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to Jan's Spreads section of Learning the Tarot. Here we
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The
Celtic Cross
The ten card Celtic Cross is the most common Tarot card layout I've
ever come across. With this popularity there comes the problem of many
variances of placement. Below is the one I use with my comments about
the interaction of the placements.
In
my opinion the Celtic Cross works best when used to answer specific
questions. Remember to put some thought into the formulation of the
question you wish to ask.
Here
is the spread:
Card
1: The present
Card 2: The immediate challenge facing the querent.
You will often pull a difficult card here, which will indicate an obstacle
that must be overcome. When you pull a "good" card here, examine
it carefully because it will still represent a challenge.
Card 3: Distant past, foundation. This card should
indicate the root of the subject matter of the question
Card 4: More recent past, including events. This
will indicate events taking place, not necessarily directly connected
to the question. For example, if a love affair going wrong Card 3 would
show the root of why it is going wrong, whereas Card 4 will show something
that recently happened to reflect this. You could see this as a "check
comment" card - a way of seeing that the reading is sound.
Card 5: The best that can be achieved. This is directly
related to the question. Note that this may not necessarily gel against
Card 10 - it depends whether you are able to get the best. However,
a negative card here probably means that it is worth cutting your losses
rather than putting any more effort into the situation.
Card 6: Immediate Future. This indicates events in the next few
days or week(s). This reading does not cover months.
Card 7: Factors or inner feelings affecting the situation. Compare
this against Card 1 in order to understand underlying forces/trends.
If there is conflict between them this tends to indicate that the querent
is going in the wrong direction.
Card 8: External influences. People, energies or events which
will affect the outcome of the question and are beyond the querent's
control.
Card 9: Hopes or fears around the situation. This may produce
a card that confuses us badly. Always bear in mind that hopes and fears
are closely intertwined, therefore that which we hope for may also be
that which we fear, and so may fail to happen. Sometimes it is useful
to draw a second card for clarification after the reading has been laid,
and to read the two together.
Card 10: Final outcome. This is a fairly self explanatory card.
However it is worth saying that if the card comes up somewhat ambiguous,
once again it may be worth drawing three extra cards to clarify. These
should be interpreted through the lens of Card 10. So if the card drawn
is the Tower and we draw the Ace of Cups, Princess of Cups and Four
of Cups in a reading about a relationship, the Tower would indicate
that it is time to move on. The Ace of Cup suggests that a new relationship
is promised with better things ahead. The Princess of Cups brings new
love (and possibly pregnancy). The Four of Cups shows deep levels of
contentment and happiness, and many options for progress.
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