| 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. Transformation, when reversed: Unwillingness to change old for new. Stagnation. Burning your bridges behind you. Facing the future unprepared. Failure to accept the inevitable. |
 | 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. Energy, when reversed: Intoxication with vitality and lust for life. Reliance on physical strength and endurance rather than wit and reason. Being blinded by your natural instincts. Seeking in vain for animal or totem forces as allies. Being imprisoned by language, as the Tower of Babel. Irrationality and stubbornness. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Angel of Science, when reversed: Lost in the realm of pure or abstract thought. Cold, emotionless, and analytical thinking. Idle speculation. Lofty, possibly unreachable, goals. Scientific, intellectual, or "ivory tower" idealism. In the creative process: An intellectual vision or perfect insight inspires you to rise above yourself. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Reversal: Deliberately looking at the situation in a new way or from a different perspective. Brainstorming in a search for solutions. Turning things upside down, and being unconventional. Creative retreat into yourself. Acceptance of losses or reversals. Withstanding a difficult or uncomfortable position. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. 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 at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Eight of Science (Restriction), when reversed: Suppressed creative energy waiting to burst free. External constraints provide much-needed focus. Intense mental fervor despite outward calm. Freedom from your prejudices, dogmatic attitudes, and fear of failure. Self discipline and mastery over ones emotions. In the creative process: Make your obstructions or limitations productive by stimulating greater intensity of thought and a deeper sense of spiritual freedom. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Angel of Painting, when reversed: Visionary reverie. Plans and agendas lost in wild flights of imagination. Action taken without contemplation. Making use of inappropriate tools. Diving into the situation without vision or foresight, particularly its physical or material aspects. In the creative process: Look for or contemplate a solid idea, a practical point of view that can instigate a whole new direction in your work or project. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Six of Poetry (Cooperation), when reversed: Unwillingness to bring complimentary forces together. Archetypes that should fuel each other remain at odds. Too many cooks spoil the broth. Teamwork gone awry. Trouble dealing with those in high places. Being placed in the middle of two warring parties. In the creative process: This is a time to rely on your intuition to invoke the "eternal attributes" you need to get the job done; cooperate with your visions. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Eight of Painting (Discipline): Proper pacing or management of your workload or time. Taking control of a difficult situation. Following the lead of a mentor or inner guide. A need for physical assessment and self-improvement. Seek appropriate education and training. Step-by-step progress. Diligence and perseverance. Tackling a mountain of work. In the creative process: Even though you may have a long way to go, a methodical approach incorporating guidance and training will ultimately lead you to the top. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Woman of Painting, when reversed: Bureaucracy and administration to the exclusion of the creative. The pursuit of tangible rewards at all costs. Team building and cooperative efforts where a single vision is required. Supporting and acknowledging others for political gain. Infatuation with the shallow. In the creative process: Your creative ideas are now taking tangible form, assisted by good use of your available resources and personnel. |
