| 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 images of the Minchiate Tarot are drawn from a rare surviving 18th century deck of 97 cards - 19 more than the traditional Tarot. It is considered by many to be the single most powerful divination tool on the web, providing deep insight, rich in ancient symbolism, to any question you may pose. If you would like your own copy of the Minchiate Tarot, you can buy it now!
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 | The card not shown but at the center of the cross, represents the atmosphere surrounding the central issue. Page of Swords: The essence of air behaving as earth, such as a steady wind: The approach of an unexpected challenge, to be met with clear thought and just action. A person filled with an eager appetite for all matters of mind and logic. The gathering of information through unfaltering vigilance, careful examination, and subtle spycraft. The use of reason or eloquent speech to penetrate the veil of confusion and cut to the heart of the matter. |
 | 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. Pisces: An imaginative and otherworldly dreamer, selfless and empathetic. Inner duality, balancing loving tolerance and righteous anger. Kindness and compassion resulting from dedicated introspection. Mysticism and uncanny intuition. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Gemini: General adaptability and versatility guided by an inquisitive mind. Witty and eloquent conversation filled with youthful vitality. A love of variety and travel. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Four of Wands (Completion), when reversed: Squandering a great and hard won victory through decadence and laziness. Failing to reward those truly responsible for an achievement. Using past accomplishments as an excuse to ignore current problems. Abandoning the very qualities that brought about initial success. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Earth, when reversed: The immutable order and pattern by which the spirit is constrained. The substance of things rigid and unchanging, shackling the future to the past. The basis of valueless transactions that are devoid of love, knowledge, or excitement. The temptations of material luxury and the flesh. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Scorpio, when reversed: An obsessive and obstinate spirit, full of jealousy and resentment. Tactlessness and rudeness in conversation. Inability to see the nuances and complexities of situations, driven by a desire to cast the world in black and white. Secrecy and veiled hatred. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. The Western Emperor: Worldly authority and power. Social mastery and oratory. One who is intelligent, experienced, confident and reasonable. A patriarch or primary male influence. The motive force of politics and society. The ability to fulfill plans and use mental control over the emotions. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Wheel of Fortune, when reversed: An unexpected turn of bad luck. A broken sequence of events. Outside influences for the worse. An inescapable descent due to Fate or Karma. Great changes taking place as a result of earlier actions that cannot be taken back. Misfortune, failure and reluctance to use free will. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Four of Coins (Power): Cleaving to earthly power in the desperate fear that it will be lost. Making yourself an obstacle to progress due to lack of originality and a desperate fear of change. Believing that security and identity are based primarily on the possession of material things. Coveting things and people. Living in a cloud of suspicion and prejudice. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Queen of Coins, when reversed: The dark essence of earth behaving as water, such as ice: A cold but generous host, driven by an overwhelming need for to accumulate and maintain opulence. A person so preoccupied with wealth and security that they can never stop to enjoy either. One who reflects the weaknesses of others, breeding suspicion and mistrust. |
