sometimes a quick impulse, a brain-wave. It may imply messages, business transactions, the interference of learning or intelligence with the matter in hand.

The Crossing Card denotes an added impulse that compounds the initial card, whether complimentary or contradictory.
The Star
Aquarius
Hope, unexpected help, clearness of vision, realisation of possibilities, spiritual insight, with bad aspects, error of judgment, dreaminess, disappointment.

The Crown stands for what the asker is aware of consciously.
The Aeon
Fire
Final decision in respect of the past, new current in respect of the future; always represents the taking of a definite step.

Foundation card reveals unconscious driving forces that the querent may not be aware of.
Lust
Leo
Courage, strength, energy and action, une grande passion; resort to magick, the use of magical power.

The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.
Death
Scorpio
Transformation, change, voluntary or involuntary, in either case logical development of existing conditions, yet perhaps sudden and unexpected. Apparent death or destruction, but such interpretation is illusion.

The Future depicts that which lies ahead.
The Star
Aquarius
Hope, unexpected help, clearness of vision, realisation of possibilities, spiritual insight, with bad aspects, error of judgment, dreaminess, disappointment.

The Querent represents the asker and their attitude towards the subject of the reading.
The Hanged Man
Water
Enforced sacrifice, punishment, loss, fatal or voluntary, suffering, defeat, failure, death.

External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
Art
Sagittarius
Combination of forces, realisation, action based on accurate calculation; the way of escape, success after elaborate manoeuvres.

Hopes and Fears shows the expectations you have concerning the outcome of your question.
The Emperor
Aries
War, conquest, victory, strife, ambition, originality, over-weening confidence and megalomania, quarrelsomeness, energy, vigour, stubbornness, impracticability, rashness, ill- temper.

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.
The Tower
Mars
Quarrel, combat, danger, ruin, destruction of plans, sudden death, escape from prison.