| 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 Chariot, when reversed: Bullying. Grandstanding. Sword rattling. A setback or defeat. |
 | 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. The High Priestess, when reversed: Obfuscation. Mumbo jumbo. Heresy. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Eight of Staves (Swiftness): An explosion of movement and activity. A dramatic event. An unusual manifestation. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Ace of Cups: The free reign of the heart in overflowing joy and abundant love. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Ten of Staves (Oppression), when reversed: Avoidance of pain and absence of pleasure. Obscurity and domesticity. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Two of Staves (Dominion), when reversed: Wavering in the charge ahead. Victories delayed. Stalemate. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Three of Staves (Virtue), when reversed: Dishonesty and conflict in affairs. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Queen of Cups: A person of generous and loving nature, graceful and sparkling as a mountain stream, or deep and serene as a country lake. A poetess, musician or actress. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. King of Staves, when reversed: Talent turned to pomposity. Complacency. Egocentricity. Provincial attitude. Sophistry which masks lack of principle of conviction. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. The Empress, when reversed: Stifling domesticity. Bourgeois limitations. High-handed matriarchy. Junoesque jealousy. |
