The Celtic Cross is probably the oldest and most popular spread. It has survived so long because the layout of the cards is simple, but powerful. A strong energy has built up around this spread due to its use by so many people over the years.
The Celtic Cross is divided into two sections: the cross on the left and the staff on the right. The circle/cross positions give you a snapshot of certain key aspects of a subject at the time of a reading. The staff positions comment on what is pictured in the cross.
This section simulates the Celtic cross found throughout Ireland. This type of cross has a circle linking the four perpendicular spokes—a symbol of the joining of spirit and matter and the unity of all events in time.
The two central positions are a mini-cross (shown in gray). Position 1 represents the heart of the matter—the hub around which everything else is turning. Position 2 literally crosses position 1 to show some factor impacting the first.
The mini-cross is nested within a larger cross of two lines. The horizontal line shows time moving from the past on the left (4) into the near future on the right (6). The vertical line is awareness moving from what is unconscious or unknown on the bottom (3) to what is conscious or known on the top (5).
In the four positions of the Staff section, you receive insight about yourself (7) and others (8), guidance (9), and a probable outcome (10). Detailed descriptions of the Celtic Cross positions are given at the end of this chapter.
One reason the Celtic Cross is so powerful is that it contains so many built-in position pairs.
The first two positions form an obvious pair because position 2 sits right on top of position 1. Traditionally position 2 is said to be” that which is crossing you.” The 1–2 pair can show two factors coming together either on a collision course or for mutual support. Sometimes the central issue (1) is affected by a factor for change (2).
Sharon asked for a reading shortly after she reunited with her boyfriend. They had broken up a few weeks before because she wanted marriage and children, and he was reluctant. Now, they were engaged. She drew the Ten of Cups (1) and the Six of Pentacles (2).
The Ten of Cups shows the joy of romance and family that is the promise of this couple's future. The Six of Pentacles suggests that there are still issues of give-and-take to work out. This card symbolizes the subtle (or not so subtle!) dance of dominance/submission that is a factor here.
The 3-5 pair represents different levels of awareness. You can learn about real feelings (3) vs expected feelings (5), or deeper truths (3) vs surface appearances (5). Sometimes these positions reveal the wisdom of your Higher Self (3) vs the beliefs of your ego-self (5).
Nicole did a reading to find out what to do about her friend Ann. Ann had asked Nicole to lie to her (Ann's) ex-husband about where she and their children were. Nicole drew the Ten of Wands (3) and the Ten of Cups (5).
Nicole thought she should provide love and support to Ann and try to help keep peace in their family (Ten of Cups). At a deeper level, though, she was having trouble saying no. She felt burdened by the responsibility of the request and resented being dragged into this messy situation (Ten of Wands).
Positions 4 and 6 are mirror images. Position 4 is the past, and position 6, the near future. Together they form the two halves of the circle of time that surrounds the present (position 1). These cards can show something moving away (4) vs approaching (6), or something to be released (4) vs something to be embraced (6). Sometimes position 4 shows what has already been experienced vs what is yet to be experienced (6).
In a reading about a possible career change, I drew the Seven of Pentacles (4) and the Eight of Wands (6). The Seven of Pentacles is a card of assessment—the need to take stock before a decision. Here it suggests that such questioning needs to end. The time for quick action and conclusion is at hand as shown by the Eight of Wands. This pair seems to be saying, “OK, you've thought long enough. Now, go ahead and make your move, whatever it is.”
We experience ourselves as separate from an outside world, but in fact we are tied to our environment by countless threads of cause and effect, emotion and thought. The 7–8 pair shows connections between you and your environment. The environment can be a person, group, or the atmosphere in general.
Cynthia didn't share what was on her mind during a reading until she saw Justice (7). When I told her this card can mean having to accept the results of a past action, she volunteered that she was worried about being pregnant. The timing was just not right for her and her boyfriend; however, she was comforted to see the Lovers (8) as her environment. This card suggests that the environment is loving and supportive. Her boyfriend—lover—is standing by. This card also reinforces the sexual context.
Traditionally, position 9 represents your “hopes and fears,” but I often use it as a guidance card. When you read the cards for yourself, you need a card to help you pull everything together. Position 9 can pair with any of the other positions to elucidate the reading. It can show an approach to take, a way to proceed, a key person or obstacle, or a perspective on the whole situation. It can also reveal a surprise or “wild card” in the situation.
One day I received a letter from my son's teacher. She wanted to talk to me about an incident in class. I drew the Five of Wands (9). I assumed this card meant my son was working at cross-purposes with those around him.
Later, I learned more details: my son had poked another child repeatedly with a pencil. This came as a surprise as he had never done such a thing before. In fact, the image on the Five of Pentacles was showing me the exact problem—a young person holding a long piece of wood (a pencil) and using it repeatedly as a weapon (five figures)!
Position 10 is a projected outcome. It represents the most likely development if all the factors in a situation continue unimpeded on their current trajectory. This outcome is not a given. You can alter or reinforce this course by changing the conditions that exist in the moment.
Sometimes you can pair position 10 with position 5 to compare what you think (5) with what is projected (10). When position 5 reinforces position 10, your beliefs are flowing with the thrust of events. If they are at odds, then some introspection is in order.
You're working on your Ph.D. and have set the date for your oral presentation. You do a reading to see how well you are progressing and draw the Six of Wands (5) and the Nine of Swords (10). This pair is giving you a loud wake-up call. You are picturing a triumphant victory parade for yourself, but the projected outcome is the opposite—an anxious experience. You might want to take steps to make sure your projected future is more in keeping with your goal.
As you can see, there are many insights to be gained from the Celtic Cross. This spread will serve you well whenever you're seeking a more in-depth picture of a certain subject. See Appendix C for a series of three readings that used the Celtic Cross.
CELTIC CROSS SPREAD STUDY
Shuffle the deck and lay out ten cards in the Celtic Cross spread. Now, read the description for each position as given below. Become familiar with the positions and how they work together. Explore the spread in more depth by interpreting the cards you have drawn in position pairs as described in this section. Imagine any meaningful relationship that comes to mind spontaneously. Let a story of whatever kind develop as you play with the connections. The goal is to get to know the positions and to appreciate the wealth of insights this spread has to offer.
CELTIC CROSS POSITION 1
central issue
major concern
basic worry or upset
primary focus
focal point
fundamental problem
PRESENT ENVIRONMENT (OUTER)
“that which covers you”
—traditional
surrounding circumstances
immediate problem at hand
what's going on around you
what you're dealing with
external factors
PRESENT ENVIRONMENT (INNER)
internal factors
how you feel about the situation
key personal quality
basic state of mind
emotional state
what's going on inside of you
PRIMARY FACTOR
major influence
dominant characteristic
outstanding feature
most important element
most striking quality
CELTIC CROSS POSITION 2
OPPOSING FACTOR
“that which is crossing you”
—traditional
contrary element
source of resistance
balancing tendency
moderating influence
rival or subversive agent
FACTOR FOR CHANGE
something out of left field
unpredictable element
new consideration
unbalancing force
surprise
what's rocking the boat
SECONDARY FACTOR
tangential concern
another source of information
side issue
subordinate problem
minor factor
REINFORCING FACTOR
supporting feature
additional emphasis
cooperating person
extra attraction
magnifying force
related issue
Placement: To place the card in position 2 correctly, rotate the card 90° clockwise and lay it on top of card 1. Card 2 is reversed if the top of the card's image is on the left after placement.
CELTIC CROSS POSITION 3
ROOT CAUSE
source of the problem
basis of the situation
why things are as they are
childhood or past life (karmic) influence
reason behind events
starting point
UNCONSCIOUS INFLUENCE
“that which is beneath you”
—traditional
unrecognized motivations
unacknowledged goals
most basic impulses
driving needs or desires
denied or rejected aspects of self
DEEPER MEANING
larger picture
fundamental pattern
all-embracing point of view
soul purpose
underlying context
what's really going on
UNKNOWN FACTOR
hidden influence
unrecognized contribution
undiscovered participant
concealed agenda
behind-the-scenes machinations
CELTIC CROSS POSITION 4
SOMETHING RELATED TO THE PAST
quality
person
belief
event
opportunity
orientation
concern
hope
fear
RECEDING INFLUENCE
feature that is losing importance
fading concern
former focus
someone/something going away
falling star
RESOLVED FACTOR
fully realized quality
completed task
what's been wrapped up
what can be set aside
what's been taken care of
QUALITY TO LET GO
outmoded approach
what's no longer useful
unnecessary baggage
someone/something no longer needed
factor to be discarded
CELTIC CROSS POSITION 5
ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS
what you accept as true
assumptions
convictions
how you view what is happening
delusions or illusions
where you are placing your trust
CONSCIOUS INFLUENCE
what's on your mind
what you're focusing on
what you're worried about
what you're obsessed about
what you acknowledge
what is known
GOAL OR PURPOSE
aspirations
what you intend to achieve
expectations for the future
what you've set your heart on
preferences
desired result
ALTERNATE FUTURE
“what could come into being”
—traditional
potential development
different possibility
another option
what you think will happen
future you are consciously projecting
CELTIC CROSS POSITION 6
SOMETHING RELATED TO THE FUTURE
quality
person
belief
event
opportunity
orientation
concern
hope
fear
APPROACHING INFLUENCE
feature that is gaining importance
developing concern
coming focus
someone/something coming nearer
rising star
UNRESOLVED FACTOR
unrealized quality
incomplete task
what is still pending
what must be considered
what needs to be taken care of
QUALITY TO EMBRACE
valid approach
what will be useful
desirable attribute
someone/something that is needed
factor to be welcomed
CELTIC CROSS POSITION 7
YOU AS YOU ARE
personal style
your temperament or disposition
your approach to the problem
your unique orientation
your point of view
your way of being
your position or stance
YOU AS YOU COULD BE
inner resource to tap
talent or ability you can use
what you are capable of
an ideal to live up to
a possible approach
what you want to be
your goal for yourself
YOU AS YOU PRESENT YOURSELF
your public face
how you think you should be
mask you show the world
what you do for appearances’ sake
role you accept
self-imposed duty
your false self
YOU AS YOU SEE YOURSELF (TRADITIONAL)
your self-image
your beliefs about yourself
your sense of where you are
your fears about yourself
your assumptions about yourself
how you limit yourself
how you magnify yourself
CELTIC CROSS POSITION 8
OUTSIDE ENVIRONMENT
“that which surrounds you”
—traditional
atmosphere
emotional climate
physical and social milieu
setting for the situation
playing field
context in which you must operate
ANOTHER'S POINT OF VIEW
how another sees the situation
the other person's side
another slant on the problem
different outlook
an objective opinion
ANOTHER'S EXPECTATIONS
what others want from you
demands placed on you
what another thinks you should be or do
claims of others on you
outside restrictions imposed on you
your assigned role
YOU AS OTHERS SEE YOU
“how others see you”—traditional
how you are coming across
how you're being assessed
public opinion about you
impression you create
effect you have on others
CELTIC CROSS POSITION 9
GUIDANCE
what you might do
how best to proceed
how you can make a change
word of warning
truth of the matter
different approach
helpful suggestion
honest assessment
KEY FACTOR
fundamental aspect
lesson to be learned
what explains everything
clue to what is happening
what you need to know
connecting link
HOPES AND FEARS (TRADITIONAL)
what you're afraid of
what you suspect is true
what you're avoiding
personal demon
what you long for
your dream
your ideal
your secret desire
OVERLOOKED FACTOR
something you haven't considered
missing piece of the puzzle
someone else who has a role to play
something else to consider
element of surprise
underestimated influence
CELTIC CROSS POSITION 10
OUTCOME (OVERALL)
the most likely result
what may come to pass
how the situation may be resolved
where everything is leading
probable resolution
OUTCOME (INNER STATE)
how you will end up feeling
what your mood will be
understanding you will gain
lesson you will absorb
attitude you will assume
quality or ability you will realize
OUTCOME (ACTIONS)
what you may have to do
how you may succeed or fail
conduct you will have to adopt
required behavior
what you may accomplish
approach you may have to take
OUTCOME (EFFECTS)
how someone else will be affected
how the environment will change
what others will do
possible countermeasure or backlash
possible benefit or reward
improvement that will occur
change in status
