| 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 Cups, when reversed: A melodramatic scene stealer. A sentimental hypochondriac. A person prey to wild and shifting emotional fancies. |
 | 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. Two of Swords (Peace): Friendship, especially between student and teacher or younger and older. The adventure and excitement of childhood and adolescence. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Ace of Cups, when reversed: Love unsatisfied or unrequited. Love trickling away, eroded by time, thoughtlessness and selfishness. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. The High Priestess, when reversed: Obfuscation. Mumbo jumbo. Heresy. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. The Hanged Man: Sacrifice. Vigilance. Martyrlike forbearance. Suspension or paralysis of the soul. A mind divided and undecided. Stasis and constraint. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Four of Coins (Power), when reversed: Equanimity. Suspension of conflict. Balance of power. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Three of Swords (Sorrow): Conflict of two mighty forces for the possession or mastery of something or someone. A dangerous triangle. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. King of Staves: A renaissance man, practical and imaginative, active and contemplative, forceful and chivalrous. Appreciation of the lessons and pleasures of life. Worldliness in the best sense. An intellectual, an artist or an inventor. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Queen of Swords, when reversed: Consuming fire; the flames of the martyrdom of Joan of Arc, Phaedra's misguided passion, Medea's jealousy, Lady Macbeth's ambition. Fire, if left to burn unchecked, can consume the soul. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. The Hierophant, when reversed: Dogmatic beliefs. Spiritual authoritarianism. Enfeebled philosophizing. |
