I line up nine cards in the Celtic Cross Spread because it gives a very detailed reading. I learned two other more complex spreads from Maria and Gianni, but they encouraged me to go with the Celtic Cross Spread since I was still new to the tarot. The Celtic Cross is one of the simpler tarot spreads to learn. I personally like this layout the best of the three I learned because I have discovered that my clients usually want to know about a certain aspect of their lives, whether it relates to love, fortune, or any other area in which they need more in-depth clarification. Since this spread gives a very descriptive reading, I can give my clients additional clues that will help them find the guidance they're seeking.
I take a quick glance at all of the cards and notice the majority of them are split among the suit of cups and the major arcana. The seventy-eight cards of the tarot deck are split into the major and minor arcanas. The major arcana is the core of the deck, as Gianni explained to me. These cards represent universal facets of human experience and the influences that are intrinsic to human nature. A few of the major arcana cards instantly convey their meaning, such as the Temperance, Strength, and Justice cards. Others represent people who embody a certain life aspect, such as the High Priestess, the Fool, and the Emperor. And then there are the cards with astronomical images, such as the Moon, the Star, and the Sun. These symbolize the powerful, mysterious forces related to the universe. Gianni explained to me that the major arcana cards are very important in that they show the different transitions, or stages, on an individual's life journey, especially in relation to his or her spiritual or inner growth.
The minor arcana are the cards comprising the four suitsâwands, pentacles, swords, and cups. Each suit is made up of fourteen minor arcana cards, including ten numbered cards (Ace through the number ten) and four court cards (King, Queen, Knight, and Page). The numbered cards signify life situations one encounters, while the court cards are people and/or personality characteristics.
In addition to several cups and major arcana cards, Carlo's spread also contains a suit of swords card and a suit of wands card.
Clearing my throat, I begin. “The first card. Page of Cups. There will be a new beginning in your life, most likely a romantic one. You welcome this new chapter in your life and have been waiting for it.”
“So far, that's true.” Carlo smiles.
“You don't need to give me confirmation after each card. Hear the entire reading before you decide if I have been accurate or not.”
“I'm sorry, Sarina. Please go on.”
“That's all right. I just want to remind you that I am still fairly new to reading the tarot. I don't want to disappoint you or raise your expectations.”
“Don't worry. You could never disappoint me.” Carlo's eyes lock with mine. I swallow hard before returning my gaze to the cards.
“The second card represents your hopes and goals. We have the Nine of Cups. You seek the ultimate happiness and fulfillment. Most of your cards are pointing to a romantic partnership; however, you could also be seeking fulfillment in a creative aspiration you have. If it is a romantic union you desire, the woman you meet will be your soul mate. You both will have the perfect harmonyâunderstanding each other like no other person has before. If you are seeking the fruition of a creative or artistic idea, again you will reach your goal. But you must be careful. For life is a balance between good and bad. Wonderful events happen as well as bad events. You must enjoy the moment when life is good and not take it for granted. Do not take the people who treat you well and love you for granted. If you realize the fulfillment of a creative dream, appreciate the rewards of it. For you can never know when the tide will turn, and you will have a tough journey ahead. Do you understand?” I glance up at Carlo, who is staring at the Nine of Cups card. He nods his head without looking up.
“The next card represents your future. Wheel of Fortune. This card complements the first card in that it shows there will be change in your life. And it also reinforces the second card in that it is reminding you that since change is inevitable, you must enjoy your blessings when you receive them.”
“Will it be a good or a bad change that will occur?” Carlo asks.
“I cannot be certain. But my intuition, as well as what the cards are telling me so far, is that the change will be a happy one. Still, there will be a turn of events. It is unavoidable. Again, the card is advising you to be cautious when that change occurs. How you react to the situation is important. Just because there will be a time of trial does not mean it will last forever. Remain optimistic and try to learn the lesson that is being given to you when events change for the worse.”
Carlo's face looks worried. Taking a deep breath, he says, “Go on.”
“Ace of Cups. This card represents the possibilities of what can happen. I don't know if you've noticed that the majority of your cards are the suit of cups?”
“I have noticed. What does that mean?”
“The suit of cups generally relates to emotions and love. It can also relate to creativity, desires, or wishes. Since most of your cards are cups, I am almost certain that the answers you seek are related to your emotional state and matters of the heart. It does not have to represent a romantic love. It can also point to emotional conflict and even quite possibly to your being blinded in a sense because you are thinking with your heart rather than with your head. If this is the case, the suit of cups cards also serve as a warning to have caution and take a moment before acting too rashly or making an important decision. Be certain that you are also giving thought to your choices.”
“So far your reading is quite accurate. I'm sorry. I know you asked me to wait until you were done.” Carlo grins sheepishly at me.
“Well, I am happy you are satisfied so far. Let us see if the feeling lasts through the end of the reading.” I laugh.
“We will see.” Carlo laughs with me.
“Going back to your fourth card, the Ace of Cups. This love that will enter your life, or the emotional conflict you will have, will be a consuming one. You will never have felt like this before. You will be at your best, wanting to give and show your feelings as much as possible. Do not hold back. Be generous with your love even when you become insecure, and accept fully the love that is being offered to you. Don't let any feelings of doubt cloud what you feel. Be willing to take the risk and jump completely into the water.
“Fifth card. Ten of Swords. This card represents the obstacles you will face in reaching your goals. You must be prepared for a setback. Again, this card indicates there will be change, and from reading the previous cards, I am more convinced now that you will have both positive and negative changes in your life. But the change that this card alludes to is one that you will have a difficult time accepting.”
“Is there anything I can do to stop this negative event from happening?” Carlo asks.
I shake my head. “No. This card is not only a warning that a negative transition will occur but it also indicates that a force greater than you will bring about this change. Perhaps someone will betray you, and there is nothing you can do about it. As I said earlier, both good and bad happens in life. We can't always avoid difficulty or choose the outcome we'd like. Though you will suffer from this sudden, painful transition, this card is also positive in that it is reminding you that you can overcome this difficulty and learn from it. How you react to this trying time is in your hands.”
“I'll try to remember that when I'm at my lowest,” Carlo says, sighing deeply.
“Yes, you must. Remember, the tarot is not just for getting an answer you seek to your question and determining your future. It also serves as a guide for deep introspection as well as for learning from all of your experiences.”
“That does make sense.”
“Nine of Wands. The sixth card. This will give us an idea of what will happen in the near future.”
“I will grow a beard and get fat!” Carlo blurts out, and looks at me with a twinkle in his eye. “Sorry! I couldn't help myself. I thought we could use some humor since this reading got so heavy in the last few minutes.”
I shake my finger playfully at him, “Behave!” He's right. We needed that moment of levity. I was feeling myself tense up as well with the reading from his last card. I haven't been completely forthcoming with Carlo's reading, for I didn't have the heart to tell him that I also sensed he would suffer great loss.
“Please, continue, Sarina. I see there are just a few more cards left until I know my ultimate fate.”
“The Nine of Wands card indicates that while you will suffer greatly, you have the strength and resilience to surpass any misfortune that befalls you. You must not give up even if obstacles are still being thrown your way. The obstacles could be in the form of enemies, and you might not even realize you have these opponents. Remain strong, and do not give your trust easily.”
“That will be easy. My grandmother used to always tell me I question everything and everyone.”
“There is nothing wrong with that, Carlo. It is better than rushing into a situation without weighing the consequences. But I feel that this card might be implying you need to also be careful with people you already know and who have your confidence already. Sometimes it is the people closest to us who let us down and don't want the best for us.” My voice sounds sad as I think about my father and how he's treated me more like a foe than a daughter. Sometimes I think perhaps he is jealous of me, although I'm not exactly sure why. But suddenly a memory comes to me. I caught him staring intently at Mama once as she and I worked together on our garden. We were laughing and joking with one another. Instead of looking angry as I would have expected from him, his expression was somber, almost sad. Was there a time, perhaps before I was born, that Mama joked with him and laughed with him more as she was doing now with me? I don't ever remember Mama sharing much joy with Papá. They barely even seemed to share a conversation other than to discuss practical day-to-day matters. Is that possibly the reason why Papá detests me so much? Is he jealous of the special bond Mama and I share? And does he feel I've stolen her affections away from him?
“I will be extra cautious. This reading is going to make me paranoid.” Carlo laughs, startling me out of my thoughts.
I smile and look at the seventh card. “The Emperor. This figure often represents either a father or authoritative male figure in your life, which is perfect for where we are at in the reading since this card represents your family and/or friends who will either help or hinder you in reaching your desires. Unfortunately, in your case there is a very powerful male figure who wants to exert his influence over you and does not care about your own wishes or dreams. You must remain firm in what you want and not let outside forces sway you in what you feel is the path you should take in your life. Be very careful. This person will do his best to make you fail.”
Carlo's lips are pressed into a tight grimace, and his brows are furrowed together.
“Are you all right?” I ask.
“
Si, si. Grazie.
Please, go on.”
“We're almost done. I know it's getting late, and you must be tired.”
“I'm fine. In fact, I could sit here all night with you.”
My heart stops at his words. I do my best to act as if they've had no effect on me.
“The eighth card. Ten of Cups. This card is reversed. That's the only card in your spread that is reversed.” I tap my index finger along my chin, weighing the meaning of this card and taking my time before I interpret it.
“Is that bad?” Carlo's voice sounds worried for the first time throughout his reading.
Without thinking, I place my hand over his and reassure him, “Remember, we cannot avoid when bad things will happen. The tarot can help us to be prepared and to be careful when we face a difficult path.”
“I'll remember your wise words when I cross that bridge.” Carlo turns his hand so that his palm is facing upward, allowing him to curl his fingers around my hand. I want to pull my arm back, but I can tell by his firm grip that won't be so easy. Although I only met him today, I also don't want to offend him. He's been so kind to me. But his touch is making me nervous and sending tingles throughout my body.
I wait a moment to see if he will let go of my hand, but he doesn't. Not wanting to draw any further attention to myself, I focus on finishing the reading.
“When a card is reversed in the tarot, its meaning is the opposite of the card's meaning when it is in its upright position. We have the Ten of Cups. In its upright position, it is a very positive card, representing the perfect harmony and union between two people. Oftentimes, this card alludes to a possible marriage. But in the reverse, it signifies a broken marriage or values that are at odds with the values of someone close to you. The eighth card in this spread is supposed to relate to your work and how it will influence your primary relationship. Since your reading overall seems to be indicating a romantic involvement, there is a chance your work could affect this partnership.
“And at last we are up to the ninth and final card. The Lovers. A very good card, and it is also very good when the last card in a reading is a positive one, because even if most of the previous cards are predictions of a tough journey ahead, the last card is offering hope.”
“Grazie, Dio!”
Carlo shouts as he makes the sign of the cross and then holds his hands up in prayer as if he is thanking God.
“Don't make fun of your reading or tempt the Fates.” I try to say this in a stern voice, but am having a hard time since Carlo looks so funny. But I want to be certain he's taking this reading seriously.