| 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 William Blake Tarot explores the mystical vision and artistry of the renowned English painter and poet. Through rich interpretations focused on creative undertakings, it has long been the deck of choice for artists, writers, musicians, and thinkers. For more information about this deck, or to buy your own personal copy, go to www.blaketarot.com.
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 | The card not shown but at the center of the cross, represents the atmosphere surrounding the central issue. Experience, when reversed: Inability to control your instincts, emotions, or elemental forces. Materialistic drive to succeed. The need to prove something or impose your will on others. Bizarre circumstances. |
 | 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. Ace of Painting (Generation): A tangible impetus to creative action. Generating new forms. Putting your plan into action. New projects and works. A provocative opening. Powerful elements of sensuality and sexuality coming into play. Focus on fertility and virility. In the creative process: This is when you tap into the elemental and generative forces of life, using your inner vision to create new and exciting forms with which to work. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Energy: Invigorated with lust for life and abundance of vitality. Relying on your physical strength and endurance. Honoring your natural instincts. Looking to animal or totem forces as allies to help you. Multiple or multilingual modes of expression. Gentle guidance. Having the courage of your convictions. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Union: The successful coming-together of something vitally important to you. Getting your act together at last. The joining of male and female forces, or unification or inner and outer life. Not holding anything back. Being at the center. Completion. Spiritual self-sacrifice. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Man of Music: "Music as it exists in old tunes or melodies ... is Inspiration, and cannot be surpassed; it is perfect and eternal". Using emotional self-control. Experiencing a sense of self-integration and mastery. Feeling at the top of your form. Swaying others with your gift of expressiveness and fluency in the language of the unconscious. Ability to interpret dreams, oracles, and omens. Be cautious of a tendency to overestimate yourself. In the creative process: Dedicate your considerable powers to help others and for creating beauty in the world. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Three of Music (Exuberance): "Exuberance is Beauty". Sense of emotional expansion. Something that makes you sing for joy. Intense desire for creative expression. A cause for lively celebration. Plunging into creative new territory. Getting people excited about your idea. Supportive alliances or relationships. Entertaining gatherings, performances, meetings, get-togethers. In the creative process: Exciting and joyous progress is taking place; blow your horn! |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Nature: Fruitfulness and abundance. Awakening or growth of emotions. Awareness of natural forces at work. Deepening appreciation of Nature. Sexuality. Mothering issues. Seduced by the illusions of materialism. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Nine of Science (Despair): Experiencing mental anguish or self-pity. Grief. Depression. Insomnia. Escaping reality. Hiding from joy and innocence. Feeling isolated and alone. Self-cruelty. In the creative process: Your creativity is blocked by self-judgments and criticism. Forgive yourself and get back to the basics; recapture your innocence and rejoin the human family. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Six of Music (Pleasure): "...we cannot experience pleasure but by means of others...". Being the center of attention. Receiving support from teamwork or group action. Satisfaction deriving from family, friends, colleagues. Participation in a social or community endeavor. Reunion. Keen awareness of the dance of life. Forging links and bonds with others. Experiencing a sense of belonging. Nostalgia and happy memories. In the creative process: Make use of collective or group energies, bringing them together for maximum benefit and mutual enjoyment. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Assessment, when reversed: Inattention to being fair and just. Lack of consideration of commitments, agreements, or negotiations. Refusal to weigh the pros and cons of a situation. Being blind to the needs of self versus others. Inability to transcend a situation or avoid a conflict of interest. |
