| 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. Seven of Painting (Patience), when reversed: Refusing to wait for the situation to develop or ripen. Demanding immediate material assistance or reinforcements. Possible delays and slowdowns. Feeling uncertain or apprehensive about a tangible issue. Procrastination. Squandering your resources. In the creative process: Straining to speed things up only produces anxiety, so get a grip and wait for everything to unfold according to its own timing. |
 | 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. 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. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Woman of Poetry, when reversed: Shameless self-promotion. False generosity and glory-hounding. Creating drama for the sake of drama. Undue need to inspire others and take on the role of leader. In the creative process: With complete confidence in your expressive abilities, you serve as a guiding light to inspire growth and confidence in others. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Five of Music (Melancholy): "Whatever is Born of Mortal Birth / Must be consumed with the Earth / To rise from Generation free: / Then what have I to do with thee?". Emotional disappointment. Existential angst. Spiritual insights following a sad event. Separating and moving on. Sadness, loss, grieving. Acknowledging your mistakes. Releasing ties and attachments from the past. In the creative process: Convert the pain of disappointment or loss into artistic expression. Let go of something old or dead and move on to something new and alive. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. 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 right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Three of Poetry (Creativity): "I must Create a System, or be enslav'd by another Mans I will not Reason & Compare: my business is to Create". A creative opportunity presents itself. A lucky break is in store for you. Taking an imaginative or literary approach is favored. A revelation of truth is at hand. All the pieces are falling into place. You achieve an understanding that has far-reaching implications. In the creative process: You get the go-ahead to "do your thing"; your project has special blessing at this time because of your ability to see an overview or get the big picture. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Ace of Painting (Generation), when reversed: A stark creative block. Undue reliance on old forms. Being bound by your initial plan. A stall in new projects and works. An opening that goes unnoticed. Failure to connect with elements of sensuality and sexuality. 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 second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Moon, when reversed: Encountering unconscious fears. Possible self-deceptions and distortions of reality. Lunatic urges, including sexual license. Keeping secrets. Hidden conditions and unknown circumstances. Cyclic patterns and influences. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Ace of Science (Intellect), when reversed: Plunging into the depths of knowledge, at the expense of life itself. Idle pursuit of more projects than you can handle. Dabbling in many skills without every truly learning them. The worship of ideas over implementation. Workaholism, particularly in the mental sphere. Self-centered point of view. Mistaking knowledge for truth. Reliance on logic, method, and research to solve problems that demand distance and insight. In the creative process: A time for "blind" absorption of data, for intense focus on research and documentation of the creative project being initiated. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Four of Poetry (Harmony): "Love and harmony combine / And around our souls entwine / While thy branches mix with mine / And our roots together join". Things are coming together beautifully. Giving thanks for an achievement or personal success. Celebrating a harvest, homecoming, or a job well done. Harmonious relationships with friends and family. Working together with a partner or sharing a special experience. In the creative process: The various elements and personalities involved in your project are interacting harmoniously, generating an appropriate sense of gratitude for what has been accomplished so far. |
