| 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. Three of Swords (Sorrow): Absence. Sorrow. Disappointment. Strife. Removal. Dispersion. Diversion. Opposition. Separation. Delay. |
 | The second card, placed above the significator, represents Air. It describes your spirit, process of thought, and the influence of reason. Eight of Cups (Indolence): Discontinuance of effort. Disappointment. Abandonment of previous plans. Shyness. Modesty. Abandoned success. |
 | The third card, placed to the right of the significator, represents Fire. It describes your motivations, creative energies, and the influence of passion. Ace of Clubs, when reversed: False start. Cloudy outlook. Unrealized goal. Decadence. Empty existence. Vexation. Cancellation of plans. |
 | The fourth card, placed below the significator, represents Water. It describes your emotions, meditations, and the influence of love. The High Priestess: Wisdom. Sound judgment. Common sense. Serenity. Objectivity. Penetration. Foresight. Intuition. Perception. Self-reliance. Emotionlessness. Platonic relationships. |
 | 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. Wheel of Fortune: Destiny. Fortune. Fate. Outcome. Culmination. Approaching the end of a problem. Good or bad luck, depending on influences of nearby cards. Inevitability. The Wheel suggests the course of event from beginning to end. Advancement for better or worse. |
 | 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. The World: Attachment. Completion. Perfection. Ultimate change. The end result of all efforts. Success. Synthesis. Fulfillment. Capability. Triumph in undertakings. The rewards that come from hard work. Eternal life. Admiration of others. |
 | 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. The Hierophant, when reversed: Foolish generosity. Susceptibility. Impotence. Vulnerability. Frailty. Unorthodoxy. Renunciation. |
 | 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. Death, when reversed: Stagnation. Immobility. Slow changes. Partial change. Inertia. Narrowly avoiding a serious accident. |
 | The ninth and final card, placed in the center bottom of the triangle, represents the final outcome unless you change course. Judgment: Atonement. Judgment. The need to repent and forgive. The moment in which to account for the manner in which we have used our opportunities. Rejuvenation. Rebirth. Improvement. Development. Promotion. The desire for immortality. Legal judgment in one's favor. One should carefully consider how one's present actions affects other persons. |
