| 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 Swords (Cruelty), when reversed: Slander. Suspicion. |
 | 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. 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 at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. The Judgment: Resurrection and rebirth. Perfection of the body and soul. Final reward or punishment. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Four of Coins (Power): Lustful or greedy pursuit of someone or something. Irrational action. Unreasonable desire for wealth. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Queen of Staves: A person of sunny disposition, accomplished, graceful and gracious. A patroness or adept of the fine arts and sciences. A wedding of intelligence and creativity, giving flower in fruitfulness. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. The Hierophant, when reversed: Dogmatic beliefs. Spiritual authoritarianism. Enfeebled philosophizing. |
 | 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. King of Swords, when reversed: Abuse of power. Tyranny. Cruelty. The empty striving for control. A failed attempt at mastery. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Eight of Coins (Prudence), when reversed: Vanity. Dishonesty. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Three of Swords (Sorrow): Conflict of two mighty forces for the possession or mastery of something or someone. A dangerous triangle. |
