Creative Spreads : Expanded Celtic Cross

WRITTEN BY: MAGENTA

Magenta takes us on a new twist to an old favourite and breathes new life into the Celtic Cross spread. As always, visuals and examples are included to make it that much easier to learn.

The Celtic Cross is probably the most widely used Tarot card spread. The basic spread has 10 cards, but in this version another 4 cards are also used.

The layout of the first 10 cards is the same as a normal Celtic Cross spread with cards 11, 12, 13 & 14 placed in a line beneath the main layout.  These additional cards add greater clarity and meaning to the reading.  Cards 11, 12 & 13 represent subtle influences around the Querent.  In particular emotions, attitudes and associations; a sort of base-line representation if you like. Card 14 is this solidifier and should verify the message from all the other cards. It should also add to the information contained in Card 10.

There are slight variations of the basic Celtic Cross, but the version I use is as below:

               5                        10

4            1 & 2        6      9

               3                        8

                                          7

11     12     13             14

Card 1 – The Querent, the situation, the question

Card 2 – The obstacles, what crosses the Querent

Card 3 – What is beneath the Querent,  the foundation of the situation

Card 4 – What is behind the Querent, the recent past

Card 5 – What is above the Querent, what is on their mind

Card 6 – What  is before the Querent – the near future

Card 7 – The Querent’s fears

Card 8 – The thoughts of those around the Querent

Card 9 – The Querent’s hopes and ideas

Card 10 – The possible outcome

Card s 11, 12 & 13 – The subtle influences around the Querent

Card 14 – The solidifier and verifier of messages from other cards – also to be read in conjunction with Card 10

So as an example let’s say that the question is about the Querent’s work & employment and looking at the spread in the photograph, we have:

Card 1 – The Querent, the situation, the question – 7 Wands
Keywords: Competition, defending oneself, challenges to be met

Card 2 – The obstacles, what crosses the Querent – 7 Swords
Keywords: Uncertainty, danger of something being taken away

Card 3 – What is beneath the Querent, the foundation – King of Swords
Keywords: Man in authority, strong-minded, someone who communicates their thoughts

Card 4 – What is behind the Querent, the recent past – Justice
Keywords: Justice, rewards, weighing the matter up, decision to be made

Card 5 – What is above the Querent, what is on their mind – Hermit
Keywords: Caution, patience, taking counsel or advice from someone

Card 6 – What is before the Querent – the near future – Ace Pentacles
Keywords: Opportunities, financial gain, achievement

Card 7 – The Querent’s fears – 7 Pentacles
Keywords: Potential lack of growth through effort, business & money concerns, slow progress

Card 8 – The thoughts of those around the Querent – 9 Cups
Keywords: Apparent abundance, material well being

Card 9 – The Querent’s hopes and ideas – Lovers
Keywords: Choices, decisions, heart versus duty

Card 10 – The possible outcome – 8 Pentacles
Keywords: Employment, skills learnt, stability

Card s 11, 12 & 13 – The subtle influences around the Querent – 9 Swords, Page of Swords,  Wheel of Fortune
Keywords: Anxiety, worry, sleepless nights – gossip, slander, vigilance – changes in fortune, things getting better

Card 14 – The solidifier and verifier of messages from other cards  – The Star
Keywords: Hope, dreams, inspiration

Brief summary of the cards:
 It could be that there have been changes (7 Wands & 7 Swords, Justice) in the workplace for this person, maybe a new boss (King Swords) who everyone is keen to impress.  Maybe there needs to be advice taken about the situation (Hermit).There could be hard work (7 Pentacles) and slow progress ahead for this person with maybe a decision (Lovers) to be made about the job.  People around Querent may think that everything is fine and wondering what the problem is (9 Pentacles)Although there is likely to be a lot of worry and sleepless nights, (9 Swords, Page Swords)the rewards are there (Wheel of Fortune, Ace Pentacles, 8 Pentacles, The Star). Overall, stay positive!

Magenta