| 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 Renaissance Tarot is a modern deck, with symbolism drawn from the heroic age and rendered in renaissance style. This deck is an excellent choice for exploring questions of passion, mastery, and the inner workings of human reason. If you would like your own copy of the Renaissance Tarot, you can buy it now! |
 | The card not shown but at the center of the cross, represents the atmosphere surrounding the central issue. Queen of Staves: A person of sunny disposition, accomplished, graceful and gracious. A patroness or adept of the fine arts and sciences. A wedding of intelligence and creativity, giving flower in fruitfulness. |
 | 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. Four of Coins (Power): Lustful or greedy pursuit of someone or something. Irrational action. Unreasonable desire for wealth. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Five of Swords (Defeat), when reversed: Entering new experiences after persuasion or seduction. Undertaking new adventures. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Nine of Staves (Strength): Attempted betrayal in the guise of aid. Hidden enemies, risk and conflict. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Queen of Swords: A person of sharp insight, persuasive, powerful and thorough. If extroverted, an administrator, an organizer, a firebrand, splendid as a summer's day - and sometimes as overwhelming. If introverted, a person of deep sentiment, susceptible to flights of ecstasy, of the flames of inner torment. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. The Fool: The personality in the primal state, the willful child in all of us. Instinct. Innocence. Impulsive actions. Setting off in a new direction in life. Liberation of the impulses. Insight and wit from instinct rather than instruction. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. The Hermit, when reversed: Barrenness. Loneliness. Cynicism. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. King of Swords, when reversed: Abuse of power. Tyranny. Cruelty. The empty striving for control. A failed attempt at mastery. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. The Devil: Wickedness and danger. Darkness and licentiousness. Slavery to the senses. Imprisonment by baser instincts. Temptation. Selfishness. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Ten of Staves (Oppression): A final trial before an enduring reward. The greater the struggle, the greater the reward. |
