The Celtic Block

CARD 1. THE QUESTION.

This card denotes the nature of the question and can often reflect entirely different motives than what we were originally concerned about. It is important to look carefully at this card because it encompasses the entire theme of the reading, and could in fact relate to an entirely different issue, an area of life that the querent may not have previously consciously thought about. In astrological terms, this position denotes the conjunction, as it synthesises the root question into something that the querent can easily understand.

CARD 2. THE CROSS.

This card reflects those circumstances that are at cross purposes to the attainment of our goals and ambitions. It often tells the querent about an area of life that is stressful to him and is hindering him along his path in this specific part of his incarnation. Quite often the most negative qualities of the card in this placement are revealed to the reader. In astrological terms, this position can be referred to as a square, something that provides stress to the querent, but nonetheless gives him the impetus to tale proactive steps to remedy any blockages to prevent you from achieving your fullest potential.

CARD 3. ABOVE

This card placement reflects that which is above the querent. It is the querent’s higher cognition and reveals universal truths that he knows within himself to be accurate. It depicts the most benefic aspects of the situation in question. In astrological terms, this position is related to the sextile, as it shows the querent what opportunities that will avail themselves to him so that he can make the best of the situation that prompted him to consult the oracle.

CARD 4. BELOW.

This card position denotes that which is below the querent. It reflects the querent’s lower cognition and reveals unfortunate truths that the querent feels that he does not have the power to change at the time of the reading. In many respects, it denotes the most unfortunate aspects of the situation. In astrological terms, this position corresponds to the opposition, as it reflects those areas that are as far away as possible from the querent’s true destiny in this life. He must nevertheless face these truths if he is to reach his fullest potential and successfully attain a positive outcome to the situation that prompted him to consult the oracle.

CARD 5. THE PRESENT AND RECENT PAST.

This card position represents the present feelings, hopes and fears at the time of the reading. It also reveals recent events that have brought the querent to his current level of thinking. In astrological terms, this card placement refers to the 12th house of the horoscope, as it refers to the past experiences of the querent that are affecting him at the time of the reading.

CARD 6. THE NEAR FUTURE.

This card position shows us what is likely to happen in the very near future, usually up to three months. In astrological terms, this card position reflects the 3rd house in the horoscope, as it refers to that which is likely to occur in the near future.

CARD 7. THE QUERENT’S ATTITUDE. This card position denotes the querent’s attitude and how he sees the situation that he is involved in. In astrological terms, this card position refers to the 1st house in the horoscope, as it depicts the true personality of the querent.

CARD 8. ENVIRONMENT.

The card denotes the surrounding environment that the querent is in. It often reflects his living and working situation, as well as the attitudes of those close to him. This card position denotes the 7th house in the horoscope, as it refers to those individuals who we are close to and therefore have the ability to influence us at some way at the time of the reading.

CARD 9. FOR AND AGAINST.

This card position indicates the hopes and fears of the querent with regard to how the situation will progress. It quite often denotes secret wishes, or those hoped for events that the querent is not even consciously aware of desiring. In astrological terms, this position refers to the sextile, as it denotes opportunities that will be presented to us, which will have an outcome on the successful resolution on the situation that prompted the querent to select the oracle.

CARD 10. THE NEXT HALF YEAR.

This card position depicts the probable outcome within the next six months, provided that the querent continues along the path that he is currently on at the time of the reading. If he decides to change his mind and endeavour to embark upon a completely new path, then of course, the outcome of the reading will change. In astrological terms, this position refers to the 9th house of the horoscope, as it refers to more long-range events that will happen in the future.

THE TRIAD

The triad placement is composed of three cards that shed more light on the situation, and give the reader more information than would otherwise be revealed in the standard Celtic Cross. It reveals with clarity unexpected events, factors working behind the scenes, and that which the reader should do to resolve the situation that has prompted him to consult the oracle.

CARD 11. THE UNEXPECTED

This card position reflects that which is totally unexpected and what the querent is unaware of. The event depicted in the card is something that will take the querent quite by surprise and he will not likely be prepared for it. In astrological terms, this position is relates to Uranus, as it reflects that which in unique, extravagant and totally out of the ordinary.

CARD 12. THE UNKNOWN

This card position reflects that which is hidden from the querent and is hindering him from successfully resolving the issue that prompted him to consult the oracle. It represents those individuals who are working behind the scenes, often at cross-purposes to the querent. In astrological terms, this position denotes Neptune, as it represents the area in the querent’s life where his perceptive vision is veiled, thereby inhibiting him from seeing what is quite apparent to others.

CARD 13. BEST COURSE OF ACTION

This card position is a suggestion to the querent as to one thing that he can do to bring about a successful outcome to his question. If he takes the advice that the universe is giving him through the key of the Tarot, he is one step closer to getting the outcome that he desires. In astrological terms, this position denotes the North Node of the Moon, as it denotes that which the querent is destined for in order to achieve the happiness and fulfilment that is his karmic right as a universal soul. It should be stressed, however, that what the querent is being beckoned to do is not necessarily going to be the path of least resistance, and will therefore require a fair amount of effort on his part. This card position is most appropriately aligned with the North Node of the Moon, as the nodal axis reflects our karmic obligations that we have acquired though past incarnations.

CARD 14. THE SOLIDIFIER.

The Solidifier should serve the purpose of clarifying or verifying all previous indications uncovered. This card placement solidifies the reading and formulates the previous 13 cards to provide an outcome of the reading. It is expected that many situations should resolve themselves within a year, but there are some questions, such as those relating to long-standing relationships or vocational choices that will require more time to come to fruition. In astrological terms, this position denotes the 11th house, as it denotes our hopes, dreams and ambitions that we would aspire to in this incarnation. With dedicated effort on our part, we just might get it.