The Enchanted Tarot

Astrology

Enchantments

Alchemy

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The stone Celtic Cross is the unique form of the Christian cross erected throughout Ireland distinguished by having a circle linking the four arms of the cross as well as scenes from the Bible and the life of Jesus carved into the arms themselves. These crosses allowed early Christian missionaries to Ireland to use the carved scenes as visual aids in teaching scripture to the many illiterate pagans (from the Latin paganus meaning 'countryfolk') whose ancestors had worshiped the Goddess for thousands of years. These crosses were often erected near the stone monoliths that served as places for ceremonies dedicated to the Goddess.

The Celtic Cross spread uses a cross whose arms are linked together by the circular development of the unfolding answer and a vertical four-card 'monolith' at whose peak the ultimate outcome of the situation is found. It is ironic that the form of the Celtic Cross spread, cross and monolith, symbolic of the supplanting of Goddess worship by Christianity, should have preserved both the memory of this event as well as the most popular form for using the tarot, whose wisdom is descended from the former religion.

The Celtic Cross spread should be used for the in-depth examination of a course of action. It not only predicts both the short-term and ultimate outcomes of a situation but it also gives valuable insights into past conditions leading up the present time as well as comments on how hopes, fears and the actions of others are affecting us.

Using our usual methods of preparation we select ten cards and arrange them in the following pattern.

Position #1 YOU (also known as 'The Significator') This first card represents you and your inner-most desires in this situation. Some readers select this card before shuffling the tarot deck having decided which of the Royalty card types you most closely fit or sometimes The Fool. It is herein suggested that this practice restricts the deck from using all of its resources to give you advice about the situation. You must decide which method is best for you.

Position #2 WHAT COVERS YOU The second card, which is placed right on top of the first card, describes the conditions surrounding you in this situation. If the meaning of this card is conducive for the result you are desirous of achieving then you are in a supportive atmosphere.

Position #3 WHAT CROSSES YOU The third card, which is placed across the first two cards, describes obstacles, both potential and actual, to your achieving your desires. It can represent a concept that is confusing to you or something you are not clear about. Once again, if the meaning of this card is conducive for the result you are desirous of achieving then it is not to be viewed as negative.

Position #4 WHAT IS BENEATH YOU This card represents the basis or foundation of the situation you are inquiring about. The situation rests or turns upon this factor which can have great significance with regards to the short-term outcome. While you cannot change what the situation turns upon you can look at and modify, if necessary, your attitude towards it.

Position #5 WHAT IS BEHIND YOU This card represents the past conditions and influences which have brought things to be as they are. These conditions are waning in their influence but their memory and effect upon our actions past, present and future must be taken into account and compensated for.

Position #6 WHAT CROWNS YOU This card represents where you would like to see this situation progress to in the future. It is the goal you should keep in sight as you work towards it. If the card in this position is a negative one than the elimination of either that energy in your life or the quality of your reaction to that energy are goals that must be accomplished in order for the ultimate resolution of this situation to take place.

Position #7 WHAT IS BEFORE YOU This card represents the short-term outcome of this situation. These are the events that will soon come to pass and must be prepared for.

Position #8 YOUR PERSONALITY This card represents how you must conduct yourself in this situation in order to achieve your desired final outcome. The appearance of a negative card in this position is a reminder that unless you conduct yourself in a way that displays your sincere desire of mastery over life's unfortunate events you will not receive the support from other forces necessary to accomplish your mission. What course of action you take will greatly affect the final outcome.

Position #9 HOW OTHERS SEE YOU This card represents how you are perceived in this situation. It has a strong influence upon the assistance given you by your environment and the people surrounding you such as your family, friends, co-workers, etc. How they react to their perception of you will determine the extra energy available to you to help you meet the challenges involved with obtaining the outcome you desire. The appearance of a negative card in this position is an indication that you are going to have to rely solely on your own energies to achieve your goals. If this is the case you must re-consider your desires. Those who would usually support you may be withholding their support because they see that your desires would not be for your ultimate good.

Position #10 YOUR HOPES AND FEARS This card represents your hopes or fears for the final outcome of this situation. The concept embodied in this position is a very important one because by initially considering this card as either a hope or a fear we confront the fact that what may have been holding us back from achieving our goals is not only fear of failing but the fear of how our life will be changed once we have actually reached our goal. The fear of the unknown is a basic one in all beings yet it is imperative that this fear be overcome before any progress can be made.

Position #11 THE FINAL OUTCOME This card represents the result of the entire course of actions taken. It is the culmination of your efforts. The appearance of a card contrary to the final outcome you desire is an indication that you must question whether what you want is good for you at this point in your development. If you decide that it still is what you desire than you must ask for a clarification of what actions you must take in order to bring the situation to the desired conclusion. Use either the One Card or Three Level techniques to find out if you are on the right path or if the problem is one of timing.

As you select each of the eleven cards for your Celtic Cross spread keep in mind the aspect of the situation addressed by each specific position in the spread:

Example  
QUESTION: What will be the outcome of ending my established relationship in favor of my new love interest?
ANSWER:

Position #1 Queen of Wands
In this case the 'querente', the person asking the question, chose the Queen of Wands as her Significator feeling that she related to the appearance and personality of this particular queen.

Position #2 Princess of Pentacles
The conditions surrounding the querente at this time are those of a young energy engaged in the process of seeking self-knowledge through slow deliberation with practical, down-to-earth considerations being uppermost in her mind. She is learning to trust her instincts, but not jump quickly into things.

Position #3 Princess of Swords
The obstacle in this situation is that the querente must communicate her desires to her long-standing partner and has been unable to do so. She has been unable to be emotionally detached and truthful about her plans.

Position #4 Four of Pentacles
The foundation of this situation is possessiveness. The querente is desirous of security and maintaining her sense of self-worth which may be derived from the material advantages of either situation. The situation turns on this point.

Position #5 The Sun
What is passing out of the querente's life is a sunny and bright domestic situation. The appearance of a card of the Major Arcana highlights this position and in this case her attention is being brought to the fact that she may be losing the warm and friendly support system that has been a part of her past.

Position #6 The Magician
Her goal is to be able to manifest her desires in a more powerful way. Perhaps the domestic bliss that is passing away was obtained at the cost of her sublimation of her own desires to those of her partner. She does want to be able to use all of her tools and talents.

Position #7 Princess of Hearts
In the near future she is definitely going to chose to engage in her new romance. She is seeking a relationship more emotionally satisfying than what she has known. She will be feeling like a young girl in love.

Position #8 Death
The querente must embrace profound change, eliminating one or the other of these partners and allow old patterns to fall away leaving room for a new future life. To continue fearing this change will immobilize her and she may well end up losing both of her partners.

Position #9 Five of Pentacles
Other people see the querente as someone who is anxious about the material considerations involved with this situation. This can also indicate that she is perceived as having been with her original partner through hard times and her decision to leave him could leave her out in the cold. It does not appear that she will be supported in her decision.

Position #10 Two of Wands
Because of the meaning of this card it is safe to say that it represents the querente's hopes rather than her fears. She has surveyed the situation with calmness and is prepared to take charge of her life and its direction. She is confident in her expectations.

Position #11 Ace of Hearts
The outcome is love. The querente is definitely going to chose the new romance over the old relationship. This card indicates that she is beginning to give and receive love on a new level. Many good things will flow from this exchange of hearts.