Example of the Celtic Cross spread.
This is a very popular spread. As with all spreads the most important thing
is to define in your head what is expected of some position to represent. It is
your subconscious that will give you an answer, not rules of some other people.
Nevertheless I will put what A. E. Waite recommend about this spread in short.
This mode of divination is the most suitable for obtaining an answer to a
definite question. The Diviner first selects a card to represent the person or,
matter about which inquiry is made. This card is called the Significator. Should
he wish to ascertain something in connexion with himself he takes the one which
corresponds to his personal description. A Knight should be chosen as the
Significator if the subject of inquiry is a man of forty years old and upward; a
King should be chosen for any male who is under that age a Queen for a woman who
is over forty years and a Page for any female of less age.
The four Court Cards in Wands represent very fair people, with yellow or auburn
hair, fair complexion and blue eyes. The Court Cards in Cups signify people with
light brown or dull fair hair and grey or blue eyes. Those in Swords stand for
people having hazel or grey eyes, dark brown hair and dull complexion. Lastly,
the Court Cards in Pentacles are referred to persons with very dark brown or
black hair, dark eyes and sallow or swarthy complexions. These allocations are
subject, however, to the following reserve, which will prevent them being taken
too conventionally. You can be guided on occasion by the known temperament of a
person; one who is exceedingly dark may be very energetic, and would be better
represented by a Sword card than a Pentacle. On the other hand, a very fair
subject who is indolent and lethargic should be referred to Cups rather than to
Wands.
If it is more convenient for the purpose of a divination to take as the
Significator the matter about which inquiry is to be made, that Trump or small
card should be selected which has a meaning corresponding to the matter. Let it
be supposed that the question is: Will a lawsuit be necessary? In this case,
take the Trump No. 11, or justice, as the Significator. This has reference to
legal affairs. But if the question is: Shall I be successful in my lawsuit? one
of the Court Cards must be chosen as the Significator. Subsequently, consecutive
divinations may be performed to ascertain the course of the process itself and
its result to each of the parties concerned.