The Ancient Celtic or Cross Spread
Lay the significator card –the card that you choose to represent the querent – face up in the center of your spreadcloth. This is covered by the first card that you pick, which is laid face downward. This is known as “what covers her”. Following the picture, lay the second card – “what crosses her”. The third card is “what crowns her”, the fourth is “what is beneath her”, the fifth card, “what is behind her”, the sixth card “what is before her”. The seventh, eight, ninth and tenth are “herself, her house, her hopes and fears, and the final outcome. All of the cards are placed upside down excluding the significator card. You then turn the cards over one at a time as you give their interpretations.
Shuffle the cards three or nine times as you concentrate on the question at hand.
Card 1: Influences at work – shows the atmosphere that exists around the problem at hand.
Card 2: Obstacles – show the forces and influences that are working against the querent.
Card 3: Ideals – what the querent is aiming or wishing for.
Card 4: Basic Self – this shows the true person or unconscious self.
Card 5: The Past – shows what has happened in the past.
Card 6: Immediate Future – Card 7: Self – how the querent will do generally in life, especially in the immediate future.
Card 8: House – close friends and relatives.
Card 9: Hopes and fears – shows the hopes and the fears of the querent.
Card 10: The Final Outcome – shows the final outcome, particularly of card #3.
Tarot cards can also be used to answer yes and no questions. Most of the cards have either negative or positive meanings. Ask a question and shuffle the cards three times. Choose a card and turn it over. A negative card is a “no” answer and a positive card is a “yes” answer.
Another, simpler tarot spread is the three card spread. This spread can be done with or without a beginning question. Shuffle the cards three or nine times as you think of your question. Cut the cards into three decks and lay them in front of you. Turn over the top card in the first pile. This represents the past. The top card in the second pile is issues at hand and the top card in the third pile represents the outcome or future.
Interpretation of the Cards:
Reversed
After you have learned the basic meanings of the tarot, you may want to take your knowledge one step further by learning the reverse meanings of the cards. Some witches choose not to use reverse meanings while others believe it adds a little more to a reading. If you choose to read the cards when they appear upside down, you can use the listed reverse meanings stated beside each card:
THE MAJOR ARCANA:
The Fool - naiveté, thoughtlessness
The Magician - ability to succeed in all endeavors
The High priestess - wisdom, hidden knowledge
The Empress - fertility, motherhood, attainment
The Emperor - dominant male figure, fatherhood, stability
The Hierophant - good advice, inspiration
The Lovers - love, beauty, attraction
The Chariot - triumph over difficulty, victory, speed to an end
Strength - courage, inner strength, fortitude, physical strength
The Hermit - solitude, insensitive, withdrawal, failure to face facts
Wheel Of Fortune - fortune, destiny, "this too shall pass"
Justice -justice, honor, proper balance
The Hanged Man - indecision, stalemate, transition
Death - drastic change, death, finality, loss, destruction
Temperance - patience, consolidation, good influence
The Devil - lust, self bondage, bad advice, dependency on another
The Tower - catastrophe, ruin. destruction followed by rebuilding
The Star - bright hopes, new beginnings, destiny, insight, hope
The Moon - lies, deception, deceit, bad influence
The Sun - new birth, success, happiness
Judgement - atonement, decision, karma, result of actions
The World - completion, perfection, success, fulfillment
THE MINOR ARCANA:
Pentacles (or coins)
King - success, aptitude, intelligence and experienced leader
Queen - well being, security, freedom of action and prosperity
Knight - reliable and patient
Page - scholarship, concentration, reflection and study
10 - prosperity, security, safety and family matters
9 - safety, vigilance, foresight and discernment
8 - craftsmanship
7 - adeptness and ingenuity
6 - kindness, gifts and generosity
5 -failure, destitution, spiritual or material impoverishment
4 - legacy, selfishness, miser
3 - skill, gift, inheritance, and perfection
2 - obstacles, set back and difficulties
1 - perfection, contentment, joy, wealth and ecstasy
Wands (or spears)
King - honesty, devotion, and friendliness.
Queen - loving, kindness, and good mother.
Knight - departure, journey, flight, and advancement.
Page - loyalty, entrusted friend, and messenger of growth.
10 - excessive pressure, decisions.
9 - confrontation, strength and difficulties.
8 - haste, speed, suddenness, and separation.
7 - success, gain, advantage, and obstacles overcome.
6- conquest, triumph, good news, progress, and advancement.
5 - strenuous competition, struggle, and labor.
4 - romance, refuge, peace and contentment.
3 - practical knowledge and strength.
2 - domination, ruler and control.
1 - birth, creation, fortune and destiny.
Swords
King - courage, force, power, superiority, aggression, and cruelty.
Queen - quick witted, sharp tongued, loneliness, and privation.
Knight - bravery, skill, strength, and gallantry.
Page - messenger, perception, vigilance, agility, and adeptness.
10 - pain, affliction, tears, sadness, and trouble.
9 - misery, concern, quarrel, and disappointment.
8 - crises, calamity, conflict, bad news, and criticism.
7 - attempt, new plans, hope, confidence, and wish.
6 - trip or journey, voyage, attempt through difficulty.
5 - conquest, destruction, degradation, loss, dishonor.
4 - respite, rest, replenishment, retreat, and exile.
3 - absence, sorrow, strife, removal, and dispersion.
2 - stalemate, balance, offsetting factors, and harmony.
1 - great determination, triumph, power, success, and prosperity.
Cups
King - professional and responsible
Queen - warm hearted, fair and devoted
Knight - invitation, arrival and challenge
Page - messenger of love, loyal, studious and will render service
10 - love, peace, pleasure and happiness
9 - success and material attainment
8 - decline, shyness and modesty
7 - fantasy and day dreams
6 - memories and childhood past
5 - partial loss, imperfection, and friendship without meaning
4 - disappointment and disdain
3 - healing and resolution of a problem
2 - love, marriage, friendship and passion
1 - abundance, joy, family, home, fulfillment and contentment