| 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. Nine of Staves (Strength), when reversed: Barriers, difficulties. |
 | 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. Four of Coins (Power), when reversed: Equanimity. Suspension of conflict. Balance of power. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Five of Staves (Strife): A project or adventure abandoned or cut short because of the departure or disappearance of a necessary colleague, partner, friend or lieutenant. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. The Empress, when reversed: Stifling domesticity. Bourgeois limitations. High-handed matriarchy. Junoesque jealousy. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Knight of Swords: An enthusiastic man of action. One who confronts the world at full speed, with head held high. Sunny but fierce and leonine person. An uncompromising judge of character, like Michael the archangel. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Ace of Coins, when reversed: Wealth without happiness. Obsession with money. Avarice. Greed. Worry. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. The Magician: Mastery of words and of matter. Eloquence, including eloquent silence and Hermetic wisdom. Mediator, messenger, and communicator. The Magician may be a sage or just a quick talker. He is a master-manipulator of the material world, but the miracles he effects may be true physical and metaphysical transformation of mere illusion and technical tricks. With Hermes, one never knows; he is the god of orators and liars, merchants and thieves, trickery and arcane science. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. The Tower: Comeuppance. Setback. Disaster. Arrogance of pride cast down by Providence. Unforeseen event. Calamity. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. The Emperor, when reversed: Tyranny. Pomposity. Jove-like self-indulgence. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Ten of Swords (Ruin): Calamity. The failure of a hero, foretold in prophesy, but brought about by the hero's own choices. |
