| 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. Wheel of Fortune: The intrusion of chance into affairs. Unlikely coincidence. "What goes up, must come down." The intercession of good fortune in life. A sudden opportunity that must be exploited deftly and promptly; according to Machiavelli, in The Prince, Fortune is "bald behind", that is, once she runs past, it will be too late to grab her, and so she must be seized as she approaches, "by the forelock". |
 | 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 Staves (Completion): Calm, pleasurable and perhaps amorous interlude. A playful balance of opposites, like the exchange made by Herakles and Queen Omphale. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. The Lovers: Romantic passion. Amorous attachment. The stages of love: discovery, attraction, pursuit, flirtation, courtship and consummation. The gifts of Aphrodite: beauty, youth, dalliance and delight. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Knight of Staves: A traveler. A journey. The call of far away places. The arrival or return of a pilgrim or wanderer. A person of far-ranging interests and restless curiosity who is desirous of change and transformation. Inventive and artistic, but sometimes absent-minded person. Having one's "head in the clouds." |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Nine of Cups (Happiness): Difficulties overcome. Favorable agreement. Reconciliation. A new beginning. Renewal of trust. Bestowal of forgiveness. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Page of Coins: An intelligent and sensible young person. Dependable and practical person who yet hides mysterious corners of himself and hoards secret treasures. An admirer of the patterns of heavens, the makeup of nature, or the language of numbers. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Ten of Staves (Oppression): A final trial before an enduring reward. The greater the struggle, the greater the reward. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Queen of Coins: A person who embodies richness and fertility, generous, opulent, gracious and noble. A cornucopia of delights. A rock of security. A brilliant crystal of insight. A rich field for new growth. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. 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 staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Six of Cups (Pleasure): Regret and nostalgia for a time past or a love lost. Disillusionment. |
