Demystifying the Celtic Cross Tarot Spread

The Celtic Cross Tarot spread is considered, “the Mother of All Tarot Spreads,” and has been popularly used around the world since its initial publication in 1910.

Sir Arthur Edward Waite (A. E. Waite) was the first to publish a diagram of the Celtic Cross Spread referring to it as, “An Ancient Celtic Method of Divination,” in his book, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, published in 1910.

However, many believe that this spread dates back much further in history. It’s known to have been used in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, an occult organization operating in Great Britain in the late 1800s and early 1900s (of which Waite was a member). Then there is also the term, “Ancient,” used by Waite in his book.

Although it’s original author, and exact time of creation is a mystery, the Celtic Cross Spread remains the most used Tarot spread from 1910 until the present.

Although this 10 card spread can appear complicated and intimidating for the novice Tarot Reader, it lends itself to many types of Tarot reading questions, giving much insight into the Querent’s (reading requester’s) situation.

This spread actually works like a GPS, giving the Querent coordinates on their past, present, future, thoughts/goals, root of the issue, attitude, outside influences, hopes/fears, and an final outcome, all pertaining to their question.

While not suited for short answer type questions, it is well suited for telling the entire story of complicated situations, and for general reading questions, due it’s large number of card positions.

A.E. Waite’s Celtic Cross Spread

The Significator – This card is consciously chosen to represent the Querent, and is placed faceup underneath Card #1.

Note: The “You” indicators below, refer to the Querent for whom the reading is given.

1. What Covers You – The present situation regarding the question.
2. What Crosses You – The thing that challenges you for good, or bad regarding the question.
3. What Crowns You – Your conscious thoughts, and goals for the question.
4. What’s Beneath You – The basis, or root of the question.
5. What’s Behind You – This has recently occurred regarding the question.
6. What’s Before You – This will occur in the near future regarding the question.
7. Your Attitude – This is your attitude regarding the question.
8. Outside Influences – This is how others are influencing the question.
9. Your Hopes or Fears – This is your hopes, or fears regarding the outcome of the question.
10. What Will Come – This is the final outcome of the question.

Note: The Celtic Cross spread has seen the occasional alteration in either the card number order, or the position meanings over the years.

In A. E. Waite’s book, a possible explanation for the occasional flip of the Behind You (Recent Past) and Before You (Near Future) Cards’ locations is given. Waite states that the Behind You Card will be at the back of the figure on the Significator Card, and the Before You Card will be the location in which the Significator Card’s figure is looking toward.

However, if a Significator Card is not used, or its figure is looking forward, I would advise going with the Behind You card to the left, and Before You card to the right of center #1 (Covers You) & #2 (Crosses You) cards. My reasoning for this is that a majority of other spreads in use, position the Recent Past on the left, and the Near Future on the right of the Center cards, which usually indicate the Present. This may avoid confusion for Readers, who utilize other spreads, in addition to the Celtic Cross spread.

Additionally, there are versions of the Celtic Cross spread that have either Advice, or Apprehension exchanged for Attitude in the #7 Card position. I’ve also come across other variations of this spread.

It’s important to note, that the Reader must be absolutely clear on which meanings they are intending for each, and every card position, before they shuffle the deck for commencing a reading. This is necessary so that the Wisdom of the Tarot (Powers That Be) can know how to affect accurately where the cards fall in the reading. Ah, this is where the true Magic lies…

My hope is, that by demystifying the Celtic Cross Spread, I’ve inspired you enough to rise above any intimidation this complicated spread may hold, and give this versatile and iconic spread a try. Happy Taroting!

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