SILENT VOICES

The next spread that we are going to learn is the Celtic Cross, so called because of the shape – a cross of equal arms with a “staff” at the side.

This spread is used by tarot readers the world over, as it probably contains the most information about the querant (the person you are doing the reading for).

Before we carry on with this spread, I would like to say a little about Divination. In my opinion, no one can tell you the future, and you cannot predict anyone else’s. This is because every single action you take determines the next. There are too many variables. I do believe that we make our own future and we are here to learn. What tarot reading can do is give you a likely outcome, if the querant carries on along the path they are on. The tarot can also offer advice and certainly working with your guides and intuition, you can gain valuable insights into your own psyche (or that of the querant) which can have a very positive effect.

A word about Death

In 34 years I have seen physical death twice in the cards, and it was not for the querant but for someone they knew. You must NEVER mention physical death to anyone, even if you feel it. Simply ignore it. It serves no purpose to tell someone something like that. I don’t think death can be averted – my guide told me “there are only two things that are certain, the day you born and the day you die. These cannot be changed, but everything else can”. So there really is no point in worrying someone is there? After my experiences, I asked my guide not to allow any information about death to be passed through to me, and he agreed. He has kept his word.

Ethics

I must also speak about ethics. NEVER, EVER DO A READING WITHOUT PERMISSION. By that I mean you must never look at the cards in connection with your friends, relatives or boyfriend! If a client asks you to tell them about their children, husband, wife etc, you must say “I’m sorry, I would need their permission to do that”. It’s a matter of privacy. I usually say something like “would you like me to tell your husband/daughter/friend about the details of your reading?”. This usually illustrates the issue! If you ignore this rule, you will be interfering with karmic law, and you will suffer the consequences in your own life.

Never judge someone else. The old saying of “walk a mile in my shoes” is so true. None of us know how we would react to something until it happens to us. If someone is having an affair, for example, it’s not your job to judge them. Your job is to offer impartial advice. My guide tells me to treat people with “mother-love”, in other words, be unconditional. It’s good advice.

Now back to the cards !

Some people use “significators” or a card representing the querant – I don’t. I really can’t see the point, and it is also taking a card out of the deck that may have provided important information elsewhere. I use all 78 cards, but for now, just stick to the Major Arcana. We will look at the minors later.

Shuffle the deck thoroughly with the intent of ridding the cards of all previous influence.

Hand the deck to the querant and ask them to shuffle. Tell them to take as long as they like, shuffle any way they like, then hand the deck back to you as a whole pack.

Then lay the cards out as the diagram.

To turn the cards over, take the bottom left corner of the card between thumb and finger and turn left to right. This is important, as if we get any Reverse cards (which we will cover later) these have a different meaning.

• Position #1: Present position. The card in this position will give the reader information about the present situation, the current influences.

• Position #2: Obstacles. That which is working for or against the situation/individual). Often there are forces at work that either benefit or hinder the querent. The card in this position will unveil these forces.

• Position #3: Advice/Suggestions from your higher power. The card in this position reveals advice from your higher power. It is that which is above you, which comes from your subconscious.

• Position #4: Distant Past. The card in this position will reveal circumstances from your distant past that are affecting the querent today.

• Position #5: Recent Past. The card in this position will reveal circumstances from your recent past that are affecting the querent’s situation. Often, the querent will have recently passed through these events.

• Position #6: Future Influences. The card in this position will represent situations and influences that are just now coming into light or that will appear soon.

• Position #7: The Self / The Querent. The card in this position will represent the querent. How is the querent handling the situation at present? Where does the querent stand?

• Position #8: Outside Influences. The card in this position will represent the outside influences that are having an impact on the querent in regard to the question/concern. These influences could be something material (i.e. finances, home situation) or they could represent a person.

• Position #9: Hopes and Fears. The card in this position will reveal the hopes and fears of the querent in regard to the question/concern of the reading.

• Position #10: Final Outcome. The card in this position will reveal the final outcome. This card is not set in stone. The final outcome is that which will come into being should the querent take no steps to alter or change his/her own situation/behaviour. This outcome can be positive or negative
•

*Please keep in mind that this is just one version of the Celtic Cross. Most will follow this basic structure (with a few alterations).

The mistake most people make with this spread, is they read the cards individually and not connected to each other. They also forget the positions. Remember, for example, position 9 is about how the querant FEELS. Not necessarily what has happened or what will happen. Remember the positions and link the cards together!

Next month we will look at a couple more spreads.

© Sue Treanor
www.spiritus-uk.com

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