| 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. Death: Death. Loss. Death and rebirth. End of an old situation and the beginning of a new one. |
 | 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. The Hermit, when reversed: Barrenness. Loneliness. Cynicism. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Five of Swords (Defeat): Stubbornness. Refusal to move into the future, to forget the past or to face pressing responsibilities. Dishonor. Stagnation. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Ten of Coins (Wealth), when reversed: Risk. Future in doubt. Gambling with one's well being. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. The High Priestess, when reversed: Obfuscation. Mumbo jumbo. Heresy. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Six of Coins (Success), when reversed: Refusal to help others. Pomposity. Stinginess. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Two of Swords (Peace), when reversed: False friendship. Misunderstanding or duplicity, particularly between mentor and student. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Wheel of Fortune: The intrusion of chance into affairs. Unlikely coincidence. "What goes up, must come down." The intercession of good fortune in life. A sudden opportunity that must be exploited deftly and promptly; according to Machiavelli, in The Prince, Fortune is "bald behind", that is, once she runs past, it will be too late to grab her, and so she must be seized as she approaches, "by the forelock". |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. The Hierophant: The abstract, spiritual and intellectual side of the animus, or masculine nature of the soul. Spiritual authority. Religious tradition. Avuncular wisdom. The old order and the old school. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Ace of Staves: Creativity. Change. Success in new undertakings. "A breath of fresh air." "New blood." The sanguine temperament of the Ace promotes experiment, reform and appreciation of beauty, both of people and of nature. |
