Playing Card History
The history of playing cards extends back five hundred years, with various stories and theories surrounding their introduction to Europe. Eastern nations, including India, China, Chaldea, and Egypt, had playing cards for divination and playing purposes, differing from those in Europe. Cards were regarded with veneration by the wise men of the East, attributing mysterious powers to them.
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Many believe playing cards were invented by Europeans, known in Italy as early as 1379, introduced to Spain by the Moors and Saracens. The first cards, called “Nabis,” may have had divinatory purposes, given the Hebrew word “Nabi” meaning to prophesy.
The earliest known cards, “Tarots,” are credited to a Jewish astrologer and cabalist. These cards were associated with the Egyptian “Book of Thoth,” guarded by Moses. Tarot cards featured priests, popes, jugglers, emperors, devils, and other characters. Venice had 78-card games in the 15th century, later reduced to 52 cards.
Suits and Symbols
The four suits have varied symbols in different countries, such as cups, money, swords, and clubs. French cards adopted spades, clubs, hearts, and diamonds. Mystic meanings are attached to the cards, with symbolism tied to the weeks, lunar months, seasons, and signs of the Zodiac.
Mystic Meaning
A pack of cards holds significant importance to many, either viewed next to the Bible or as the devil’s handbooks. The fascination with card combinations is associated with:
- Fifty-two cards representing the 52 weeks in a year.
- Thirteen cards in each suit representing 13 lunar months and weeks in each quarter.
- Four suits representing the four seasons.
- Twelve court cards representing the 12 signs of the Zodiac.
The total pips on plain and court cards equal the number of days in the year (365).
The Charm and Power of Cards
While cards have historically been associated with divination and religious practices, today, they are primarily used for amusement. Various systems exist for fortune-telling by cards, each with distinct meanings and layouts. Combining court cards or plain cards in specific ways results in interpretations related to luck, love, success, and challenges.
Meaning of Each Card
| Card | Hearts | Diamonds | Clubs | Spades |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ace | Love letter, good news; (reversed) a removal or a visit from a friend. | A letter, an offer of marriage; (reversed) evil tidings. | Good luck, letters or papers relating to money, pleasant tidings; (reversed) short-lived happiness, a tiresome correspondence. | Emotional enjoyment; (reversed) news of a death, sorrow. |
| King | Fair man of generous disposition; (reversed) a disappointing person. | Very fair or white-haired man; a soldier by profession, and of a deceitful turn of mind; (reversed) a treacherous schemer. | Dark man, warm-hearted and true as a friend, straight in his dealings; (reversed) good intentions frustrated. | Widower, an unscrupulous lawyer, impossible as a friend, and dangerous as an enemy; (reversed) the desire to work evil without the power. |
| Queen | Fair, good-natured woman; (reversed) she has had an unhappy love affair. | Fair woman, given to gossip and wanting in refinement; (reversed) a rather spiteful flirt. | Dark woman, loving but hasty, and bearing no malice; (reversed) harassed by jealousy. | Widow, a very dark woman; (reversed) an intriguing, spiteful woman. |
| Knave | Young bachelor devoted to enjoyment; (reversed) a military lover with a grievance. | Subordinate official, who is untrustworthy; (reversed) a mischief-maker. | Ready-witted young man, clever at his work and ardent in his love; (reversed) irresponsible and fickle. | Legal or medical student, wanting in refinement of mind and manners; (reversed) a treacherous character, fond of underhand measures. |
| Ten | Antidote to bad cards, happiness and success; (reversed) passing worries. | Traveling or a removal; (reversed) ill luck will attend the step. | Prosperity and luxury; (reversed) a sea voyage. | Grief, loss of freedom; (reversed) passing trouble or illness. |
| Nine | The wish card, good luck; (reversed) short sorrow. | Vexation, hindrances; (reversed) domestic wrangling, or disagreement between lovers. | An unlooked-for inheritance, money acquired under a will; (reversed) a small, friendly gift. | A bad omen, news of failure or death; (reversed) loss of one near and dear by death. |
| Eight | Thoughts of marriage, affections of a fair person; (reversed) unresponsiveness. | Love passages; (reversed) blighted affections. | Love of a dark man or woman which, if accepted and reciprocated, will bring joy and well-being; (reversed) an unworthy affection calculated to cause trouble. | Coming illness; (reversed) an engagement canceled or a rejected proposal, dissipation. |
| Seven | Calm, content; (reversed) boredom, satiety. | Unkindly chaff, cynicism; (reversed) stupid and unfounded slander. | Trifling financial matters; (reversed) money troubles. | Everyday worries, or a resolve taken; (reversed) silly stratagems in love-making. |
Hearts
Ace
Love letter, good news; (reversed) a removal or a visit from a friend.
King
Fair man of generous disposition; (reversed) a disappointing person.
Queen
Fair, good-natured woman; (reversed) she has had an unhappy love affair.
Knave
Young bachelor devoted to enjoyment; (reversed) a military lover with a grievance.
Ten
Antidote to bad cards, happiness and success; (reversed) passing worries.
Nine
The wish card, good luck; (reversed) short sorrow.
Eight
Thoughts of marriage, affections of a fair person; (reversed) unresponsiveness.
Seven
Calm, content; (reversed) boredom, satiety.
Diamonds
Ace
A letter, an offer of marriage; (reversed) evil tidings.
King
Very fair or white-haired man; a soldier by profession, and of a deceitful turn of mind; (reversed) a treacherous schemer.
Queen
Fair woman, given to gossip and wanting in refinement; (reversed) a rather spiteful flirt.
Knave
Subordinate official, who is untrustworthy; (reversed) a mischief-maker.
Ten
Traveling or a removal; (reversed) ill luck will attend the step.
Nine
Vexation, hindrances; (reversed) domestic wrangling, or disagreement between lovers.
Eight
Love passages; (reversed) blighted affections.
Seven
Unkindly chaff, cynicism; (reversed) stupid and unfounded slander.
Clubs
Ace
Good luck, letters or papers relating to money, pleasant tidings; (reversed) short-lived happiness, a tiresome correspondence.
King
Dark man, warm-hearted and true as a friend, straight in his dealings; (reversed) good intentions frustrated.
Queen
Dark woman, loving but hasty, and bearing no malice; (reversed) harassed by jealousy.
Knave
Ready-witted young man, clever at his work and ardent in his love; (reversed) irresponsible and fickle.
Ten
Prosperity and luxury; (reversed) a sea voyage.
Nine
Unlooked-for inheritance, money acquired under a will; (reversed) a small, friendly gift.
Eight
Love of a dark man or woman which, if accepted and reciprocated, will bring joy and well-being; (reversed) an unworthy affection calculated to cause trouble.
Seven
Trifling financial matters; (reversed) money troubles.
Spades
Ace
Emotional enjoyment; (reversed) news of a death, sorrow.
King
Widower, an unscrupulous lawyer, impossible as a friend, and dangerous as an enemy; (reversed) the desire to work evil without the power.
Queen
Widow, a very dark woman; (reversed) an intriguing, spiteful woman.
Knave
Legal or medical student, wanting in refinement of mind and manners; (reversed) a treacherous character, fond of underhand measures.
Ten
Grief, loss of freedom; (reversed) passing trouble or illness.
Nine
A bad omen, news of failure or death; (reversed) loss of one near and dear by death.
Eight
Coming illness; (reversed) an engagement canceled or a rejected proposal, dissipation.
Seven
Everyday worries, or a resolve taken; (reversed) silly stratagems in love-making.
Combinations of Court Cards
| Combination | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Four Aces | Danger, financial loss, separation from friends, love troubles. Mitigated by reversing cards. |
| Three Aces | Passing troubles relieved by good news, faithlessness of a lover. Reversed implies foolish excess. |
| Two Aces | Union, either for good or evil, depending on suits. Reversed suggests failure. |
| Four Kings | Honors, preferment, good appointments. Reversed, less valuable but arrives earlier. |
| Three Kings | Serious matters taken in hand with the best result, unless reversed, indicating doubt. |
| Two Kings | Co-operation in business, upright conduct, and prudent enterprises to be crowned with success. Each reversed represents an obstacle, both spell failure. |
| Four Queens | A social gathering that may be spoilt by one or more being reversed. |
| Three Queens | Friendly visits. If reversed, scandal, gossip, and possibly bodily danger. |
| Two Queens | Interchanged secrets betrayed, a meeting between friends. One reversed means rivalry. |
| Four Knaves | Jolly conviviality. Any reversed lessens the evil. |
| Three Knaves | Worries and vexations from acquaintances, slander calling the inquirer’s honor in question. Reversed foretells a passage-at-arms with a social inferior. |
| Two Knaves | Loss of goods. If both reversed, trouble is imminent; if one only, it is near. |
- Four Aces: Danger, financial loss, separation from friends, love troubles. Mitigated by reversing cards.
- Three Aces: Passing troubles relieved by good news, faithlessness of a lover. Reversed implies foolish excess.
- Two Aces: Union, either for good or evil, depending on suits. Reversed suggests failure.
- Four Kings: Honors, preferment, good appointments. Reversed, less valuable but arrives earlier.
- Three Kings: Serious matters taken in hand with the best result, unless reversed, indicating doubt.
- Two Kings: Co-operation in business, upright conduct, and prudent enterprises to be crowned with success. Each reversed represents an obstacle, both spell failure.
- Four Queens: A social gathering that may be spoilt by one or more being reversed.
- Three Queens: Friendly visits. If reversed, scandal, gossip, and possibly bodily danger.
- Two Queens: Interchanged secrets betrayed, a meeting between friends. One reversed means rivalry.
- Four Knaves: Jolly conviviality. Any reversed lessens the evil.
- Three Knaves: Worries and vexations from acquaintances, slander calling the inquirer’s honor in question. Reversed foretells a passage-at-arms with a social inferior.
- Two Knaves: Loss of goods. If both reversed, trouble is imminent; if one only, it is near.
Combinations of Plain Cards
| Combination | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Four Tens | Good fortune, success. The more reversed, the greater number of obstacles. |
| Three Tens | Ruin brought about by lawsuits. Reversed, the evil is decreased. |
| Two Tens | Unexpected luck, connected with a change of occupation. If one is reversed, it will come soon; if both are reversed, it is distant. |
| Four Nines | Unexpected events. The number reversed stands for the time to elapse. |
| Three Nines | Health, wealth, and happiness. If reversed, financial difficulties caused by imprudence. |
| Two Nines | Prosperity and contentment accompanied by business matters. If reversed, small worries. |
| Four Eights | Attending a journey or taking up a new position. If reversed, undisturbed stability. |
| Three Eights | Thoughts of love and marriage, new family ties. If reversed, flirtation and foolishness. |
| Two Eights | Pleasures and passing love fancies. If reversed, disappointments. |
| Four Sevens | Schemes and contention and opposition. If reversed, failure of the same. |
| Three Sevens | Loss of friends, ill-health, remorse. If reversed, slight ailments or unpleasant reaction. |
| Two Sevens | Mutual love and marriage. If reversed, faithlessness or regret. |
- Four Tens: Good fortune, success. The more reversed, the greater number of obstacles.
- Three Tens: Ruin brought about by lawsuits. Reversed, the evil is decreased.
- Two Tens: Unexpected luck, connected with a change of occupation. If one is reversed, it will come soon; if both are reversed, it is distant.
- Four Nines: Unexpected events. The number reversed stands for the time to elapse.
- Three Nines: Health, wealth, and happiness. If reversed, financial difficulties caused by imprudence.
- Two Nines: Prosperity and contentment accompanied by business matters. If reversed, small worries.
- Four Eights: Attending a journey or taking up a new position. If reversed, undisturbed stability.
- Three Eights: Thoughts of love and marriage, new family ties. If reversed, flirtation and foolishness.
- Two Eights: Pleasures and passing love fancies. If reversed, disappointments.
- Four Sevens: Schemes and contention and opposition. If reversed, failure of the same.
- Three Sevens: Loss of friends, ill-health, remorse. If reversed, slight ailments or unpleasant reaction.
- Two Sevens: Mutual love and marriage. If reversed, faithlessness or regret.
General Information of the Cards
- When several court cards fall together, it signifies hospitality, festive social intercourse, and gaiety.
- Married people reading cards must represent their life partner by the king or queen of the suit chosen, regardless of anything else.
- Bachelors and spinsters may choose cards to personate their lovers and friends.
- A court card between two cards of the same grade indicates a threat to the one represented.
- Military men consulting cards must be represented by the King of Diamonds.
- It is essential to cut cards with the left hand, believed to be more intimately connected with the heart than the right.
- A round table is generally preferred for cartomancy practices.
These insights offer a comprehensive guide to fortune-telling by cards, providing meanings for individual cards and their combinations. Whether used for divination or amusement, the charm and power of cards continue to captivate individuals of all ages.
From the book: “Fortunes and Dreams”
A Practical Manual of Fortune Telling, Divination and the Interepretation of Dreams, Signs and Omens (1917)
by Astra Cielo
Telling One’s Fortune with Twenty-one Cards: The Italian Method
In playing card divination, the Italian method involves using thirty-two cards, with only 21 selected for the fortune-telling process. Follow these steps for an insightful glimpse into the inquirer’s destiny.
Procedure
- Shuffling and Cutting:
- Shuffle the cards and cut with the left hand.
- Count off the first 11 cards and set them aside.
- Take the top card from the remaining 21 and set it apart.
- Lay out the other 20 cards on the table.
- Selecting the Inquirer’s Card:
- Choose a card to represent the inquirer (knave or queen based on sex).
- If the inquirer’s card isn’t among the 20 on the table, deal the pack over.
- Reading the 20 Cards:
- Consider the meaning of each card.
- Interpret sets of 2, 3, or more of a kind, as they may modify the general interpretation.
- Read the 20 cards from left to right continuously.
- Shuffling and Cutting Again:
- Put the cards together, shuffle, and cut as before.
- Set aside the top card and divide the others into 3 packs.
- Inquirer chooses a pack, and cards are read three times.
Example Manipulation
Consider the example where the Knave of Clubs represents the inquirer, and the 21 selected cards are as follows:
- King of Spades
- Queen of Hearts (reversed)
- Ace of Hearts
- Knave of Clubs
- Ace of Spades (reversed)
- Ace of Clubs
- Knave of Hearts
- King of Hearts
- Queen of Spades (reversed)
- Nine of Hearts
- Knave of Diamonds
- Ten of Spades
- Ace of Diamonds (reversed)
- King of Diamonds
- Seven of Diamonds
- Eight of Diamonds
- Eight of Spades (reversed)
- Seven of Clubs (reversed)
- Nine of Clubs (reversed)
- Nine of Diamonds
Card Analysis
- Aces (4): Danger and financial loss, somewhat lightened.
- Kings (3): Undertaking important matters successfully.
- Queens (2, both reversed): Potential suffering due to the inquirer’s faults.
- Knaves (3): More worries and vexations, affecting the inquirer’s honor.
- Nines (3): Indicative of happiness and wealth, despite difficulties.
- Eights (2): Signifying love interest and flirtation.
- Sevens (2, one reversed): Mutual love and marriage, with an element of regret.
Reading the Cards
Follow the cards from left to right, interpreting each one for a detailed understanding of the inquirer’s fortune.
- King of Spades: An unscrupulous man causing trouble.
- Queen of Hearts (reversed): Good-natured woman with an unlucky love affair.
- Ace of Hearts: Love letter with good news for the inquirer.
- Knave of Clubs: Clever young fellow mixed up in affairs.
- Ace of Spades (reversed): Grief affecting health.
- Ace of Clubs: Sorrow related to money matters.
- Knave of Hearts: A good time involving a young bachelor devoted to enjoyments.
- King of Hearts: Man of generous disposition.
- Queen of Spades (reversed): Dark, intriguing woman.
- Nine of Hearts: Good luck and pleasure.
- Knave of Diamonds: Untrustworthy friend causing trouble.
- Ten of Spades: Considerable worry.
- Ace of Diamonds (reversed): Bad tidings.
- King of Diamonds: Old soldier with a deceitful turn of mind.
- Seven of Diamonds: Scandal and slander.
- Eight of Diamonds: Love-making and offer of marriage rejected.
- Seven of Clubs (reversed): Money matters causing worry.
- Nine of Clubs (reversed): Gift of money relieving the situation somewhat.
- Nine of Diamonds: Vexatious hindrances.
- “Surprise” (e.g., King of Clubs): Warm-hearted friend bringing happiness and prosperity.
Card Types and Meanings
| Card Type | Number of Cards | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Aces | 4 | Danger and financial loss, somewhat lightened. |
| Kings | 3 | Undertaking important matters successfully. |
| Queens | 2 (both reversed) | Potential suffering due to the inquirer’s faults. |
| Knaves | 3 | More worries and vexations, affecting the inquirer’s honor. |
| Nines | 3 | Indicative of happiness and wealth, despite difficulties. |
| Eights | 2 | Signifying love interest and flirtation. |
| Sevens | 2 (one reversed) | Mutual love and marriage, with an element of regret. |
Card Analysis
| Card | Meaning |
|---|---|
| King of Spades | An unscrupulous man causing trouble. |
| Queen of Hearts (reversed) | Good-natured woman with an unlucky love affair. |
| Ace of Hearts | Love letter with good news for the inquirer. |
| Knave of Clubs | Clever young fellow mixed up in affairs. |
| Ace of Spades (reversed) | Grief affecting health. |
| Ace of Clubs | Sorrow related to money matters. |
| Knave of Hearts | A good time involving a young bachelor devoted to enjoyments. |
| King of Hearts | Man of generous disposition. |
| Queen of Spades (reversed) | Dark, intriguing woman. |
| Nine of Hearts | Good luck and pleasure. |
| Knave of Diamonds | Untrustworthy friend causing trouble. |
| Ten of Spades | Considerable worry. |
| Ace of Diamonds (reversed) | Bad tidings. |
| King of Diamonds | Old soldier with a deceitful turn of mind. |
| Seven of Diamonds | Scandal and slander. |
| Eight of Diamonds | Love-making and offer of marriage rejected. |
| Seven of Clubs (reversed) | Money matters causing worry. |
| Nine of Clubs (reversed) | Gift of money relieving the situation somewhat. |
| Nine of Diamonds | Vexatious hindrances. |
| “Surprise” (e.g., King of Clubs) | Warm-hearted friend bringing happiness and prosperity. |
The Significance of the Three Packs
After reading the cards continuously, they are reshuffled and cut into three packs. The inquirer chooses one, and the process is repeated three times for comprehensive insights into the future.
This Italian method provides a rich and detailed understanding of the inquirer’s fate, offering a unique and personal fortune-telling experience.
The French System
Thirty-two cards are required, rejecting all under the Sevens. They must be shuffled and cut as usual and divided into two packs of 16 each. The inquirer chooses one of the packs, and the first card is laid aside for the “Surprise.” The remaining 15 cards are turned face upward and laid on the table from left to right. A certain card must be selected to represent the inquirer. And this must be in the pack he selects. If not, the division must be gone over again until this card is found in the selected pack.[70]
Method of Reading
If there are any 2, 3 or 4 of a kind their explanation must first be given. Next start from the card representing the inquirer and count in groups of 7 from right to left. Next, pair the end cards together and read their meaning. After this shuffle the 15 cards again and divide them into three packs of 5 cards each. The top card of each is first removed and placed with the other which has been set apart as the “Surprise.” This will leave three packs of 4 cards each. Inquirer then chooses one of the packs, and the 4 cards are laid out on the table from left to right, and their meaning is read. The left-hand pack is “for the house,” the right-hand pack “for those who do not expect,” and the remaining pack is “for the surprise.”
Let us suppose, for example, that the inquirer, being a woman, is represented by the Queen of Clubs. She chooses the middle of the three packs, which contains the Knave of Clubs, Eight of Diamonds (reversed), Eight of Hearts, Queen of Clubs. These will be read as follows: “A clever young man is ardent in his love and is flirting with the inquirer. He has thoughts of marriage in which the inquirer plays a very important part. And the prospects are favorable.”[71]
Interpretation of Selected Pack
| Card | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Knave of Clubs | Clever young man ardent in his love, flirting with the inquirer, thoughts of marriage, favorable prospects |
| Eight of Diamonds (reversed) | Indicates possible trouble |
| Eight of Hearts | Positive indications of success and prosperity |
| Queen of Clubs | Represents the inquirer, involved in the affairs mentioned |
For the House Pack
| Card | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Knave of Spades | Legal gentleman of not very refined character |
| Ace of Spades | Unfavorable circumstances, disappointment |
| Knave of Hearts | Young bachelor devoted to pleasure, helpful to inquirer |
| King of Spades | Unscrupulous lawyer employing the Knave of Spades, enemy of the inquirer |
For Those Who Do Not Expect Pack
| Card | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Queen of Hearts | Fair-haired lady bringing letters relating to money |
| Ten of Spades | Grief, loss, and unexpected events |
| Ace of Clubs | New beginnings, favorable for the inquirer |
| Nine of Clubs | Unlooked-for inheritance, changing the inquirer’s career or new customers for a merchant |
The Surprise Pack
| Card | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ace of Hearts | Love letter with the best of news |
| Queen of Spades | Dark-haired lady causing hindrances, but happiness and success will be the final outcome |
| Nine of Diamonds | Possible difficulties, but with overall positive outcome |
| Ten of Hearts | Happiness and success in the face of hindrances |
An English System of Telling the Past, Present and Future
We will present an easy and generally accepted method of telling fortunes by means of cards. Thirty-two cards are required, which are shuffled and cut in the usual way. After being cut, the top card of the lower pack and the bottom card of the upper pack are laid aside and form the “Surprise,” then the packs are placed one upon the other. This leaves 30 cards, which are dealt into three equal parts; the pack at the left representing the past, the one in the middle the present, and the one to the right the future.
The man or woman wishing to know what Fortune has in store is called the “Inquirer”; he is represented by a card (supposing him to be a man) which we will say is the Knave of Hearts. Let us now suppose that the ten cards representing the past are as follows:
| Card | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ace of Clubs (reversed) | Happiness of short duration |
| King of Spades | Unscrupulous friend at work |
| Knave of Diamonds | Mischief-maker |
| King of Clubs | Warm heart and true friend of assistance |
| Nine of Hearts | Brought good luck |
| Ten of Spades | Grief and loss of freedom due to circumstances |
| Seven of Spades (reversed) | Silly love-making cast its influence |
| Eight of Spades (reversed) | Engagement canceled or rejected |
| Seven of Clubs | Trifling financial matters causing sorrow |
| Nine of Clubs | Financial condition will be solved by an unlooked-for inheritance |
Present Pack Interpretation
In this example, the present pack contains cards such as Ace of Diamonds, Ten of Diamonds, Knave of Hearts (reversed), King of Hearts (reversed), Seven of Diamonds, Nine of Spades, Eight of Hearts, Queen of Hearts, Seven of Hearts, Queen of Diamonds (reversed).
| Card | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ace of Diamonds | Coming offer of marriage or a letter |
| Ten of Diamonds | Letter about a voyage or a removal |
| Knave of Hearts (reversed) | Question of a young bachelor devoted to enjoyment |
| King of Hearts (reversed) | Dealings with the inquirer will be very disappointing |
| Seven of Diamonds | Inquirer will come in for considerable unkindly chaff |
| Nine of Spades (reversed) | Foretells a loss of one that is near and dear, through death |
| Eight of Hearts | Inquirer harboring an affection for a fair lady |
| Queen of Hearts | Good-natured, lovable woman awaiting developments |
| Seven of Hearts | Quietly and contentedly awaiting developments |
| Queen of Diamonds (reversed) | Beware of a woman who is a spiteful flirt and may make trouble |
Future Pack Interpretation
In this example, the future pack contains cards such as Queen of Clubs, King of Diamonds, Eight of Diamonds, Ten of Clubs, Nine of Diamonds, Eight of Clubs, Ace of Diamonds (reversed), Ace of Hearts (reversed), Knave of Spades (reversed), Queen of Spades (reversed).
| Card | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Queen of Clubs | Dark-haired woman, rather loving but apt to cause trouble |
| King of Diamonds | Old man inclined to make mischief |
| Eight of Diamonds | Love passages between the inquirer and a lady |
| Ten of Clubs | Prosperous romance |
| Nine of Diamonds | Not smooth sailing, potential love triangle |
| Eight of Clubs | Dark-haired man paying attention to the woman |
| Ace of Diamonds (reversed) | Be prepared for evil tidings |
| Ace of Hearts (reversed) | Foretells a visit from a friend |
| Knave of Spades (reversed) | Medical student, not of the most refined character |
| Queen of Spades (reversed) | Unscrupulous and spiteful woman weaving her spell |
This is but a brief summary of the way in which this method is worked. A great deal depends, of course, upon the cleverness of the fortune-teller in interpreting the cards according to the disposition of the inquirer.
The Gypsy Method
A very simple method, especially when there are many fortunes to be told, which is often used by the Romany folks, is the following. In this method, the meanings are somewhat different from those given in previous chapters. These new meanings may better suit the characteristics of the inquirer, and in connection with the readings already given, they add many facts of importance.
Thirty-two cards are taken, the numbers under 7 being thrown out. The cards are shuffled and cut into three packs by the inquirer, each pack being turned face up. The center pack is taken first, then the one to the right, finally the one to the left, and placed upon each other in this position. The fortune-teller holds this newly arranged pack in his left hand and takes off 3 cards facing upwards, selecting the highest card of any suit that may appear. He retains this one and lays the others aside for the next deal. Continue doing this until the pack is finished. Then shuffle all the discarded cards together until you have 21 cards or more on the table. If 3 cards of any suit appear, or 3 cards of the same value, they must all be taken.
A card must now be selected to represent the inquirer. If she be fair of complexion she selects Diamonds; if medium fair, Hearts; if of brown hair, she selects Clubs; and if very dark, Spades. A man selects the King and a woman the Queen. This representative card is shuffled with the others and taken out when it is the highest of its suit. Should there be 21 or more cards selected before it appears, then it must be taken from the remainder and placed last of all.
The cards are read from left to right and are placed in a horseshoe shape as they are drawn out. Picture cards represent people, and the number of spots relates to money or events. Diamonds concern themselves with money and interest; Hearts, with love affairs and affection; Clubs, with business events; and Spades, with the more serious affairs of life.
The Significance of Each Card:
Hearts
| Card | Meaning |
|---|---|
| King | A fair man |
| Queen | A woman of similar complexion |
| Knave | An honest friend |
| Ten | A wedding |
| Nine | A wish |
| Eight | Love |
| Seven | Friendship |
| Ace | Home |
Diamonds
| Card | Meaning |
|---|---|
| King | A fair man |
| Queen | A fair woman |
| Knave | A companion |
| Ten | A wealthy marriage |
| Nine | Rise in social position |
| Eight | Success thru speculation |
| Seven | A good income |
| Ace | A present |
Clubs
| Card | Meaning |
|---|---|
| King | A man of medium complexion |
| Queen | A woman |
| Knave | A successful friend |
| Ten | A trip by water |
| Nine | Successful business |
| Eight | Social pleasure |
| Seven | A business affair |
| Ace | A letter or legal document |
Spades
| Card | Meaning |
|---|---|
| King | A dark man |
| Queen | A dark woman (or widow) |
| Knave | Thoughts of personal matters |
| Ten | A journey by land |
| Nine | Sorrow or sickness |
| Eight | A loss of money or friends |
| Seven | A quarrel |
Three Kings coming together indicate a new friend; a Knave and 2 Kings, meeting an old friend; 3 Knaves, business at law; 3 Queens, a quarrel with a woman; 3 Tens, a lucky deal. If the Ten of Hearts, Ten of Clubs, and Ten of Diamonds come together, it means that a wealthy marriage will follow a journey across the sea. Three Nines indicate good news; 3 Eights, a removal; 3 Sevens, unsatisfactory news; 3 Aces, very good luck. An Ace of Clubs and of Diamonds together, a letter that will bring an offer of marriage. The Ace and Nine of Hearts indicate that a desire will be realized at home; the Ace and Nine of Spades foretell death and sorrow in your family; the King, Queen, and Ten of any suit mean that you will hear of a marriage soon.
Reading the Cards
Let us now take a typical example of this method. Let the inquirer be represented by the Queen of Hearts. Shuffle and divide the pack into 3, giving the King, Knave, and Seven of Hearts, indicating that the inquirer has a male friend of medium complexion and good intentions. Lay these 3 cards in order beginning with the left hand. The fortune-teller now proceeds to draw off 3 cards, making his selection as above explained. Having finished the pack, he repeats the process twice more. We will suppose that in these deals the following cards have been selected:
King, Knave, Seven of Hearts, Ace of Clubs, King of Spades, Queen of Clubs, Queen of Diamonds, Queen of Spades, King of Clubs, Knave of Diamonds, Ace of Hearts, Knave of Spades, King of Diamonds, Knave of Clubs, Queen of Hearts, Ace of Diamonds, Ten of Hearts, Eight of Clubs, Seven of Spades, Ace of Spades, Ten of Clubs, Ten of Spades, and Ten of Diamonds.
Beginning from the Queen of Hearts, as the starting-point, we proceed to count 7 to the left. The seventh card being the Queen of Spades, the seventh from this is the King of Hearts, and again counting to the seventh, we get the Ten of Hearts.
This is to be read as follows:
The inquirer has many good friends, but the Queen of Spades represents a woman who will interpose difficulties to her marriage, but without effect. The next card is the Knave of Diamonds followed by the Seven of Hearts and the Seven of Spades; which combination represents news coming soon, but which may not be advantageous to the inquirer. The Knave of Spades is followed by the King and Ten of Clubs, which denotes that a dark man is separated from the inquirer but thinks of her and hopes to be with her soon.
The Creole Method
You will no doubt remember the fascinating story of how Josephine, the wife of Napoleon I. and Empress of France, had her fortune told when still a girl. She was a Creole—that is a native of the West Indies and of French descent. Tradition tells us that she went to an old colored witch, who laid out the cards according to the Creole system and from them prophesied, “You will be greater than a queen.” Josephine at first had faith in this prediction, but after waiting for a king to propose to her, she married a French soldier named Beauharnais, by whom she had two children.
He died during the early part of the French Revolution. Napoleon, who at that time was a poor lieutenant, deeply in debt and without prospects, proposed to her. He did not seem likely to carry out the prophecy and raise her to be more than queen; so she refused him. At last she was won over by his persistency and married him. In the course of years she became Empress of France.
Just what the Creole method of divination was had been forgotten for many years. The following system, however, has recently been declared by an old gypsy of Martinique to be the exact method used by the fortune-teller of Josephine. It will not be found in any other book. It will be interesting principally because it differs materially from all the methods given in other books on cartomancy.
Begin by shuffling all the 52 cards thoroughly. The inquirer then cuts them and takes the pack in his left hand, first holding it on his forehead and saying, “Que le cerveau parle!” which means, “Let the Brain speak,”—then holding it over the heart, saying, “Que le cœur décide!” or in English, “Let the Heart decide.” The operator then takes the cards and spreads them fanwise before her on the table, with the backs up. The inquirer then draws out at random the mystic number of 9 cards, arranging them as follows, face up:
The first card is called the “Key Card,” for it decides the interpretation to be put on the rest. If it is a Heart, it foretells the height of success; if a Diamond, it foretells wealth; if a Spade, it brings misfortune; if a Club, it denotes hard work. The next two cards decide the time in which the fortune will be determined.
The low spots indicate a short space, the higher spots, a longer space of time. The court cards indicate a remote fortune, but a happy one. The next three cards indicate the rank or station to which Fortune will elevate the inquirer. If court cards, the Fates will be kind; if ordinary or low cards, the inquirer will have to be content with mediocrity. The Ace means disgrace or, at best, a very low station.
The next two cards denote the course of married life. If court cards, the marital relations will be happy; if low cards, there will be trouble and friction, The Ace means unhappiness at home. The last card is devoted to health. A court card means the best of health; the lower, more or less serious illness, according to the degree indicated by their spots. The Ace means an early death. The cards that were drawn by Josephine were (so we are informed):
| King of Hearts |
| Ten of Diamonds Nine of Diamonds |
| Queen of Hearts Queen of Diamonds Queen of Clubs |
| King of Diamonds King of Clubs |
| Ten of Hearts |
It will be seen that every card denotes the height of fortune—a combination that is rarely met with. After reading the mystic nine, the remaining cards are again shuffled and the inquirer draws out thirteen cards at random from the pack. These are arranged in the form of a cross as shown in the diagram.
Put the first card in the center and the remaining cards to left, right, top and bottom as indicated by the numbers. The reading of the cards is as follows:
Hearts denote love; Diamonds, wealth; Clubs, hard work; and Spades, misfortune.
Of the court cards, Kings are lucky for women inquirers and Queens for men. Knaves are lucky if red and unlucky if black.
The Ace is always a sign of coming evil.
The odd numbers are lucky for men and unlucky for women, and the even numbers are the reverse. A 2-spot means a gift; a 3-spot, a letter; a 4-spot, news; a 5-spot, an accident; a 6-spot, a change; a 7-spot, friendship; an 8-spot, assistance; a 9-spot, home conditions; a 10-spot, business conditions.
Let us suppose the cards just laid out in a cross are the following:
| Knave of Hearts | ||
| Ten of Clubs | ||
| Ace of Spades | ||
| Three of Diamonds | King of Spades | |
| Eight of Hearts | Four of Hearts | Queen of Spades |
| Ten of Hearts | Four of Hearts | |
| Seven of Diamonds | ||
| Knave of Spades | ||
| Two of Clubs |
This we would read as follows, the inquirer being a lady:
The Knave of Hearts denotes luck in love; probably a suitor if the inquirer be unmarried, or a loving husband if the inquirer be married.
The Ten of Clubs indicates that business conditions will soon improve, for an even number is lucky for ladies. The Ace of Spades shows a very dark and pressing trouble that threatens. Three of Diamonds shows that money will be lost by a foolish transaction. Eight of Hearts shows that fortunate assistance will be at hand. Ten of Hearts means that through friendship the business conditions will have greatly improved.
The King of Spades means that a dark man will have a disagreeable effect upon the inquirer, and the Queen of Spades, the man’s wife, will be instrumental in making things unpleasant. Be careful not to get into their bad graces.
The Four of Hearts indicates welcome news from a dear friend. The Seven of Diamonds shows that this friendship will bring gain of money as well. Knave of Spades means, “Beware of a treacherous man who is disposed to do you harm!” The Two of Clubs means an unexpected gift from a business man, or possibly a gain through hard luck. Other interpretations may be put on these cards according to the temperament of the fortune-teller.
A modification of this method is to draw 21 cards instead of 13. Arrange 12 of these in the form of a semicircle, and the other 9 in the form of a triangle within the circle. To discover the past, read the circle first from left to right. Then to predict the future, read the triangle beginning at the left-hand angle, going up to the apex, down on the right-hand side, and across the base.
Card Oracles
Answering questions by means of cards is a popular pastime. If the inquirer wishes to know—
“When will my wedding be?”
She draws four cards and lays them face up on the table. The spots must be counted to get the number of weeks. A Queen or King means a speedy marriage with prosperity. A Knave means a delay. An Ace signifies trouble and bids the inquirer consider well before taking the important step.
“Will my lover be true to me?”
Lay the top 15 cards on the table face up. If the Ten, Nine or Eight of Hearts is among them, the chances are favorable. If the Ace of Spades is among them, the omen is bad. If the King of Hearts turns up, you can trust him for life.
“Have I cause for jealousy?”
Count off the top 9 cards. If the Ace of any suit is among them, beware, for there is someone he loves better than you.
“Shall we ever part?”
Lay out 4 cards from the top in the form of a cross. Count the spots. If odd, then you will never part; if even, be prepared for a short parting in the future. If an Ace is among them, the parting will be a long one.
“Is it advisable for me to change my residence?”
Lay 9 cards in a circle face up. If the middle card is a picture card, remain where you are. If a small card, the number of spots indicate in how many months you should move. If an Ace, it indicates the need of great care.
“What fortune is there in store for me?”
Take off 3 cards and lay them face up. If red cards, they foretell a good fortune; if black, trouble. If a King or Queen appears, it means that influential friends will help. If a Knave, beware of an enemy. If an Ace, you will have a struggle to achieve success.
HEARTS
In the days of youth, life’s golden spring,
When throbs of love begin;
Then hearts are trumps, and fate will bring
A hand that’s sure to win.
DIAMONDS
In the summer time of joyous life,
When gifts of wealth expand;
Then diamonds are trumps, and the happy wife
Finds them a winning hand.
CLUBS
In the autumn days of life’s decline,
When friends are choice but few;
Then clubs are trumps, and club-life fine
Holds winning hands for you.
SPADES
When winter comes with hoary age,
Then spades are trumps, my boy.
The Sexton’s spade will close life’s page,
With its sorrow and its joy.
From the book: “Fortunes and Dreams”
A Practical Manual of Fortune Telling, Divination and the Interepretation of Dreams, Signs and Omens (1917)
by Astra Cielo
