Celtic Cross Tarot Spread Layout

Celtic Cross Tarot Spread Layout Video

My new YouTube channel is : Thoth Tarot Videos. The Celtic Cross videos are yet to be remade.

celtic cross tarot spread

(ii) Origins of the Celtic Cross Tarot Spread

The Celtic Cross Tarot Spread can be found throughout Ireland as shown below and represents the union of spirit (circle) and matter (cross) and also the union of male (staff) and female (circle).

(iii) Layout and Card Positions of the Celtic Cross Spread

Card 1: Present Situation = represents what is happening to the querent at the present time and the core of what the situation revolves around.

Card 2: Conflicting Factors = represents the immediate challenge or problem facing the querent. This is the one thing that, if resolved, would make the situation much easier.

Card 3 : Unconscious Patterns/Influences = represents those thoughts or feelings that we may not be aware of that are influencing the present situation. This card may bring a surprise message to the querent, particularly if they are not particularly intuitive..

Card 4: The Past = events from the querents past that are influencing the current situation

Card 5: Conscious Goals/Aspirations = reflects the querent hopes to achieve with regards to the situation. It is what the querent is working towards consciously as they attempt to resolve the issue.

Card 6: The Future = represents what is likely to occur within the next few weeks or even months. This is not the final outcome, simply the next step on the journey.

Card 7: Your Approach = how you see yourself in the current situation. Need to assess this as it has a bearing on the situation in hand.

Card 8: External influences= This card highlights the people, energies or events which may affect the outcome of the question.

Card 9: Guidance or warning = factors which may need special attention from the quetrent when assessing future actions.

Card 10: Projected Outcome = representative of where the situation is headed and assumes the outcome is based on the querent continuing their current course of action. If this card is not a desirable outcome, it is within the free will of the querent to make the necessary changes to their situation and further card can also be drawn to clarify how to resolve any difficult endings to the spread.

(iv) Variations in the Card Positions in the Celtic Cross

There are different versions in the order and meaning of the cards in the Celtic Cross. The order above is the one I use for the reasons explained but one of the variations below may appeal to you for equally valid reasons of your own.

(a) Different names for the card positions such as ‘crowns’ and ‘under’ or ‘beneath’.

(b) Different order in which the cards are drawn

(v) Sections of the Celtic Cross Tarot Spread

The Celtic Cross can be divided into two sections: the Circle/Cross (cards 1 to 6) on the left, and the Staff (cards 7 to 10) on the right.

(a) The Circle and Cross Section

The Circle and Cross section is made up of two crosses:

a central one (cards 1 and 2)

Celtic Cross Tarot Spread

The smaller cross represents the heart of the matter – what is most central to you at the time of the reading. It is the hub around which the wheel of your life is turning.

Celtic Cross Tarot Spread The larger cross consists of two lines that overlay the mini cross. The horizontal line (H) shows time moving from your past on the left into your future on the right. The vertical line (V) is your consciousness moving from your unconscious on the bottom to your conscious mind on the top. Together these six cards give you a snapshot of your inner and outer environment at the time of a reading.

This order of the spread makes most sense to me as unconscious thoughts/actions (card 3) and past events (card 4) shape present conscious thoughts/actions (card 5) influencing your future (card 6).

(b) The Staff Section

The cards of the Staff section shed light on your life and lie external to the immediate situation. Here, your Inner Guide helps you understand what is shown in the Circle/Cross section. Here guidance is found about yourself and others, your karmic lessons and your future direction.

In the next article we will explore a method of interpreting the Celtic Cross Tarot Spread using a sample reading.

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Spiritual Alchemy for Beginners

(i) Spiritual Alchemy Introduction

Spiritual Alchemy occupies a major role in understanding the Thoth Tarot Deck by Aleister Crowley and so we include some general principles in this article. The main purpose of spiritual alchemy is the purification of the body spiritually and the return of the soul back to the oneness of God.

1. Explain the principle of Transmutation chemically and spiritually.

Chemical Transmutation = the conversion of base metals into gold or silver.

Spiritual Transmutation = our awareness evolves from being stuck in matter to being free in spirit.

So chemical transmutation is an analogy for spiritual transmutation and the only true alchemy is one in which the soul is returned back to God.

2. Explain the principle of Multiplication chemically and spiritually

Multiplication reflects the expansion process involved for example

(i) The seed grows into the tree.

(ii) The cell the organism.

These again are analogies to the growth and expansion we have in awareness on the spiritual journey.

3. Explain the principle of Paligenesis biological and spiritual

Paligenesis = the process of reduction

Biological Paligeneses = A plant is reduced to ashes/carbon via fire.

Spiritual Paligenesis = reduction of mans vision from duality and its reflections to the Oneness of Being.

4. Explain the principle of Dissolving

The process of something loosing its identity/structure/form. This is what happens in meditation when we dissolve into the spiritual and let go of the physical. We let go of the physical form which we identify with and dissolve into spirit.

5. What role have Hermes and Paracelsus had in the ancient history of Alchemy ?

Here we look at these influential figures in the development of spiritual alchemy through the ages.

(i) Hermes

This last account of how Hermes Trismegistus received the title “Trismegistus,” meaning “Thrice Great,” is derived from statements in the The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus, that he knows the three parts of the wisdom of the whole universe.The three parts of the wisdom are alchemy, astrology, and theurgy.

Hermes is perhaps alchemy’s most important ancient figure, and a patriarch of the art. Hermes Trismegistus was the god of mathematics, writing and scholars and the reason why alchemy is now often known as the “Hermetic Art”.

Despite the significance of the Hermetic texts to the study of ancient civilizations and the belief systems of ancient times, the study of alchemy quickly became the poor cousin of chemistry as the world entered the Industrial Revolution and the modern age. Alchemy concentrated first on the purification of the mind followed by self-knowledge, but chemistry skipped straight to the lesser, physical aspects of the art.

(ii) Paracelsus (1493 – 1541)

Paracelsus also had some training in alchemy, from which he picked up the principle that metals were the key elements which made up the universe, and that they were subject to control by God, the ‘great magician’ who created nature.

Paracelsus argued that the body was a chemical system which had to be balanced not only internally, but which also had to be in harmony with its environment. On the basis of this idea, Paracelsus introduced new chemical substances into medicine, for instance the use of the metal mercury for the treatment of syphilis

6. What are the seven base metals and corresponding planets ?

Lead = Saturn
Tin = Jupiter
Iron = Mars
Copper = Venus
Mercury = Mercury
Silver = Moon
Gold = Sun

As we move from Lead to Gold we spiritually evolve through matter to increase our spiritual awareness to Enlightenment with the Sun.

7. What are the effects of the base metals on the body ?

Lead = is associated with the spleen and affects the thickness of the Etheric Body, with increasing thickness slowing the energy passage through to the physical body.

Tin = associated with temperature between one part of the body and another and the hypothalamus.

Iron = has earthing properties due to it being magnetic. Also linked to the emotions and the moon.

Copper = prevents ossification and rigidity allowing softness and compassion. Also associated with the kidneys.

Mercury = related to the nervous system and connecting body parts.

Silver = associated with the lymphatic system and water balance, the tides,emotions and instincts.

Gold = sense of self, identity,ego. Can cause depression and lack of self-worth if in shortage. Helps to synthesise other elements

8. What are the three alchemical principles ?

1. Sulphur = Spirit/Soul.

2. Mercury = life force bridging the body and spirit.

3. Salt = body (matter) through which the soul and its life force work.

9. Explain the alchemical symbolism behind these three

Sulphur

Upward pointing triangle = fire

Cross = matter

It has properties of being masculine, hot and dry. So we have the activity and fire of the soul /spirit within man rising above the confines of matter. It is the volitive.active nature of sulphur which makes this happen.

2. Mercury

Crescent Moon = a receptacle

Circle = infinity

Cross = matter.

Put together me have the light of the infinite nature of God channeled into matter, the body. This equates with its bridging principle in alchemy.

3. Salt

Salt represents matter and yet the circle stands for completeness and cannot be divided. However the horizontal line within represents TIME, beginnings and endings, the limit of matter and life within the context of the eternal circle (spirit).

10. How are these three related to the four kabbalistic worlds ?

sulphur = fire = emanation (archetypes).

Mercury = air = formation Yetzirah

Salt = earth/water = Briah/Assiah creation/manifestation

The 3 agents contain the 4 elements and so 3×4 = 12 or the 12 zodiac signs in which man is trapped and where his identity resides.

11. Explain the significance of Fire

As well as the 3 alchemical agents there are 3 types of fire which are said to make up creation and they are

(i) Spiritual = Light

(ii) Frictional = Conflict

(iii) Solar = Nuclear

God is the all consuming fire.

12 . What is the relationship between the 3 alchemical agents with the 3 gunas ?

13. Describe the alchemy in the Thoth Tarot Deck

See the following articles :

Thoth Empress

Thoth Emperor

Thoth Lovers

(ii) Meditation Link

Meditation Website

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Kriya Yoga Energization Exercises by Paramhansa Yogananda

(i) Kriya Yoga Energization Exercises Video

The Kriya Yoga Energization Exercises by Paramhansa Yogananda are somewhat difficult to perform without seeing a demonstration. The video will give a clear demonstration of all the exercises and you can access them by clicking on the image below. You are encouraged to donate to Ananda Sangha if you possibly can.

Principles of Kriya Yoga Energization Exercises

The purpose of the Kriya YogaEnergization Exercises is to learn to control the flow of energy or prana throughout the body. When you can control your energy it helps to control thought and you will be able to direct your energy into your third eye helping your meditation on the Light and Sound Spiritual Energies.

The Exercises are based on the principle of drawing spiritual energy into the body through the medulla oblongata by by concentration. The medulla is located at the point where the scull joins the spinal column on the back of the head. Alice Bailey refers to this as the Vulcan Point and it is even possible to see Light from here at the back of the skull. It is referred to in scripture as “the mouth of God,” and is considered by yogis to be the portal through which the energy enters the body.

The full set of Kriya Yoga Energization Exercises is comprised of 39 individual exercises. Once you become familiar with the routine it takes about 15 minutes to complete. Practicing them will give you increased energy, an awareness of its flow in the body, and a sense of well-being. Doing these exercises before you meditate will also help to release any bodily tension or stress and enable you to sit still longer and more comfortably. They make up part of Paramhansa Yoganandas Home Study Lessons where written instruction for each exercise is given.

Related Websites

→ Ananda Sangha

→ Light and Sound Meditation

→ Self Realization Fellowship

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How do Intellect and Intuition differ in their mode of perception ?

Consciousness = all the limits which play a part in the intelligent understanding of creation and this includes intelligence itself, which does not know how itself came into existence. Any limit is ultimately a prison as is any experience and so we must transcend these through spiritual grace in our meditation.

The human body uses the nervous system to interpret the physical universe and centres with the etheric and astral energy system to feel finer awareness to a limited degree.

Buddhi (means ‘knower’ in Sanskrit) = is not under the control of any person, quite the contrary, the individual is visited by Buddhi not the other way round. Zen Koans are statements designed to develop Buddhi awareness and these allow the individual to discover the space in which the object is sitting, not the object itself.

This can take may years to realise and is seen as a worthy goal called SATORI as it how limited the intellect is which only works through comparison and can never find the space only the object.

This is not Enlightenment nor is it the spiritual Light and Sound so Buddhi is not something to be encouraged to spend a lot of time developing as an end goal as there is much more space to be discovered through the Light and Sound than there ever is through Buddhic Awareness.

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Perception and Apperception in Spiritual Development

How does Perception differ from Apperception ?

Apperception is completely different from perception.

Perception = a process involving 3 things:

Subject (knower)
Object
Knowledge

Apperception = the knower is BOTH the subject and the object.

If you could understand apperception then your mind could understand perception, consciousness, awareness etc.

Yet if apperception is the process of knowing yourself, then it must be very relevant to be able to develop it, since it is about ‘knowing the knower’.

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Is the desire to exist a conscious or unconscious state of awareness?

Firstly the nouns: is desire a state of awareness? Well there is all the necessary ingredients: someone who has the desire, the something that is desired and the interaction between the two in the form of thinking and feeling.

Secondly, the adjectives: is the difference (or degree of difference) between conscious and unconscious the addition of ( or degree of) self awareness to awareness?

For most people the desire to exist may be unconscious most of the time, something that is just running in the background until existence is threatened and then it really does become conscious!So perhaps it can be both.

But then if awareness is completely replaced by self-awareness perhaps the desire to exist completely disappears, as existence becomes ‘being’.

It may be therefore a sliding scale as we become more self-aware do we need to have less desire/need to exist; does the desire to exist actually become more conscious and thus less of an actual desire and more of knowledge that we have/will exist (at least in the being sense of exist).

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What is the difference between a trauma and a samadhi ?

What is the difference between a trauma and a samadhi?

Perhaps we can begin by drawing a diagram representing the self and some basic environments:

(i) Our Sense of Self

(ii) The Action of Stress on our Sense of Self

Considering TRAUMA first we can define it in a basic way by saying it is a STRESS on our environment. In its milder forms it pushes our sense of self back, invading our identity, imposing itself. When the stress is removed, we go back to our original self.

(iii) The Action of Trauma on our Sense of Self

TRAUMA on the other hand takes us beyond our limit of return, rather like stretching an object past its elastic limit. It invades our sense of self in a much more profound way

If the trauma goes deep enough our sense of self can disintegrate profoundly and can result in psychoses / mental illness i.e. when our inner core, or our subconscious self becomes disrupted.

From a more spiritual viewpoint, if we consider our identity to be a specific blend of the 7 rays, the vehicle for this energy to pass through becomes disrupted and our ‘personality’ is lost. Those suffering this amount of trauma can also pick up emotions /mental patterns of others and their environments as their ‘aura’ affectively breaks down.

(iv) The Effect of a Samadhi on our Sense of Self

A SAMADHI is where our identity ‘changes’ to incorporate the object. We still have a sense of self though, even though we see no distinction between the object of samadhi and ourselves. This can be shown as in the diagram below:

The principles of Tao can be applied to these two processes i.e. yin and yang. With samadhi, the yang process is the concentration that is needed to become one with the object, a candle for example. With a trauma, the yang process belongs to the object not the subject.

Further, with samadhi as all the concentration goes with the object a space is created within our identity, a yin-ness, for the samadhi to occur.

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Fear is the limits of what we know, so is fear in thought or out of thought. Does thought inform or does it keep separate?

So how do we know what we know? As a baby we don’t recognise colours, shapes etc but eventually we draw on the mental and emotional energy of our environment and link our identity close to this.

This explains why families, communities and countries behave in very similar ways.

The diagram below serves to answer the question:

So what is it to ‘inform’? Information comes before knowledge (ordered information) that comes before understanding (applied information) that in turn comes before wisdom (integrated information).

From the above can it be said that fear BOTH informs and separates. It informs us of our environment and separates us from what lies outside. It is also in thought through our expectations and memories and the identity we have invested in through identification with the lower bodies.

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Is the third dimension the memory of the fourth dimension utilised in the nature of perception?

Perception requires subject, object and knower.

Memory is related to identity, as is really just a change in perception

The 3 dimensions are length, width and height, the 4^th dimension being time.

To answer the above question we can use an example of a cylindrical shape:

The eye actually sees only a 2 d image from the side but memory constructs the 3^rd dimension that is produced over time (the 4^th dimension).

Again, looking head on only the mouth of the cylinder would be visible:

So perception involves 4 dimensions. A useful exercise would be to look at 3-D objects in 2-D for a set time. This disrupts our habitual pattern of looking at the world.

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Buddhas Creed states ‘It is necessary it is kind it is true.’

Buddhas Creed states ‘It is necessary it is kind it is true.’ Why did Buddha emphasise these qualities. Show by way of examples how these inter relate and what happens when one of these is lacking ?

These three qualities which form Buddhas Creed can form the foundation of a spiritual path and would serve as a code of conduct in life, indeed is there any separation between the two ?

Below we will demonstate three scenarios showing a different balance between these three qualities and the implications for teaching and learning on the spiritual path.

(i) Kindness, Necessity & Truth in Balance

Ideally these three could be demonstrated in our actions at once. In balance these may be represented by an equilateral triangle.

Truth = A meditator who may need to increase the amount of meditation they need to do to reach their set goal as their current effort is not enough

Necessity or Honesty = teacher informs student that more effort is required.

Kindness = This is explained by the teacher in a constructive way giving encouragement and practical advice to overcome any fears or difficulties the student may have. This may simply involve looking at the meditators personal timetablefor the week and making something more condusive and organised around meditation

(ii) Truth and Necessity Present but Kindness Lacking.

This triangle demonstrates someone acting with Truth and Honesty but lacking in kindness hence the triangle is flatter as kindness is in short supply.

Truth = The aspirant needs to meditate more hours to achieve the progress he so desires and this is conveyed to them by their teacher.

Necessity = the teacher seeing the student struggle feels it is necessary to point out that the aspirant needs to put more effort into their meditation and is honest with them

Kindness (lacking) = when kindness is lacking it may well do more harm than good for the student. It does not encourage the student to feel safe in their environment with the meditation teacher and may encourage dishonesty in replies due to fear so truth and necessity without kindness is somewhat imbalanced.

(iii) Kindness and Necessity Present but Truth Lacking

In this example, if truth and kindness were swapped around, with truth in short supply then a possible example would be if someone were in much distress say through the loss of a parent. In this circumstance the teacher may feel the need to be kind through necessity but the information given by the teacher may be untrue in parts but is said to make some comfort to the aspirant e.g. you will see your lost parent again upon death.

(iv) Kindness and Truth present but Honesty or Necessity Lacking

Truth = a meditation student who wants to improve the quality of their meditation is praised that they teach and meditate alot and this helps to reinforce what they are doing is right to reach thier spiritual goals.

Kindness = the teacher is reviewing positive aspects of the students spiritual undertaking

Necessity or Honesty (lacking) = the student has a diet of meat and occasional alcohol. The teacher neglects to mention these things for fear of alienating the student which if stopped MAY improve the students meditation. So the student gets positive reinforcement but without the real issue being addressed.

In conclusion the examples above a relatively simple but they illustrate the point that truth, necessity & kindness need to be in balance for an effective teacher – student relationship.

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Sun	15° Taurus 55' 21"
Moon	16° Aries 06' 25"
Mercury	20° Aries 08' 12"
Venus	07° Taurus 58' 53"
Mars	04° Aries 05' 16"
Jupiter	25° Taurus 17' 03"
Saturn	17° Pisces 03' 26"
Uranus	22° Taurus 40' 22"
Neptune	29° Pisces 04' 25"
Pluto	02° Aquarius 06' 06" R
Chiron	20° Aries 58' 27"
TrueNode	15° Aries 24' 48" R