| 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. 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 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. Four of Staves (Completion): Calm, pleasurable and perhaps amorous interlude. A playful balance of opposites, like the exchange made by Herakles and Queen Omphale. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. King of Swords, when reversed: Abuse of power. Tyranny. Cruelty. The empty striving for control. A failed attempt at mastery. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. The Empress, when reversed: Stifling domesticity. Bourgeois limitations. High-handed matriarchy. Junoesque jealousy. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Five of Swords (Defeat): Stubbornness. Refusal to move into the future, to forget the past or to face pressing responsibilities. Dishonor. Stagnation. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. 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 at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Justice: The vindication of the just and the punishment of the unjust. Rule of reason. Balance of power. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. King of Cups, when reversed: An ineffectual, unsteady person, talented but emotionally at sea. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. The Star: Blessedness. Tranquility. Beauty. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. The Hanged Man, when reversed: Masochism. Self-imposed confinement. Potential release from bondage. |
