| The Cross and Triangle spread is a powerful means of understanding complex situations, developed by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. This spread is rich in occult and mystical symbolism, and one of our favorites here at Facade. The Russian Tarot of Saint Petersburg is the final commissioned work of Yuri Shakov, a master in the lost art of Russian miniature painting. The rich, dark images lend themselves to questions regarding the struggle of the human spirit in trying times. If you would like your own copy of the Russian Tarot of Saint Petersburg, you can buy it now! |
 | The first card, the significator, is placed in the center of the cross. This card represents the prime energy manifest in your life. Four of Cups (Luxury): Weariness. Aversion. Disgust. Disappointment. Bitter experience. Stationary period in life. |
 | The second card, placed above the significator, represents Air. It describes your spirit, process of thought, and the influence of reason. The Star, when reversed: Unfulfilled hopes. Disappointment. Pessimism. Bad luck. Lack of opportunity. Stubbornness. Bull-headedness. Imbalance. Conclusion of an unsatisfactory business experience or social friendship. |
 | The third card, placed to the right of the significator, represents Fire. It describes your motivations, creative energies, and the influence of passion. The Emperor, when reversed: Immaturity. Ineffectiveness. Indecision. Inability. Weakness of character. Failure to control petty emotions. |
 | The fourth card, placed below the significator, represents Water. It describes your emotions, meditations, and the influence of love. King of Clubs, when reversed: Severity. Austerity. Excessive and exaggerated ideas. Dogmatic. Deliberate. |
 | The fifth card, placed to the left of the significator represents Earth. It describes your physical presence, position in life, and the influence of the material world. Four of Swords (Truce), when reversed: Activity. Circumspection. Precaution. Economy. Guarded advancement. Desire to recover what is lost. |
 | At this point the cross is complete and the triangle is formed. The sixth card, placed on the bottom left of the triangle represents one of two opposing forces. Justice, when reversed: Bias. False accusations. Bigotry. Severity in judgment. Intolerance. Unfairness. Abuse. |
 | The seventh card, placed on the bottom right of the triangle represents the force that opposes the bottom left card. These forces may be external, but they are frequently one's own inner archetypes in conflict. Nine of Swords (Cruelty), when reversed: Suspicion. Slanderous gossip. Shame. Scruple. Timidity. Shady character. Reasonable fear. |
 | The eighth card, the reconciler, is placed below the cross in the third vertex of the triangle. This is the force that will resolve the conflict between the bottom left and bottom right cards. By meditating on this force and bringing more of it into your life, you can bring the matter at hand to a swifter conclusion than would naturally occur. Eight of Clubs (Swiftness): Swift activity. Sudden progress or movement. Speed. Hastily made decisions. Too rapid advancement. |
 | The ninth and final card, placed in the center bottom of the triangle, represents the final outcome unless you change course. Knight of Swords: Bravery. Skill. Capacity. Strength and dash. Heroic action. Opposition and war. Impetuous and fearless rush into the unknown. A master in the art of action and warfare. |
