| 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 Hierophant, when reversed: Dogmatic beliefs. Spiritual authoritarianism. Enfeebled philosophizing. |
 | 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. Knight of Swords, when reversed: Opinionated person who is too quick to condemn others. Bigotry. Action without forethought. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. 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 at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Queen of Swords: A person of sharp insight, persuasive, powerful and thorough. If extroverted, an administrator, an organizer, a firebrand, splendid as a summer's day - and sometimes as overwhelming. If introverted, a person of deep sentiment, susceptible to flights of ecstasy, of the flames of inner torment. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. The Fool: The personality in the primal state, the willful child in all of us. Instinct. Innocence. Impulsive actions. Setting off in a new direction in life. Liberation of the impulses. Insight and wit from instinct rather than instruction. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. The Chariot, when reversed: Bullying. Grandstanding. Sword rattling. A setback or defeat. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Strength: Strength and fortitude. Moral resolve. Triumph over base instincts. Mens sana in corpore sana (Sound mind in a sound body). |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Four of Staves (Completion), when reversed: Preoccupations. Discord in relationships. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Seven of Coins (Assessment), when reversed: Unwise decision. Stagnation. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Page of Staves: A young person of faithful countenance who, even unintentionally, helps others. An unofficial Hermes: a carrier of important news, an envoy, a guide, a pleasant stranger. A suave, bring and noble soul. |
