I did a reading today after hearing the not-guilty verdicts of the Anthony trial. I have a lot of sympathy for Casey but I want justice for Caylee and I'm not sure how to feel. I asked the "Did the jury make the right verdict? Did Casey kill her daughter? Does she deserve her freedom?"

Celtic Cross (Druid-craft deck)
1- The Lady
2- 5 of Swords Reversed
3- The Lord
4- The High Priest
5- The Chariot
6- Death
7- 5 of Pentacles
8- 3 of Pentacles
9- The Sun
10- 10 of Wands

I get confused with readings like this because I'm not sure if I should then read the cards for myself or for Casey. Is she the Lady being crossed by the 5 of Swords reversed, or am I? The Chariot clearly displays her victory, and Death in the future position seems to mean the trial is over. The Lord at the foundation clearly represents the trial. I don't know what to make of the High Priest in the past position, and I can't seem to combine these cards to make a coherent story.
The last 4 cards are confusing to me as well. The Sun is in the hopes/fears position; I suppose I'm hoping that Casey really is innocent. The Sun must also represent Caylee. The 5 of pentacles is in the self position, obviously I am feeling loss, or Casey is. 3 of pentacles is in the others position, I guess that could symbolize Casey's not-guilty verdict after a long trial. But the 10 of wands as the outcome? Or do I combine them all and decide that Casey killed Caylee (the Sun) (5 of pentacles) because being a mother was too much work (10 of wands) and she wanted her comfortable 3 of pentacles life back?

I don't necessarily need someone to read the cards for me, although I welcome any opinions. I just am new at this and I'm always jumping around in readings and trying to figure out whether to read cards individually, combine them to make a story, or what. I always come up with so many ideas in my readings that I don't know which ones are the right ones! anyone have advice?

As you yourself admit, you are a beginner and to go on doing readings on third or fourth parties and using a complex spread such as the Celtic Cross, no wonder you get confused.

I do not know who these people are and the story behind their case. All I would like to say to you as a learner of the tarot, is not to do readings on third parties and to use simple spreads. These will do nothing but confuse you. It is not a bad idea to form a story out of the cards and I also understand you are doing it for practice and some fun, but if you are serious about the tarot, then do readings to your friends using small spreads rather than this complicated one.

Best wishes

i didn't even finish your interpation of the cards... shuffle you deck and forget you did this reading completely.  i agree with Cedars... way too compliacted of a spread and it being a third person no wonder you are confused.  ;)
To give you an ideal were i am coming from... i started out doing the celtic cross and it just confused me and it was hard to understand and put it all together as a beginner so i say, as cedars says, start with simple spreads and do for friends, family or even folks in the Tarot Reading forum here!

when i do a spread i tend read them by themselves and then tell a story as i go.  i do both.  i read the cards as it begins to tell a simple story then i look at the whole spread and find a deeper more profound story.  do what you are comfortable with it though.  

have a great day!

lol okay, I'll keep it simple.
thanks