The Reverse Celtic Cross
Last night I dreamed that I was at a tarot conference, surrounded by all the world’s brightest tarot luminaries, and I was demonstrating a reading with the Celtic Cross.
Unfortunately for the dream version of myself, I’d also forgotten the positions of the spread. That’s the equivalent, in tarot, of forgetting that 2+2=4. The Celtic Cross is one of the first spreads every tarot reader learns. It’s also one of my favorite layouts.
What could I do? Everyone in the dream was watching me: Mary Greer, Lon Milo DuQuette, Sylvester Stallone, and Brigitte Nielsen. So I did what I always do in my anxiety dreams — and in real life.
I faked it.
But here’s the interesting thing: the spread I did in the dream might actually work.
I laid out a reverse Celtic Cross, with a focus on the past, designed to explore old issues (and old dreams) in depth. In this version, there’s room to delve deeply into the foundation of a situation — with far less emphasis on the future than the Celtic Cross normally provides.
The Reverse Celtic Cross: click this diagram for a larger view.
Here’s how it would work:
- The heart of the traditional Celtic Cross remains unchanged, starting with the significator. This card represents the subject of the reading — whether that’s a person, question, or specific concern.
- The covering card represents the situation at hand, and the energy surrounding the issue.
- The crossing card represents new energy that’s affecting the situation.
- The foundation card represents the origin of the issue.
- The recent past card describes the last six months to a year.
- Now here’s where the spread moves into reverse. Normally, the row of cards that appears on the left-hand side of this illustration would go on the right, and they’d depict issues of the present moment and the current course of action. In the reverse Celtic Cross, however, the four cards in the left-hand column depict issues and memories of the distant past — from childhood, young adulthood, or even a past life. In this case, the card in position 6 would depict an old self-image.
- Ditto for the card of public image, which would describe the viewpoint of family and friends from long ago.
- This card represents the hopes and fears of long ago.
- This card symbolizes the last six months to a year — which will probably reveal the outcome of those hopes and fears.
- And now we move back into the present, as we would with a standard Celtic Cross. The card in this position represents one’s highest goals and ideals — for now.
- The most likely outcome of the current path is summarized in a single card. In theory, I suppose you could repeat the column from the left, and lay cards for current self-image, public image, hopes and fears, and final outcome … but that would turn this spread into a very elaborate Celtic Cross, wouldn’t it? (Update: Kika Mae on Facebook just suggested calling that sort of spread an “Infinity Celtic Cross.” Intriguing!)
What do you think? Isn’t it an odd version of a familiar spread?
If you try it, let me know how it works for you.
17 Comments on “The Reverse Celtic Cross”
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I haven’t tried this yet, but it sounds powerful. This is an important, really meaningful modification of the spread. Isn’t it amazing how some of the best ideas come at a point of desperation – or of having to fake it? What a wonderful dream. I’m so happy to have been in it along with Lon, Sylvester and Brigitte (could the latter two be some weird, alternate reality versions of Lon and me?).
So what foundation are you being asked to look at Corinne? Or is that too personal?
Thank you, Mary! I didn’t make the connection between you and Lon and Sly and Brigitte before, but I can definitely see it now. And no, your question isn’t too personal. I’m always trying to figure out where I’d like to go in the tarot world, so I don’t feel like my foundations there are solid. That might be the first thing I look at with this spread! On a personal note, Dan and I have three of our four girls off in college this fall, so we were just talking about how much our family life is changing with just one daughter at home. What’s more, she goes back and forth between being incredibly independent and strangely needy. We’re all shifting our foundations.
Seems like a nice way to balance the excessive focus on the future that some people tend to bring with them to readings.
I agree, Jennifer. I think it might be especially interesting to go into past lives with clients. They’re usually fascinated at what the cards show on that level, and they have a pretty good idea if something sounds true to them.
Although I only use non-positional spreads (OOKS), I still think this is a very interesting take on an old standby. Good post.
Thanks, Peter. I like the term OOKS a lot, too.
the opening of the key is my favourite spread, though it took quite a while to learn it and understand it properly. I think I misspelled the abbreviation, though OOKS is cool too
Oh, I thought you were abbreviating One Of a Kind Spread!
That too, whatever makes you smile .
Corrine, this looks very interesting. I plan to play around with it and will let you know what I discover! Thanks for sharing.
Do let me know! I can’t wait to hear what you turn up.
Very cool take on the Celtic Cross… loving the emphasis on the past. I agree with Jennifer’s comment of this being a pleasant change from the emphasis on the “future line” (usually cards 6–10 of the regular Celtic Cross layout).
this is absolutely fascinating! i’m definitely trying it!
This looks very cool. I especially like the idea of adding back in the row to the right. You’d have a comparison of your past to your present (who you are, how others see you…) I’ll definitely have to try this.
What an awesome why for someone with repressed memories to explore their past! i can see where this could be really helpful for people in this situation or even for those who don’t realize the effect their past has had on their present. Really love this idea!
Great spread – very powerful and brilliant concept of use for a spread. Being analytical in nature – I always want to delve into the past for solutions to the present. I rarely, if ever, use traditional spreads – but this felt good. And was on point!
Thank you Corrinne.
Warmly,
Tara
Intuitive Life Coach
Ascendant Healing
http://ascendanthealing.wordpress.org
I’m so glad to hear that this spread resonates with people! I should do more work in my sleep.