This spread has been a favorite for tarot readers for at least 100 years. The cross represents aspects of the querent’s (questioner’s) life circumstances, and the staff to the right indicates their beliefs and potential outcome of the situation.

The positions have the following significance:

1. The current situation
2. The immediate challenge.
3. Deep past, generational, karmic influences.
4. Recent past influences.
5. Current forces involved.
6. Expected future influences.
7. The energy the querent is currently bringing to the situation.
8. The way the querent views themself.
9. The way the querent views the world around them.
10. The potential outcome of the current circumstances.

Some people lay out all the cards face down and then flip them all over at once or as they go. I tend to lay them out face up, one by one, tracking the story in my head. I pause to share the evolving story at points that feel right, usually after cards 2, 5, and 6, and then for each card in the staff. The process is iterative, with each new card subtly influencing how we understand the others. By the end of a Celtic Cross reading, you may go over the whole spread several times, uncovering new relationships between the cards.

The dialogue process in a live session frequently unlocks further fascinating symbolic connections. You may want to review the notes on live readings before practicing this with others.

Before moving on…