| 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. Child of Science, when reversed: Formulating unnecessarily complicated plans or stratagems. Questioning everything. Assuming that your outlook is representative of everyone else's. Trusting your intuitions in the face of the facts. Relying on rules of thumb when deeper insight is needed. Refusing to do background research and lay a foundation for your insights. Focusing on impersonal principles in personal matters. Being cool, aloof, or shy. In the creative process: Doing feasibility studies or reorganizing your approach is favored now. Be curious and question everything. |
 | 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. Nine of Science (Despair), when reversed: Enduring mental anguish without the need to escape reality. Support from friends in dark times. Keeping a vision of hope despite loss. A period of dark gestation. Love and forgiveness may be closer than you think. Working through guilt. Getting to the bare bones of a situation. In the creative process: Your creativity is blocked by self-judgments and criticism. Forgive yourself and get back to the basics; recapture your innocence and rejoin the human family. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Imagination: A murky situation requires wisdom and prudence. Allow your beliefs and convictions to guide you through the door of perception. Use your imagination to illuminate the unknown. Finding an answer or solution through introspection. Putting your own light and wisdom into action. Evoking the divine imagination as a transformative force in your own life. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Six of Music (Pleasure), when reversed: Lack of teamwork and group action. Dissatisfaction with family, friends, colleagues. Refusal to participate in a social or community endeavor. Broken links and bonds with others. Loneliness within the crowd. In the creative process: Make use of collective or group energies, bringing them together for maximum benefit and mutual enjoyment. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Man of Science, when reversed: Perfectionism. Personal detachment. Being oblivious to your surroundings and to unforeseen possibilities. Tendency to be opinionated and aloof. Delusions of grandeur. Inability to perceive human or spiritual values. In the creative process: Scrutinize and test every aspect of your work so as to refine and perfect it. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Angel of Music: "Like as an angel glitt'ring in the sky, / In times of innocence and holy joy: / The joyful shepherd stops his grateful song. / To hear the music of an angel's tongue". A surge of passionate emotion. A call for compassion in the situation. A need to rise above a mundane or materialistic milieu. Possibility of being granted a favor or indulgence. An unexpected emotional influence. Emerging impulse to personal transformation. Development of appropriate aesthetic sensibility. Intuitive awareness of public needs or the mass media. In the creative process: An inrush of excitement or appearance of a new factor offers alternative possibilities for your work. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Whirlwind: Winds of change bring new visions, opportunities. A god-send or stroke of luck. Outer turmoil concealing inner truth. Stretching your boundaries. Reaching a turning point. Unseen forces churning below the surface. A good time to honor your gods. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Three of Music (Exuberance), when reversed: Sense of emotional contraction. Inability to experience joy. Lack of motivation. Stagnating on the verge of new territory. An absence of enthusiasm among supportive relationships. In the creative process: Exciting and joyous progress is taking place; blow your horn! |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Ace of Music (Passion), when reversed: Emotions repressed or violently out of control. A lack of passion or connection to your highest potential. Being led astray from meaning and fulfillment. Inhibition. In the creative process: A passionate desire to rise above the norm, to soar to personal new heights of creative vision. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Nine of Music (Happiness), when reversed: Longing to be someplace else. Inability to evoke what you want or need. Separation from the sources of emotional fulfillment. Lack of sensual or sexual gratification. Being blinded to life's bounty, and refusing to accept spontaneous love and happiness. In the creative process: You are at your creative best, blessed with a vision of life that is extravagant and blissful. |
