| 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. Page of Cups, when reversed: Emotional excess. Distraction. Seduction. |
 | 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. 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 top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Ace of Staves: Creativity. Change. Success in new undertakings. "A breath of fresh air." "New blood." The sanguine temperament of the Ace promotes experiment, reform and appreciation of beauty, both of people and of nature. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Three of Staves (Virtue): Achievement attained after a long chase. A rare and glowing prize. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. 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 right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Knight of Cups, when reversed: Fraudulent emotion. A charming, but irresponsible person. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Eight of Coins (Prudence), when reversed: Vanity. Dishonesty. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Strength: Strength and fortitude. Moral resolve. Triumph over base instincts. Mens sana in corpore sana (Sound mind in a sound body). |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Two of Cups (Love), when reversed: Separation. Dissolution. Unhappy love. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. 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. |
