The term "Celtic Tarot" most often refers to the Celtic Cross spread, which is the most widely used 10-card layout in divination. It also describes a category of tarot decks that replace traditional symbols (like the Hierophant) with Celtic archetypes (like the Druid). [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] 
## The Celtic Cross Spread
The layout is divided into two parts: the Cross (six cards on the left) representing current energies, and the Staff (four cards on the right) representing external influences and the final path. [6, 7, 8] 

[The Celtic Cross Tarot Spread - A Classic 10 Card Tarot ...](https://labyrinthos.co/blogs/learn-tarot-with-labyrinthos-academy/the-celtic-cross-tarot-spread-exploring-the-classic-10-card-tarot-spread)
[Breaking Down the Celtic Cross - Lesson 1: Laying it out](https://www.thetarotlady.com/breaking-celtic-cross-lesson-1-laying/)
[How to Read a Celtic Cross Tarot Spread and Gain Deep ...](https://astrostyle.com/tarot/how-to-read-the-celtic-cross-tarot-spread/)
[How to Read the Celtic Cross Tarot Spread | The Pagan Grimoire](https://www.pagangrimoire.com/how-to-read-the-celtic-cross-tarot-spread/)
[The Celtic Cross Tarot Spread (My Favorite) - Tarot Spreads ...](https://forum.thetarot.guru/t/the-celtic-cross-tarot-spread-my-favorite/294)
[How to Read The Celtic Cross Spread – Truly Teach Me Tarot](https://teachmetarot.com/celtic-cross-spread/how-to-read-the-celtic-cross-spread/)
[Celtic Cross Tarot Spread Tutorial (explaining the positions ...](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma30RYGonws)
[Celtic Cross Tarot: Meaning, Spread Positions, and How to ...](https://www.theirishjewelrycompany.com/blog/post/celtic-cross-tarot-meaning-spread-positions)

| Position [3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12] | Meaning | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Present | Heart of the matter | Current situation or state of mind |
| 2. The Challenge | What "crosses" you | Immediate obstacles or supporting forces |
| 3. The Foundation | Distant past | Root causes or subconscious influences |
| 4. Recent Past | Passing events | Influences that led to the present |
| 5. Higher Power | Conscious goals | Best possible outcome or aspirations |
| 6. Near Future | Next steps | Immediate events approaching soon |
| 7. The Self | Your approach | Your current internal perspective |
| 8. External | Your environment | Influences from others and your surroundings |
| 9. Hopes/Fears | Inner state | Deepest anxieties or desired resolutions |
| 10. Final Outcome | Likely result | Long-term result based on current energy |

## Popular Celtic-Themed Decks
If you are looking for a deck inspired by Celtic mythology rather than just the spread, several highly-regarded options exist:

* [DruidCraft Tarot](https://druidry.org/druid-way/other-paths/wicca-druidcraft/druidcraft-tarot): Combines Wiccan and Druidic traditions; noted for its rich, earthy artwork.
* Celtic Spirit Tarot: An expanded 92-card deck that incorporates Celtic shamanism and an extra "Spirit" suit.
* Universal Celtic Tarot: A [Lo Scarabeo](https://www.loscarabeo.com/en) deck that weaves traditional tarot with myths of gods like Lugh and Brigid.
* Celtic Elemental Tarot: Renames traditional suits to Earth, Air, Water, and Fire, and features figures like King Arthur. [13, 14, 15, 16, 17] 

## Origins and History
Contrary to popular belief, the ancient Celts did not use tarot; they likely used Ogham or runes for divination. The "Celtic Cross" spread was popularized (and likely invented) by [A.E. Waite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._E._Waite) in 1911 in his book [The Pictorial Key to the Tarot](https://www.amazon.de/Pictorial-Key-Tarot-Divination-Illustrated/dp/1614273030). He marketed it as an "ancient" method to give it credibility during the occult revival of that era. [18, 19, 20, 21, 22] 
Would you like a step-by-step guide on how to perform the Celtic Cross spread yourself, or are you looking for recommendations for a specific Celtic-themed deck?

[1] [https://www.youtube.com](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/zK6d7glfWN8)
[2] [https://www.learntarot.com](https://www.learntarot.com/ccross.htm)
[3] [https://www.theirishjewelrycompany.com](https://www.theirishjewelrycompany.com/blog/post/celtic-cross-tarot-meaning-spread-positions)
[4] [https://jackofwandstarot.wordpress.com](https://jackofwandstarot.wordpress.com/2018/03/07/a-review-of-the-celtic-tarot/)
[5] [https://www.youtube.com](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-nvrQkfCF4)
[6] [https://celticstudio.shop](https://celticstudio.shop/blogs/article/celtic-cross-in-tarot-meaning-and-spread)
[7] [https://elvitarot.com](https://elvitarot.com/blog/celtic-cross-tarot-spread/)
[8] [https://science.howstuffworks.com](https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/extrasensory-perceptions/celtic-cross-spread.htm)
[9] [https://www.thetarotlady.com](https://www.thetarotlady.com/breaking-celtic-cross-lesson-1-laying/)
[10] [https://www.youtube.com](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za-0683VWYg&t=381)
[11] [https://www.thetarotlady.com](https://www.thetarotlady.com/breaking-celtic-cross-lesson-1-laying/)
[12] [https://forum.thetarot.guru](https://forum.thetarot.guru/t/the-celtic-cross-tarot-spread-my-favorite/294)
[13] [https://www.amazon.de](https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Celtic-Tarot-Lo-Scarabeo/dp/0738700134)
[14] [https://www.reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/tarot/comments/184p9as/can_anyone_recommend_tarot_or_oracle_decks_with_a/)
[15] [https://www.youtube.com](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVO05l9i8AA&t=161)
[16] [https://www.youtube.com](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GJQFtDXpQc&t=15)
[17] [https://www.youtube.com](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsZYRyQabdk&t=2)
[18] [https://www.quora.com](https://www.quora.com/Did-Celtics-Vikings-and-Normans-do-tarot-cards)
[19] [https://www.occult.live](https://www.occult.live/index.php?title=Celtic_Cross&mobileaction=toggle_view_desktop)
[20] [https://tarotandkitchenwitchery.com](https://tarotandkitchenwitchery.com/celtic-cross-tarot-spread/)
[21] [https://www.amazon.com.au](https://www.amazon.com.au/Ogham-Divining-25-Card-192-Page-Guidebook/dp/1578638909)
[22] [https://www.solacely.co](https://www.solacely.co/blogs/astrology-and-crystals/celtic-rune-symbols)
