| 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. The Empress, when reversed: Stifling domesticity. Bourgeois limitations. High-handed matriarchy. Junoesque jealousy. |
 | 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. 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 cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Queen of Coins, when reversed: A cornucopia emptied. A heart of stone. Crystalline coldness. A field barren and gone to seed. Preoccupation of wealth and security that stifles enjoyment of both. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. 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. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Knight of Staves: A traveler. A journey. The call of far away places. The arrival or return of a pilgrim or wanderer. A person of far-ranging interests and restless curiosity who is desirous of change and transformation. Inventive and artistic, but sometimes absent-minded person. Having one's "head in the clouds." |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Wheel of Fortune: The intrusion of chance into affairs. Unlikely coincidence. "What goes up, must come down." The intercession of good fortune in life. A sudden opportunity that must be exploited deftly and promptly; according to Machiavelli, in The Prince, Fortune is "bald behind", that is, once she runs past, it will be too late to grab her, and so she must be seized as she approaches, "by the forelock". |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Two of Staves (Dominion), when reversed: Wavering in the charge ahead. Victories delayed. Stalemate. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Justice, when reversed: Justice miscarried or delayed. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. The Emperor, when reversed: Tyranny. Pomposity. Jove-like self-indulgence. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Ace of Staves, when reversed: A beginning that is faulty from lack of conviction or from an excess of complacency. |
