| 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. Ten of Staves (Oppression), when reversed: Avoidance of pain and absence of pleasure. Obscurity and domesticity. |
 | 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 Staves: A traveler. A journey. The call of far away places. The arrival or return of a pilgrim or wanderer. A person of far-ranging interests and restless curiosity who is desirous of change and transformation. Inventive and artistic, but sometimes absent-minded person. Having one's "head in the clouds." |
 | 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 Swords (Interference): Emotional disaster. Loss of a beloved person or a valued situation. A sadness that creates a new strength and resolve. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Knight of Cups: A person of turbulent, poetic, romantic cast. An opportunity or favorable event in the near future. Deep feeling transformed into verse, music or visions. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Six of Staves (Victory), when reversed: Fear of failure and fear of success. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. 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 base of the staff represents your role or attitude. 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 second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. The Devil, when reversed: Irresponsible pleasures. Prankishness. Childish panic. Undignified behavior. Fare baccano, to "paint the town." |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. The Hermit: Introspection. Retreat. Pilgrimage. Spiritual quest. The search in oneself and in the world for the "Honest Man" of Diogenes the philosopher. Meditation on the passage of time and the dissolution of matter. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. The Sun, when reversed: Poignance of dusk. Twilight shadows. Nostalgia. Haunting memories. |
