How To Read And Interpret The Cross Tarot Spread

Last updated by Amy Thomas

In order to interpret Tarot cards, keep in mind that you need to know the meaning of each individual arcana. Also, depending on their position, each card may have a different meaning. Our expert fortune-tellers explain how to interpret a spread by using the cross method.

In this method of laying the cards of the Tarot Marseille, only the 22 Major Arcana are used in order to give us an immediate and clear answer.

Reading the cross Tarot spread in 4 simple steps

There are four steps to keep in mind when you want to proceed with using the cross method.

  1. Write your question down on a white sheet of paper, make it clear and simple.
  2. Now you can proceed in shuffling the cards as you wish.
  3. Choose 4 cards, randomly and crosswise.
  4. Make the sum of the figures corresponding to the 4 arcana. The result of this addition will allow you to find the digit of the fifth card, which is known as the Synthetic Arcana.

Tarot spread

How to lay out and set up the cross spread

How to read your Tarot cards using the cross method. Each of the five Arcana has a precise meaning and represents a stage in your life. Here is how to interpret the Tarot with the cross method.

1) First step: Start with the question

The Arcane of synthesis, the fifth arcane is the result of the sum of the four arcane. This chart is analyzed first. During this first phase, the Arcane of synthesis invites you to return to the choice of the question, to reformulate it if you realize that it is not clear or precise.

2) Second stage: You now, in the present

The first Arcane of the deck (top card), helps you to have a clearer idea of your state of mind in the present. It also helps reveal your fears, uncertainties and desires.

3) Third stage: External circumstances and conditioning

According to Tarot card draw (the card on the left), pushes you to take into account external factors that may interfere and affect the situation or problem under consideration. For example, if several people are involved, it’s this Arcane that represents them.

4) Fourth step: The consequences of your actions

Third Arcane of the Spread (bottom card), helps you understand whether your actions from both past or present, are well suited to the situation and the people involved.

5) Fifth stage: Possible evolution of your situation

Fourth Arcane of the draw (card on the right): in the cross method, we don’t talk about conclusions. On the contrary, this fourth arcane shows you the probable, and not certain, evolution of the situation examined.

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Example of Tarot cross method calculation

Arcana spread

My mystery synthesis is 9, the Hermit.

How did we come to this result? Simply by doing two operations: adding up the numbers corresponding to the 4 arcana of the spread.

19 + 20 + 10 + 5 = 54

Since 54 is greater than 22 (which is the maximum number of Major Arcana in the deck), we proceed to the sum of the two numbers that make up the result found.

5 + 4 = 9

9 is the number that corresponds to the Arcanum of the Hermit.

Remember that if the number found by the sum of the 4 arcana is less than or equal to 22, the second operation is not necessary.

For example, with an emperor (4) + the Lovers (6) + Justice (8) + the Wizard (1) = 19. This number corresponds to the nineteenth arcane of the Tarot, i.e. the Sun.

If the arcane of synthesis is already present in the draft, this card will have a double valence.

Now that you know how to use the cross method, discover all of our articles in the section of the card:

Article presented by Amy Thomas

Tarot expert - I’ve been passionate about Tarot ever since I was a teenager and my love for Tarot hasn’t ever gone away. Reading people’s cards and revealing what lies ahead for them is an absolute joy for me.

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