How to Use the Celtic Cross layout as a tarot card spread; the cross

2nd Mar 2008

When tarot card readers ask the tarot a question that cannot be answered in a yes/no format, a complete reading is usually required. The most popular type of layout for a general question is the cross, also known as the Celtic Cross. It will look like an extended cross with a vertical line along one side. In this lesson we will discuss the first three tarot cards, or the cross, in the celtic cross tarot card layout.

The three cards in the center of the celtic cross tarot spread
The questioner or querent
The first card for the cross layout represents the querant or the person asking the question. Some tarot card readers will use a specific card for each person every time (for example, my best friend always places the Queen of Swords down when doing a reading for herself, and the Queen of Wands down when doing a reading for me). Other tarot readers will shuffle the tarot cards, and let whatever card comes first be the card to represent the querent. As I like to think of the first card as representing the querent with respect to the particular situation, I always toss a card to represent the querent (or myself). If you toss a card to represent the querent, this card reflects how the querent is in relation to the question at hand. Often a strong habitual pattern of thinking is reflected in the first tarot card.

The tarot card covers you
Next, the reader will place a card on top of the first tarot card , so you can just see the top of the first tarot card. (The tarot reader may say “this card covers you”). This second card reflects the question or situation as it stands now, or the reason behind the tarot reading. This card reflects what is keeping the querent from being in perfect harmony with her/his nature, (thus ‘covering’ her and blocking her free flow of energy). Remember to always be attentive to the tarot cards in the context of the surrounding cards, as tarot cards interact. In order to understand the meaning of the second tarot card in its position, the reader will also want to pay attention to the first tarot card, as the situation is very much affected by the questioner and his or her habitual pattern of thinking as it relates to this situation.

The third tarot card crosses you
The third card is usually placed perpendicular to the first two cards, and is placed on top of those first two cards, with the top of the tarot card to the left. (The card reader may say “this card crosses you”). This card represents the conflict within the situation or the difficulties or lessons the querent will likely face before the situation is resolved. This is a very important tarot card within the tarot reading, and the querent can learn much by what is represented here. It may even be possible to change a negative outcome from happening by learning the lesson represented by the third tarot card before the situation evolves. In the next lesson we will go over the next group of tarot cards the card reader will layout for a celtic cross tarot spread.

Thanks for reading the tarot card reader

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