How To Read And Interpret The Cross Tarot Spread

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.

How to perform the Tarot cross spread (step-by-step) 📖

By following these four simple steps, you can master the Cross Spread technique:

1. Formulate Your Question: Write your question on a white sheet of paper. Make sure it is clear and specific.
2. Shuffle the Cards: Concentrate on your question while shuffling the deck intuitively.
3. Choose 4 Cards: Draw four cards randomly and place them crosswise.
4. Calculate the Synthesis Card: Add up the numerical values of the four arcana. If the sum exceeds 22, add the digits together to find your Synthetic Arcana.

Once your five cards are laid out, it's time to interpret their meanings.🃏

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.

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.

Example of Tarot cross method calculation

• X Wheel of Fortune (top card)
• XVIIII The Sun (map on the left)
• V The Pope (map below)
• XX The Judgment (paper on the right)
• VIIII The Hermit (synthetic arcane)

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.

How to read the Cross spread - Interpretations of each card

Each Major Arcana card in the Cross Spread holds a special meaning that reflects different aspects of your life.

🃏 1) The Card of Present Reality (Top Card)

This card represents your current emotions, fears, and subconscious thoughts. It offers insight into the internal struggles and desires that shape your decisions.

🃏 2) The Card of External Influences (Left Card)

This card reveals external elements affecting your situation—such as people, circumstances, or unseen energies influencing your path.

🃏 3) The Card of Past Influences (Bottom Card)

This position helps analyze how past choices and actions have shaped the present situation. It provides a foundation for understanding the karmic forces at play.

🃏 4) The Card of Future Possibilities (Right Card)

Unlike traditional spreads, the Cross method does not predict fixed outcomes. Instead, this fourth card offers guidance on potential outcomes based on your current trajectory.

🃏 5) The Synthesis Arcana (Final Card)

The final card, calculated from the sum of the first four cards, represents the lesson or spiritual message you need to understand. It serves as a guiding force moving forward.

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

• Look into your future with a Tarot card reader
• Discover your Tarot card reading by month