Celtic Cross in Tarot: Learn to play this method

There are various Tarot spread methods that can be used depending on the objective of each consultation. The Celtic Cross Tarot spread is one of the oldest and most traditional, highly recommended for beginners.

In this article, you'll discover more about this method and its origins, and also learn how to play the Celtic Cross in Tarot. Enjoy your reading!

So, what is the Celtic Cross in Tarot?

The Celtic Cross in Tarot is a widely used reading method to analyze issues more deeply. Its origin is unknown, but the first record of the spread was made by Edward Arthur Waite in his book The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1910).

The Celtic Cross references one of the most important symbols of the Celtic people – their cross with four equal-length points, each representing the elements of nature: water, air, fire, and earth. They are surrounded by a circle, symbolizing that everything is interconnected and connected in some way – the Sun and eternity in Celtic culture.

How to play Tarot using the Celtic Cross method?

The Celtic Cross Tarot spread is used to deeply analyze a specific issue or situation, such as understanding the situation in the present, past, future, external factors, and obtaining advice to an outcome.

In this method, 10 cards are used — this number of 'positions' details the issue very clearly and precisely.

To play the Celtic Cross in Tarot, you can use only the Major Arcana or opt for the complete deck, with 78 cards. Feel your intuition and consider your stage of handling the cards. For those who are just starting or still feel insecure in consultations, I suggest playing only with the major arcana until you feel more confident in yourself.

Now, there's a very important issue that will need to make sense to you before you start playing: there are different ways of positioning cards 3, 4, 5, and 6.

There are spreads:

• that follow the arrangement of the cards like the gesture of the Catholic cross – above (card 3), below (card 4), left (card 5) right (card 6).
• in the opposite direction – above (card 3), below (card 4), right (card 5), and left (card 6).
• clockwise, starting from below (card 3) to the left.
• clockwise, but starting from above, to the right.

This last one makes much more sense to me because it follows the logic of reading the Mandala of Life spread and is described in the book that accompanies some Marseille tarots. Shall we go to the meanings?

Meaning of Positions in the Celtic Cross Tarot

House 1 (The question/The present situation) – Represents the question or the energies of the consultant at the moment.

House 2 (The obstacle/obstacles) – Indicates people and forces between the consultant. Points to the origin of a particular problem and/or difficulties related to it.

House 3 (The consultant facing the question) – Indicates the consultant's reactions to the question and/or problem.

House 4 (The past) – Presents data from the past (positive or negative) related to the current situation.

House 5 (Hidden factors) – Points to secrets or unknown and/or disregarded information by the consultant, which must be assimilated for a holistic understanding of the question and/or problem. It also evokes the unconscious, the most intimate desires that are sometimes so secret they escape the consultant themselves.

House 6 (The future) – Indicates the near future related to the present situation.

House 7 (The consultant) – Indicates the character, psychological traits, behavior of the consultant. Important for self-knowledge. This card/house does not refer only to the question or problem. It points out striking traits, characteristic in relation to what is specifically discussed in the card reading.

House 8 (External factors/The surroundings) – A kind of complement to house 1, it deals with people, conditions, the environment surrounding the consultant.

House 9 (Path of destiny) – Suggestion of path(s) to success, to the resolution of the question/problem.

House 10 (Outcome/Answer) – Direction of the question/problem, consequences, and/or results.

How to Read the Celtic Cross Tarot

Start your reading card by card, meaning by meaning. You will find many answers, then challenge yourself to read the whole context of what the cards tell you in a broader reading.

Try to create a narrative telling the story of the situation or problem towards the last card; thus, your reading will be more accurate and stimulate your brain, leading your intuition to understand what the cards respond to you.

Did you like learning more about the Celtic Cross in Tarot? Then, we invite you to also read others Tarot's articles.