Totally agree the Celtic Cross gets pushed way too hard on beginners. I’ve been teaching for eight years now, and the number of people who show up to workshops completely confused by “what crosses you” and “distant past vs recent past” is just depressing.
The five-card spread is where the magic happens for most people starting out. You get some depth without drowning in positions. My favorite is the basic horseshoe - present situation, expectations, hidden stuff, advice, outcome. Clear and easy positions that tell a story and don’t take a manual to interpret.
Beginners should build up gradually. Start by pulling one card every morning for a few weeks. Just one. Get to know the cards as individuals before you try making them talk to each other. Then move to three cards - and not just past-present-future, try situation-action-outcome or mind-body-spirit for more practical insights.
The modified spreads are underrated, too. There’s a mini Celtic Cross with just five cards that covers the same ground without the confusion. You still get that comprehensive reading feel, but it’s actually manageable when you’re learning.