The Celtic Cross and Ladder spread

 

Probably one of the best-known spreads, the Celtic Cross and Ladder is good for “How/why” questions.  The meanings of the cards at each position can be flexible, but generally the central cards refer to the current situation, those to the left and below represent the past influences, and those above and to the right are future conditions.

1.  The current situation – what prompted the reading

2.  What crosses you – the obstacles in your way

3.  What is below you – the underlying cause

4.  What is behind you -  the situation that is passing out of your life

5. What crowns you – the best you can hope for at present

6.  What is before you – the situation that is coming to pass

Cards 7-11 – What is likely to happen if  you continue along the current path.  The cards usually refer to the coming few months (no more than six) with card 7 being closest in time and 11 furthest away.

The Kings

Wands – “Prince of the chariots of fire”
An honest and conscientious person, mature, wise and devoted.  Friendly, sympathetic, educated.  A man of enterprise and authority.
Unexpected heritage, a good marriage.
Reversed – Severe, unyielding, strict in judgements.
Opposition, a quarrel.  Advice that should be followed.  Severity, austerity.  Excessive and exaggerated ideas.
Cups –“Prince of the chariot of the waters”
A friendly, learned person, generous.  Creative intelligence in arts or sciences, a man of business, law, religion.
Kindness, liberality, generosity.  Responsibility, creativity.
Reversed – Violent;  artistic temperament.  Dishonest, double-dealing.  Crafty, shifty.
Loss, scandal, injustice – ruin.
Swords – “Prince of the chariot of the wind”.
Wise man, counsellor with helpful ideas.  Active and determined.  Experienced, authoritative, controlled and commanding.  Professional man, person with many ideas, thoughts and designs.
Whatever rises from authority, military and government concerns, law, judgement.  Justice, force, superiority.
Reversed – A cruel, barbarous, unjust person.  Dangerous or wicked, causes unnecessary disturbances and sadness;  may pursue a matter to ruin.
Cruelty, conflict, selfishness, sadism.  Perversity.  Be careful in matters concerning the law. 
Pentacles- “Prince of the chariot of earth”
An experienced and successful leader, a person of character and intelligence.  A loyal friend, reliable in marriage, successful businessman.
Business acumen, mathematical ability.  Valour, reliability, success.   Wise investments.  Affinity to acquire money and valuable possessions.
Reversed – An old and vicious man.
Perverse use of talents.  Be careful if associating with gamblers and speculators.  Corruption.  Using any means to achieve the desired end.  Avarice.  Unfaithfulness.  Peril.  Danger.  Thriftless.

The Queens

Wands – “Queen of the thrones of flame”. 
A sympathetic and understanding person, friendly and loving.  Home and nature loving with sincere interest in other people. 
Success in understanding and enterprises.
Reversed –  Virtuous but strict and economical.
Jealousy, deceit, possible infidelity.  Unstable emotions, fickleness.  Resistance, obstacles, opposition.
Cups-“Queen of the thrones of the waters”
Warm hearted and fair.  Poetic, beloved, adored.  A good friend and mother, devoted wife.
Love, happy marriage, vision.
Reversed – May be a good woman in some ways but inclined to perversity.  Not to be trusted.
Dishonesty, immorality, unreliability.
Swords – “Queen of the thrones of the air”.
Subtle, keen, quick-witted. A widow or sad woman.  One who has known great happiness but is currently anxious.
Mourning, privation, absence, loneliness.  Acquainted with sadness.  Widowhood, sterility.
Reversed – ill-tempered, artifice – a prude.  Treacherous enemy.
Narrow-mindedness.  Malice.  Bigotry.  Deceitfulness.  Vengefulness.  Prudishness.
Pentacles – “Queen of the thrones of  earth”.
Intelligent and thoughtful;  creative on the physical plane.  Generous and charitable, a noble soul. 
Generosity, opulence, security, freedom from material lack.  Liberty, magnificence, grace, dignity.
Reversed – A vicious, untrusting person.
False prosperity.  Suspense.  suspicion.  Responsibilities neglected.  Dependence on others.  Fear of failure and lack.Mistrust of those close to you.

The Knights

Wands – “Lord of flame and lightning, king of the spirits of fire”
A fair-haired, blue eyed person, capable of creating conflict or rivalry.
Departure, journey.  advancement into the unknown.  Alteration.  Flight, absence.  Change of residence.
Reversed – Discord, interruption.  Unexpected change.  Breakup of person relationships.  Discontinuance.  Quarrelling.
Cups- “Lord of the waves and the waters, king of the hosts of the sea”.
A highly intelligent person with romantic dreams.  Someone in love with you.  Bearer of messages.
Advances, proposition, invitation.  Arrival, approach.  Advancement.  Attraction.  A request or inducement.  Proposal.  Challenge or appeal.
Revered – A sly or cunning person, a swindler.
Subtlety, artifice, trickery, deception, fraud.  Look carefully at any proposition put to you.
Swords – “lord of the wind and the breezes, king of the spirits of air”
A dark-haired, brown-eyed young man, strong and domineering, about to rush headlong into life.
Bravery, skill, capacity.  Heroic action;  rush into the unknown without fear.  Opposition and war.   The surrounding cards indicate whether a good or destructive influence is to come.
Reversed – A conceited fool. 
Incapacity.  Imprudence.  Dispute or ruin over a lover.  Impulsive mistakes.  Disunion.  Braggadocio.
Pentacles – “Lord of the wide and fertile land, king of the spirits of the earth.”Materialistic, methodical, reliable, patient, persistent;  organised, capable – a dependable person.
Utility, patience, laborious toil, responsibility;  the coming or going of a matter.
Reversed – A young man of careless habits.
Inertia, idleness, stagnation.  Carelessness.  Lack of determination or direction.  Narrow-mindedness, limited by dogmatic views.

The Pages (Princesses)

Wands – “Princess of the shining flame, Rose of the palace of fire”
A blond, blue-eyed young man or girl;  a child or a lover.
Message from  a friend.  A stranger with good intentions;  a consistent person, faithful and loyal.  Good news.
Reversed – Bearer of bad tidings;  a gossip.  Someone who may break your heart.
Indecision in proceeding, reluctance, displeasure.
Cups-“Princess of the waters and the lotus”
A studious, thoughtful and imaginative person, loyal, helpful, trustworthy – gives service.
News, a message.  The birth of a child.  New methods in business.
Reversed- a flatterer.
Obstacles, deception may be uncovered.  Temporary distraction, seduction.
Swords- “Princess of the rushing winds, Lotus of the palace of air”
An active, dark-haired, brown eyed boy or girl.  Someone who is adept at perceiving, discerning and uncovering the unknown or what is less tan obvious.  A discreet person.
Vigilance.  Agility.  Spying, for good or evil.  Scrutiny.
Reversed – revealed as an imposter.  Unforeseen circumstances.  Possible illness.  Powerlessness in the face of opposition.  Lack of preparation
Pentacles- “Princess of the echoing hills, Rose of the palace of earth”
Dark-haired, dark-eyed boy or girl, careful and diligent.
Deep concentration and application.  Study.  Scholarship.  Reflection.  Respect for knowledge, desire for learning and new ideas.  A do-gooder.  Bearer of news.
Reversed – Unrealistic person. 
Failure to recognise the obvious.  Dissipation of ideas.  Illogical thinking.  Rebelliousness.  Wastefulness.  Unfavourable news.

The Court Cards

Each suit of the Minor Arcana has four court cards – the King and Queen, familiar from the 52 card deck, and instead of the Jack, two unfamiliar cards – the Page (or Princess) and the Knight.

The court cards can either represent a living, breathing person who will have an influence upon the enquirer, or personal qualities that will be significant – the cards may be advising the enquirer to display certain qualities or cautioning against a particular behaviour.  When a disproportionately large number of court cards turn up in a reading, the enquirer is influenced by others and may be trying to please everyone at once.

Each of the court cards has something to say about changes to come.  I like to think of them as the Angels of the Tarot – Angel meaning “Messenger”.

The Kings represent the reactionary forces.  They are satisfied with the situation as it is and  are deeply suspicious of change.  After all, they are at the top of the tree and have nothing more to gain from any change.  The King votes for the status quo.

The Queens are the conservationary forces.  They question change and have to be convinced that the benefits of change outweigh the risks.   They recognise that change is sometimes beneficial but are against change for change’s sake.

The Knights are the revolutionary forces.  They are represented as riding horses as they are moving from one place to another.  The knight is the king’s heir so is impatient, wanting change to happen now, regardless of the risk.

The Pages or Princesses represent the evolutionary forces.  She knows she will grow into her power when she becomes a woman and is content to allow matters to unfold in their own sweet time.   The page is also a herald, and when she turns up in a spread she is bringing news.  

The Tens

Wands – “Oppression” .  Overburdened.  Excessive pressure.  Problems soon to be resolved.  “You gotta carry that weight”.  Carrying a heavy load but will reach their goal.
Reversed – Difficulties.  Deceit, lies, some losses will occur.
Cups- “Perpetual Success”. “ All will be well and all will be well and all manner of things will be well”.  True friendship, lasting success.Pleasure, peace, happy family life.  Heart’s desire attained.
Reversed- Loss of friendship.  Unhappiness, family quarrel.  Strife, opposition.
Swords – “Ruin”.  Overkill.  The worst is over, the only way is up.  Generally applies to a group rather than an individual.  The worst has happened – a card of hope.
Reversed- False dawn, passing success.  Temporary gain.
Pentacles- “Wealth”.  Prosperity, riches, security, family traditions,  Home and family.
Reversed- Poor risk.  Possible loss.  Restricting effects of tradition.