| 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. Five of Staves (Strife): A project or adventure abandoned or cut short because of the departure or disappearance of a necessary colleague, partner, friend or lieutenant. |
 | 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. Eight of Cups (Indolence): A moment of surrender to external forces. Capitulation to inner promptings. Giving in to temptation. Giving oneself over to oblivion, to intoxication, to sleep. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Knight of Cups: A person of turbulent, poetic, romantic cast. An opportunity or favorable event in the near future. Deep feeling transformed into verse, music or visions. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. The Devil, when reversed: Irresponsible pleasures. Prankishness. Childish panic. Undignified behavior. Fare baccano, to "paint the town." |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Three of Coins (Works), when reversed: Imbalance. Imperfection. Mediocrity. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Six of Swords (Science): A daring expedition. An excursion or trip. Courageous act. Show of bravery. |
 | 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. King of Swords: A man of volatile temperament. A born fighter and ruler. A person in complete command. Self-mastery. Expertise. A person who prefers action to reflection - above all, dramatic, decisive action. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Nine of Swords (Cruelty), when reversed: Slander. Suspicion. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Ten of Swords (Ruin): Calamity. The failure of a hero, foretold in prophesy, but brought about by the hero's own choices. |
