10 Card Tarot Reading Spread Guide (+60 Questions To Ask)

Part of the journey of a human being is to fulfill their karmic destiny by correcting past mistakes. Tarot reading can help individuals assess certain experiences in their past and present to make more informed decisions in the future. A 10-card tarot reading spread is best for those with this objective.

Ten-card tarot reading spreads have layers upon layers of meaning, which provide the seeker more complex and deeper insights. Tarot readers can develop their own ten-card tarot spread, but the most commonly used is the Celtic Cross spread.

A spread is vital because each position in the spread has a unique meaning that adds insight to the interpretation of whatever card falls in that specific spot. For a ten-card tarot reading spread, a level of mastery in analyzing the dynamics of the cards is required.

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The 10-Card Celtic Cross Tarot Spread

The Celtic Cross spread is the oldest pattern used in a tarot reading, yet it remains to be the most popular and most commonly used. Most beginners in tarot are first introduced to this spread because, despite its simple layout, it evokes a powerful message.

Because the Celtic Cross is used by so many people over the years, it produced many different versions that have slightly different position meanings. How it’s interpreted depends solely on the reader’s preferences.

From here on-wards, the cross formed by positions one and two will be called the Small Cross, and the circle formed by the positions numbered four to six will be called the Circle. These six positions as a whole will be referred to as the Cross.

The Cross and the Staff

The Celtic Cross is divided into two sections: the Cross, and the Staff (the positions numbered seven to ten). The small cross and the circle symbolizes the unity of the internal and external happenings in a person’s life.

The staff, on the other hand, pertains to the direct examination of a person’s life. The feminine energy of the Cross works with the masculine energy of the Staff to show the dual nature of the human psyche.

The Wheel and its Axis

The cross can be divided into yet another two sections: the Axis (formed by the Small Cross) and the Wheel (formed by the Circle). The axis represents the heart of the matter, and the wheel represents the events of a person’s life that surround the central issue.

Time and Consciousness

The cross can also be split into two sections: the horizontal line (positions 4, 1, 2, and 6) and the vertical line (positions 3, 2, 1, and 5). The horizontal line shows time and events happening in the external world from a person’s past to their future.

In contrast, the vertical line represents a person’s awareness, moving from the unconscious (the bottom) to the conscious (the top).

Some Keywords for Each Celtic Cross Position

Position 1 – the heart of the matter; present environment (inner and outer); the primary factor
Position 2 – secondary factor; opposing factor; factor for change; reinforcing factor
Position 3 – root cause; unconscious influence; deeper meaning; unknown factor
Position 4 – the past; receding influence; resolved factor; quality to let go
Position 5 – attitudes and beliefs; conscious influence; goal or purpose; alternate future
Position 6 – the future; approaching influence; unresolved factor; quality to embrace
Position 7 – you as you are; you as you could be; you as you see yourself
Position 8 – outside environment; someone else’s point of view and expectations; you as others see you
Position 9 – guidance; key factor; hopes and fears; overlooked factor
Position 10 – outcome (overall, actions, effects)