Why is the Celtic Cross Tarot Spread considered the most classic?

Hello there! When it comes to the Celtic Cross, it truly is one of the most classic and frequently used spreads in the tarot community. Think of it like that most handy multi-tool Swiss Army knife in your toolbox; while it's not absolutely essential for every situation, most of the time, using it is definitely the right choice.

Why is it so classic? I think it's mainly due to these points:

1. It provides a particularly "three-dimensional" and "comprehensive" view of a problem.

Many simpler spreads, like the three-card "Past-Present-Future," are like taking a flat photo of your problem, giving you a general idea. But the Celtic Cross is different; it's like getting a 360-degree CT scan of your issue.

It doesn't just tell you "what will happen"; it also tells you:

• What is your current state? (Core)
• What is influencing you? (Obstacles or aids)
• What are your subconscious thoughts? (Foundation)
• What past experiences led to your present situation? (Past)
• What are your expectations for the future? (Goals)
• What will happen immediately next? (Future)

You see, it connects your inner self, outer circumstances, past, future, conscious, and subconscious. This way, interpreting the cards isn't just a dry "good" or "bad" conclusion, but a vivid, flesh-and-blood story.

2. It has a very strong storytelling ability.

The 10 positions in this spread are not isolated; they have a strong logical relationship. From the first card (yourself) to the tenth card (the final outcome), it's like following a thread, unraveling the mystery step by step. The process of interpreting the cards is like watching a mini-movie about the question you asked, with a beginning, development, climax, and ending, and you can even see the protagonist's (that's you) emotional journey. This sense of narrative is something many smaller spreads cannot provide.

3. It is extremely "versatile."

Whether you want to ask specific questions about relationships, career choices, or just want to see your overall recent fortune, the Celtic Cross can be used. Its structure is ingeniously designed to both deeply analyze a specific small problem and broadly overview a major life stage. For beginners, learning this one spread can essentially handle over 80% of divination scenarios.

4. It is very balanced.

The spread includes cards representing your subjective thoughts (like your hopes and fears) as well as cards representing objective circumstances (like how others perceive you, or environmental influences). This prevents interpretations from being overly biased towards your own thoughts or completely swayed by external factors, allowing you to view the entire situation more objectively.

So, all in all, the Celtic Cross is classic not because it's the oldest or most complex, but because it is the most practical, comprehensive, and profound. It provides an excellent analytical framework that helps us break down a vague problem clearly, allowing you to understand not just "the result," but more importantly, "why." Although it might feel like 10 cards are a lot and the positions are hard to remember when you first start learning, once you get familiar with it, you'll find it incredibly useful and insightful.