The Celtic Cross spread is probably the most common spread in use and is believed to be the oldest, dating back to possibly the 17th century.  Also known simply as the “cross” spread, it traditionally uses only the Major Arcana cards, but can use the entire deck as well.  The Celtic Cross spread seems especially suited to answering specific questions, and I have found that using only the Major Arcana cards leads to finding answers to these questions that come from within, answers that are already known in one’s subconscious that are brought to light with the help of the cards. 

In preparation for laying the spread, as with any use of the Tarot cards, you should have the cards in their correct numerical order.  This should be done after any previous reading, to erase any influences that may otherwise carry over.  Set aside the Minor Arcana cards and put the Major Arcana cards in their proper order, with the Fool either as the first card or where you feel most comfortable having him/her in the order.  Center yourself and the questioner (if you are doing this reading for someone else) and try to eliminate as many external and internal disturbances as you can.  Ask the questioner to hold in their mind the specific or general question that they are addressing to the cards as they shuffle the cards, keeping them face down.  I usually tell the Querent that they may either tell me their question or not, as they wish, and to shuffle until they feel “done”.  

Stuart R. Kaplan, in his book “Tarot Classic”, says that, “The person who shuffles the cards impregnates them with his own personal magnetism and thereby creates a rapport between the conscious and subconscious states of his mind and the cards.”  He goes on to say that, for this reason, only the questioner should shuffle the cards, but recently I gave my first “long distance” reading where I shuffled the cards for a questioner who was not physically present to do so (I’ll be posting this reading under “Readings” soon) and the questioner was quite pleased with the results. 

Back to laying the spread: when the questioner is satisfied with the shuffling, they should hand the cards to the reader, who will then begin to lay out the spread.  The numbers 1-10 in the picture above show the order in which the cards should be laid out.  Because the reader will use whether or not the card is right-side up or upside-down in their interpretation of the spread, be aware of how you turn the cards over when drawing them off the pile.  Whichever way you do it, do it the same way for all 10 cards.

Once you have laid out the cards in the order and the positions shown above, you can begin to interpret the spread.  Here are the traditional meanings for the 10 positions:

1. Present Position: This card represents the questioner and shows the atmosphere in which the questioner is currently living.

2. Immediate Influence: Shows the imediate challenge or obstacle facing (or “crossing”) the Querent.

3. Goal or Destiny: The best that can be achieved based on existing circumstances (if they are not changed or acted upon); this is directly related to the question.

4. Distant Past Foundation: Indicates the basic influences, already passed into actuality,  which existed in the past that are directly affecting the present events.

5. Recent Past Events: Shows the most recent events or influences that have just passed or are currently taking place.

6. Future Influence:  The sphere of influence that is coming into being in the near future; indicates events in the next few days or weeks.

7. The Questioner: Shows the Querent in their present position within the circumstances, attempts to place the questioner in the proper perspective.  If this card conflicts with card #1, it may indicate the need for the questioner to take a new direction.

8. External Influences: Reveals tendencies or factors that exist with respect to other people that may affect the questioner and/or the question.

9. Inner Emotions: Shows the hopes and fears of the questioner in regard to the question, also the secrets the Querent may be keeping from others or ulterior motives hidden by the Querent.

10. Final Result: The outcome which will result if the currents and influences as revealed by the other cards continue as indicated.

Some other aspects to remember (that apply to this spread as well as others) are whether the cards are right-side up or upside-down and their relationships to each other.  Right-side up cards are said to be “positive” and upside-down cards are “negative” or reversed in their meaning.  When I first began reading Tarot cards, I just turned upside-down cards to being right-side up and interpreted them that way.  It should be remembered that the divinatory meanings of the cards, their position interpretations and whole spread interpretations as they are given in books, manuals and so forth are suggestions or starting points for the divinators use.  The reader or diviner should regard their intuition and skill at reading the cards as the prime source for meaning and interpretation.  Think of the cards as little mirrors you are holding up to yourself or another that reflect and illuminate the subconscious and the hidden.

The Celtic Cross spread shown in the picture above is an actual reading I gave recently for another person.  To read how the reading was done and how I interpreted it, go to Reading #1 under the Readings page.