| The Cross and Triangle spread is a powerful means of understanding complex situations, developed by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. This spread is rich in occult and mystical symbolism, and one of our favorites here at Facade. The Russian Tarot of Saint Petersburg is the final commissioned work of Yuri Shakov, a master in the lost art of Russian miniature painting. The rich, dark images lend themselves to questions regarding the struggle of the human spirit in trying times. If you would like your own copy of the Russian Tarot of Saint Petersburg, you can buy it now! |
 | The first card, the significator, is placed in the center of the cross. This card represents the prime energy manifest in your life. Ten of Swords (Ruin): Ruin. Pain Affliction. Anguish. Desolation. Misfortune. Disappointment. |
 | The second card, placed above the significator, represents Air. It describes your spirit, process of thought, and the influence of reason. The Falling Tower: Complete and sudden change. Breakdown of old beliefs. Abandonment of past relationships. Severing of a friendship. Changing one's opinion. Unexpected events. Bankruptcy. Downfall. Loss of stability. Loss of security. |
 | The third card, placed to the right of the significator, represents Fire. It describes your motivations, creative energies, and the influence of passion. Four of Cups (Luxury), when reversed: New possibilities. New relationships. New approaches to old problems. New knowledge. |
 | The fourth card, placed below the significator, represents Water. It describes your emotions, meditations, and the influence of love. The Devil, when reversed: Release from bondage. Throwing off shackles. Divorce. Recognition of one's needs by another person. Overcoming severe handicaps. The beginning of spiritual understanding. |
 | The fifth card, placed to the left of the significator represents Earth. It describes your physical presence, position in life, and the influence of the material world. Wheel of Fortune, when reversed: Bad luck. Broken sequence. Interruption or inconsistency due to unexpected events. Outside influences not contemplated. |
 | At this point the cross is complete and the triangle is formed. The sixth card, placed on the bottom left of the triangle represents one of two opposing forces. The Hanged Man: Life in suspension. Transition. Change. Reversal of the mind and of one's way of life. Apathy and dullness. Abandonment. Renunciation. The changes of life forces. The period of respite between significant events. Sacrifice. Repentance. Readjustment. Regeneration. The approach of new life forces. |
 | The seventh card, placed on the bottom right of the triangle represents the force that opposes the bottom left card. These forces may be external, but they are frequently one's own inner archetypes in conflict. Page of Swords: Vigilance. Agility. Spying. A discreet person. An active youth. A lithe figure. A person adept at perceiving, discerning and uncovering the unknown or that which is less than obvious. Insight. |
 | The eighth card, the reconciler, is placed below the cross in the third vertex of the triangle. This is the force that will resolve the conflict between the bottom left and bottom right cards. By meditating on this force and bringing more of it into your life, you can bring the matter at hand to a swifter conclusion than would naturally occur. Five of Cups (Disappointment): Partial loss. Regret. Friendship without real meaning. Marriage without real love. Inheritance. Incomplete union or partnership. |
 | The ninth and final card, placed in the center bottom of the triangle, represents the final outcome unless you change course. The Lovers: Love. Beauty. Perfection. Harmony. Trust. Beginning of a romance. Deep feeling. Optimism. Freedom of emotion. The necessity of testing or subjecting to trial. Struggle between sacred and profane love. A meaningful affair. |
