When the Emperor Goes to War: The French Cross

Le tirage en croix, or the Cross Spread, is among the most widely practised methods of tarot reading. It appears in the majority of French tarot literature and has long been favoured for its elegance and directness. One of the principal reasons for its enduring popularity is its capacity to provide a clear and decisive response to a question—indeed, it may even yield a simple affirmative or negative where appropriate.

For some practitioners, the notion of using the Tarot to obtain a “yes or no” answer is considered rather objectionable. However, among most continental readers, such an approach is entirely de rigueur. After all, do not many questions, when properly distilled, come down to a straightforward affirmation or refusal? I have always found myself more sympathetic to the continental tradition than to the somewhat diffuse sensibilities of the modern Anglo-style New Age approach. When one consults an oracle, one does so in pursuit of clarity, not greater confusion. A tarot reading ought, in my view, to address the question succinctly; otherwise, one may fairly ask what purpose it serves.

The Cross Spread

Like the Celtic Cross, the Cross Spread exists in a variety of forms. The version presented here is both standard and the one I personally employ:

Card 1 (Left): The querent, and their manner of approaching the situation.
Card 2 (Right): The situation itself, including external influences, whether favourable or adverse.
Card 3 (Above): Advice and guidance.
Card 4 (Below): The outcome.
Card 5 (Centre): The synthesis.

Unlike the first four cards, the fifth is not drawn but calculated. One adds together the numerical values of the four cards already laid, using the Major Arcana, and reduces the result to a number not exceeding 22.

For example, should one draw the Fool (0), the Devil (15), the Star (17), and the Hermit (9), the calculation is as follows:

0 + 15 + 17 + 9 = 41

As this exceeds 22, one reduces it further: 4 + 1 = 5. The resulting number corresponds to the Pope (or Hierophant), which serves as the synthesis.

It should be evident that this synthesis card is not to be read as an additional outcome; that function is already fulfilled by the fourth card. Rather, the synthesis reveals the underlying dynamics—the deeper currents and governing principles at work within the matter under consideration.

A brief note should be made regarding the Fool. When it appears among the first four cards, it is assigned the numerical value of 0 for the purposes of calculation. However, the matter is treated somewhat differently in the case of the synthesis. Should the final total reduce to 22, the Fool is taken as the synthesis card. In this way, the Fool retains both its numerical absence and its symbolic primacy: it is at once nothing and everything, the beginning and the end. This dual function is entirely in keeping with its role within the Greater Arcana, and it serves as a subtle reminder that, even in the most structured of methods, the Tarot admits of paradox.

On Method and Practice

Some years ago, I encountered an argument—during a rather spirited exchange on Facebook—that while the Cross Spread is well suited to the Tarot de Marseille, it is ill-matched to decks such as the Crowley-Harris Thoth Tarot. The objection rested largely upon the use of the Greater Arcana alone. According to this view, such practice runs counter to the philosophy of certain decks, wherein the Greater and Lesser Arcana are intended to function in close interdependence. It is further argued that the Greater Arcana, taken in isolation, cannot adequately address more mundane concerns.

I must confess that I do not share this opinion. Throughout much of my own practice, I have regularly made use of the Greater Arcana alone. It is true that I feel most at ease with the Marseille tradition; however, I have also worked extensively with the trumps of both the Thoth and Rider–Waite–Smith systems in isolation. At no point have I found these cards incapable of speaking to matters on the material plane. After all, what one is doing in any reading is nothing more than interpreting cards’ essence within context, be it exoteric or esoteric.

Since completing the colouring of my first Builders of the Adytum (B.O.T.A.) deck, I have taken considerable pleasure in working with it—including in the context of the Cross Spread and Astrological Wheel, employing only the Greater Arcana. What follows is an example of such a reading.

Sofia’s Reading

The reading below was conducted during the summer of 2025 for a colleague. Sofia had met her husband whilst at university. They became engaged shortly after graduating and had been married for eleven years. Sadly, the relationship had been under strain for some time. Despite attending relationship counselling and making sincere efforts to begin afresh, the same difficulties persisted. Sofia was increasingly concerned, not only for the marriage itself, but also for the effect the situation was having upon their two young children.

Question: Can this relationship be saved?

The cards drawn were as follows:

The Emperor (4)

Death (13)

The Devil (15)

The Tower (16)

For the synthesis:

4 + 13 + 15 + 16 = 48 = 4 + 8 = 12

The synthesis is therefore the Hanged Man.

I said to Sofia, “Yes, but only if you’re prepared to sacrifice everything and live with ghosts.”

Sofia is signified by the Emperor. In Book T¹, one of the attributions given to the Emperor is “war,” and it is clear that Sofia was prepared to fight for her marriage. The Emperor does not readily accept defeat, and the failure of the relationship would feel, at least in part, like a personal failure.

Opposing the Emperor is Death. The image is striking. Sofia is prepared to struggle against forces that have been acting upon the marriage for many years. In relationship readings, the second card often describes either the partner or the relationship itself. Here, Death suggests that time, experience, and changing circumstances have altered the marriage fundamentally. What once bound the couple together no longer operates as it once did. The relationship has reached a point where it must either find a new basis upon which to continue or come to an end.

The advice position is occupied by the Devil. Here, I read the card in terms of material ties and practical obligations. After eleven years of marriage, Sofia and her husband have built a shared life: a home, finances, and the responsibility of raising two children. Should the marriage end, there would be considerable practical consequences. The Devil reminds Sofia to consider not only the emotional realities of the situation, but the material ones as well. From this perspective, the status quo can be retained albeit at a price.

The outcome is the Tower. Rather than a sudden calamity, I see it here as a structure that can no longer support the forces acting upon it. The marriage has changed, but the couple continue to relate to it as though it were the same relationship they entered into eleven years earlier. The Tower suggests this is no longer possible. The structure of the marriage has shifted and can no longer accommodate its present dynamics. What was has gone and cannot be restored.

Yet the reading does not conclude with the Tower. The synthesis is the Hanged Man, which reveals the underlying dynamic of the situation. The card does not suggest that the relationship cannot be saved. Rather, it indicates that it can continue only through sacrifice. Sofia would need to relinquish her expectations for the future and accept the uncomfortable reality that the marriage she once knew no longer exists. The relationship may endure, physically and materially, but only if both parties are prepared to let go of what was and make their peace with what remains. Otherwise, it will be a time-bomb.

Ultimately, the reading is quite simple. Sofia has the grit and determination of the Emperor to preserve the bonds of marriage represented by the Devil. Yet that marriage has been fundamentally altered by Death, and, as the Tower suggests, old bones (all that remains) make poor building blocks. Whether the relationship is worth preserving under such circumstances is the question posed by the Hanged Man. The marriage may survive, but only as a ghost of what it once was.

Sofia and her husband split six months later.

This example also illustrates a point often overlooked in discussions about tarot methods. Whether one is working with the Tarot de Marseille, the Dark Goddess Tarot, the Thoth Tarot, or a B.O.T.A. deck, it is perfectly possible to obtain direct and unambiguous answers. The key lies not in the artwork or even the system itself, but in keeping a firm eye on both essence, function and context. The cards reveal the essential nature of a situation; the reader’s task is to understand that essence within the context of the question asked. Do that consistently, and the Tarot rarely lacks clarity.

Cards: BOTA Tarot © Builders of the Adytum

Footnotes:

Regardie, I. (1989) The Golden Dawn: An account of the teachings, rites, and ceremonies of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (Stella Matutina): A complete course in practical ceremonial magic. Saint Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications. ↩︎

26 July, 202626 July, 2026

Tarot de Marseille: The Picturebook of Fate: The Threes Part 4

This article continues my series examining the trumps of the Tarot de Marseille, adapted from my unpublished manuscript, Tarot de Marseille: The Picturebook of Fate. As throughout this series, the emphasis is placed upon the traditional eikōn of the card, its historical context, and the practical significations I have found useful through divinatory practice. The interpretations presented here reflect my own experience of working with the Tarot de Marseille and should be understood as a working method rather than a definitive authority.

The Threes: The Empress, the Hanged Man and the World

Let us now consider a different style of reading.

This example uses the tirage en ligne, or linear draw, a common feature of the French cartomantic tradition. Unlike the previous examples, there are no fixed positions. Instead, the cards are read sequentially, each developing the story told by the previous card.

The reading was conducted for Patricia. Her husband, Kevin, was a self-employed carpenter who had begun to experience difficulties obtaining sufficient work. As both were now in their early sixties, Patricia was understandably concerned that a prolonged decline in business could affect their retirement plans.

Her question was:

“What can be done to increase the business?”

The cards drawn were:

The Hermit – The Juggler – The Empress

The Hermit describes Kevin’s current approach. Like the Hermit, he relies upon experience, reputation, and the quality of his work. There is a sense of prudence and discretion here. Existing customers value his skills, but the card also suggests a reluctance to promote himself or adapt to changing circumstances. The Hermit carries a lantern rather than a banner. He seeks to be discovered rather than noticed.

The Juggler introduces the necessary change. Whereas the Hermit is discreet, the Juggler actively attracts attention. He understands presentation, visibility, and differentiation. The card suggests that Kevin must identify what distinguishes him from the many other carpenters operating in the area. What particular skills, services, or experience set him apart? The Juggler asks him to define his unique selling point and make it visible to potential customers.

For example, Kevin may possess specialist knowledge in restoration work, bespoke cabinetry, traditional joinery, or some other area in which he excels. Such expertise has considerable value, but only if potential customers are aware of it. The cards suggest that he should stop marketing himself merely as a carpenter and begin promoting whatever makes his business distinctive.

Having identified those strengths, the Empress shows how they should be used. The Empress is a communicator and network builder. She spreads information, makes introductions, and ensures that people know what is available. The card therefore advises greater emphasis upon marketing, referrals, networking, local advertising, social media, and recommendations from satisfied customers. It is not enough to possess expertise; others must know that expertise exists.

The three cards form a natural sequence. The Hermit possesses knowledge and experience. The Juggler packages that experience into something distinctive and memorable. The Empress then communicates it to the wider world. The problem is not a lack of skill, but the failure to move through the latter two stages.

It is also worth noting that the reading begins with the Hermit and concludes with the Empress. Symbolically, this is a movement from privacy towards visibility. Kevin’s experience remains his greatest asset, but the cards indicate that he has become too discreet. The knowledge that serves him well must now be brought into the public eye.

My conclusion was that Kevin’s difficulty did not arise from a lack of ability or experience. The opposite was true. The Hermit suggested that he possessed valuable skills developed over many years. The problem was visibility. Those skills first needed to be defined and differentiated by the Juggler, and then communicated by the Empress. In short, Kevin did not need to become a better carpenter; he needed to become better known.

This example illustrates an important principle of the tirage en ligne: each card develops the action of the previous one. The cards do not merely provide three separate answers. Together, they tell a story.

Tarot Cards: Jean Dodal Tarot via Wikipedia Commons. Public Domain.

Featured Image: Ancient Tarot Major Arcana © BP Grimaud/John Waddington Ltd, Leeds & London, Les Tarot de Marseille Jean Noblet, 1650 © Editions «letarot.com» (2001 [hand stencilled trumps]). Les Tarot de Marseille Jean Dodal, 1701 et 1715 © Editions «letarot.com» (2002 [hand stencilled trumps])

25 July, 202626 July, 2026

Tarot de Marseille: The Picturebook of Fate: The Threes Part 3

The Threes: The Empress, the Hanged Man and the World

Trump XXI, Le Monde, or the World, is one of the most recognisable cards in the Tarot. Does it signify the integration of opposites and the harmonising of the anima and animus? Is it merely a card of completion and success? Or does it speak of travel, the wider world, and horizons broadened by experience? Whilst each of these interpretations contains an element of truth, the Marseille World speaks above all of attainment, fulfilment, and wholeness.

The essence of the World is totality; its function is to elevate. Here we encounter a state in which something has reached its proper fulfilment and been raised to its highest condition. The card therefore signifies completion, accomplishment, and the realisation of a long-sought objective.

The traditional eikōn of the World is both familiar and strangely abstract. At its centre stands a figure balanced upon one leg and enclosed within a mandorla. In the four corners appear an angel, a lion, a bull, and an eagle. Whilst later traditions have offered a variety of interpretations, the image is clearly indebted to the medieval Maiestas Domini, or Christ in Glory. In such images, Christ is depicted enthroned within a mandorla and accompanied by the symbols of the four Evangelists: Saint Matthew, Saint Mark, Saint Luke, and Saint John. The Tarot omits Christ Himself, replacing Him with a more ambiguous figure that may be understood as the Soul, Wisdom, or perfected humanity.

The significance of the image lies in its attainment of the highest possible condition. The World represents the fulfilment of a desire that has long motivated effort and aspiration. Saint Augustine of Hippo wrote that the human heart remains restless until it rests in God¹. Saint Thomas Aquinas developed this idea through his teaching on the Beatific Vision, in which the soul finally beholds and enjoys its Creator directly. Likewise, the life of Saint Francis demonstrates the profound joy that comes from orientating oneself wholly towards the highest good — Deus meus et omnia². Whether one interprets the card in explicitly religious terms or not, the underlying principle remains the same: the attainment of that which has been sought above all else.

For this reason, the World signifies the fulfilment of the soul’s desire. It is not merely success, nor simply the completion of a project. Rather, it is the moment at which striving gives way to attainment and aspiration to satisfaction. The journey has reached its proper conclusion and the goal stands before us.

In divination, the World is one of the most welcome cards. It often indicates that a venture, phase of life, or long-term undertaking is nearing its successful completion. One graduates from university, receives the long-desired promotion, purchases a dream home, or meets the person one will marry. Whatever the matter under consideration, the card brings a sense of having arrived. The destination has been reached and the effort justified.

The fulfilment promised by the World differs subtly from that of the Sun. The Sun is characterised by shared happiness, warmth, and mutuality; the World by personal attainment and individual accomplishment. It is worth remembering that the central figure stands alone. Others may celebrate our success, but the achievement itself belongs to us. The World therefore represents the satisfaction that comes from accomplishing something meaningful through our own efforts.

The World also possesses strong associations with travel, foreign countries, and a cosmopolitan outlook. The horizons of the querent are broadened and the limits of the familiar surpassed. Whether through travel, education, or experience, the individual is elevated beyond their previous condition. Thus the World signifies not merely an end, but the successful completion of one stage of life and the threshold of another.

General: A sense of personal gratification and triumph with the outcome or the realisation of a personal goal. Matters reaching their natural conclusion and synthesis. Travel and at times emigration or relocating.

Love: If a prominent position the World often shows a relationship entering a milestone be it going steady, to celebrating an important anniversary. The relationship is a source of pride and pleasure, with a sense of belonging. People looking for love will often find opportunities to meet new people, especially during travel or visiting new places.

Career: The card does point towards the travel sector especially roles which involves travelling (pilot, cabin crew, travel representative) as well as translators, interpreters and anthropologists. It can indicate a promotion especially if it involves the need for relocation or moving work premises.

Finances: Incomes are stable, and a sense of material stability and independence is felt. In times of hardship the World often indicates opportunities and assistance are available to turn things around.

Health: The World card pertains to viruses and infections that are transmitted between people or through the environment. This includes influenza and herpes simplex.

Essence: Totality.
Function: Elevate.
Polarity: Neutral.
Astrological Association: None.
Timing: None.

Tarot Cards: Jean Dodal Tarot via Wikipedia Commons. Public Domain.

For thou hast made us for thyself and restless is our heart until it comes to rest in thee. Confessions, Book I: Chapter I ↩︎
My God and My All ↩︎