Celtic Cross Spread

What is the Celtic Cross spread

The Celtic Cross is a classic ten card spread that shows a situation from several sides: its essence, the obstacle, the foundation, the past, the possible future and inner attitudes. It consists of a “cross” (the first six cards) and a “staff” (the four cards on the right), where your inner state and the outcome are revealed.

The spread suits serious questions when one to three cards are not enough: a change of life course, a long conflict, the choice of a path.

Where the spread comes from

The spread took its modern form in the early twentieth century thanks to Arthur Edward Waite, the creator of the Rider–Waite deck, who described it in The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1910). The name “Celtic” came later and has nothing to do with the history of the Celts. Today it is the most widely used multi-card spread.

The 10 positions explained

1. 1

   The heart of the matter

   The core of the question: what is really going on.

2. 2

   The challenge

   What crosses or complicates the situation. This card is read as an obstacle, but sometimes it is also a catalyst.

3. 3

   The foundation

   The base and deeper causes that reach back into the past.

4. 4

   The recent past

   Events that have just ended but still have an influence.

5. 5

   A possible outcome

   What may happen if nothing changes: the “crown” of the spread.

6. 6

   The near future

   What is approaching in the next few weeks.

7. 7

   Yourself

   Your attitude, behaviour and role in the situation.

8. 8

   Your surroundings

   The people and circumstances around you: how the outside environment affects the situation.

9. 9

   Hopes and fears

   Expectations and worries, which often coincide.

10. 10

    The outcome

    The likely result taking all the factors into account.

How to read the Celtic Cross

1. Start with the cross

   The first two cards set the theme and the tension. Read them as one story before you move on.

2. Look for links

   Compare the cards of the foundation and the recent past, the possible outcome and the near future. Repeating suits and numbers point to the main theme.

3. Climb the staff

   Cards 7 to 10 move from your position to the outcome. Notice the differences between hopes, fears and the result.

4. Put the story together

   Finish the reading with a short story of three or four sentences: where you came from, where you are and what is worth doing.

Tips for better readings

Phrase the question clearly and avoid yes or no questions. Read the reversed cards carefully, take into account how neighbouring positions interact and keep a record of your spreads: in a month compare them with what happened in your life.