The Spread is divided into three parts. The first two cards, called the Cover and the Cross, describe the Querent and his or her situation.
The following four cards, the Wheel, are placed in a circle around the first two. They offer greater insight into the situation, the Querent's past and aspirations, as well as the obstacles in the way.
The final four cards - the Tower - provide guidance for the future and for a solution.
Instructions
Take a few moments to focus, then shuffle the Tarot deck. Have your sitter shuffle the cards after you and then cut the deck with their non-dominant hand.
Place ten cards face up in the layout of the Celtic Cross as shown to the left.
Consider the cards one at a time in the order shown and interpret each Arcana with the position in mind. Use the Essential Meanings and Keywords to create the interpretation. Once you have interpreted all the cards, summarise the entire reading in a synthesis.
Key Information
Number of Cards: Ten
Cards Used: Major and Minor Arcana
Objective: To understand the forces at play in a Querent's life and help make sense of them.
Layout: Two cards cross one another in the centre, with four cards encircling them (top, bottom, left then right). The final four cards from a tower, from bottom to top, on the right-hand side of the circle.
Example Reading
The Cover
V Pentacles
Essential Meanings: Need, Poverty
Keywords: Lack, Deficiency, Longing, Cold, Dark, Sadness, Despair, Victim, Hardship, Struggle
The Cover reveals the Situation
The Querent is feeling scared, insecure and lacking self-confidence. The cause may be financial. His or her fear is making it harder to find a solution.
The Cross
VIII Pentacles
Essential Meanings: Work, Habits
Keywords: Commitment, Dedication, Skill, Routine, Repetitive, Craftmanship, Proficiency
The Cross presents the Challenges
The sitter works hard but feels no satisfcation from his or her efforts, which are made solely to achieve a result. This means it is hard to feel motivated.
The Crown
VI Pentacles
Essential Meanings: Favour, Charity
Keywords: Generosity, Gift, Altruism, Distribution, Fairness, Mercy, Justice, Aid, Alms
Uncovering what the Querent wants
The or she has a worthy goal, not motivated by selfish desires but rather care for others. Despite this, he or she recieves little help in achieving their objectives.
The Foundation
XI Justice
Essential Meanings: Justice, Law
Keywords: Decision-Making, Adjustment, Impartiality, Logic, Fairness, Equality
The Foundations of the Problem
This situation arose because the sitter put too much faith in the belief that effort equals reward. He or she has put in a lot of work but it isn't paying off.
The Past
VII Swords
Essential Meanings: Subterfuge, Indiscretion
Keywords: Gossip, Confidentiality, Subtely, Intrigue, Deception, Stealth
Recent Events Brought to Light
The sitter has tried to hide his or her feelings about the situation and solve the problems alone. He or she is ashamed of being weak and needy.
The Future
XX Judgement
Essential Meanings: Renewal, Awakening
Keywords: Revelation, Resurrection, Examination, Rebirth, Absolution, Redemption
What Will Come to Pass
The situation looks likely to get worse before it gets better. The Querent may struggle to admit vulnerability due to a lack of self-confidence.
The Self
XII The Hanged Man
Essential Meanings: Transcendence, Punishment
Keywords: Inversion, Reversals, Insight, Halt, Meditation, Sacrifice, Gestation, Surrendering
The Self Revealed in The Hanged Man
The Sitter sees him or herself as a victim, feeling in limbo and unable to move on. An alternative perspective is needed to address the situation.
The Other
XV The Devil
Essential Meanings: Passion, Excess
Keywords: Shadow, Falsehood, Forbidden, Materialism, Obsession, Anxiety
The Devil warns of Other's Attitude
One additional problem is that the other people involved may end up mistrusting the Querent and he or she could end up being used as a scapegoat.
Hopes and Fears
VII Cups
Essential Meanings: Fantasy, Temptation
Keywords: Choices, Illusions, Desires, Visions, Envy, Deception, Dreams, Daydreams
Seven Cups Show Mixed Feelings
The Sitter feels confusion of hopes and fears. He or she would like to admit to mistakes and ask for help to ease the pressure but is too afraid to do so.
The Final Result
VIII Wands
Essential Meanings: Speed, Action
Keywords: Movement, Flying, Climax, Reaction, Speed, Rushing, News, Flow
Eight Wands Herald Action for Change
Events will suddenly turn without the Querent's efforts. It will require courage to relinquish control. He or she cannot reach a solution without change.
Synthesis
The Querent has taken on too much, having underestimated the challenge. It is difficult to find a way out and the more effort that is put in, the more effort it is necessary to make. He or she is scared that continuing to act in the same way will make things worse.
It could be helpful to focus the Querent's attention on the Judgement and Eight of Wands cards, representing Future and Final Result. He or she can be reassured that the situation will eventually resolve itself if there is an ability to face things head-on, through change and understanding.
The Sitter must embrace and adopt change to allow a sense of confidence and motivation to return. As his or her inner world improves, the Querent will find that outside problems will become easier to face.