The Celtic Cross is divided into two sections, the Circle/Cross (six cards) on the left and the Staff (four cards) on the right.
The Circle/Cross simulates the Celtic cross found throughout Ireland. This cross has a circle linking the four perpendicular spokes. The circle and cross symbolize the joining of Spirit and Matter and the unity of all events in time. I wish that I were able to show a graphic representation of the spread, but my limited computer skills make it difficult. Maybe in time.
Listed below is a description of what the position of each card in the Celtic Cross Spread represents.
SIGNIFICATOR: This card is chosen, either by the reader or by the querant, and is used to represent the querant. Some people choose a significator based on the birthdate of the querant, some on physical or personality traits. I use different significators to represent myself at different times. For instance, in matters of the home, or to do with tarot, I use the Empress, for spiritual questions, the High Priestess, and for other things, the Queen of Wands. The Significator is the first card to be laid out and is placed in directly front of the reader.
CARD ONE: This is the card that covers you. This card is laid out face-up on top of the Significator. It represents the basis of the matter, or that which brought you to the present circumstances.
CARD TWO: This crosses you. This card is laid sideways across card one. This represents influences working for or against you at this time. This card will either weaken or strengthen the other cards.
CARD THREE: The third card is placed directly above the Significator. This is the card that crowns you. How the near future will evolve. This position reveals the way in which you’ve responded to the near future and how and in what way the future is evolving.
CARD FOUR: This card is beneath you. It is placed directly below the Significator. The present condition in your life which motivated you or caused you concern. That which caused you to seek this reading.
CARD FIVE: This card is behind you. The Fourth card is placed to the right of the Significator. It represents the present or passing influences. Not only the recent past, but long-term blocks or influences as well.
CARD SIX: This card is before you and is placed to the left of the Significator. It signifies the near future. This card will indicate how you’ve emerged from your recent past, as well as other factors coming into play.
CARD SEVEN: The seventh card is placed to the right of the fifth card, and on a level with the fourth card. This represents You in the Environment of the Future. The card in this position is very revealing because it represents you in the environment of the future, how you will react and think in times to come.
CARD EIGHT: Card eight is placed directly above card seven. This is your house. It represents a new turn of events and/or the effects of others on you. This card indicates new developments or perhaps unexpected changes that will alter your course or shed new light on existing situations.
CARD NINE: Placed directly above card eight, this card represents your hopes and fears - the inner workings of your mind as a result of the past and present. This card does not necessarily reflect what is, but how you perceive things.
CARD TEN:The final card, card ten, is placed directly above card nine. This is the final outcome - the summation of the nine previous cards. This is the answer you have been seeking.
Once all of the cards have been laid out in the proper order, it is time for the reader to interpret and summarize the information revealed by the cards. The relationship various cards have to each other, as well as their position, all play a part in the final interpretation. Readers often depend on their own experience and intuition, as well. Because there are 78 cards in the tarot deck - the possible combinations, and therefore, interpretations are many.