Cartomancy Answer Spread for Finding a Missing Pet

Where Is the Cat?

This is a reading I did for my brother back in 2015.  I want to share this reading again with detailed feedback because it's an example of when the cards accurately answered the question, but I misinterpreted the response. It's important to know that even seasoned professional readers can make mistakes. So please don't be so hard on yourself as you're learning the Art of Cartomancy.

My brother’s cat, Bailey, ran away. She escaped on a Tuesday morning while my brother was moving furniture into his new home. My brother and several of his friends had searched the neighborhood and the woods around his place for three days, but there was no sign of Bailey. My brother was frantic, and he hoped that the cards might provide a clue about where to find the missing cat…

I decided to drawn an Answer Spread. For specific instructions on how to interpret this spread, please see my article on the Answer Spread.

The Middle Column

In the Answer Spread, I always look to the middle column to find the answer to the question. Where is Bailey? The Ace of Hearts is hearth and home. The 2 of Spades represents a separation. I read these cards to show that the cat ran away from home.  Well, of course the cat ran away...that is the whole purpose for the reading. How straightforward the cards can be when answering the question. Where is the cat? The cat ran away.  This combination of cards also suggested to me that Bailey was removed from the area around of the home. In other words, the cat was not nearby, and would not be found in the surrounding neighborhood. This part proved true.

The First Column

The first column of cards provides a premise for the situation. These cards showed that the cat was in an environment (5 of Diamonds) that is warm and safe and secure (10 of Hearts). This was good news. It suggested that the cat had not been harmed or injured. The 5 of Diamonds specifically suggests an urban environment (the city). The 10 of Hearts can point to a place where people go to relax and have fun.

There is a busy street with businesses and food establishments not far from the sub-division where my brother’s townhouse is located. The 5 of Diamonds is also a card of attraction. The 10 of Hearts also corresponds to the compass direction south, which is exactly where the business district is located in reference to the townhouse. It seemed likely that the cat had gone in that direction, perhaps attracted by the noise, and the smell of food. This was helpful information because it provided an area to narrow the search. My feeling was that the cat may be hiding behind one of the food establishments on the strip.

Last Column

Finally, the last column provides additional information to consider. The 2 of Hearts can represent a child or a pet. The fact that Bailey was represented by a card in the pivot position of the spread suggested to me that she would be found safe and sound. The Jack of Diamonds suggested that the cat may be in the care of a boy or young man. Or perhaps this person (my nephew?) would be the one to find the missing cat. It’s interesting to note that I had done another reading in which I asked if the cat would return home. The same Jack of Diamonds appeared in the other reading, also in the last column, but with the 2 of Clubs suggesting help or assistance. For the Jack to appear in both readings was a sure sign to me that this person would play an important role in the situation. Fortunately, the 4 of Hearts (reconciliation) appeared in the previous reading to confirm that the cat would return home...so we remained hopeful.

Feedback: 

This is a case where I misinterpreted the middle column, and missed what the cards were trying to tell me. My brother had recently moved into the townhouse from which the Bailey had run off. As the cards suggested, she was found back at my brother's old place of residence, about two miles south of the new townhouse. 

Rather than telling me the cat had left home, the cards were trying to let me know that Bailey would be located back at the home my brother had left. Bailey did have to pass through the shopping district and cross a busy highway to get back to the old residence. The young man in the reading was a prior neighbor who had spotted Bailey and had given her a temporary home until my brother could retrieve her. I was able to accurately pick up on all of the important details, except for the exact location where Bailey could be found.

Even after all my years of working with the cards, I can sometimes allow my personal bias or my expectations to influence a reading despite my dedication to being as objective as possible. This is particularly true when reading for myself or for someone I love. It's an important lesson. NO reader is infallible.

Accuracy in a Cartomancy Reading

The querent, let's call her Rebecca, is a 46 year old female who was shocked when her husband asked her for a divorce. The request seemed to come out of nowhere, and Rebecca wracked her brains to determine why. Sure, there had not been much action in the bedroom lately, but the marriage seemed happy. Perhaps the bedroom was the key. Could there be another woman?

Rebecca confronted her husband. He denied having an affair, and would only say that he no longer wanted to be married. In desperation Rebecca came for a reading. She wanted to learn her husband's real reason for wanting to end their 18 year marriage.

Rebecca asks, "Is my husband leaving me for another woman?"

These cards can mean many things based on the context of Rebecca's situation, but to ensure the highest level of accuracy, I have learned to follow two important rules...

1. Keep my focus on the question.


2. Keep it simple

I have to remind myself that the question does not deal with Rebecca herself, her thoughts or intentions. The question does not deal  with the current status of her marriage, or any past influences affecting the marriage. The question does not deal with whether or not the divorce will take place. All of these questions are valid, but they would each require a different focus in a separate spread. The focus of the question for this spread is the husband's thoughts and intentions behind asking for a divorce, and more specifically whether he is leaving Rebecca for another woman.

I have to remind myself to keep it simple. It's too easy to read into these cards, and wander from the focus of the question. I first notice what does not appear in the spread. If the husband is leaving for another woman, I would expect to see her represented in the cards since she is a major factor in the focus of the question. I might expect to see a Queen, or perhaps the 5 of Hearts to denote that a younger woman is leading the man astray. No lady appears in the cards. There must be some other reason for the divorce request.

Let's look at what does show up in the cards. The first column represents the premise of the question. What is behind the husband's decision to ask for a divorce? The King of Spades is a separated or divorced man, or perhaps a man who wishes to separate himself. This interpretation plays very nicely into the focus of our question since we know that the husband wants a divorce. The 4 of Hearts is the partnership card, and it also carries several other meanings relevant to the question: marriage, sex, the spouse, sharing, emotional stability, etc. These are the things that the man wants to separate himself from. He is not interested in being married, nor is he interested in having an affair, and probably has not been interested in these things for a long while.

The middle column answers the question, why is the husband asking for a divorce? The 5 of Spades shows the man's intentions. The Ace of Spades says he has already made up his mind. He wants the divorce. The Ace of Spades also provides us with a clue why. It is the card of death and rebirth. It signifies lost causes and irreparable decisions leading to total upheaval, and a new situation. The husband wants to end his current conditions, and to be reborn to a new life. The Ace also corresponds to the number 1, and is symbolic of standing alone. He wants to leave his wife so he can be alone to pursue this new life.

We can look to the final column for more information about why the man seeks a new life. The 10 of Hearts tells us where his heart is, what or whom he wants to marry. The 10 of Clubs is the business card. Perhaps the man is married to his business?

No. Rebecca informs me that her husband does not own a business, and he is not particularly dedicated to his job. The other primary meaning for the 10 of Clubs is "travel by or near water," and with the pair of 10's, a combination signaling long-distant travel, this meaning suddenly seems very clear to me.

I ask Rebecca, "Does your husband own a boat?" The 10 of Clubs in the pivot position, the most significant card in the spread, is the clue. It can sometimes represent a boat.

She responds, "Yes he does. It's his baby. He's always loved that thing more than me." Rebecca goes on to say that it has always been her husband's dream to live in the islands and offer fishing and sight-seeing tours to tourists. She further adds that she had not been supportive of what she considered to be a silly, irresponsible pipe dream.

Bingo! The man is not leaving his wife for another woman. In the simplest terms, having a wife (4H) is an impediment (KS) to realizing his life's dream (10H) of sailing away to the islands (10C). His motivation for asking for the divorce (5S) is to break free and start a new life (AS). This man is married (10H) to his boat (10C). He has zero interest (KS) in an attachment with a wife or lover (4H).

It would have been too easy to see intrigues and underlying drama in these cards based on what seems at first glance to be a potentially scandalous situation. But the husband was being truthful about his motivations. By keeping the reading simple and focused on the question, I was able to give Rebecca accurate and meaningful information to help ease her fears, and uncover the true reason her husband is leaving her.

Who Is That Jack?

Who Is That Jack?†

The most pressing question I still hear from fellow cartomancers is, “How do I interpret a Court Card when it makes absolutely no sense to read the card as an actual person in the questioner’s life?”

I have found in my own readings that a court card will almost always represent an actual person in a general card spread. Our lives are influenced daily by the many people we interact with both personally and professionally, as well as by the people we may never actually meet. The court cards play a very important role in helping to identify these people and the influences they have on the events in our lives.

Conversely, I’ve learned that in a short spread designed to answer a specific question, the court cards will sometimes appear as qualities rather than as actual people. How to tell the difference?

If you find yourself struggling to make sense of the court card as a person within the context of the reading, chances are that the Court Card serves another purpose in the spread. For a general overview on how the Court Cards can function in a reading when they don't represent people, please see my article,"When the Court Cards Do Not Represent People."

In this article, I want to talk about the Cartomancy Jacks, and suggest ways to interpret them when they don’t represent people in your reading.

In the old cartomancy books you’ll find that a common meaning for the Jack is “the thoughts of the King or Queen.” In my own readings I’ve found that the Jack will sometimes represent the thoughts of the questioner, or of the person who is the focus of the reading. For example, it you choose the Queen of Diamonds to represent your female questioner, then the Jack of Diamonds would represent her thoughts, and the cards surrounding the Jack of Diamonds would describe what is on her mind, or what she thinks about the matter in question.

The Jacks as Thoughts and Intentions

The old method works well for a general reading, but the modern questioner is interested in specific answers, which can be provided best with a short spread. A more modern approach that I find works well in my own readings is to consider all of the Jacks as possible thoughts or intentions of the questioner, and to define those thoughts based on the color and suit of the Jack.

Jack of Hearts:

Loving thoughts and intentions. He is Cupid the Bringer of Love, and in combination with other cards of the Hearts suit, the jack can indicate an offer of love. He also denotes thoughts of pleasure, healing, and fun intentions. He brings the creative thoughts that are expressed through the arts.

Jack of Clubs:

Enterprising thoughts and practical intentions. He is Hermes the Messenger, and he represents knowledge and learning, communication and business ideas, and active participation.

Jack of Diamonds:

Thoughts of power and success, and intentions for profitable gain. He is Apollo the Bringer of Light. He represents the intellect, the imagination, talent, prophetic thoughts and psychic ability.

Jack of Spades:

Stagnant thoughts and frustrated intentions. He is Seth the bringer of storms and conflict. He represents fear and worry and anxiety. In combination with other cards of the Spades suit, the jack can indicate anger and resentful thoughts, and malicious intentions.

Sample Reading Where the Jacks Can Be Read as Thoughts and Intentions

The following Answer Spread illustrates a reading where, based on the context of the question, it does not make sense to read the Court Cards as actual people. This reading is for a female client who reads cards for friends and family, but is afraid to take the step toward reading professionally. She complains that when she tries to read for someone she does not know, the information does not flow. She asks...

“Will I ever be successful as a professional card reader?

I begin every reading with a quick overview of the cards. I notice a predominance of red cards, which is always a favorable sign. There is also a predominance of the Diamond suit, which represents success, money, intellect, power, and psychic ability– definitely a good sign in reference to the question. Only one card of the Spades suit appears in the spread, and it is not in a key position (neither in the answer column nor in the pivot position). There don’t appear to be any major challenges or obstacles to face in the situation. I notice the pair of black jacks. I’ll address those later in the discussion.

The first column represents the premise of the situation, and shows that the questioner is being stingy with her talents. Reading professionally is a wonderful opportunity to share her gifts with the world, but she is holding herself back. The 5 of Hearts covered by the 8 of Diamonds suggests that the questioner does not place enough value on her own talents and abilities.

The middle column answers the question. In a general sense we could say that a young person will bring a message or invitation, but that doesn’t make much sense within the context of the question. More likely, the Jack of Clubs represents the questioner’s enterprising thoughts of going professional with her readings, and the Ace of Diamonds indicates the successful start of a money-making venture.

The final column provides additional factors to be considered in the matter. We might say that a young person with dark features is attracted to the questioner, or will offer financial help. But based on the context of the question, it makes more sense to read the Jack of Spades as the questioner’s fear, and the 9 of Diamonds as her psychic ability. A more in depth interpretation indicates that what is holding her back (8 of Diamonds) from making that successful start (Ace of Diamonds) is that she feels uncomfortable (Jack of Spades) accepting payment (9 of Diamonds) for her readings, and her fears (Jack of Spades) are blocking her psychic ability (9 of Diamonds).

What do we tell the questioner? Well, the only black cards in the spread are the two Jacks. That suggests to me that the problems are all in her mind. If she can work past the fear, she can make a very successful start as a professional reader. The 9 of Diamonds in the pivot position shows that not only will it open up her psychic abilities, it will also bring in some extra cash.

When the cards indicate a potential obstacle or challenge, they will almost always provide a solution to the problem. How can the questioner overcome her fear of offering her readings for financial gain? I look to the pivot card, the 9 of Diamonds. It represents the powers of the mind. It covers her fears ( is on top of the Jack of Spades), so we know that she can overcome her anxiety with her mental powers. I advised her to visualize herself as a successful professional reader in her daily meditations, and she will soon achieve the success she desires.

†This is a repost of an article original published on my original Art of Cartomancy blog.

Cartomancy Health Reading

Health readings can be tricky, but if we trust the cards they will usually unravel the mystery of any health issue. I’d be remiss if I didn’t reiterate that it’s important to always keep in mind that unless you are a licensed health professional, you should never diagnose or prescribe. When presented with a health question, I always advise the client that I am not a health professional, and that I’m happy to relate what I see in the cards, and I encourage them to consult a physician for any health related concerns.

I recently received feedback on an interesting health reading that I thought I would share here on the blog. The client was a younger male– probably in his 20s, and although anxious for some information regarding his health concern, he was reluctant to elaborate on the problem. He asked what I saw in the cards regarding his ‘issue,’ but would not say more.

I was up for the challenge, and drew the following Answer Spread to address the vague question:

In the Answer Spread, the first column relates to the present or recent past in reference to the question. The two Jacks did not give me a lot of information, and I thought they may simply refer to client having been well
(Jack of Clubs ♣) and then not so well (Jack of Spades ♠ ).

The center column holds the answer to the question. The 6 of Hearts ♥ refers to all things masculine, and based on the client’s reticence it immediately occurred to me that this must be a delicate masculine issue. In health readings the Ace of Diamonds ♦ can have several different meanings. It can represent a needle– and therefore, ‘a vaccination,’ or fire– and therefore, ‘a burning sensation.’

The third column will usually provide important information that should be considered. In health readings the 7 of Spades ♠ will usually refer to the need for some kind of medication, and as the pivot card it is a clear indication that medication will relieve the problem. The 10 of Diamonds ♦ should either describe the kind of medication, or it’s purpose. At first I was stumped by these cards. The 10 of Diamonds ♦ usually refers to the chest and lungs, and I’ve previously had this combination refer to cough medicine or an asthma inhaler. But the middle column seemed to point to some kind of infection, and so these ideas didn’t make a lot of sense. Then it hit me. The 10 of Diamonds ♦ refers to raw power– jet propulsion, atomic energy, nuclear fission– potentially destructive energies that are harnessed and used for good. Of course! The 10 ♦ and 7 ♠ refer to an antibiotic.

I asked the querent if he was experiencing pain while urinating, and he launched into a long diatribe about why he thinks he may have contracted an STD. At this point it occurred to me that the two jacks could be indicate the union which caused the problem.

I advised the that although I could not diagnose his problem, the cards do point to some kind of infection, and I urged him to see a doctor as soon as possible. The 7 of Spades ♠ as the pivot card indicates the need for medication, and also warns that the problem will worsen if it is not treated.

I had not heard back from the client, so I didn’t know what the medical diagnosis was, but this is one of those times when the cards seemed so clear in their message that I had no doubts that antibiotics were prescribed for some kind of infection.

Feedback: It was over a year before I heard back from this client. He thanked me for encouraging him to see a physician because he did in fact have a kidney infection. It turns out that it was not an STD. The infection was caused by a kidney stone that the client had no idea he had. The stone was too large to pass, and required surgery. I’m sharing this reading because it’s a perfect example of how important it is to encourage a client to see a doctor for any health concerns regardless of what may appear in the cards.

How to Recognize a Curse in a Modern Cartomancy Reading

Every so often I encounter a client who is experiencing a streak of bad luck, and is convinced that he or she is the victim of a curse. The client will ask for confirmation of the psychic attack in the cards. In most cases, the bad luck is the result of poor decision making or bad money management on the client’s part. But every now and again I do see sinister forces reflected in the cards.

The pivotal card I look for in a reading to suggest a curse is the Ten of Spades-- particularly when it appears in a cluster with other spades, and especially with the 9 of Spades which will warn that the querent is being harmed by the black intentions. The surrounding cards will usually describe the source and effects of the psychic attack.

Here are a few cartomancy meanings I associate with psychic and spiritual matters that can describe both white magick and black magick…†

10 of Spades = black magick, psychic attack, evil forces at work
9 of Spades = harm, injury, being coerced, graveyard
7 of Spades = oils, potions, washes, bath
3 of Spades = a ritual or spell, incense
King or Queen of Spades = an enemy or a rival, a deceased person
5 of Clubs = crossroads
3 of clubs = herbs, roots, powders
Ace of Hearts = the soul
3 of Hearts = prayer, affirmations
7 of Hearts = healing
8 of Hearts = a Saint, an angel, a spirit guide, protection, an ancestor
Ace of Diamonds = the spirit, the astral body, the spirit world, a candle flame
4 of Diamonds = altar
6 of Diamonds = divination
8 of Diamonds = a spirit being, rootwork, balancing spiritual energies
9 of Diamond = psychic ability, clairvoyance, mind power
10 of Diamonds = mediumship, contact with the spirit world, white magick
King or Queen of Diamonds = an energy worker/root worker

†This list is by no means exhaustive.

Sample Cartomancy Reading: How to recognize Psychic Attack

The querent had a confrontation with a woman he suspects is using magick against him. He has been experiencing a streak of bad luck, and suspects that he may be the victim of a curse.

Question: Is the woman using black magick against me?

10S…..8H…..QD
4C……AD…...JS

The first column represents the premise of the question. It describes the current situation in reference to the question. The 10 of Spades is the key card I look for to indicate black magic, and the 4 of Clubs shows a sympathetic connection with the querent. These cards suggest that someone has tried to send evil intentions toward the querent. Specifically, the 4 of clubs suggests a form of sympathetic magic in which a prop is used, such as a candle or doll, to represent the querent. The negative intentions are put into the object (10S → 4C) that connects with the energy of the querent.

The middle column answers the question, and suggests that this attack has not been successful. The 8 of Hearts is a card of protection, and the Ace of Diamonds is spirit. These cards suggest that the querent is protected and watched over by spirit. Although the curse may be creating minor problems, the malevolent energy cannot do him serious harm.

The final column reveals additional information to be considered. The Queen of Diamonds is a female energy worker. The Jack of Spades describes her nefarious thoughts. This woman is angry and resentful, and she harbors malicious intentions toward the querent. She is projecting her negative thoughts (Jack of Spades).

I find this reading to be particularly interesting because the answer to the question is “yes,” the querent's suspicions are affirmed. The woman is using black magic against him. This answer is confirmed by the Jack of Spades as the pivot card showing negative intentions. But the middle column shows that querent is protected from serious harm by his spirit guide, or perhaps by an ancestor (8 of Hearts) in spirit (Ace of Diamonds). Notice how the Jack turns away from the Ace. Spiritual protection is redirecting the negativity away from the querent. The Ace of Diamonds also suggests that a candle offering to the spirit being (8 of Hearts) will further strengthen the protection.

The Answer Spread

The Answer Spread is a 6-card expanded version of the three card draw. It is designed to answer one question in detail.  I have encountered this spread in several books on both tarot and playing cards, but my favorite version comes from Regina Russell's book, The Card Reader's Handbook.

The Answer Spread is my 'go to' spread for answering a specific questions. It provides a more detailed information that the simple three-card spread while maintain a sharp focus on the question.

How to Draw the Answer Spread

The querent shuffles the cards while focusing on the question. Then the cards are fanned out face down on the table. The querent is asked to randomly select 6 cards keeping them in the order in which they were chosen.  The cards are laid out as in the following diagram:

• The cards are paired and read in vertical columns only. The cards are never combined or read across the horizontal rows.

• The two cards in the first column on the left set the premise for the matter in question, and reveal how past influences affect the current circumstances surrounding the question.

• The two cards in the middle column provide the answer to the question.

• The two cards in the column on the far right provide additional information, or show contributing factors yet to be considered in the matter. The cards in this position do not show the final outcome, but they can indicate the results from following advice given in the middle column.

• The bottom card of the final column (card 6 in the diagram) is known as the "pivot card" because the outcome of the question may turn on that single card. Sometimes the pivot card will provide the answer to the question.

The Answer Spread can work well for yes-or-no questions.  A predominance of red cards would indicate a positive answer, and a predominance of black cards would denote a negative response.  If an even number of red and black cards appear, the answer is not yet set and may be influenced current actions or future events.

Sample Reading – The Answer Spread

Here is an example of an actual reading done for a male client in June of 2012:

The querent was travelling south to spend a few days with his ex-wife. The couple had been divorced for less than a year, and the ex-wife had recently broken up with a new boyfriend.

When the querent and his wife separated, she took custody of their dog. They have no children together. The visit was ostensibly for the querent to spend time with the dog, but he was hopeful that the ex-wife was interested in a reconciliation.

His question: “Will my ex-wife and I get back together?”

Jane Lyle’s The Fortune Teller’s Deck © 1996 St. Martin’s Press

Keywords:

• 10 of Clubs = travel, business, promotion
• 2 of Diamonds = something definite, curiosity, exchanging ideas, searching for answers
• Q of Clubs = a sincere, practical woman
• 7 of Spades = setbacks, frustration, stagnation
• A of Diamonds = news, a message, a fresh start
• 3 of Diamonds = unsustained efforts,  a temporary situation

My first impression is that there are no Heart cards in the spread. That is usually not a hopeful sign for a relationship inquiry. There is a predominance of small Diamonds which represent restlessness, and only modest success. There are an equal number of red and black cards which suggests that the yes-or-no answer may go either way, and is dependent on future actions and events.

The first column represents the premise behind the question. The 10 of Clubs represents the man's upcoming trip to visit his ex-wife, and the 2 of Diamonds shows his curiosity and desire to exchange ideas with his ex-wife. He is looking for answers regarding a possible future for the relationship. This search for answers is what has motivated the trip. The 2 of Diamonds can also represent something definite. It’s certain that the trip will happen.

The middle column almost always contains the answer to the question. The Queen of Clubs represents the ex-wife. The suit of Clubs describes her sincerity and friendly intentions toward the querent. The 7 of Spades represents setbacks and frustrations. The Queen of Clubs is not interested in moving forward and resuming the relationship. She frustrates the possibility of a reconciliation.  As a Club, her intentions are friendly, but not romantic.  Her invitation is honestly about allowing her ex-husband visitation with the dog. Therefore the answer to the question is “no, the couple will not get back together– at least not during this trip.”

The third column provides additional information, or factors contributing to the problem or situation. In most cases, the information in the final column will help clarify the answer. The Ace of Diamonds represents the new beginning that the querent hopes for, but the 3 of diamonds shows a temporary situation or a lack of commitment. Perhaps neither one of them is willing or able to put forth the effort necessary to begin anew.

The 3 of Diamonds in the pivot position is always hopeful because it shows that with the right amount of intelligent effort success is possible. but in most cases the card denotes a lack of follow-through. It’s clear from the middle column that the ex-wife is not interested in starting over. He desires a fresh start,  but he may not be able to supply the consistent effort necessary to earn that second chance. Intuitively I have the impression that he will need to prove himself to her. Otherwise, the new beginning represented by this trip will be temporary at best.

Cartomancy Dream Interpretation

The playing cards are a wonderful tool for exploring dreams. They can reveal the hidden motivations and unconscious fears behind the dreams; and may bring forth important messages from the subconscious mind.

The following reading is for a good friend who was laid off from his job several months ago. He has had a recurring dream over the past several weeks in which he is hired back to work at a job he left more than 10 years ago. In the old job he and his female boss were good friends.

In the dream my friend is feeling anxious because he is supposed to be working, but can't remember how to navigate the software program he needs to perform his job. Time is passing, and he is becoming more and more anxious that his boss will come by and see that he is not working. Then the boss appears and they have a friendly chat, but she takes no notice of the fact that he has not been productive.

I drew an Answer Spread for insight into the dream. My question was: What is the significance of the recurring dream?

The Middle Column Answers the Question

The middle column suggests to me that finding a new of job (5 of Clubs) is on the querent’s mind (Ace of Spades). Of course, this is true. For the past several months he has been investigating a new situation (Ace of Spades). Perhaps on the subconscious level he is feeling unprepared for the change in work (5 of Clubs + spade), and that is the source of the recurring dream. The Ace of Spades also shows worry and anxiety, and the need for a decision or new plan of action. The 5 of Clubs followed by a spade can also denote a lack of confidence. The querent is feeling unsure about the change in career that he faces.

The Final Column provides Contributing Factors or Additional Information

My first impression of the final column is that extra income (9 of Diamonds) would be helpful (2 of Clubs), which is also true for the querent. But these cards in the position of “contributing information,” and more in line with answering the question, the final column more likely indicates that the dream is psychically (9 of Diamonds) beneficial (2 of Clubs) by allowing the querent to work through (club) his nervous (diamond) feelings of anxiety through the dream state.

The First Column Represents the Premise of the Dream

I interpret the QH in the first column to represent the old boss because she plays such a significant role in the dream. She appears as the Queen of Hearts in her role as friend, and she brings nurturing energy to the old work environment (5 of Diamonds). Subconsciously the querent associates her with a safe and friendly workplace; and it’s his fear of disappointing her that causes his anxiety in the dream.

It occurs to me  that her presence in the dream, and the querent’s anxiety about failing to measure up to her expectations, reflect his subconscious fears of not measuring up to the demands and expectations of a new job opportunity (5 of Clubs + spade). In the dream she appears as a friendly authority figure, and she is completely unaware of my friend’s nervousness or lack of productivity. This suggests to me that the dream is trying to impress upon my friend that his fears regarding the new situation are unfounded.

Cartomancy Health Reading

This spread is from a practice exercise previously posted on the Facebook group Kapherus’ Blog Alumni. The source material is from an actual phone reading for a client who was kind enough to permit me to share the reading for instructional purposes.

The querent is a 57 year old male. He asks how he can facilitate the healing of a chronic health issue that has been plaguing him for some time. He did not specify the health issue, but I was able to identify the problem from the information in the cards.

For reference material regarding the cartomancy health meanings, please see the page titled Cartomancy Body Connection where I have compiled a list of health meanings from various sources including Dr. Leo Louis Matello, Regina Russell, and meanings derived from my own experience with the cards. The article also includes an additional example of a health reading.

Question: How can the querent facilitate the healing of his chronic health problem?

8 of Spades, 6 of Clubs, 2 of Diamonds
6 of Diamonds, King of Clubs, 7 of Clubs

In this spread the cards are read in vertical pairs, and each column deals with a specific aspect of answering the question.

The first column sets the premise for the reading, and reveals that the chronic health problem (8 of Spades) is caused by nervousness and stress (6 of Diamonds). Notice that there are no hearts in the spread, and the 6 of Diamonds suggests holding things in. My impression is that the querent stuffs his emotions. With the 2 of Diamonds also in the spread (the stomach), I suspect that as a result of not expressing his feelings, the querent suffers from a chronic stomach ulcer. The querent confirmed that this is indeed the case.

The second column answers the question, and advises the querent to seek practical advice from a helpful gentleman. The 6 of Clubs + club shows sound, helpful advice. With the 8 of Spades (doctor card) in the spread, my impression is that the King of Clubs represents the querent’s physician. The best way for the querent to facilitate the healing of his stomach ulcer is to heed and follow the advice of his doctor. The querent stated that his doctor had prescribed medication, but it did not seem to be helping.

The final column deals with contributing factors, and addresses dietary concerns. The 2 of Diamonds represents “eating,” and the 7 of Clubs is “disagreements.” There is something the querent is eating that does not agree with him, and is exacerbating the problem. The 7 of Clubs also advises that the diet should be evaluated by his doctor to determine which foods he is eating that may be aggravating the ulcer, and preventing the medication from bringing the desired effect. The 7 of Clubs can refer to social drinking, and I wonder if alcohol consumption might be irritating the ulcer.

The querent admitted that the doctor had prescribed a special diet, but he had not been following the diet carefully.

The problem is not too serious with only one spade appearing in the reading. If the querent will follow the dietary restrictions suggested by his doctor, and continue to take all other measures and medications prescribed, his chronic health problem should improve.

Reading Between the Lines...uh, Cards

As readers we sometimes find that the questions people ask the cards are not always the questions they most want answered. The seeker may feel shy or embarrassed about asking directly what they truly wish to know. I find this especially true with new clients, or during the more casual readings in public venues, such as at a psychic fair. I’ve learned that I must sometimes read between the cards to discover how best to serve my client’s needs.

For example, this is an actual reading done during a psychic fair in which a married woman asks, "Is my husband happy?" A quick look at the cards reveals that her husband's happiness may not be the seeker's primary concern.

To answer this question I used The Answer Spread. Six cards are drawn and laid out in two rows of three. The cards are read in pairs vertically only. The first column represents the premise of the question. The middle column provides the answer to the question, and the final column provides additional information to support the answer.

These are the playing cards that the seeker drew:

• King of Spades
• 10 of Spades
• 3 of Clubs
• Queen of Clubs
• King of Clubs
• Ace of Hearts

The two cards on the left represent the premise of the question. The King of Spades and Queen of Clubs in this position would represent the woman, her husband and their strong relationship together. The interplay between the two court cards can provide clues about the dynamics of the relationship between these two people. The woman is represented by the Queen of Clubs. She is outgoing and friendly. She likes to talk and enjoys socializing with other people. The husband is represented by the King of Spades. He is more quiet and reserved. He likes to take charge of a situation and handle things on his own. The querent mentioned that her husband was a police officer, which could be another reason why he is represented by the King of Spades. The queen covers the king, showing that she controls the dynamics of the relationship. He is a loner. She draws him out and makes him more sociable.

The middle two cards answer the question. I was a little surprised to find another man represented here along with worries and deception. The King of Clubs matches the queen’s suit, indicating a relationship between the two. The 10 of Spades represents worries, suspicion, secrets and lies. It suddenly occurred to me that there was another man in the middle of the seeker's marriage, and she was worried that her husband would find out.

It's always a little awkward when delicate information appears in a reading, but the woman quickly admitted that there had been someone else. It had happened only once, it had been a mistake, and her real question was, "Will the husband ever find out?" In the Answer Spread, a predominance of black cards will usually indicate a negative response—unless the cards themselves indicate otherwise. In this case, the answer to her question was "no," the husband suspects (10 of Spades), but he would not find out.

Again, we can look at the interplay between the court cards for more details. The King of Spades looks toward the 10 of Spades. He may suspect, but he does not know for sure. The King of Clubs looks toward the Queen of Clubs. He is still interested in continuing the secret liaison. But the queen looks away from the King of Clubs, showing disinterest. She is telling the truth that for her the indiscretion is over.

Secrets like this always find a way of surfacing, but the two cards in the position of Contributing Factors confirm that the querent's secret is safe for at least the time being. This pair of cards shows positive growth and a fresh start in love. Although the husband suspects (10 Spades) an affair, the cards indicate that she has been lucky (3 of Clubs) and that her home and family life will not be adversely affected by the tryst (Ace of Hearts).

The Clubs falling on Spades indicate "working through" difficulties or problems, and suggest good communication between the married couple. The Ace of Hearts as the pivot card of the layout suggests a strong marriage and a happy home. Even if the husband’s suspicions were proved true regarding the affair, I believe the strong marriage would survive.

Who Will Win the X Factor Season 2?

Tonight is the finale of the X Factor, and I did a couple of quick readings to see if the cards could predict who will win the competition...

Even after all my years of working with the playing cards, I'm still awed by the beauty and synchronicity in a simple card layout. For these readings I chose the Answer Spread.

I generally expect to find the answer to my question in the middle column of cards in this spread. Looking at the two readings side-by-side, the correlations and parallelisms become obvious. Both readings are answer with a Club topped by a Queen, and the 4 of Hearts appears in both readings in the exact same position. Coincidence? I think not.