Card 5 in the Celtic Cross Spread

[Ben Trismegistus]

I've got a question regarding card 5 in the standard Celtic Cross spread. By card 5, I'm referring to the card directly above the first two cards.

How do you interpret this card? I've read a number of conflicting things in books (Rachel Pollock, Mary Greer, etc.), and when I've done readings, none of the interpretations seems to fit all that well.

I've heard it referred to as "that which covers you", but I'm not entirely sure what that means. I've also heard it referred to as a potential outcome of your situation, but that doesn't always make sense.

How do you interpret it?

[Morrighana]

I read it as 'That which could come to pass, if the querant does nothing to change the situation'... that is, it is the 'stagnant' future, if that makes any sense.

It seems to work for me, advising the querant whether or not he/she should act or just let events play out naturally.

The interpretation "That which covers you" never made sense to me...it makes me think of a glamour or somesuch, and that never fits the cards that come up there.

[Ben Trismegistus]

I read it as 'That which could come to pass, if the querant does nothing to change the situation'... that is, it is the 'stagnant' future, if that makes any sense.

Ooooh that's really interesting. I'll have to try that. Thanks!

[tarotbear]

There are many variations on the Celtic Cross, so it depends on which version you are using as to 'what' a location is supposed to mean. I have my own version of the Celtic Cross, and card #5 as you call it end up in the 6 o'clock postion for me!

In the 'basic' (there is no such thing) Celtic Cross spread, Card #1 'Covers You' - that is because you are supposed to have used a Significator card (Does anyone use a significator? I don't) and placed it in the center of the table, so Card #1 'Covers' it.

Card #2 'What Crosses you' is the card that is laid sideways over Card #1. It is the cross card. People have their own version of what this card means.

Cards #3, #4, #5, and #6 get placed in different places according to the version of the spread you are using. Bear with me ...

"traditionally" -

Card #3 is in the 6 o'clock postion below the significator and is 'what is beneath you' - or the basis for this question/situation..

Card #4 is in the 9 o'clock position 'What is before you' If you play Backgammon, one side of the board is 'to the light' - that is this card

Card #5 in the 12 o'clock postion "What Crowns You."

Card #6 - the 3 o'clock position- 'What is behind you'.

If this is your layout, then the basis can be the question, or reflect the past. Before you is the immediate future, behind you the past, and crowning you is the outcome.

My feeling is that you use what works for you , and stick with it. Personally, if you believe that the sixth card off the deck is the future, then Card #6 is the future, no matter where you place it - but you should always be consistant. I had a friend who dealt the cards in one order but read them in a different order, and that was very confusing for me.

I will post my version of the Celtic Cross in another post so things don't get too confusing here.

[tarotbear]

This version of the CC spread came about from doing many public readings. I felt that the placement of the cards made the Querent's confused, so I modified the layout to make it more understandable. As I said in another post - if you believe that card #X if the 'future card' then card #X is the future card no matter where you place it.

I rarely-to-never use a significator card, so card #1 is the first card and 'covers' nothing. I only ask the Querent what their question is when I am doing an email reading.

Card #1 in the center of the table - this is the question or the heart of the question, no matter what the Querent says. If you feel the card is work related, and they tell you the question is about their pregnancy, it is still work related, somehow.

Card #2 - the Cross card. The card laying on it's side in neither upright nor reversed. It can represent a challange, an obstacle, or something else the Querent has yet to factor in. The combination of these two cards leads to ....

Card #3 - the First Outcome card. This card I place in the 12 o'clock position. The combination of cards #1 & #2 lead you to this (immediate) conclusion.

Card #4 - 3 o'clock position - the Past

Card #5 - 6 o'clock position - the Present

Card #6 - 9 o'clock position - the Second Outcome card, and the Future. I always see if the two outcomes are related to each other; sometimes they tie in together.

Since I seat the Quernet next to me, not across from me, I run the 'scepture' up whatever side is closest to them.

Card #7 (the bottom card - building upwards) - the Internal - what the Querent feels about the situation.

Card #8 - the External - what the world sees about the Querent's situation. These two cards are read in tandem with each other; quite possibly what the Querent feels and what they express are two different things. They may also be deliberately deceiving those around them by 'putting on a happy face'. They may also be unaware that their friends see the situation better than they do.

Card #9 - Hopes and Fears - mostly illusory, what the Querent hopes will happen (but may not) or what they fear may happen (which also may not happen). Traditionally, what is positive is considered 'hope' and what is negative is considered 'fear', but it really depends on the reading.

Card #10 - the Third Outcome card, or the Final Outcome. If you see the first outcome as the immediate outcome, the second as a future outcome, then this is the Final outcome - how it will all end. Sometimes these three cards all relate to each other very well and show a pattern that might not be readable in the rest of the spread. Sometimes the three outcomes seem to oppose each other. #10 is still the 'ultimate outcome.'


Whatcha think?