| 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. 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 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. Ten of Staves (Oppression), when reversed: Avoidance of pain and absence of pleasure. Obscurity and domesticity. |
 | 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 Swords, when reversed: Opinionated person who is too quick to condemn others. Bigotry. Action without forethought. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. The Judgment: Resurrection and rebirth. Perfection of the body and soul. Final reward or punishment. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. The Devil: Wickedness and danger. Darkness and licentiousness. Slavery to the senses. Imprisonment by baser instincts. Temptation. Selfishness. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Ace of Coins, when reversed: Wealth without happiness. Obsession with money. Avarice. Greed. Worry. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Knight of Cups: A person of turbulent, poetic, romantic cast. An opportunity or favorable event in the near future. Deep feeling transformed into verse, music or visions. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Eight of Coins (Prudence): Frankness, honesty and innocence. Candid confrontation of circumstances. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Nine of Coins (Gain), when reversed: Stormy relationships. Unstable circumstances. Unseasonable activity. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. 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. |
