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.
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.
|
