The Celtic Cross spread, position by position

The Celtic Cross has been the best-known tarot spread for over a century. Its ten positions cover a situation from almost every side, which is why it suits complex questions so well. It is also why it can feel overwhelming. Taken one position at a time, it is surprisingly logical.

The cross: cards one to six

  1. The heart of it. The core of the situation as it stands.
  2. What crosses you. Laid across the first card, this is the tension, obstacle or opposing force. Even a positive card here is something to work with.
  3. The root. Below the cross, the deeper cause or foundation, often something you are not fully aware of.
  4. The recent past. What is just passing or ending.
  5. The best possible outcome. Above the cross, what you are aiming for, consciously or not.
  6. The near future. What is likely to come next.

The staff: cards seven to ten

  1. Your attitude. How you are approaching the situation.
  2. Your surroundings. Other people, circumstances and influences.
  3. Hopes and fears. What you hope for, or what you fear, and often both at once.
  4. The outcome. Where things are heading if nothing changes.

A reading order that keeps you on track

Instead of reading all ten in a row, try this order:

  • Read cards one and two together. They set the theme.
  • Jump to card ten to see where things are going.
  • Read the timeline: four (recent past), one (now), six (near future).
  • Read the vertical line: three (root) and five (goal). Do they agree?
  • Finish with the staff: seven, eight and nine explain why the outcome looks the way it does.

Useful comparisons

Compare card five with card ten: if your best outcome and your likely outcome look alike, you are on track. If not, the difference shows what to change. Compare card seven with card eight: is the main pressure coming from you or from around you?

When to use a smaller spread

For a simple or emotional question, ten cards can bury the answer. A three-card reading or a love reading may serve you better. Save the Celtic Cross for situations with many moving parts.

Ready to try? Draw a Celtic Cross reading on Deckmoon and every position is explained for you.

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