| 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. Man of Painting, when reversed: The need to dominate the situation. Allowing theory to get in the way of pragmatics. Intoxication with a highly charged situation. Taking a dogmatic and self-indulgent approach. Obsessive focus on the task at hand. Bathing in the spotlight. In the creative process: Test and refine your ideas or product to see if it works as planned; be practical yet innovative. |
 | 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. Nine of Science (Despair): Experiencing mental anguish or self-pity. Grief. Depression. Insomnia. Escaping reality. Hiding from joy and innocence. Feeling isolated and alone. Self-cruelty. In the creative process: Your creativity is blocked by self-judgments and criticism. Forgive yourself and get back to the basics; recapture your innocence and rejoin the human family. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Child of Painting, when reversed: Being carried astray by a wave of prosperity. Relying on your innate tendencies to the exclusion of acquired sense and skills. Inability to leave a position of material advantage. Hedonistic enjoyment. Drug experimentation. Surfing the Internet. Total absorption in your activities. Being ruled by your body and instincts. Obsession with new experiences. In the creative process: Now is a time to experiment with processes and materials, taking great pleasure in what you learn and create. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. 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 left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Mystery, when reversed: An enigma that resists inner wisdom. Unexplained or mysterious energies at work. Issues of sexuality. Feeling yourself at the mercy of the divine trickster. Dark omens and portents. Attraction to or advice from a wise man. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Stars, when reversed: Loss of hope. Feeling disconnected from cosmic or universal energies. Failure to realize the highest potential of your situation. Being out of touch with your own creative powers. Lack of self-esteem. Your abilities going unrecognized. Being restrained from doing your own thing. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Man of Music: "Music as it exists in old tunes or melodies ... is Inspiration, and cannot be surpassed; it is perfect and eternal". Using emotional self-control. Experiencing a sense of self-integration and mastery. Feeling at the top of your form. Swaying others with your gift of expressiveness and fluency in the language of the unconscious. Ability to interpret dreams, oracles, and omens. Be cautious of a tendency to overestimate yourself. In the creative process: Dedicate your considerable powers to help others and for creating beauty in the world. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Two of Science (Reflection): Being at the threshold of something. A mental or reasoned choice to be made. Dilemma. Waiting for something to happen. A temporary balance of opposite natures. In the creative process: An uneasy decision about which way to proceed, perhaps between a rational versus intuitive approach. Weigh the potential rewards versus the possible dangers. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Lightning: An unexpected shock, upheaval, or stunning event. A burst of insight, or spiritual breakthrough. A close call. Release or liberation of energy. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Three of Science (Jealousy), when reversed: A challenge to mutual understanding. Transcending emotional or erotic stress. A conflict of wills that adds to the excitement of a relationship. Intoxicating mutual obsession. A decisive attitude readjustment. Concern over a rival motivates you to proper action. Realizing the things you take for granted. Putting your heads together helps. In the creative process: When loss of understanding triggers pain and creative numbing; stay close to the people involved; this is a point of transition. |
