| 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 William Blake Tarot explores the mystical vision and artistry of the renowned English painter and poet. Through rich interpretations focused on creative undertakings, it has long been the deck of choice for artists, writers, musicians, and thinkers. For more information about this deck, or to buy your own personal copy, go to www.blaketarot.com.
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 | The card not shown but at the center of the cross, represents the atmosphere surrounding the central issue. Ace of Music (Passion): "The desire of Man being Infinite the possession is Infinite & himself Infinite." Release of emotions. Upsurge of creative power. Unlimited potential. Being carried away by your emotions (swept up on wings of song). Feeling a passion for life. Wanting to achieve the highest potentials in yourself and the situation. Following your bliss. Feeling a deep sense of grace and fulfillment. Vulnerability and openness. In the creative process: A passionate desire to rise above the norm, to soar to personal new heights of creative vision. |
 | 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. Seven of Painting (Patience), when reversed: Refusing to wait for the situation to develop or ripen. Demanding immediate material assistance or reinforcements. Possible delays and slowdowns. Feeling uncertain or apprehensive about a tangible issue. Procrastination. Squandering your resources. In the creative process: Straining to speed things up only produces anxiety, so get a grip and wait for everything to unfold according to its own timing. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Liberty: An emerging and powerful sense of personal freedom. Hearing a call to action. Awakening to a deeper level of awareness or sense of spiritual self. A rebirth or basic change of state. Making an important decision or judgment, perhaps one long delayed. Being released from limiting circumstances. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Union, when reversed: Something vitally important to you refuses to come together. Discord between male and female forces, or inner and outer life. Holding back. Incompleteness. Fear of intimacy or self-sacrifice. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Three of Music (Exuberance): "Exuberance is Beauty". Sense of emotional expansion. Something that makes you sing for joy. Intense desire for creative expression. A cause for lively celebration. Plunging into creative new territory. Getting people excited about your idea. Supportive alliances or relationships. Entertaining gatherings, performances, meetings, get-togethers. In the creative process: Exciting and joyous progress is taking place; blow your horn! |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Two of Music (Contraries), when reversed: Failure to recognize a paradoxical situation at hand. Inability to confront emotional choices. Lack of harmony between different kinds of energies. Complimentary opposites remaining apart. Inability to transcend differences. Unnecessary haggling where exchanges for mutual benefit could be had. In the creative process: Use the presence of contrary elements as an impetus for unleashing your imagination to exploit the inherent possibilities. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Ace of Science (Intellect): Delving into the depths of knowledge. Focusing on multiple aspects of the job at hand. Development and use of multiple skills. Genesis of a great new idea. Analytical search for knowledge as truth. Using logic, method, and research to solve a problem. In the creative process: A time for "blind" absorption of data, for intense focus on research and documentation of the creative project being initiated. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Transformation: Eliminating something old to make room for something new. A major change or metamorphosis is at hand. Renewal. Preparing for the future. Letting-go is advised, even if difficult. Acceptance of what is inevitable. Cutting your losses. Stripping away the excess or superfluous. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Five of Science (Division): Feeling overwhelmed and unable to focus on the whole problem. Being unable to cut yourself loose. Being mentally hung up. Personal entanglements. Intellectually split. Divided loyalties. Inaction through indecision. In the creative process: Caught in your own net of plans or scheme. Divide the problem into smaller segments for greater freedom of action. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Seven of Poetry (Boldness): "The times require that every one should speak out boldly: ...every man should do his duty, in Arts, as well as in Arms, or in the Senate". Standing up for yourself and your beliefs. Telling the truth despite everything. Tests of integrity, firmness, and commitment. Doing the right thing even though it hurts. Facing the envy or enmity of others. Proving yourself against rivals and competitors. Finding the courage to resist organized, institutional, or governmental oppression. In the creative process: Maintain your artistic tenacity and courage despite any criticism, disapproval, or influence of societal prejudices or market pressures. |
