The Original Celtic Cross Tarot Spread Explained (A.E Waite’s Version)
Introduction
In this article, we will look at A.E Waite’s original instructions for laying out the celtic cross tarot spread. That is, in contrast to the modern, psychologized versions that proliferate today.
In 1911, Arthur Edward Waite published The Pictoral Key To The Tarot (ill. Pamela Coleman Smith), a full sized book (not the little white book) to accompany his Rider Waite Smith tarot deck.
In ‘Section 7: Divination’, Waite claimed that the celtic cross spread was an old, unpublished, method of divination that had been used privately in the UK for “many years”.
The celtic cross tarot spread has since become a perennial classic amongst tarot readers except, perhaps, to the TikTok generation. In revealing it, Waite reasonably recommended this layout for almost any inquiry. Time has also shown it’s spread positions to be easily adapted, as we will soon see.
celtic cross tarot spread infographic
Preparing to read the celtic cross
First, Waite instructs us to choose the significator. He informs us that the significator may be a person or situation whereas today, the significator is often touted as simply being the querent. If the former, it is to be a court card and if the latter then it could be any card in the deck. Also, Waite tells us to take good note that the direction of the significator card should be decided in advance if the significator card does not make one obvious. This directionality is important because in Waite’s original instructions it determines where the “before” and “behind” cards are placed on any particular instance.
Finally, if the outcome card in the spread seems unclear, Waite suggests using it as the significator in a new try of the spread, thus testifying to his faith in the versatility of this classic layout.
Reading the celtic cross as a visual metaphor
Whilst the shape of the tarot spread is disjointed from the actual celtic cross symbol, in Waite’s original layout the cards still manage to form a succinct but comprehensive visual metaphor with deep symbolic significance. Not so for modern psychologized variations as shown further below.
The celtic cross itself is a composite symbol of a cross and a ring. The cross may be either Greek (equidistant) or Latin (calvary; with a longer stem) whilst the ring is a circle that is a “nimbus” aka a “halo” or circle of light. It is impossible to do justice to the esoteric symbolism of the celtic cross here due to it’s depth. Interested readers can read René Guénon’s book Symbolism of the Cross and Chapter 8 of Jean Michaud’s recently republished Golden Star. Nonetheless, the outer symbolism of the celtic cross can be summed up as relating to the resurrection of Jesus, the circle being eternity and the cross being what he was crucified on. This tells us that it is spirit and matter combined (similar to the rose cross of the Rosicrucians).
Position 1 literally covers the significator, whilst position 2 literally crosses him. Position 3 “crowns” him and is therefore above, whilst position 4 is “below” him. Position 5 is behind him, meaning the direction which he faces, whilst position 6 is before him.
With imagery, these first six cards (plus significator) look something like this;
The translation to psycho-babble speak of “conscious”, “unconscious” on top of the oversimplified “past” and “(sometimes “immediate”) future” is easily exposed for it’s awkwardness through a visual comparison.
As seen from the imagery, the first shows an external metaphor that forewarns us of issues whilst the second simply reflects the ramblings of our ego back to us in a narcissistic haze.
A.E Waite’s original instructions for reading the celtic cross
This dim downward divergence exaggerates upon as we add in Waite’s comments on reading it, wherein we turn over the cards successively and declare the position names out loud. Afterwards, Waite elaborates on the card positions (here the first six); the FIRST being “the atmosphere of it [i.e. “the inquiry generally” – Ed.] in which the other currents work.”; the SECOND being “the nature of the obstacles in the matter”, insignificant if the card is positive or potentially indicating that ordinarily positive things are here poisoned; the THIRD the querent’s “aim or ideal” or the unactualized best possible outcome; the FOURTH “the foundation or basis of the matter”, already actualized and made the significator’s own; the FIFTH the past or passing away influence; and the SIXTH the foreseeable influence “coming into action” and operating soon [italics by me – Ed.].
The final four cards form a pillar, their metaphor not needing depiction since the points related to visuals have been made; the SEVENTH “the significator himself – whether person or thing”; the EIGHTH the environment and it’s intrinsically influencing tendencies e.g. the significator’s “position in life” or his “immediate friends”; the NINTH the significator’s “hopes or fears” in the matter” and the TENTH; the culmination.
Waite spends three paragraphs on instructions concerning the tenth position, the first beginning; “It is on this card that the Diviner should especially concentrate his intuitive faculties”. Next, he mentions the importance of having learnt the card meanings beforehand (intuitive readers take note!) and instructs that the card in this position be interpreted in conjunction with all previous cards (significator included) and especially in conjunction with any particularly striking revelations to be anticipated if a Major Arcana fills the spot. In the second paragraph, Waite suggests making an unclear outcome the signfiicator for a new reading (as I mentioned earlier). In the third, he suggests the same action if the outcome card is from the court, stating that the person whom the court card represents has ultimate sway over the situation.
Although third party readings constitute privacy violations, Waite’s suggestion does not do so as long as the diviner be properly motivated. If the impervious nature of some information causes frustration, the diviner should remember that it is withheld for everyone’s ultimate good.
Interpreting a celtic cross reading
To my knowledge, Waite does not provide any instructions for interpretation. I would recommend learning this spread in conjunction with the process of reading card combinations. Indeed, this layout works particularly well this way due to the visual metaphor that the card positions (as described above).
A Spiritual Modification of the Celtic Cross
I reveal here for the first time (that is, an explanation of) a modified version of the celtic cross spread that I created a while ago. Although inspired by Waite’s celtic cross tarot spread, the symbolism, rather than a Latin cross and circle (celtic cross), is a Greek (equidistant) cross next to a sceptre, or symbol of kingship.
The positions in the Cross and Sceptre spread are;
The issue at hand.
Colouring the issue.
The querent’s current focus concerning the issue.
The reality of the situation.
A relevant cause of the issue.
Impending influence (and how to respond immediately)
The Querent in relation to the issue (generally internal influences and these generally within the querent’s control).
External influences (often technically beyond the querent’s control).
The querent’s current polarity concerning the situation (or how to shift it).
Ultimate advice or wisdom for the querent concerning the issue.
The point of this spread is to apply spiritual wisdom. Naturally, it is designed around the principle of quality over quantity (aka wisdom over results), about which I will post again shortly with a hopefully much more accessible article.
How To Read The Celtic Cross Tarot Spread In Conclusion
Since Waite introducted the celtic cross tarot spread to the world, it has become a perennial classic. The celtic cross tarot spread’s versatility, adaptability, and deep esoteric symbolism make it a great layout for any tarot reader. Interested readers should however view A.E Waite’s original instructions for insight into divination rather than rely on modern psychologized versions of this layout which oversimplify the positions and reduce the once profound visual metaphor to a mess of narcissism. The beginner reader would do well to start with this spread and the professional reader who does not know it well is arguably not worth the title irrespective of their other tarot related skills and achievements.
