The Celtic Cross Spread
The most famous and comprehensive tarot spread, the Celtic Cross provides deep insight into a situation by examining its past, present, future, conscious and subconscious influences, and potential outcomes. This 10-card spread has been used by readers for over a century and remains the gold standard for in-depth divination.
The Spread Layout
[10]
↑
[9]
↑
[5] [8]
↑
[4] [1]─[2] [7]
[3] ↑
[6]
Cards 1-6 form the Cross (center), Cards 7-10 form the Staff (right side)
Position Meanings
1Present Situation
The heart of the matter. The current state of affairs, the querent's present position, and the energies immediately at play.
2Challenge/Crossing
Obstacles or opposing forces. This card crosses the first, showing what opposes or complements the present situation. Can be obstacle or assistance depending on the card.
3Foundation/Below
The root cause, underlying factors, or past events that created the current situation. The foundation upon which everything else rests.
4Recent Past
Recent events or influences that are passing away. What has just occurred that affects the present but is moving out of influence.
5Crown/Best Outcome
Conscious goals, ideals, or the best that can be achieved. What the querent is striving for or the highest potential of the situation.
6Near Future
Events or influences that will come to pass in the near term. What is approaching and will soon manifest.
7Querent's Position
The querent's attitude, self-perception, or internal state regarding the situation. How they see themselves in this matter.
8External Influences
Environmental factors, other people's opinions, or external circumstances affecting the situation. Forces outside the querent's direct control.
9Hopes and Fears
The querent's emotional investment—what they hope for or fear. These can be the same thing from different angles. The shadow side of desires.
10Outcome
The final result if the current trajectory continues. The culmination of all the forces at play. Not fixed fate but probable outcome.
Reading the Celtic Cross
Step 1: Preparation
Consecrate your space and clear your mind. Formulate a clear question—the Celtic Cross works best for complex situations rather than yes/no queries. Shuffle while focusing on the question.
Step 2: Laying the Cards
Some readers lay all 10 cards face-down first, then turn them over. Others turn each card as they place it. Either method works—choose what feels right. Card 2 is traditionally placed horizontally across Card 1.
Step 3: Reading the Cross (Cards 1-6)
Begin with the cross formation. Look for themes connecting Card 1 (present) with Card 2 (challenge). Notice how Card 3 (foundation) led to Card 1, and how Card 4 (recent past) is transitioning to Card 6 (near future). Card 5 (crown) shows the ideal outcome or conscious goal.
Step 4: Reading the Staff (Cards 7-10)
The staff provides context and resolution. Card 7 shows internal factors (querent's attitude), Card 8 shows external factors (environment), Card 9 reveals emotional investment (hopes/fears), and Card 10 synthesizes everything into the likely outcome.
Step 5: Synthesis
Look for patterns: multiple cards of one suit, repeated numbers, elemental balance or imbalance, presence of Major Arcana (cosmic forces at work) vs. Court Cards (people involved) vs. pip cards (everyday events).
Advanced Techniques
Elemental Dignities
Examine how neighboring cards' elements interact:
- Fire + Air: Strengthen each other (creative combustion)
- Water + Earth: Strengthen each other (fertile growth)
- Fire + Water: Weaken each other (steam, conflict)
- Air + Earth: Weaken each other (erosion, dispersion)
Reversals
Some readers interpret reversed (upside-down) cards as blocked or internalized energy. Others read all cards upright. The Celtic Cross is complex enough that reversals are optional—the position meanings themselves provide nuance.
Timing
Card 4 = recent past (days to weeks ago), Card 6 = near future (days to weeks ahead), Card 10 = final outcome (weeks to months, depending on question). The spread shows a timeline from foundation through resolution.
📚 Primary Sources: Celtic Cross Spread
Related Across the Mythos
Sacred Geometry
Cross and circle symbolism