Free 5-card cross spread

The 5-card cross tarot spread

Among the many divinatory spreads offered by tarot reading, some have been more successful than others for several centuries now. The Oracle de Belline, which is specially dedicated to questions relating to love, is one of them, but the one that draws the particular attention of every renowned tarot reader and experienced querent remains the cross spread.

Widely practised ever since fortune-tellers chose tarot cards as their favourite tool to predict the future of their subjects, it is still today the flagship spread of the divinatory art that is tarot reading.

What is a 5-card cross tarot spread?

It is therefore a great classic in tarot reading. Whether we are tangled up in financial, professional, family or emotional worries, or held back by a health concern, it is able to answer our many questions, as long as they are personal to us. It is a fairly simple spread to perform, even though it is not as basic as the 1- or 3-card spreads derived from it.

Without making revelations of a psychological nature about our personality, it knows how to highlight our qualities and abilities and to confront us with our flaws and our responsibilities, the better to predict events to come in our lives. It is also greatly appreciated for the layout of the drawn cards which, as its name suggests, end up in the shape of a cross. For a better practice of this spread, and as is often the case in tarot reading, we will need to equip ourselves with a Tarot of Marseille deck, which is the most famous tarot deck of all, across every nationality.

While there are many spreads derived from the cross spread, it is the 5-card spread that remains recommended for its ease of use, provided you know perfectly the symbols and representations printed on the cards of a Tarot of Marseille deck.

Generally, only the 22 major arcana contained in the deck of cards are used, but some go further by also using the 56 minor arcana. It is up to you, but it is advisable to stick to the major arcana, especially if you are only a little knowledgeable on the subject.

In any case, this spread is exemplary for anyone wishing to obtain the clearest possible answer to a question they have asked, one on which the querent will have concentrated at length.

How does a 5-card cross tarot spread work?

After choosing the question you will ask the cards that will be drawn, you will need to shuffle your 22 major arcana so that they are thoroughly mixed together. Then, while still concentrating on the question to which you keenly wish to have an answer, you will draw 5 cards from the deck face down, to lay them out on a flat surface.

But be careful, their order of placement as well as the layout itself must be respected scrupulously. The very first card drawn goes to the left, while the second goes to the right. Between the 2, you will place cards no. 3 and no. 4, offsetting the levels and leaving an empty space. Finally, within this empty space, you will insert card no. 5. You should then find yourself facing the shape of a cross. It is now time to interpret the various cards according to what they represent and symbolise, but also according to the place they occupy within the cross.

Thus, card no. 1 will represent everything that is favourable to the querent. Card no. 2, everything that will on the contrary be negative for them. Card no. 3 will reveal the potential and abilities of the querent. As for no. 4, the possible future direction of the situation in the question. Finally, card no. 5 will embody the synthesis of the interpretations, taking into account what the other cards say. It is this card that will then answer the question asked.

Why do a 5-card cross tarot spread?

Quite simply because it is one of the most able to inform you quickly and effectively about the outcome of a situation that lies ahead and that troubles you greatly. By telling you a few truths about who you really are, taking into account your major qualities and flaws, this spread will lead you to understand for yourself why the answer offered leans favourably or not in your direction.

In any case, this 5-card cross spread will allow you to accept the trend of this answer, especially if it turns out to be negative for you. But by taking things on the bright side, the interpretation of the cards will give you a certain perspective to better approach your future situation.

We can therefore say that you will come out of it only mentally stronger, thanks to this cross spread.