| 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. Three of Cups (Abundance), when reversed: Superficial pleasure. Excessive emotion. |
 | 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. Queen of Coins, when reversed: A cornucopia emptied. A heart of stone. Crystalline coldness. A field barren and gone to seed. Preoccupation of wealth and security that stifles enjoyment of both. |
 | 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 Cups, when reversed: Love unsatisfied or unrequited. Love trickling away, eroded by time, thoughtlessness and selfishness. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. The Lovers: Romantic passion. Amorous attachment. The stages of love: discovery, attraction, pursuit, flirtation, courtship and consummation. The gifts of Aphrodite: beauty, youth, dalliance and delight. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. The Fool: The personality in the primal state, the willful child in all of us. Instinct. Innocence. Impulsive actions. Setting off in a new direction in life. Liberation of the impulses. Insight and wit from instinct rather than instruction. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Five of Coins (Worry), when reversed: Reversal of a difficult situation. Gradual improvement. Encouraging news. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Eight of Cups (Indolence): A moment of surrender to external forces. Capitulation to inner promptings. Giving in to temptation. Giving oneself over to oblivion, to intoxication, to sleep. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Queen of Cups: A person of generous and loving nature, graceful and sparkling as a mountain stream, or deep and serene as a country lake. A poetess, musician or actress. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Page of Cups, when reversed: Emotional excess. Distraction. Seduction. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Knight of Swords: An enthusiastic man of action. One who confronts the world at full speed, with head held high. Sunny but fierce and leonine person. An uncompromising judge of character, like Michael the archangel. |
