| 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. Temperance, when reversed: Excess. Imbalance. Indulgence. Polarization. |
 | 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. Queen of Cups, when reversed: A melodramatic scene stealer. A sentimental hypochondriac. A person prey to wild and shifting emotional fancies. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Nine of Cups (Happiness): Difficulties overcome. Favorable agreement. Reconciliation. A new beginning. Renewal of trust. Bestowal of forgiveness. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. 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 at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. The Fool, when reversed: A false step. Impetuous beginning. Rash and irrational behavior. Childishness. Bacchic intoxication, oblivion and violence. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Two of Cups (Love): The flower of first love, of love at first sight. The bond between two people, invisible but formidable. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. 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 second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Justice: The vindication of the just and the punishment of the unjust. Rule of reason. Balance of power. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Knight of Swords: An enthusiastic man of action. One who confronts the world at full speed, with head held high. Sunny but fierce and leonine person. An uncompromising judge of character, like Michael the archangel. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. King of Cups: A dignified and accomplished person, compassionate and intuitively accurate. A successful professional, humanitarian and idealistic. One who appreciates the Dionysian side of the arts and the wild, mysterious aspect of nature. |
