| 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 William Blake Tarot explores the mystical vision and artistry of the renowned English painter and poet. Through rich interpretations focused on creative undertakings, it has long been the deck of choice for artists, writers, musicians, and thinkers. For more information about this deck, or to buy your own personal copy, go to www.blaketarot.com.
|
 | The card not shown but at the center of the cross, represents the atmosphere surrounding the central issue. Man of Poetry, when reversed: Lack of tact and polish. Revealing truth without regard for personal consequences. Being driven by your ego to assert how things will be done. Rigidity and refusal to see alternate viewpoints. In the creative process: When you see the whole picture of your project, you can take charge to boldly direct it toward achieving its divine potential. |
 | 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. Mystery: Relying on your intuitive abilities and listening to inner wisdom. Unexplained or mysterious energies at work. Issues of sexuality. Feeling a sense of divine protection. Guarding your territory. Look around you for instructive omens and portents. Attraction to or advice from a wise woman. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Woman of Music, when reversed: Obsession with the illusion of beauty, grace, and tranquility in your surroundings. Undue attention to the emotions and needs of people around you. False belief in your own talents and charm. Being haunted by loneliness and dreams. Inhibitions blocking your expression of ideas and feeling. Over-sensitivity to criticism. In the creative process: You vibrate in tune with everything around you, sensitively aware of life energy in all its forms, from which to create something new through the filter of your own consciousness. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Reversal: Deliberately looking at the situation in a new way or from a different perspective. Brainstorming in a search for solutions. Turning things upside down, and being unconventional. Creative retreat into yourself. Acceptance of losses or reversals. Withstanding a difficult or uncomfortable position. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Assessment: A need to be fair and just. A situation involving judgments or balancing the issues. Consideration of commitments, agreements, or negotiations. Weighing the pros and cons of a situation. Evaluating the needs of self versus others. Transcending the limits of a situation by using kindness and imagination. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Man of Painting, when reversed: The need to dominate the situation. Allowing theory to get in the way of pragmatics. Intoxication with a highly charged situation. Taking a dogmatic and self-indulgent approach. Obsessive focus on the task at hand. Bathing in the spotlight. In the creative process: Test and refine your ideas or product to see if it works as planned; be practical yet innovative. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Man of Music: "Music as it exists in old tunes or melodies ... is Inspiration, and cannot be surpassed; it is perfect and eternal". Using emotional self-control. Experiencing a sense of self-integration and mastery. Feeling at the top of your form. Swaying others with your gift of expressiveness and fluency in the language of the unconscious. Ability to interpret dreams, oracles, and omens. Be cautious of a tendency to overestimate yourself. In the creative process: Dedicate your considerable powers to help others and for creating beauty in the world. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Moon: Psychic insights. Relying on your instincts. Using your dreams and musings as sources of inspiration. Hidden conditions and unknown circumstances. Cyclic patterns and influences. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Error, when reversed: Rising above the temptation of manipulation or duplicity. Maintaining a sense of humor about oneself. Keeping your lower nature or personal shadow in check. Seeing beyond your fears and ignorance. Resisting the pressure of materialistic, institutional, or corporate agents. Freedom from sexual or material bondage. Not giving in to temptation, guilt, or panic. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Three of Poetry (Creativity): "I must Create a System, or be enslav'd by another Mans I will not Reason & Compare: my business is to Create". A creative opportunity presents itself. A lucky break is in store for you. Taking an imaginative or literary approach is favored. A revelation of truth is at hand. All the pieces are falling into place. You achieve an understanding that has far-reaching implications. In the creative process: You get the go-ahead to "do your thing"; your project has special blessing at this time because of your ability to see an overview or get the big picture. |
