Cartomancy Mailbag: The Spiritual Symbolism of Court Cards

Hi Kapherus
First, I love your blog, and am learning so much about cartomancy there. Thank you for your wonderful service!

My first question is about reading forecasts with the answer spread. My question was “What to expect from M towards me this new moon cycle”

I got:

QD 10C 9D
7H 9C 3C

I read this as M wanting a second chance with me (7H, QD) but he’s traveling a lot right now, possibly for a new job. (10C 9C) He’s thinking about it, and is still attracted to me, but is starting a new business partnership and doesn’t have the time or energy right now. (9D, 3C)

First, I appreciate your kind words. Thank you.

Now for a technical suggestion…
The way you phrased your question for this reading strikes me as a bit indirect, and slightly vague. I suspect that this kind of question might work better for Tarot than for playing cards. The playing cards tend to respond better to direct questions, such as will he contact me? or does he still love me? or will we reconcile?

According to the way you phrased the question, I see this reading as responding to your expectations rather than to M’s intentions or actions.

Should I read myself as QD, as that is the card in the querent position, the Querent being me? Also, does my interpretation of 9D sound accurate to you? I don’t see him being in another romantic relationship in this spread, but maybe that is wishful thinking on my part? Hard to read matters of the heart for oneself, I find.

Yes, I would also read the queen of diamonds as representing you in the spread. The first column reveals what is already in existence– in other words, the basis of the question. So my interpretation of the first column would be that you (QD) are expecting a second chance with M.

You set your timing as a moon cycle, and it’s interesting to note that in the answer position we find the 10 of clubs which represents a cycle. Symbolically the 10C represents a wheel. The 9 of Clubs shows travel, but it can also indicate a sense of distance– physical and/or emotional.

Keeping in mind that your question makes you the focus of the reading, I would interpret the 9 of diamonds to represent M. Despite the current sense of distance, there is still interest. The 3 of clubs is a good luck card that carries a fast time frame.  These cards suggest a desire to make time for you. So with the 3 of Clubs as the pivot of the reading, I agree that you can expect contact before the end of the new moon cycle.

My second question is about multiple court cards. I did some financial spell work this New Moon, and before I did, I asked the cards if doing this magick would be beneficial to my overall financial situation. I did a 5 card spread,

QH QD 4C KD QC

So it seemed to me that the short answer was yes, definitely, but was not sure how to interpret all those court cards. None of them are facing each other directly, but they are all facing to the left, which I think would indicate all of them being interested in me, the Querent. QD is looking towards QH, KD is looking towards both of them, and QC is looking towards all the others, at the end of the line.

So could this be multiple business/job offers? Lots of people wanting to help me? A class or workshop or business gathering of some kind?

Yes, your interpretations make good sense. The 4 of Clubs is about personal contacts, but also about teaching. In a general sense we could say that the right people and the right circumstances are being brought into perfect alignment in order to positively influence your financial situation.

I see a beautiful symmetry in the this layout that prompts to dig deeper for a more spiritually symbolic meaning. Very often when we ask a spiritual question, the cards will respond with a spiritual message. Of course that doesn’t mean that our more mundane interpretations are any less valid. There is almost always more than one possible interpretation for a grouping of cards, and each message will be equally accurate and meaningful.

Queen—Diamond—-Club—-Diamond—-Queen

The middle card in the Line of 5 Spread will usually anchor the reading. I see the 4 of clubs as the physical/ritual call to the higher power/god/goddess/universe that puts into motion a powerful energy of attraction. The suit of diamonds symbolizes power/energy/electricity/magnetism/attraction. I see the Queen of diamonds and king of diamonds as the divine feminine and masculine principles that unite to create new life/manifestation. The diamonds represent the intellect and imagination. I see the queens as symbolizing motherhood and the raw creative power of the consciousness/universe. The Heart represents the emotional component, and the Club represents the physical result.

I get a resounding YES here. As the outcome of your magickal work, you can expect a positive change in your financial situation (KD + QC), which is the result of an emotional breakthrough regarding your prosperity consciousness (QH + QD).

Sorry this is so very long, and perhaps two questions that are so different is a bit much. I do appreciate your wisdom and skill, so any light you can throw on either/both of these readings is greatly appreciated.

No problem at all. I hope my comments are insightful.
Kaph

Cartomancy Mailbag: More on Court Cards and the Answer Spread

Cartomancy Mailbag – Questions from Emails

Is it possible for more than one court card to represent the same individual in a spread?

Theoretically anything is possible in cartomancy, but in a smaller spread such as the Answer Spread, I’ve found that rarely will the same person be represented by multiple court cards. I don’t mean to say that it can never happen, but I always try to exhaust all other possibilities first. The court card in question could represent another person involved in the situation– perhaps playing an unseen or unexpected role. The court cards can also denote qualities in a reading based on their rank and suit.

NB: Having said all that, I’m a firm believer that intuition and psychic impressions should override any textbook rules or guidelines. If your gut is telling you that a court card represents someone already symbolized by another card in the spread, always go with your gut!

Is it possible that a King may represent a woman, or that a queen may represent a man?

I have seen this happen, but only on rare occasions. For example, I have a long-time male client who is female identified, and he always shows up in the cards as a queen. In most cases when it makes no sense for a king or queen to represent a person, the cards will indicate a quality, such as authority or mastery (king), or protection and nurturing (queen). But please be warned that I have found that at least 90% of the time a court card will end up representing a person, even if the person’s presence in the situation makes no sense to the querent at the time of the reading.

What does it mean when court cards show up in pairs or groups?

There are specific meanings for when the court cards appear in combination. For example, two kings may represent a man in uniform, or shaking hands on a business deal. Two Jacks may represent a court case, or a joint venture. Two queens may represent gossip or rumors (sadly sexist ). Groups of court cards will usually indicate a social event. The card suits will provide a hint as to the mood or purpose of the gathering. In a grouping of courts, their directions can indicate a lot about the dynamics of the group. The direction a Court Card faces will usually indicate where that person’s interest is focused. For more specific information on the meanings of court cards in pairs and groups, please see the links in the Basic Cartomancy menu in the right-hand sidebar.

Is it possible that the Jack of Spades, King of Diamonds, and King of Hearts all represent my husband in my reading? My question was: Will my marriage improve?

It seems unlikely to me that all three court cards in the spread would represent your husband. Let’s take a quick look at other possibilities…

The First Column: Premise, Recent Past, Basis of the Question

The cards in the first column represent the premise of the question, or what is already existing in the situation in question. The Jack represents “right action, thoughts and messages,” but the spade brings challenges, false statements, and bad judgement.  The 3 of Spades is a a particularly nasty little spade which brings out the worst in the Jack of Spades. The three of Spades indicates deceptions, lies, confusion and misunderstandings. These cards show clearly that there are trust issues in the marriage.

The Jack of Spades (messages) and the 3 of Spades (deception) suggest lies and hidden thoughts. The 3 of Spades can indicate interference from a third party, and the Jack of Spades is obviously an unwanted influence. Can these cards indicate infidelity?  Notice that the King looks toward the Jack of Spades, and the Jack looks back. It is certainly possible that the Jack of Spades could represent a young female rival for your husband’s attentions.  We need to rely on our intuition to help us determine the right interpretation, but regardless of how we decide to interpret this first column, it is obvious that the marriage is in trouble, and has been for some time.

The Middle Column: Answers the Question, Present Influences

The King of Diamonds is a educated man who is focused on his professional career, and easily accumulates wealth. He aggressively pursues his goals. He may be older with gray or graying hair. He is restless and highly independent. If these attributes describe your husband, it makes sense that the King of Diamonds would represent him. The Eight of Spades is a card of disappointment and hurt feelings.  These feelings can be attributed to both the King of Diamonds and the yourself since this is your reading. As an answer to the question, these cards indicate to me that your husband will continue to be a source of pain and disappointment for you.  These card can also suggest that your husband may be investigating options outside of the marriage, which is not surprising based on the information we find the first column.

The final Column: Future Conditional Influences

The Ace of Spades is the death card, but it rarely indicates a physical death. More often this card represents transformation, change, death of an old situation and the rebirth of a new one, an ending and a new beginning. The appearance of the Ace of Spades suggests that the King of Hearts is someone entirely new. He is a husbandly man. Home and family are important to him. He is romantic and kind and and loving and protective and generous. The Ace of Spades suggests that he has experienced his own life transformation.  The King of Hearts looks toward the 8 of Spades. He has had pain and disappointments of his own. Is he widowed? Divorced? Use your intuition to help you fill in his story.

Sadly, these cards do not show improvement in the marriage, and you have a difficult road ahead. The Ace of Spades reveals the need for decisions and decisive action on your part.  If you are willing to embrace the coming changes, there is the promise of a new love in your future.

9 di Quadri – I Deliranti

Italian Sibilla Meanings For Divination:

9 di Quadri – I Deliranti

La Vera Sibilla © Masenghini
Sibilla della Zingara © Lo Scarabeo

Key Words: Opposition, confusion, setbacks, delirium, exaltation, intoxication.

Description:

9 di Quadri depicts three young men making their way home after an evening of carousing. They appear to be drunk, and the two men on either side are supporting the man between them, who may be too intoxicated to remain upright on his own.

I Delirante can be translated as “the delerious or delusional.”  In La Vera Sibilla, this card carries the keywords: contrarietà, which means “setback” or “adversity;” and esaltazione, which means “elation,” or “intoxication.”

Symbolism:

Drunkeness – a symbol of loss of control; or senseless or careless behavior.

How to read I Deliranti:

The 9 di Quadri is a card of opposition.

This card represents setbacks in one’s plans, delays,  adversity, unpredictable behavior,  a lack of responsibility, clash with  friends or colleagues, a confusing situation, misunderstandings and disputes.

I Deliranti warns of mental confusion, ineptitude, or an inability to take decisive action in order to meet one’s objectives.

Il Deliranti can represent a loss of control or carelessness due to intoxication both literally (as with alcohol or drugs), and figuratively (as with power or love). This card can also signify a binge related to alcohol, drugs, food or sex.

This card can represent carousing, partying, going out drinking, being under the influence, disorderly conduct, practical jokes, a crazy adventure, troubled youths, an unruly mob.

In health readings, I deliranti can signify delirium brought on by fever, or the fogginess brought on by hay fever or allergies. With Sospiri there is the indication of alcohol or drug addiction.  With Il Pensiero, mental imbalance.  With Vecchia Signora, dementia.

In the reversed position:

I Deliranti in the reversed position brings a very unfavorable influence: errors in judgement, failure of plans, problems worsen, wasted efforts, debauchery, addiction, mental imbalance, mania, dementia.

Crossroads Spread – Character Descriptions

I wanted to post another example of the Crossroads Spread to illustrate how this simple layout can be used to provide insight into two distinct options, rather than simply predict the outcome of two different paths. When a client is faced with a difficult decision, I find it helpful to explore the potential advantages and disadvantages of each option, before attempting to predict which choice would be the more beneficial. The querent can then make an educated decision based on all the information available from the cards.

The reading is for a 27 year old woman who is dating two men. She has been seeing one man for several years, and has recently met the second man. Neither man knows of the other. The querent fears that if she does not make the decision to continue with one man, and end her relationship with the other, she could lose both. Her dilemma is that she cannot decide on the right man. She thinks she is in love with one man, and she is convinced that the other man is the perfect for her. She is afraid to make the wrong choice.

Comparing Options

I suggested the Crossroads Spread to see if the cards could provide insight into each man’s character, and help her decide which was the better–more compatible– choice for her.

I asked the querent for the first name of each man. The first name she gave me was “Jason,” so Jason is represented by the cards in the top branch of the spread. Then she named “Daniel” who is represented by the bottom branch.

First Impressions

My first impression of the reading was that both branches begin with a Court Card. I love when I see patterns and symmetry in a reading because it assures me that the cards are speaking to me directly– trying to get my attention. The Court Cards can denote personality types, confirming that the cards are responding to my question for insight into each man’s character.

My second impression was that both branches end in money cards (Diamonds). This suggested to me that financial security is an important factor the querent looks for in a man. These cards represent the men in her life, but they are her cards, and they reflect her values. After all, the focus of the reading is really about her choice.

Top Branch: Jason

Looking at the top branch, I noticed that Jason is represented by only Diamonds. This suggests to me that he is a restless spirit, not the kind to settle in one place for long. He is a sensory seeker, easily bored, always looking for something  new to occupy his keen mind. He’s probably super intelligent, but he may lack the grounding necessary to put his ideas to practical use.

The Queen of Diamonds tells me that he values women in general, and the querent in particular. The 2 of Diamonds suggests that he also values his freedom. He isn’t the type to form a lasting commitment, or to settle down for long.  The 2 of Diamonds also talks of a generous nature with material things, but the 6 of Diamonds suggests limited resources. He probably doesn’t have much money, and earns just enough to get by. The querent confirmed that Jason has not yet settled on a career. He is a hard worker, but he gets bored and does not stay in any job for very long. She worried about his financial prospects.

The 6 of Diamonds could also suggest a possessive nature, someone with an innate understanding of human psychology, and an ability to manipulate others. When I glanced again at the Queen of Diamonds, it read to me more like this man values women as possessions. The querent became a little defensive with this line of inquiry, so I made my point and dropped it. She did admit, however, that Jason does not have the emotional stability or financial prospects that she looks for in a partner, but she sees his potential. It struck me that this was the man she had recently met, and with whom she thought she was in love. She confirmed that he was.

Bottom Branch: Daniel

Daniel is represented by a Heart, a Club and a Diamond. I could immediately see that he is a more rounded individual with a more balanced personality. If we include the Ace, all four suits are represented to describe him: Spades = Mind, Hearts = Soul (emotions), Clubs = Body, and Diamonds = Spirit (energy).

The King of Hearts describes him as a loving man. He is romantic, good husband material, a good father who will protect and provide for his family. The King of Hearts can be a dreamer, but the 3 of Clubs grounds him. It shows that Daniel is a dependable individual with a giving nature. He is understanding, and always ready to help and support those in need. Daniel has strong spiritual values (10 of Diamonds) and a practical approach to life (3 of Clubs). He has direction, he knows who he is, and what he wants to accomplish in life.

The 10 of diamonds is a card of success, and an indication that Daniel’s focus is on money and career. With the 3 of Clubs we see that he is building toward his financial future. This man is destined for success, and he need a stable and loving family to make it all worthwhile. The querent agreed that Daniel can provide her with emotional stability and  financial security she looks for in a partner. This is the man the querent has been dating for several years, and she seems bored with the relationship.

Summary: So which man is the better choice?

Well, the answer really depends on what the querent desires from a relationship. Life with Jason would be unpredictable, fast and exciting– restricted only by the limits of his financial means.  The downside is that the querent may risk being treated more like a possession than as a partner, and it could be a long time before Jason is ready to settle down.  If, on the other hand, the querent is looking for a stable relationship with a man who is family oriented and ready to settle down and create his family fortune, Daniel would make the better choice. The downside is that Daniel may be too predictable, and his current focus may be too much on work, and building his fortune, and not enough on building the relationship.

The important thing to note is that the cards do not make the decision for the querent. The cards will not say, “this or that  is the right choice for you.” The cards provide insight into each option, and it is up to the querent to decide which is the better choice for her based on her needs, desires, expectations, etc.

I had the impression that the querent was looking for permission to end a stable relationship which bored her, so she could pursue a more exciting relationship with the new guy. I offered to do another Crossroads Spread to see if the cards would indicate which relationship would make the querent happier in the long run, but she declined.  I suspect that she already knew the answer, and was not ready to see the truth confirmed in the cards.

When the Court Cards Do Not Represent the People in Your Querent’s Life

In most cases when a Court Card† appears in a reading, the card will represent the querent or an important person in the querent’s life. But every once in a while you’ll come across a Court Card that doesn’t seem to make sense within the context of the reading, and your gut tells you that the card is not meant to represent a specific someone.

So how to interpret a court card when it’s not a person?

It can be tricky. I don’t have a canned set of meanings that I use for face cards when they don’t represent people, but I do have general guidelines that I follow with reliable results. First, it helps to have a good understanding of the suit meanings, because the suit will set the mood or the theme for the Court Card. Here is a list of the common meanings I use for the suits, but please keep in mind that this list is by no means exhaustive. Feel free to add to these meanings, or subtract from them, or switch them around based on your own intuitive feeling for each suit.

Spades
negativity, problems, responsibilities, obligations, law enforcement, challenges, obstacles, mysteries, decisions, Karmic debts, obsessions, addictions, resentment, anger, setbacks, confinement, anxiety, failure, fear, illness and loss.

Hearts
emotions, love, romance, happiness, comfort, compassion, sharing, family matters, relationships, intimacy, rest, relaxation, amusement, fun, laziness, pleasure, peace, calm, creativity, soul connections, religion, and healing.

Clubs
good luck, growth, goals, conversations, verbal communication, paperwork, learning, action, physical activity, sports, exercise, work, construction, clubs and organizations, business, friendships and social interactions.

Diamonds
energy, electricity, power, science, technology, language, written communication, higher education, independence, restlessness, nerves, optimism, intellect, imagination, design, plans, spirituality, psychic energy, money, possessions, rewards, success, and legal judgments.

I combine the suit meanings with the archetypal meanings I associate with the Court Cards by rank.

Jacks
The Jacks represent children and young people. Therefore the Jack can denote something small or the start of something new. In the days before the invention of the telephone, young boys were employed as messengers, so the Jacks can be the messengers for their suits.  Jacks can also represent thoughts, so there is the idea of movement connected with these cards.

Queens
The Queens represent women, feminine things,  and the divine feminine principle. Queens represent motherhood and love, and they are nurturing, creative, receptive and introspective. The Queens denote growth and personal power. They bring  emotions and intuition and healing to their respective suits.

Kings
The Kings are grown men, and are the highest ranking court card. They denote mastery, authority, control and leadership. The Kings are protective and commanding, but they can be demanding, possessive, and even agressive and overbearing depending on their suit and surrounding cards.

With the above meanings in hand, and with a healthy dose of logic and a good pinch of intuition, it’s not too difficult to determine what a court card is trying to say when your gut tells you it isn’t meant to represent a person.

As an example, let’s combine the Jack with the Suit of Diamonds…

Jack of Diamonds
traditionally he is the letter carrier. He can represent a small sum of money, the start of a financial venture, a written message, a message about finances, a financial statement, a check, a receipt, money transfer, a message from your spirit guides, a place for higher learning, etc.

How about the Queen with the Suit of Spades…

Queen of Spades
traditionally, she is the widow. She can represent loneliness, separation, an ending, sterility, miscarriage, female health issues, blocked emotions, loss of personal power, blocked creativity, etc.

Now we’ll look at the King with the suit of Clubs…

King of Clubs
traditionally, he is a man of business. He can represent success in business, moving up the social ladder, attaining one’s goals, mastering a physical skill or ability, taking ownership of a project,  an exclusive men’s club or organization, etc.

Your own intuition and the surrounding cards will help add color and flavor to your interpretation of the Court Card.

The real trick is in knowing when a Court Card is meant to represent a person, and when it is not. If you fall into the habit of interpreting all of your face cards as qualities and characteristics rather than as people, you’ll miss out on the important roles other people play in the querent’s life. This would create a blind spot in your readings which could be a serious detriment to your querent’s understanding of the true factors influencing his or her life experiences.

†Court Card Images:
Jack Daniels Old No. 7 Playing cards, Legendary Irish Playing Cards, Sophia’s Fortune Telling Deck, Jane Lyle’s Fortune Teller’s Deck, Bicycle Playing cards.

Overview Spread – School Report

I was inspired by WarwickMug’s recent success with the Overview Spread, and ventured a few practice readings of my own. What follows is a spread I did this week for a mother who is concerned about her daughter who is leaving at the end of the month to begin college across country. Mom wants to know that her daughter will be safe, and that she will have a successful winter semester.

I thought this proved to be a good example of a classic Overview Spread, giving a general overview of a specific situation, and so with Mom’s permission I am sharing it here…

Question: How will the daughter fare during her first semester away at school?

General Impressions

What struck me first about this reading is the beautiful symmetry in the suits and numbers. There are two Spades, two Clubs and two Diamonds. There are two Aces, two 5′s and two Face Cards, not counting the Queen of Hearts which I chose as significator to represent the daughter.

The two Spades indicate the challenges that the daughter will face, and the two Clubs show that she is willing to put forth the work to achieve success. The two Diamonds represent intellectual pursuits, and foretell a successful outcome for the situation.

The Heart suit is conspicuously missing from this spread. This can be interpreted as a good sign since the Hearts can represent laziness and a lack of initiative. On the other hand, the girl may need reminding that school should also be fun, and that it’s okay to take some time away from her studies to relax and enjoy herself.  The mother confirmed that her daughter is a serious student, and not prone to either laziness or frivolity.

The two Aces represent a major change in the daughter’s life– a pair of Ace bring new people, situations, and places!  The two 5′s indicate that the daughter will take things in hand. Her future is literally in her own hands, and this new experience will be whatever she makes of it. The two Face Cards represent the new friends that the girl will encounter living on campus.

Now for an analysis of the individual cards…

The Two Cards on the Left

The two cards on the left represent the premise of the question, the recent past or present influences on the situation. The Ace of Spades is a life transition. It is the ending of one phase of life, and the start of another. It also represents the anxiety associated with any major life change. The Ace of Diamonds is a new phase of life beginning, and brings a sense of adventure. Going off to school is clearly a significant event in the daughter’s life. The mother confirmed that the girl has never been away from home for more than a day or two, and both mother and daughter are feeling anxious about the separation.

The Ace of Spades and Ace of Diamonds can also indicate some anxiety over a letter, and there had been some concern over whether or not the girl would get into the school of her choice before the letter of acceptance finally arrived last month.

The Card Above

The card directly above the significator represents what is on the person’s mind regarding the question, or what the person hopes to achieve in the situation. The 5 of Spades is a card of movement, separation and loss. The daughter is obviously thinking about being away from her friends and family, and relocating to unfamiliar surroundings. The 5 of Spades can also indicate independence and the fear of striking out on one’s own. No doubt the daughter is feeling some anxiety, but she also looks forward to being on her own for the first time in her life.

The Card Below

The card below the significator represents what the person fears or dreads regarding the situation surrounding the question. The Jack of Clubs is a young person– usually male. The mother confirmed that the daughter has a boyfriend she has dated through high school. The Ace of Diamonds suggests that there may have been some talk of an engagement, and the upcoming separation from the boy is the single dark cloud in an otherwise happy situation.

Often the Card Above and the Card Below will refer to a single situation. It becomes obvious that it is the separation from the boyfriend that weighs heavily on the girls mind.  She does not dread the separation itself– which would have been the message if the 5 of Spades had fallen below. Instead, she’s looking forward to the change, but dreads how the move will affect her relationship with the boy. The Ace of Diamonds also suggests that they have promised to stay in touch through written correspondence.

The Two Cards on the Right

The cards on the right reveal the future influences or outcome of the situation. The 5 of Clubs brings good luck, and it is a card of self-sufficiency. The daughter will manage very well on her own, and the experience will build confidence and self-esteem. The Queen of Diamonds represents the personality traits that the girl will foster and develop through this experience– she is studious and energetic, intelligent and quick-witted, confident and independent.

The Queen of Diamonds may also represent is an influential woman who will play a significant role in the successful outcome of the situation. The daughter will be moving into a dorm on campus, and perhaps the Queen of Diamonds represents a roommate who will motivate the girl, and help distract her from pinning for the boyfriend.

The Outcome

Symbolically, the Queen represents personal power and growth. The Diamond as the final card in the spread indicates optimism and success, and foretells good marks in her classes. There can be no doubt that the daughter will come into her own at school. She will perform well, and her first semester will be a very beneficial experience for her.

How I Shuffle and Draw Cards for a Reading

AOC Fortune Telling Deck

In response to several questions in the comments section about how I shuffle and draw the cards for my readings, I promised that I would write about my process. I think it’s important to point out that my way works for me, but it may not work for everyone. Don’t be afraid to experiment to see what works best for you. I also want to mention that what follows is my process for handling the playing cards specifically.

Which Hand?

When I first learned to read the cards I was taught to always cut the deck from left to right using my left hand, and also to draw cards with my left hand. The rationale is that the left side of the body is the receptive or spiritual side, and that the left hand is closest to the heart. My being right-handed, this felt unnatural to me. So before long I switched to using my right hand exclusively for the cut and draw. That was many years ago, and my readings have only improved over time, so I’m convinced that it’s best to use whichever hand feels most natural to you.

Shuffling the Deck

When I started reading professionally, almost all of my readings were done face-to-face in person. For an in-person reading I always allow my querent to do the shuffling in whichever way feels most comfortable. I have watched clients riffle the deck like a practiced card shark. Others clumsily mash the cards together, bending  the corners, and leaving me thankful that good quality playing cards are reasonably inexpensive. Most clients prefer a smooth over-hand shuffle. A few like to slide and scramble the cards on the table like they’re tossing a big salad. And on more than one occasion I have witnessed a client merely cut the cards once or twice in her hands before returning the deck for the reading without shuffling at all. In every case, the quality of the reading did not seem to be affected by the technique used or the time spent on the shuffle. I decided over time that the shuffle is spirit-guided, and always perfect.

Over the last few years my readings have shifted almost exclusively to phone or email, requiring me to do the shuffling for my clients. Prior to beginning a new reading I riffle shuffle the deck because I believe this breaks up any residual energy from the previous reading. If I utilize multiple layouts during a session, I prefer the smooth overhand shuffle between laying out the cards in order to avoid scattering the energies.

Drawing the Cards

I have discovered through trial and error that I get a higher rate of accuracy when I draw the cards randomly for a reading. For this reason, I almost never deal a reading off the top of the shuffled deck. I will spread the cards out face-down on the table, and as I draw each card I focus on the querent’s question. I have the impression that my hand is divinely guided to choose the appropriate card. This is what works best for me. You might find you get better results drawing from the top of the deck. I suggest you practice both techniques to see which gives you the most reliable results, or “feels right” for you.

Card Spreads

In truth I prefer smaller card spreads. In fact, other than the Answer Spread, I rarely use structured spreads any more. I will draw three or five cards to answer a specific question. For a general reading I use a process for drawing the cards that  my grandmother taught me whereby I deal every third card looking for the Aces and other meaningful significators which are to be included in the reading.  This allows me to fall back on a structure if I need to answer specific questions from the cards already on the table.

I have discovered that I am able to keep focus, and provide a more accurate reading with fewer cards. I never draw more than 12 or 15 cards for a general reading. More cards do not necessarily mean more relevant information. So much of the meaning in a card reading is derived from how the cards influence each other.  It’s easy to become muddled when having to account for too many cards in a spread– especially when trying to answer a simple question.

Clarification Cards

When I do use a structured spread, such as the Answer Spread for answering a specific question, I am not a huge fan of drawing additional cards for clarification. I have found that if I’m not able to piece together the meaning of a small grouping of cards, drawing one or two additional cards is not likely to help, and only serves to further muddle the interpretation.  The one instance when I may employ one clarification card is when a spread or group of cards end in a court card. I sometimes use an additional card to clarify the influence this person will have on the matter in question.

I hope I was able to answer all the questions. If I missed anything, please feel free to post your questions in the comments sections.

Card Pairing in Cartomancy: Basic Lessons in Reading Playing Cards

In response to repeated requests for more introductory information on the best way to begin the study of Cartomancy, and also how to make sense of a group of random cards in spread, I thought I would post a detailed breakdown of how I approach the cards in a reading…

Step 1: Card Meanings

Naturally, the first step in learning to read the cards is choosing a core set of meanings. You want to choose a comprehensive system that will allow you to pick up on a wide range of events and experiences in your readings.  The system should make logical sense to you, so that you will be able to build onto the core meanings and make them your own.

Look for consistency…

In other words, it helps if all of the cards of a particular suit bear a similar influence, and if all of the pips of the same number share a common theme. For example, in the system I use the suit of Spades represents challenges, delays, and obstacles. The 8′s all deal with balance. So in a general sense the 8 of Spades would indicate the need to overcome an obstacle (sickness) or a challenge (disappointment) in order to restore balance to mind, body or soul.

You will find this consistency helpful for memorizing card meanings, and to be immeasurably useful when you’re faced with a card that seems to make no sense in a reading. If you fall back on the general card meanings based on suit and number, the purpose of the card in the spread will suddenly become clear.

Step 2: Card Pairings

Once you understand the suit influences and number meanings, and have memorized one or two keywords for each card, the next step is to learn how the cards relate to each other in a layout or card spread. The basic unit in card reading is the pair. Reading a card pair is much more than just combining the meanings of each individual card into a third conglomerate meaning. Card pairing is also about the flow of action between the cards that tells an important story.

The following examples are based on the particular set of meanings that I utilize, but the techniques should be applicable to any set of meanings of your choice. You can review the card meanings I use  by scrolling down the right side-bar to the Playing Card Meanings section where you will find links to each individual card.

When pairing cards the card order is important because the first card (card A) acts as the premise of the situation, or the initiator of the action. The second card (card B) shows the result or outcome, or acts as the receiver of the action.

Another way to look at the pairing is by card sequence. The flow of action moves from left to right. We could say that Card A represents the past, and card B represents the future— but depending on the context of the situation any sequence is possible…

Card A	Card B
Now	Later
Distant Past	Recent Past
Past	Present
Present	Future
Near Future	Distant Future
Tomorrow	Next Week

Now let’s take a look at a couple of examples to see the pairings in action…

For the following examples, I am utilizing the following card meanings:

2 of Diamonds = an exchange of money, a payment
4 of Diamonds = a bank account

In a general sense, the Diamond suit represents money and financial matters, the 2′s represent cooperation or exchange, and the 4′s represent stablilty or a solid foundation.

Please note that other meanings are possible for these cards, but for this exercise I am limiting the interpretation to combinations of the above listed core meanings.

Example 1

In the first example, Card A (the 2 of Diamonds) indicates that an exchange of money is the premise of the matter. Card B shows the result or outcome or receiver of the money exchange, a bank account. So based on the card order in Ex. 1 the interpretation would be read as money is being deposited into a bank account, or a payment to the bank.

Example 2

In the second example, Card A (the 4 of Diamonds) indicates that a bank account is the premise of the matter. Card B shows the result or receiver of the action. In this case the money is received.  So based on the card order in ex. 2, the interpretation would be that money is being withdrawn from a bank account (or a bank loan).

Step 3: Incorporating Additional Cards

Now we can introduce an additional card (C) to the mix to see how the flow of action continues toward building a detailed interpretation of the cards. We have already paired cards A + B, and now we will pair the cards B + C  for each example…

In the above examples, Card C is the Ace of Hearts, and for me this card represents home and family. In a general sense the Aces represent the beginning or the source, and the suit of Hearts represent emotional matters. For most of us, home and family is the source of our emotional security.

Example 2.1

The 4 of Diamonds indicates that the  bank account is the premise of the reading, and the 2 of Diamonds is a payment being received from the account.  The Ace of Hearts tells us who or what receives the payment.  Hence, this could be a bank withdrawal that is spent on the home, or money lent to a family member, or a bank loan for the home. Other interpretations are possible such as real estate earnings, a small loan on a house, etc.

I had this combination show up in a reading for a client who was applying for a home improvement loan to repair the roof on her home. The combination of red cards showed a positive outcome, and the client was approved for the loan.

Example 2.2

The 2 of Diamonds falling first shows a payment as the premise of the readings. The 4 of Diamonds tells us where the payment is received; it is deposited into an account. The Ace of Hearts describes the account as dealing with home or family. Hence, these cards show a payment made to account on a house mortgage, or home loan.

It’s important to note that each card is combined with the adjacent card to either side, but cards are not “reflected” as in Lenormand. In other words, I would not combine cards A + C because that would negate the flow of action which is important to the accurate interpretation of the reading. To maintain the flow of action, the cards are read (A+B) + (B + C) + (C + D)….

Practice

A very useful exercise for practicing card pairing is the three-card daily draw. While you’re enjoying your morning cup of coffee or tea, before starting your day, you can ask the cards, or your spirit friends through the cards, what you most need to be aware of this day. Then draw three cards, interpret the cards in pairs, and journal your impressions. That evening or the following morning you can review your journal entry to see how well the cards described the energy that played out in your day.  This is an excellent exercise for bonding with your cards, and picking up new meanings or gaining a new perspective on old meanings.

The Next Step

Once you feel comfortable with your three-card draws, you can graduate to using more cards. In a row of more than three cards, you would continue to pair the cards in order to build your meaning.  I look at the card suits for a general impression of the energy of the reading. The final card in the series will describe the outcome of the matter. Red cards reveal a positive outcome, Clubs are neutral, and Spades show delays, obstacles and challenges. A row of cards with predominantly red cards that ends in a Spade will show obstacles and delays. A card row with predominantly black cards that ends with a red card shows overcoming challenges to achieve a positive outcome  You can find an example reading of reading a row of 5 cards in my Cartomancy Tips: Interpreting Combinations in a Row of Cards.

Card Reading for Astrologers

© Carolyn Dodson 1973

I own an interesting little booklet titled Card Reading for Astrologers by Carolyn R Dodson. The author is a well-known astrologer who began her practice in the 1970s, and has published several scholarly books on the subject. She developed her card reading method in an effort to satisfy the many specific questions and complex problems of her clients, and found that her card readings became very popular at social gatherings.

Ms Dodson’s cartomancy system was obviously developed from an Astrologer’s point of view. The pip cards of each of the four suits are assigned divinatory meanings based on their numerical correspondences with the houses of the zodiac. For example, all of the Aces refer to the querent herself based on the first house of the horoscope which refers to the Self. Similarly, all of the 4′s refer to the home since that is a primary meaning for the 4th house in astrology.

Ms Dodson believed that her method of card reading was ideal for the beginning student of astrology who might be put off by some of the “dry” introductory books that were available at the time. On the back cover of her book she asserted that “card reading will help beginning students learn house interpretation, and perhaps relieve some of the tedium of an accomplished astrologer’s investigations.”

In her system, the basic meanings ascribed to each suit are fairly in line with the traditional:

Hearts = love and happiness
Clubs = news and communications
Diamonds = money and opportunities for expansion
Spades = debts, misfortune, loss and sorrow.

The 7th House in Astrology refers to marriage and partnerships, and so the 7 of each suit describes a type of relationship in the querent’s life.

For example…

7 of Hearts: a romantic partnership
7 of Clubs: a legal partnership, or the opportunity for meeting someone new.
7 of Diamonds: a prosperous partnership on the way, or prosperity for the querent’s partner.
7 of Spades: sorrows and loss in marriage and partnerships.

Since the Jacks are number 11 in the playing card sequence, they are associated with the 11th House of friendship and deal with matters related to friends and friendships. The Queens relate to the 12th House, and therefore refer to issue that are hidden or have not yet materialized. Since there is no 13th House in Astrology, the Kings simply refer to influential people in the querent’s life.

Naturally, the layout used with this system is a variation of the Horoscope Spread where 4 cards are dealt into each house of the horoscope. The cards are then read into the astrological house in which they fall. For example, the 6 of Spades refers to disappointments or problems regarding a work situation (the 6th house rules daily work), and if it falls into the 3rd house it would show that the querent is worried about a work situation (the 3rd house refers to something on the querent’s mind).

© Carolyn Dodson 1973

Card Reading for Astrologers was originally copyrighted in 1973 by Carolyn Dodson, and my edition– which is more of a pamphlet than an actual book– is from the sixth printing in 1980. The cost was $2.45 US. There is no information identifying the publisher, so I would assume that the book was self-published by the author. I’m fairly certain that the book is now out of print, but I have seen copies available on the online used booksellers.

The card meanings and astrological house meanings are explained in enough detail to make the book useful even for someone without a strong background in astrology. My biggest rave about this book is how quickly and easily the system can be mastered once you acquire a rudimentary knowledge of the houses of the horoscope. My only criticism of the book is that only one sample reading is provided. I think it would have been helpful if a few more samples were included to show how the cards influence each other in the spread.

Overall, a great addition to my cartomancy library. If you have an interest in both card reading and astrology this book is most definitely worth a look!

Lenormand 5 Card Spread – My Mother’s Death

I always shied away from the Lenormand Line of 5 (or 7 or 9) spread because I could never seem to fit the cards together into a coherent story. Now it has become my absolute favorite Lenormand spread thanks to the excellent examples on how to read the Lenormand Line of 5 that Andybc presents on his blog Journal of a Cartomante. If you are interested in Lenormand, you’ll want to check out Andy’s blog. It’s one of the best resources I’ve found in English for traditional Lenormand techniques.

What follows is a quick Lenormand Line of 5 that I did for a close friend whose mother took her own life in 1961 when he was a small child. Growing up, the family never spoke of the incident, and my friend always worried that he had somehow contributed to his mother’s actions. His father and the aunt and uncle who raised him have since passed on, and now that my friend is nearing middle age, he is curious about the circumstancing surrounding his mother’s death.

Question: What were the circumstances surrounding my Mother’s death?

Oracolo Lenormand (Lenormand Oracle Cards)
© Lo Scarabeo

I did not choose a significator for this reading, and it surprised me when the Lady and Coffin appeared. I’m always fascinated by how accurately and clearly the Lenormand will reflect the theme of a question.

The center card of the Line of 5 will usually provide a focus for the reading, and I like to call it the pivot card of the spread. The Anchor suggests to me that the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death were long-term, and likely started long before my friend was born. I believe what my friend really wanted to know is whether he  somehow contributed to his mother’s actions, and this card alone seems to answer that question clearly.

Of course the Lady + Coffin shows the death of a woman, which is the actual theme of the reading.  The Lady reflects the Tree, which is life, and with the Coffin next to the Lady the indication is that the woman ended her own life.

I also read the Coffin as grief or depression, so I have the impression that my friend’s mother was despondent at the time of her death. The Tree is also associated with health matters, so  the Coffin + Tree suggests an illness. It is likely that the woman suffered from clinical depression. My friend did not know if this had ever been formally diagnosed.

The Coffin + Anchor indicates that the depression was long-term, and the Tree reflecting the Coffin confirms that the problem was life-long.  This combination also suggests to me that the woman felt “weighed down” or burdened by these feelings. Coffin reflects the ship showing that the woman was looking for an avenue of escape from her despair.

The Anchor + Ship form an interesting conceptual combination that confirms the long-term situation. The woman was feeling stuck or trapped for a long time, and she was looking for a way out.

The Tree represents the woman’s life, and the Ship can be about transitions including spirit’s transition from the physical body.  In the final two cards I see a life transition which describes the mode of escape for the woman, to end her own life.

I advised my friend that according to the cards his mother was mentally ill, and that she had been struggling with her illness for a long time, probably for most of her life.  I saw nothing in the cards to suggest that his birth or his existence had anything to do with his mother’s actions.

I was a little surprised by the outcome. I suppose I expected to see some terrible secret revealed in the cards that would  explain the young mother’s reasons for ending her life. But the cards responded in an almost gentle way, giving the querent exactly what he needed to know in order to put his mind at rest about a very tragic situation.