THE CELTIC CROSS
We will now undertake an interpretation of an advanced Tarot
reading “The Celtic Cross”, which has been passed down to us as a
gift from our ancestors. This reading has an active history of over
600 years in which a great deal of positive spiritual energy has
accrued to it making this spread the “go to” reading when the
necessity arises for an in depth examination of a problem or issue
facing the life of a human individual.
5
4
1&2
6
10
9
3
8
7
Celtic Cross Spread Layout
Each position in this ancient spread is explained below. The cards
are taken from the top of a shuffled and properly prepared deck
and are laid out in the numerical order indicated in the diagram
above. The number “2”card, by tradition, is laid across the number
“1”card at a 90 degree right angle to it. The cards are lain face
down when initially drawn from the deck and are turned over one
at a time during the interpretation of the reading
1
This Covers You
The Overall Situation: The Matter at Hand
This position describes the general atmosphere surrounding the
matter of inquiry.
275
The Mirror of the Moment
2
This Crosses You
What Forces Aid or Oppose the Matter
The card in this position shows what the aiding or opposing forces
may be in the situation and whether they work for good or ill. The
judgment as to a positive or negative influence is based on the
character of the card.
3
This Is Beneath You
The Root of the Matter
The card in this position describes the foundation or basis of the
matter- that from which it has emerged.
4
This is Behind You
The Receding Influence
This card shows the influence that is passing away and losing
influence over the matter.
5
This Crowns You
What the Situation is Headed For
This position represents your aim or ideal in the matter or what is
immediately in front of you.
6
This is Before You
What Influence is Gaining Strength in the Matter
The card in this position describes the influence that is approaching
and will come into action in the near future.
276
The Mirror of the Moment
7
This is Yourself
The Aspect of Yourself Influencing the Matter.
This card represents the aspect of yourself you are contributing to
the matter.
8
This is your House
What is External to the Situation
The card in this position represents your environment and what
external influences are influencing the matter. It may also reveal
the opinions and influence of family and friends
9
This is your Hopes and Fears
The card in this position reveals either your hopes or fears in the
matter depending on the character of the card drawn.
10
This is the Final Outcome
This tells what the final outcome of the matter will be. It is the
culmination which is brought about by all of the influences shown
in the other cards.
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
The Celtic Cross Reading
Below follows a complete interpretation of a Celtic Cross Tarot
reading on a question drawn from real life and illustrates the depth
of insight attainable with this reading.
The question asked of the Tarot: “What advice, insight or guidance
can the Tarot give me in regards to my potential for forming a
serious romantic relationship with Santiago leading to marriage
and motherhood?”
277
The Mirror of the Moment
This Covers Adriana:
This card represents the general atmosphere surrounding Adriana’
s
question
THE SEVEN OF WANDS
The Lord of Courage
Mars in Leo
A courageous young man stands fast against the six wands
attacking him from below. His grim look of determination shows
that he realizes his victory depends solely upon his own energy,
and his courage and willingness to stand firm against tough odds.
This Crosses Adriana:
This card reveals what forces are aiding or opposing the subject of
Adriana’
s question; for good or for ill.
THE TWO OF SWORDS
The Lord of Peace Restored
Moon in Libra
A blindfolded woman sits with her back to a troubled sea. She
holds two heavy swords that are crossed in front of her chest. For
the moment her situation is under control but she needs to find a
way to move forward in her life before this time of equilibrium
passes.
278
The Mirror of the Moment
This is Beneath Adriana:
This card represents the background of the question – that soil
from which the question has emerged.
THE ACE OF PENTACLES
"The Root of the Powers of the Earth"
A golden pentacle lies in the palm of a radiant hand that appears
suspended in mid air amidst the beauty of a garden setting. Lilies
grow below and a distant mountaintop is framed by an opening in a
flowering hedge.
This is Behind Adriana:
This card shows what influence on the subject of the question is
presently losing strength and is passing away.
The Lovers
The Oracle of the Mighty God
Gemini
(Reversed)
The twins of Gemini express the marriage of the opposites in life
that we discover both within ourselves and in the outer world. The
energies released through the union of these masculine and
feminine powers give us the adaptability and power to survive as
individuals and to realize our hopes and dreams.
279
The Mirror of the Moment
This Crowns Adriana:
This card reveals Adriana’s immediate aim in the matter of the
question
THE KNIGHT OF SWORDS
Lord of the Winds and the Breezes
Air of Air
(Reversed)
At full gallop, a young and courageous Knight charges into battle
as he is buffeted by the fierce wind of an approaching storm.
Undaunted, his sword is swift and sure as is his certainty that it
will find its mark for his heart is full of truth and courage and he is
supremely confident of his success.
This is Before Adriana:
This card represents an influence that is gaining strength in the
matter.
THE FOOL
The Spirit of the Air
Air
(Reversed)
The handsome Fool is a symbol of the Cosmic Life Breath, the
Divine Consciousness at the root of all being. He stands in a
celestial place ready to descend from the s
piritual realm into the
physical universe and begin the journey of another life.
280
The Mirror of the Moment
This is Adriana
This card represents the aspect of Adriana’
s self that is most
influential in the situation.
JUSTICE
The Daughter of the Lord of Truth
Libra
(Reversed)
As the scales of Justice weigh all facts equally, so we must give
equal weight to both aspects of our personality, the self-conscious
and the subconscious mind. Through the attainment of this inner
balance, we develop the equilibrium necessary to discover and
meet our destiny in a meaningful way.
This is in Adriana s House:
This card represents an external influence or person or something
influencing the question.
THE KNIGHT OF PENTACLES
The Prince of the Chariot of Earth
Air of Earth
(Reversed)
The son of Earth sits astride his heavy mount amid the gentile
rolling hills and before a gently flowing river. He is fascinated by
his pentacle and the earth power it represents and thinks on it in his
slow and methodical manner.
281
The Mirror of the Moment
This is Adriana s Hopes or Fears:
This card reveals Adriana’hopes or fears are with respect to the
matter.
THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE
The Lord of the Forces of Life
Jupiter
The inner wheel of Divine law, the middle wheel of Celestial law
and the outer wheel of Destiny turn in the life of every sentient
being. The four Lords of the Wheel beckon us to seek an
understanding of the path that gives us the freedom to create our
own unique destiny and ascend to the summit of the turning wheel.
This is Adriana s Final Outcome:
The card reveals what the final outcome will be regarding the
matter of the question.
THE FIVE OF SWORDS
The Lord of Defeat
Venus in Aquarius
Amidst story skies and against a choppy sea, a man gloats over his
victory as his two vanquished opponents depart in abject
humiliation. He has claimed their swords and they retreat in shame
and defeat.
282
The Mirror of the Moment
THE INTERPRETATION
Covering Adriana is The Six of Wands, The Lord of Courage ,
indicating that she is facing tough odds in her attempt to attain a
serious romantic relationship with Santiago. The Two of Swords,
The Lord of Equilibrium , crosses her emphasizing the
necessity of keep her equilibrium as she is trying to find a balance
between her emotions and desires. Beneath her is the
Ace of
Pentacles revealing that her emotional attraction and sexual
passion for Santiago is rooted in earthy values – the belief that he
would be a wonderful husband, father and lover and would provide
the economic security necessary for her to have the children she
desires. Behind her, and moving away from the matter, is
The
Lovers (reversed) pointing to previously a failed love affair that
is losing influence over her emotions. Crowning her is
The
Knight of Swords (reversed) which symbolizes Santiago, the
man whom she wishes to pursue as a lover and is her immediate
goal. Before Adriana, and coming into action, is
The Fool
(reversed) indicating a bad judgment or wrong choice on her part
may become part of her life and pursuing Santiago may not be the
best decision on her part. Justice (reversed) indicates the part of
her life which is most powerfully involved in this matter and points
an imbalance in her inner self, possibly that her desire to have
children is unbalancing her perspective. In Adriana’
s house is the
Knight of Pentacles (reversed) which is again a reference to
Santiago and is also reversed revealing that his energy is not
positive towards her intention to have a serious romantic
relationship with him in which they will eventually marry so she
can become pregnant. Adriana’
s Hopes and Fears are symbolized
by the Wheel of Fortune and reflect her concern as to whether
her attraction to Santiago will bring good fortune or ill fortune to
her life and her hope that this relationship will turn out right for
her. Finally, in the Outcome of the reading, is revealed “The Five
of Swords, The Lord of Defeat , through which the Tarot is
283
The Mirror of the Moment
advising that the sum of all the energies of the cards in her reading
point to the fact that any attempt to realize a serious romantic
relationship with Santiago leading to marriage will result in defeat.
Safe Journey
The End
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