| The Celtic Cross spread is one of the most popular Tarot spreads, providing varied insight into many aspects of a complex situation and your role in it. The Renaissance Tarot is a modern deck, with symbolism drawn from the heroic age and rendered in renaissance style. This deck is an excellent choice for exploring questions of passion, mastery, and the inner workings of human reason. If you would like your own copy of the Renaissance Tarot, you can buy it now! |
 | The card not shown but at the center of the cross, represents the atmosphere surrounding the central issue. Ace of Cups: The free reign of the heart in overflowing joy and abundant love. |
 | The card visible at the center of the cross represents the obstacle that stands in your way - it may even be something that sounds good but is not actually to your benefit. Five of Coins (Worry): Impoverishment and barrenness. Yearning for one absent. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Two of Staves (Dominion): A decisive, perhaps early, accomplishment. Confirmation of boldness and courage. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Queen of Staves, when reversed: A dilettante. An impatient or jaded connoisseur. A superficial or pretentious person. A frustrated artist. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Three of Cups (Abundance), when reversed: Superficial pleasure. Excessive emotion. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Eight of Coins (Prudence): Frankness, honesty and innocence. Candid confrontation of circumstances. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Two of Swords (Peace), when reversed: False friendship. Misunderstanding or duplicity, particularly between mentor and student. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Ace of Staves: Creativity. Change. Success in new undertakings. "A breath of fresh air." "New blood." The sanguine temperament of the Ace promotes experiment, reform and appreciation of beauty, both of people and of nature. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Page of Cups, when reversed: Emotional excess. Distraction. Seduction. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Queen of Swords, when reversed: Consuming fire; the flames of the martyrdom of Joan of Arc, Phaedra's misguided passion, Medea's jealousy, Lady Macbeth's ambition. Fire, if left to burn unchecked, can consume the soul. |
