| 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. Ten of Staves (Oppression): A final trial before an enduring reward. The greater the struggle, the greater the reward. |
 | 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. Two of Coins (Change), when reversed: Admirable flexibility. Agility. Expertise. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Page of Coins: An intelligent and sensible young person. Dependable and practical person who yet hides mysterious corners of himself and hoards secret treasures. An admirer of the patterns of heavens, the makeup of nature, or the language of numbers. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Eight of Coins (Prudence), when reversed: Vanity. Dishonesty. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Six of Cups (Pleasure): Regret and nostalgia for a time past or a love lost. Disillusionment. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Six of Coins (Success): Generosity. Philanthropy. Charity. A wise and compassionate decision. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Seven of Cups (Temptation): Living in a world of fantasy and illusion. Unrealistic and vain hopes. Dependence on external and even supernatural aid. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. 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 top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. The Magician: Mastery of words and of matter. Eloquence, including eloquent silence and Hermetic wisdom. Mediator, messenger, and communicator. The Magician may be a sage or just a quick talker. He is a master-manipulator of the material world, but the miracles he effects may be true physical and metaphysical transformation of mere illusion and technical tricks. With Hermes, one never knows; he is the god of orators and liars, merchants and thieves, trickery and arcane science. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Three of Staves (Virtue): Achievement attained after a long chase. A rare and glowing prize. |
