| 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. Innocence: Something fresh and new on the horizon. A tangible risk needs to be faced. Trusting your instincts. A sense of adventure at hand. Confronting unknown factors. Dealing with folly or foolishness. Expect the unexpected. |
 | 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. Reversal: Deliberately looking at the situation in a new way or from a different perspective. Brainstorming in a search for solutions. Turning things upside down, and being unconventional. Creative retreat into yourself. Acceptance of losses or reversals. Withstanding a difficult or uncomfortable position. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Knowledge: An important, possibly moral choice to be made. Be discriminating with advice from others. Deep insight into a relationship or one's own involvement in a relationship. A need to integrate all levels of consciousness within oneself. An opportunity for intimacy and open communications. |
 | 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. Angel of Music, when reversed: Restrained surge of passionate emotion. Lack of compassion. Inability to rise above a mundane or materialistic milieu. An unexpected lack of emotion. Withheld personal transformation. Undeveloped aesthetic sensibility. Misunderstanding of public needs or the mass media. In the creative process: An inrush of excitement or appearance of a new factor offers alternative possibilities for your work. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. 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 at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Five of Painting (Hardship): Tangible difficulties, insecurity, or financial worries. Possible material losses, pain, or illness. Accusations and criticism, or blame from others. Exclusion. Suffering. Issues of support, loyalty, or companionship in hard times. In the creative process: Realize that the problems you are trying to solve may put you at odds with others who do not recognize your value. Be ready to grapple with personal blocks and fears, and to hear more from your inner voice than reasons why things won't work. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. 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 second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Whirlwind: Winds of change bring new visions, opportunities. A god-send or stroke of luck. Outer turmoil concealing inner truth. Stretching your boundaries. Reaching a turning point. Unseen forces churning below the surface. A good time to honor your gods. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Ace of Painting (Generation): A tangible impetus to creative action. Generating new forms. Putting your plan into action. New projects and works. A provocative opening. Powerful elements of sensuality and sexuality coming into play. Focus on fertility and virility. In the creative process: This is when you tap into the elemental and generative forces of life, using your inner vision to create new and exciting forms with which to work. |
