How to Lay Out Celtic Cross Spread Tarot Cards & Read Them
How to lay out the Celtic Cross Tarot Cards
The Celtic Cross is one of the most popular and insightful Tarot spreads, used for gaining a comprehensive overview of any situation. Here's how to lay out and interpret the cards.
First Step: Prepare Your Space
Find a quiet area, shuffle your Tarot deck while focusing on your question or situation.
Next Step: Draw a Significator
Separate the court cards from the rest of the deck. Choose one card. This is the Significator, it represents you, the querant. (Person who is recieving the reading.) The Significator can be chosen by yourself, or by the Tarot reader. It should reflect some aspect of yourself. Place this card in the center of the table.
Layout of the Celtic Cross Spread
Draw 10 Cards: Here’s how to position them:
Card 1 - This Covers Him - The Present Situation: Place this card in the center, on top of the significator.
Card 2 - This Crosses Him - The Challenge: Cross this card over Card 1 horizontally.
Card 3 - This Crowns Him -The Conscious Thoughts: Position this card to above Card 1.
Card 4 - This is Beneath Him - Subconscious Influences: Place it below Card 1.
Card 5 - This is Behind Him - The Past Influences: Lay this card to the left of Card 1.
Card 6 - This is Before Him- The Future: Place this card to the right of Card 1.
Card 7 - Himself - Attitude & Beliefs: Lay this card on the far bottom right.
Card 8 - His House - The External Influences: Place this card above card 7.
Card 9 - The Hopes and Fears: Place this card above card 8.
Card 10 - The Outcome: Place this card above card 9.
Reading the Celtic Cross Spread
Here’s a quick rundown of what each card’s position reveals in this spread:
Card 1 Covers (Present Situation): This card represents your situation. It reflects the current state of affairs surrounding your inquiry. Take note of the card’s imagery and meaning.
Card 2 Crosses (Challenge): This card identifies a challenge you may be facing. It shows obstacles or issues that may be blocking progress. Consider how this challenge relates to your situation.
Card 3 Above (Conscious Thoughts): This card reflects your thoughts and ideas, I like to picture it as floating above the head. It offers insight into what you’re aware of regarding the situation. This card may reveal your current mindset.
Card 4 Below (Unconscious Influences): This card shows what is lying below the surface - old thought processes, trauma and conditioning. It suggests underlying emotions or thoughts that may not be immediately apparent. This is where hidden feelings can surface.
Card 5 (Past Influences): This card shows your recent past. It represents the past factors that have led to the present situation. This could be events, decisions, or feelings.
Card 4 (Future Influences): This card shows your near future. It indicates what’s on the horizon. Think about how this card interacts with your current situation.
Card 7 (Himself): This card is you. It provides insight into your attitude and your beliefs, and offers guidance on how to approach the situation. This is where Tarot gives you a helpful nudge.
Card 8 House (External Influences): This is your surroundings, it may be your family, friends, or work environment. Highlights factors or people outside of your control that are affecting your situation. Look at how these elements interact with others.
Card 9 (Hopes and Fears): Reveals what you are wishing for and/or what you might be afraid of. This duality can show your priorities or concerns.
Card 10 (Outcome): Suggests potential results based on the current energy. Remember, this is a possibility, not a guarantee! You hold the power to direct your own path.
As you lay out the Celtic Cross, trust your intuition to guide your interpretation. Each card adds a layer of depth and can lead to valuable insights, making it a powerful tool for understanding your circumstances.
Happy reading!