| The Celtic Cross spread is one of the most popular Tarot spreads, providing varied insight into many aspects of a complex situation and your role in it. The William Blake Tarot explores the mystical vision and artistry of the renowned English painter and poet. Through rich interpretations focused on creative undertakings, it has long been the deck of choice for artists, writers, musicians, and thinkers. For more information about this deck, or to buy your own personal copy, go to www.blaketarot.com.
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 | The card not shown but at the center of the cross, represents the atmosphere surrounding the central issue. Eternity, when reversed: The intervention of transcendent forces in the everyday world. The great are brought low and the petty are elevated. Obsession with the passage of time and the immanence of death. Being overwhelmed by the repetition of evil and mediocrity, and withdrawing from the world. Cynicism and nihilism driven by regret over past mistakes. |
 | The card visible at the center of the cross represents the obstacle that stands in your way - it may even be something that sounds good but is not actually to your benefit. Whirlwind, when reversed: Winds of change make old visions obsolete. An act of god or stroke of bad luck. Inner turmoil cleverly disguised but unrestrained. Getting the run-around. Reaching a turning point. A good time to honor your gods. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Two of Poetry (Individuality): "Every Mans Wisdom is peculiar to his own Individuality". Making choices based on personal perception. Evaluating the appearances of things. Exploring alternative ways of looking at a situation. Looking beyond ego-concerns to spiritual ones. Searching for self-knowledge. Deciding between societal and individual points of view. In the creative process: Distinguish between the expression of your Self and the expression of your ego; discover the difference between wise individuality and unwise individualism. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Man of Science, when reversed: Perfectionism. Personal detachment. Being oblivious to your surroundings and to unforeseen possibilities. Tendency to be opinionated and aloof. Delusions of grandeur. Inability to perceive human or spiritual values. In the creative process: Scrutinize and test every aspect of your work so as to refine and perfect it. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Three of Poetry (Creativity): "I must Create a System, or be enslav'd by another Mans I will not Reason & Compare: my business is to Create". A creative opportunity presents itself. A lucky break is in store for you. Taking an imaginative or literary approach is favored. A revelation of truth is at hand. All the pieces are falling into place. You achieve an understanding that has far-reaching implications. In the creative process: You get the go-ahead to "do your thing"; your project has special blessing at this time because of your ability to see an overview or get the big picture. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Two of Music (Contraries): "Without Contraries is no progression. Attraction and Repulsion, Reason and Energy, Love and Hate, are necessary to Human existence". A paradoxical situation at hand. Being faced with emotional choices. Different kinds of energies needing to be harmonized. Attraction of opposites. Focus on strengthening friendship and partnership. Transcending differences. Exchanges for mutual benefit. Being willing to meet someone halfway. In the creative process: Use the presence of contrary elements as an impetus for unleashing your imagination to exploit the inherent possibilities. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Moon, when reversed: Encountering unconscious fears. Possible self-deceptions and distortions of reality. Lunatic urges, including sexual license. Keeping secrets. Hidden conditions and unknown circumstances. Cyclic patterns and influences. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Eight of Science (Restriction): Being limited by mental obstacles, or by logical constraints. Feeling confined or blinded by the situation. A captive of your own ideas, anxieties, or dogmatic attitudes. Fear of failure. Repressed desires. Being in denial. Feeling frustrated or powerless. In the creative process: Make your obstructions or limitations productive by stimulating greater intensity of thought and a deeper sense of spiritual freedom. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Four of Poetry (Harmony), when reversed: Things refuse to come together. Achievements or personal successes go unrecognized. What was sown cannot be reaped. Discord among friends and family. Inability to working together with a partner or share a special experience. In the creative process: The various elements and personalities involved in your project are interacting harmoniously, generating an appropriate sense of gratitude for what has been accomplished so far. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Five of Science (Division): Feeling overwhelmed and unable to focus on the whole problem. Being unable to cut yourself loose. Being mentally hung up. Personal entanglements. Intellectually split. Divided loyalties. Inaction through indecision. In the creative process: Caught in your own net of plans or scheme. Divide the problem into smaller segments for greater freedom of action. |
