| 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.
|
 | The card not shown but at the center of the cross, represents the atmosphere surrounding the central issue. Six of Painting (Assistance): Giving or receiving favors or tangible help of some kind. Sponsorship or patronage. A positive influence in the situation. Although "over your head," an angel may rescue you. Generosity of spirit. Being charitable. Assisting those in need. In the creative process: You can attract the assistance and tools you need by using your imagination and not giving up hope. |
 | 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. Man of Science: Being submerged in thought. A time of intense mental focus. Perfectionism. Personal detachment and self-possession. Working on your own, or in isolation. In the creative process: Scrutinize and test every aspect of your work so as to refine and perfect it. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. 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 bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Three of Poetry (Creativity): "I must Create a System, or be enslav'd by another Mans I will not Reason & Compare: my business is to Create". A creative opportunity presents itself. A lucky break is in store for you. Taking an imaginative or literary approach is favored. A revelation of truth is at hand. All the pieces are falling into place. You achieve an understanding that has far-reaching implications. In the creative process: You get the go-ahead to "do your thing"; your project has special blessing at this time because of your ability to see an overview or get the big picture. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Ten of Science (Defeat): Feeling mentally or philosophically burned out. Consigned to the fire. Plans and hopes overturned. Gripped by vice, obsession, or addiction. Existential or spiritual surrender. In the creative process: Difficulties abound; your work is in flames. Defeat must be transcended by right attitude. Remember that suffering is the short road to Spirit. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Four of Painting (Means): Material prosperity and contentment. Creative achievements using material resources. Consolidation of personnel and materials. Bringing about order and structure. Emphasis on controlling, dominating, or monopolizing. Protecting and maintaining. In the creative process: Before reaching out for creative inspiration, prepare the groundwork: by appropriately allocating your resources and assigning creative tasks. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Seven of Music (Fancies): "To Me This World is all One continued Vision of Fancy or Imagination". Inspired by a range of opportunities and ideas. Expressive challenges involving dreams and daydreams, or altered states of consciousness. Challenges of immediate versus long-term gratification. In the creative process: Let your visions and dreams lead the way into deeper realms of your imagination, and be prepared to express them. Rehearse and explore wild ideas in your mind before acting on them. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Angel of Painting, when reversed: Visionary reverie. Plans and agendas lost in wild flights of imagination. Action taken without contemplation. Making use of inappropriate tools. Diving into the situation without vision or foresight, particularly its physical or material aspects. In the creative process: Look for or contemplate a solid idea, a practical point of view that can instigate a whole new direction in your work or project. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Woman of Poetry, when reversed: Shameless self-promotion. False generosity and glory-hounding. Creating drama for the sake of drama. Undue need to inspire others and take on the role of leader. In the creative process: With complete confidence in your expressive abilities, you serve as a guiding light to inspire growth and confidence in others. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Ace of Science (Intellect), when reversed: Plunging into the depths of knowledge, at the expense of life itself. Idle pursuit of more projects than you can handle. Dabbling in many skills without every truly learning them. The worship of ideas over implementation. Workaholism, particularly in the mental sphere. Self-centered point of view. Mistaking knowledge for truth. Reliance on logic, method, and research to solve problems that demand distance and insight. In the creative process: A time for "blind" absorption of data, for intense focus on research and documentation of the creative project being initiated. |
