| 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. Six of Science (Passage), when reversed: Going to undue lengths to avoid surmountable obstacles. Movement without progress. Challenges imposed or undertaken without purpose or meaning. The illusion that new terrain bears nothing in common with the old. Latent possibilities are occluded or confused. Opportunities are overlooked. In the creative process: Your imagination needs to be uncovered or unleashed by resolving contradictory elements and seeking spiritual guidance. |
 | 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. Nature, when reversed: Overgrowth. Natural forces out of control. Fear of nature and sexuality. Mothering issues. Seduced by the illusions of materialism. |
 | 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 Science (Division), when reversed: Meeting an overwhelming problem by focusing on its' component parts. Cutting yourself loose from mental hang-ups and personal entanglements. The ability to keep things separate in your mind, and to avoid conflict of interest. Swift action when faced with an impossible choice. Possibility for a new outlook. In the creative process: Caught in your own net of plans or scheme. Divide the problem into smaller segments for greater freedom of action. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Man of Music, when reversed: Repression of emotions. Discipline and mastery turned to denial. Feeling the pressure to remain on top. Making unreasonable attempts to sway others through fluency in the language of the unconscious. Reliance on dreams, oracles, and omens above the direct evidence of the senses and reason. Overestimation of ones own abilities. In the creative process: Dedicate your considerable powers to help others and for creating beauty in the world. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. 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 at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Magic, when reversed: Loss of control over the situation. Misdirection of powerful forces. Squandering the available resources. Ineffective communication. Taking action at the wrong time or in the wrong context. The use of naked aggressiveness when subtlety is required. Lack of tools and skills. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Religion, when reversed: Hypocritical influences and spiritual materialism. Corruption in high places. Fighting or giving in to City Hall. Feeling oppressed by the rules. Question authority and be suspicious of leaders and gurus. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Child of Poetry: "I found them blind: I taught them how to see". Feelings of creative restlessness and artistic impulses. Sparks are flying. Learning through experience. Taking risks. Bending over backwards in your effort to see the appropriate direction for self-development and creativity. Looking for inspirational influences in your environment. In the creative process: An inspirational breakthrough is at your feet; it is up to your to pick up the energy and make the most of it. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Five of Music (Melancholy): "Whatever is Born of Mortal Birth / Must be consumed with the Earth / To rise from Generation free: / Then what have I to do with thee?". Emotional disappointment. Existential angst. Spiritual insights following a sad event. Separating and moving on. Sadness, loss, grieving. Acknowledging your mistakes. Releasing ties and attachments from the past. In the creative process: Convert the pain of disappointment or loss into artistic expression. Let go of something old or dead and move on to something new and alive. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Man of Science: Being submerged in thought. A time of intense mental focus. Perfectionism. Personal detachment and self-possession. Working on your own, or in isolation. In the creative process: Scrutinize and test every aspect of your work so as to refine and perfect it. |
