Thirteen
Warning: The following is a personal bias diatribe
I've long had a beef about this--the little white books that come with tarot decks all emphasize one spread: the Celtic Cross.
The problem? This is a VERY HARD spread. It has weird designations, like "This crosses you" and two "outcomes" as well as a "near future," some times a "basis" or "Above/below" (what the heck does this mean?) and ten cards (a lot for a beginner!). Very vague, very complicated, very confusing. Even the layout (why the cross in the middle then a line to the side? Do you read the two parts together or seperately?).
So, I've decided to throw out a plea for sanity here. Please, beginners ESPECIALLY, ignore that little white book! Don't start with this spread! Check out other tarot books or go to the Tarot Basics forum where you'll find 4 spreads, all of them EASIER to read than the Celtic Cross. From the basic three-card spread on up to the calender spread. Easier and, with the exception of the last, containing less cards.
I'm not saying you should never use the Celtic Cross, but I've always felt that starting with it is like being tossed, not into the deep end, but into shark infested waters A few people love it, but all too many end up discouraged, scared, confused and with egos torn to shreds. Start in the warm, friendly shallows with the bright tropical fish and then, as you quickly become a confident swimmer, you can venture into those deep dark waters.
Trust me, you'll find Tarot easier to read, feel more confident, and things will more readily fall into place when you finally come back to the Celtic Cross if you start with other spreads.
Getting down off the soapbox now. Thanks for listening
I've long had a beef about this--the little white books that come with tarot decks all emphasize one spread: the Celtic Cross.
The problem? This is a VERY HARD spread. It has weird designations, like "This crosses you" and two "outcomes" as well as a "near future," some times a "basis" or "Above/below" (what the heck does this mean?) and ten cards (a lot for a beginner!). Very vague, very complicated, very confusing. Even the layout (why the cross in the middle then a line to the side? Do you read the two parts together or seperately?).
So, I've decided to throw out a plea for sanity here. Please, beginners ESPECIALLY, ignore that little white book! Don't start with this spread! Check out other tarot books or go to the Tarot Basics forum where you'll find 4 spreads, all of them EASIER to read than the Celtic Cross. From the basic three-card spread on up to the calender spread. Easier and, with the exception of the last, containing less cards.
I'm not saying you should never use the Celtic Cross, but I've always felt that starting with it is like being tossed, not into the deep end, but into shark infested waters A few people love it, but all too many end up discouraged, scared, confused and with egos torn to shreds. Start in the warm, friendly shallows with the bright tropical fish and then, as you quickly become a confident swimmer, you can venture into those deep dark waters.
Trust me, you'll find Tarot easier to read, feel more confident, and things will more readily fall into place when you finally come back to the Celtic Cross if you start with other spreads.
Getting down off the soapbox now. Thanks for listening