| 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. Temperance: Calm and restraint. Self-control, patience and tact in handling situations. The act of applying balanced spiritual and psychic forces to physical life. |
 | 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. 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 top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Knight of Cups: The essence of water behaving as fire, such as a rushing river: A passionate romantic, full of charm and beauty, but prone to extremes. Forceful idealism blended with gentle kindness. An eager and intense person, forward with their emotions and tender in their support of others. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. 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 at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Hope, when reversed: Refusal to withdraw from an untenable position. Prideful stubbornness in the face of certain defeat. Waiting idly for miracles instead of working to create one. A slow and inevitable grind towards failure. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Aries: An adventurous pioneer, brimming with courage and enthusiasm. Love of competition and conflict. Confidence in your abilities, limitless energy, and a quick wit. The need to be the best. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Page of Cups, when reversed: The dark essence of water behaving as earth, such as a wellspring: An unexpected new relationship that is childish and foolish. An idle dreamer oblivious to the realities of the world. Moodiness, sad reflection, and retreat from society. Seduction and deception in personal and business relationships. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Queen of Wands, when reversed: The dark essence of fire behaving as water, such as steam: The natural embodiment of passion and sensuality, who will do anything to the be the center of attention. A seducer who calculatingly dons the guise of what others desire. A cocky and domineering person, who pushes anyone or anything aside to get what she wants. One who is vengeful and quick to take offense without good cause. May indicate infidelity and contempt for a relationship. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Six of Wands (Victory), when reversed: Arrogance and dangerous overconfidence as the result of a past success. Impudence and false pride in meaningless achievements. Fear of failure coupled with false hopes. Frustration over indefinite delays and motion without progress. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Charity, when reversed: Kind and charitable acts motivated by vanity or desire for personal gain. Using a position of good fortune to make someone less fortunate dependent on you. Ill-conceived good intentions that make matters worse. A second chance with an expectation of failure. |
