The Celtic Cross spread is just wonderful. It’s my go-to spread for big, in-depth readings. I love the fact that there are several spreads built into one. That it gives causes and outcomes; advice and warnings. It’s just so damn cool. There’s another thing I like about it too, and it’s something that many readers seem to overlook. It’s something that took me several years to see and understand. And that’s the secret time line. Go on, quickly lay out a Celtic Cross, or do it in your head if you haven’t got a tarot deck nearby. See it? It’s right there in front of you.
- Start at position four, to the far left. Usually interpreted as recent past or a current influence moving into the past.
- Now positions one and two. The current situation and the challenge.
- Move to position six. The near future.
So, just for a minute, forget the other cards in the spread and just focus on those four cards. See if you can pick up a thread of past, present and future. Also look to the right, perhaps at card eight or nine. Does one or the other look as though it fits in with the first four? Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t, but if it does, use that information. Every small revelation can help you or your client.
Let’s try a random spread just for fun. I know… the radio is wittering on about Prince Harry and Meghan, and the TV news is full of it right now. Just for future reference, this is the day that the Queen has a scheduled conference call to discuss their future. So let’s lay out a Celtic Cross for them, but, for the sake of this blog post, we’re only paying attention to the secret time line. If you want to go ahead and interpret the other cards, do go ahead, and please leave a comment about what you come up with – it could be very revealing.
The Question and Cards
The question is: What are the influences and outcomes surrounding Harry and Meghan right now? Note: reading dated Jan 2020.
Okay, so the cards, in order are:
- King of Pentacles (reversed)
- Two of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles (ooh)
- Hierophant
- Page of Pentacles
- Empress
- Ten of Swords
- Ten of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Chariot
- Base card (always useful): Moon.
Look at those three tens. Interesting: things are ending/beginning, big time. But I’m just going to look at the time line, cards, four, one, two, six and eight/nine.
So we’ve got:
- Recent past: Hierophant
- Present/challenge: King of Pentacles reversed and Two of Pentacles
- Near Future: Empress
- Outcome: Ten of Cups/Three of Cups
Quick Interpretation of the Celtic Cross Time Line
The Hierophant in the near past indicates that Harry and Meghan are releasing the constraints of the monarchy. They are throwing off the obligations that currently inhibit them in their life.
The reversed King of Pentacles may well relate to the heir to the throne and Harry’s father, the Prince of Wales. Inasmuch he is expected to find a solution but not doing so well. Hence he’s upside down. Though perhaps there is another reason why that card has turned up reversed? I dare not speak it.
The Two of Pentacles showing that the practical details and solution will require balance and compromise. It’s not easy. It also indicates a possible waiting period.
The Empress might mean one of two things: either Meghan is considering a second child in the near future or that she would like to be the matriarch in her own separate family. It’s possible she’d like to be seen as a fount of goodness and growth.
The Ten of Cups and Three of Cups show a happy-ever-after (or the desire for that) and a celebration once all the difficult stuff is out of the way. I’d bet it will be a massive show business-y event.
That’s a very fast and dirty interpretation of the secret Celtic Cross time line. Would love to hear your opinions and interpretation of the whole spread, or just part of it. Feel free to focus in on one card that catches your attention.
Sorry about the wonky cards in the photo. The deck used is the gorgeous Mystical Tarot by Luigi Costa and published by LoScarabeo.
More: How to Choose a Tarot Spread
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I reread this after the interview, looks like everything was spot on!
It’s quite fascinating isn’t it, Madeleine? Especially with the 10 of Swords in the 7th position. As if they brought criticism on themselves. As a Brit, I know the atmosphere surrounding Meghan’s entry into the Royal family. And we loved her – everyone said ‘a breath of fresh air’. Had we been horrible to her, that 10 of Swords would have appeared in position 8 – ‘external factors’. As it happens, that position is occupied by the lovely 10 of Cups. Followed by the celebratory 3 of Cups. Then the Chariot as an outcome, indicating that H & M were/are completely in control of their direction and progression.
And the Moon, showing hidden deception. Wow. I love tarot!
Is Diana anywhere in the mix? I feel that her influence, experiences with other royals, linger over this decision by Harry and Megan.
Hi Marcie, I’m not seeing her in the spread, although, of course, her experience with the press is supposed to have influenced Harry’s decision 🙂
Hi there!
This was a good challenge for me because I haven’t done anything “tarot-y” for quite a while, so first had to get my bearings.
My overall “take” was positive. Lots of resources to draw on (pentacles). I did see the loosening of the grip (Hierophant) giving way to more creative uses of resources/time. I did also see the desire for another child/ren in the Empress.
I saw also some sneaky stuff and name-calling. (Probably been in the news) with the Ten of Swords. But with the love (2 of Cups) they have for each other and perhaps welcoming a third (3 of Cups) they will overcome their challenges (Chariot).
The card that gave me problems was the Page of Pentacles. I could not get a fix on that one.
I did my “reading” before checking yours so I wouldn’t be influenced. But mine is pretty basic, I know. Nothing really “deep” about it.
HAW
xoxo
Janice
HAW Janice!
I do like your interpretation a lot. And, as of today (Sunday, Jan 19th), there has definitely been a ‘loosening’. Page of Pentacles in that position (dreams, ambitions, and thus, alternative outcome, might show an exploration of new money-making ventures. Or possibly connected with the Empress and a second child, as you mentioned.
Thanks for having a go!
Bxx
Hierophant 2 Pentacles Empress I see as trying to find a way to keep Meghan happy and carry out royal duties…. Meghan will win….what she wants she gets
King of Pentacled rev….I see as not wanting to go with the status quo & also with 2 Pentacles the feeling that there are financial issues too. If the King represents Prince Charles….it could suggest Harry doesn’t feel duty bound to his father or perhaps with 10 Pentacles there is a question mark over who actually is his father
Sounds very feasible, Sally. I like the idea of the rev. KoP being a sort of representation of what s/he doesn’t want – sort of turning the system/structure on its head. And yes, there seems to be much financial juggling going on.
Mmm… the father thing. That’s never going to go away 😀
I have to say, I was amazed at the cards that came out for this. It was like, yes, yes, and many more yesses as I turned them.
Thanks for having a go.
Dear Benebell, good evening, instructive, entertaining, awesome, thank you, Ed
LOL… if only I were Benebell, but thank you and good evening anyway, Ed.