| 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 Voodoo Tarot of New Orleans is a deck rich in primal spirituality. It draws on images from the religion Santeria, which weaves Catholic and African beliefs into a vibrant tapestry. This exceptional deck is most often used to ask questions regarding the joy, fury, and spirituality in everyday life. If you would like your own copy of the Voodoo Tarot of New Orleans, you can buy it now! |
 | The card not shown but at the center of the cross, represents the atmosphere surrounding the central issue. Agwe La Flambeau (Four of Wands), when reversed: Squandering a great and hard won victory through decadence and laziness. Failing to reward those truly responsible for an achievement. Using past accomplishments as an excuse to ignore current problems. Abandoning the very qualities that brought about initial success. |
 | 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. Oggun (Five of Discs), when reversed: Concern over finance leads to prudent action. Impending physical threat is met with calm and skill. Suffering and loneliness leads to spiritual growth. Stress is met without resorting to excess or the pursuit of oblivion. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Simbi (Eight of Swords): Chagrin at the unforeseen consequences of prior decisions. Criticism, censure, and the imposition of external restrictions. Confusion leading to powerlessness. Inability to focus on the crux of a problem and free oneself from a difficult situation. Being hamstrung by a past failure or humiliation. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Olodumare (Ace of Discs): The seed of prosperity and material gain - perhaps as yet unseen. A new foundation from which to turn your dreams into reality. The need to focus on the practical and understand the dynamics of the natural world. May represent a gift, document, inheritance, or an unexpected opportunity for physical achievement. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Dance (The Chariot): Victory through might. Advancement through bold action. Change through force. Order established through vigilance. A trying situation mastered by balancing opposing forces against each other. Discipline, individual effort and endurance will turn the tide. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Oriate (Knight of Discs), when reversed: The essence of earth behaving as fire, such as molten magma: One slow to action, even in the most urgent circumstances. A force of nature that cannot be diverted from the wrong path. The voice of duty and honor utterly divorced from reality. Lack of imagination and the complete unwillingness to try a different approach, even if the face of complete failure. Idleness and stagnation. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Gran Bois (Ten of Cups), when reversed: Dissipation, debauchery, and stagnation. Taking one's good fortune for granted. Problems in domestic and social matters. A false love or infatuation, leading to a lack of fulfillment. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Olofi (Two of Discs): Balance and harmony achieved in a time of upheaval and transformation. Taking two steps forward for every one step back. Shifting the importance of projects and priorities to keep everything on track. A change in occupation or location. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Legba (Six of Swords): Trusting in intelligence and intuition and setting off into the unknown. Leaving an untenable situation and charting a new course. Passage from difficulty and progress towards a solution. The road to recovery. Travel and exploration. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Erzulie La Flambeau (Seven of Wands): Standing courageously for your beliefs in the face of adversity. Fear of failure overcome by the will to succeed. Great obstacles met with heroism and determination. Inner strength brought to bear at a critical moment. |
