How to Read Tirage en Croix: French Tarot Spread Guide
if you have a Marseilles deck, use it here
I love finding tarot spreads like this one
Called the Tirage en Croix (French for Cross-Draw), it’s a simple 4 or 5 card spread, meant to address a single issue. I can’t remember when I first saw it, but am sure it must have been on a Marseilles tarot site. I’ll link the next time I see it.
The Spread Positions
First, begin with an issue or situation. Once clear, shuffle and deal in this positional order:
The card on the left represents the pros, or positives of the issue.
The card on the right represents the cons, or negatives. Regardless of the meaning, this card is always read as a negative.
The card at the top represents the situation regarding the issue.
The fourth card, laid at the bottom center, represents the outcome or result.
I drew:
Empress: Positive
Judgment: Negative
5 of Cups: Situation
9 of Cups: Outcome
My question was whether a specific path I was currently exploring was in line with my highest good.
Because Major Arcana XX fell in the negative position, I read it as being hyper-critical of my decision, which was dead-on. If you’re a fellow Virgo, you know what I mean.
The situation, itself, is 5 of Cups. I get tunnel-visioned and oftentimes can only see the cups that have been turned over, not the cups that are still standing. Not to mention an important element of this particular 5 of Cups: behind the figure is a table laden with food and wine. As my issue was about healthy eating, this one was another bulls eye, and why I stress the importance of choosing a deck.
I was happy to see the 9 of Cups (the Wish Card) as the outcome. What’s not to like? At its core, the card tells me the outcome is entirely within my grasp, assuming I can visualize the goal without a heap of doubt.
What about the fifth card?
A fifth card can also be drawn in the Tirage en Croix. This card represents the synthesis or summary of the issue.
The card may be drawn at random, but the more traditional process is to add the four original cards and to reduce the total until it is 21 or less. (Page, Knight, Queen, King are 11, 12, 13, 14 respectively).
My cards were: 3+20+5+9=37/10/1 = the Magician. (I suppose it could also have been the Wheel of Fortune (X), but I decided to stay with Major Arcana I.
The Magician as the summary card comes close to reflecting the outcome card, the 9 of Cups. Both cards tell me that I CAN reach my goal if I CHOOSE to. Sounds like the ball is in my court.
Tirage en Croix, Your Turn
If you have a single issue you’d like to explore, give the Tirage en Croix a run, then leave a comment - thank you! Did you like it, feel ‘meh’ about it, or thought it wasn’t all that accurate?
I’m not sure I would draw a fifth card, unless I had some doubts about interpreting the first four. In this case, 4 and 5 were so alike, energetically, I probably could have done fine without the fifth. Or, perhaps my interpretation of ‘summary’ is too simplistic? Could be. I’m thinking the summary card should be more of a story that incorporates all the cards - so I’ll do this again after I finish writing this.
What do you think?
By the way, this spread is meant to be read using the Tarot de Marseilles, but as I don’t own a Marseilles deck, I used Everyday Witch Tarot.
Nancy
This was very helpful today. Thank you 💕
Love this spread!