The Celtic Cross

The ten card Celtic Cross is the most common layout I've ever come across. With this popularity there comes the problem of many variances of placement. Below is the one I use with my comments about the interaction of the placements.

In my opinion the Celtic Cross works best when used to answer specific questions. Remember to put some thought into the formulation of the question you wish to ask.

Here is the spread:

#1:   The present
#2:   The immediate challenge facing the querent. You will often pull a difficult card here, which will indicate an obstacle that must be overcome. When you pull a "good" card here, examine it carefully because it will still represent a challenge.
#3:   Distant past, foundation. This should indicate the root of the subject matter of the question
#4:   More recent past, including events. This will indicate events taking place, not necessarily directly connected to the question. For example, if a love affair going wrong  #3 would show the root of why it is going wrong, whereas  #4 will show something that recently happened to reflect this. You could see this as a "check comment"  - a way of seeing that the reading is sound.
#5:   The best that can be achieved. This is directly related to the question. Note that this may not necessarily gel against  #10 - it depends whether you are able to get the best. However, a negative card here probably means that it is worth cutting your losses rather than putting any more effort into the situation.
#6: Immediate Future. This indicates events in the next few days or week's). This reading does not cover months.
#7: Factors or inner feelings affecting the situation. Compare this against #1 in order to understand underlying forces/trends. If there is conflict between them this tends to indicate that the querent is going in the wrong direction.
#8: External influences. People, energies or events which will affect the outcome of the question and are beyond the querent's control.
#9: Hopes or fears around the situation. This may produce a card that confuses us badly. Always bear in mind that hopes and fears are closely intertwined, therefore that which we hope for may also be that which we fear, and so may fail to happen. Sometimes it is useful to draw a second one for clarification after the reading has been laid, and to read the two together.
#10: Final outcome. This is  fairly self explanatory. However it is worth saying that if the card comes up somewhat ambiguous, once again it may be worth drawing three extra ones to clarify. These should be interpreted through the lens of #10. So if the card drawn is the Tower and we draw the Ace of Cups, Princess of Cups and Four of Cups in a reading about a relationship, the Tower would indicate that it is time to move on. The Ace of Cup suggests that a new relationship is promised with better things ahead. The Princess of Cups brings new love (and possibly pregnancy). The Four of Cups shows deep levels of contentment and happiness, and many options for progress.

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