Art of Cartomancy Classic Cartomancy Course

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King and Jack - an Old Friend Comes Back

Many students of cartomancy struggle with the court cards. I know I did when I first started, and I still do from time to time. I think it’s natural because there are so many court cards in the deck, and it’s not always easy determining who is who in a reading. Luckily when two face cards fall side-by-side, they can be combined to indicate a single meaning.  One of the most common and useful combinations is the King and Jack.

The combination of King and Jack can predict the return of someone from the past, or the return to a situation or location from the past, such as returning to a former job, or moving back home.

In relationship readings, this combination can predict a loving re-connection with someone from the past. There is a well-known tarot and Lenormand reader in the online cartomancy community who also works with playing cards. She had this combination predict the arrival of a man from the past who has turned out to be the love of her life!

When this combination refers to a person, the King will generally describe the person (man), and the Jack will describe the dynamics of the prior relationship.  Likewise, the Queen and Jack would describe a woman returning the querent’s life, and that prior relationship.

It's important to keep in mind that these combinations represent a single person, so the directions of the figure's gazes are not part of the consideration when interpreting these cards. Card order and Suit interactions are the keys to an accurate interpretation.

For example…

The above combination would predict an old lover returning.  The King of Clubs describes someone with medium coloring, brown hair and brown or hazel eyes. Alternately, you could use the characteristics associated with the King of Clubs to describe him. He’s ambitious, he has good business sense, he’s practical and organized, he can be stubborn, but always sensible, etc. The Jack of Hearts would show that the dynamics of the prior relationship were romantic in nature.

It’s important to use your intuition in choosing an appropriate description based on the suit symbol because of course not all brown-haired men are practical and organized, and not all practical and organized men have brown hair.  For more information on the traits and characteristics associated with the court cards, please see my article on The Court Cards as People.

Here are some suggestions for interpreting the dynamics of the prior relationship based on the Jack suits…

Jack of Hearts: romantic relationship, family connection, close friend
Jack of Diamonds: professional relationship, colleague, family connection through marriage, acquaintance
Jack of Clubs: friendship, co-worker, classmate, team mate
Jack of Spades: enemy, rival, relationship that ended badly

What follows is an example of an actual three-card combination that was part of a larger spread that predicts a relationship developing with a woman from the past. The querent is a single male who was hoping for a new love in his life.

The Queen of Spades shows a woman with very dark hair and dark-brown eyes.  We might also describe her as strong-willed and sensual.  Intuitively, I felt that the Spade represented her marital status as divorced. The Jack of Clubs tells us that this woman is someone the querent already knows from the past. She is an old  friend, or perhaps an former co-worker. The 3 of Hearts shows a romantic relationship developing with this woman. Six months later the querent was re-acquainted with an old school-mate of  his sister, a lovely blonde lady who is sensual, strong-willed and divorced. A  romantic relationship ensued.

When the King Does Not Represent a Person

The querent is freelance contractor who is asking about potential business contracts during the next three months. In this case the King of Clubs can represent a business rather than an individual person. The Jack of Diamonds shows a prior professional relationship with the business. The Two of Clubs is an upcoming offer. The cards indicate that the querent will receive a contract in the next three months from a business that he worked with previously.

Jack and King?

When the Jack comes first I don’t generally read it as a return to the past. Instead the Jack will often represent a child, and the King or Queen will denote the gender. As before, the Jack will define the relationship of the young person to the querent, and the King or Queen will describe the person.

For example…

These cards could represent a young girl or female child. The Jack of Hearts denotes the relationship as a family member, and the Queen of Diamonds describes the child as intelligent, independent, talkative, unpredictable, temperamental, etc.

It’s important to note that all of these combinations are merely suggestions. As always, you’ll need to rely on the context of the reading and your intuition to determine the best interpretation. For example, the Queen + Jack might also represent a mother and son, the Jack and King might represent a boy and his father, etc.

Study Guide for Playing Card Combinations

If you want to become truly adept at cartomancy, you will need to master the art of combining the cards. This is most easily achieved by learning how to form meaningful two-card combinations.

There are thousands of possible two-card combinations. Memorizing a canned list will hold you back since it's nearly impossible to memorize every possible permutation. Inevitably you are going to run into a pair or trio of cards that you don't have a set combination for, and you will need to know how to combine those cards spontaneously.

Card combining can seem like a daunting task for the beginner cartomancer. I have found that it helps to study a few classic combinations to get a feel for how the cards work together to form a story. 

I put together the following list of suggested combinations for the Ace of Hearts as a guide to help you to learn how to put together your own combinations. I do not intend to publish a list for every card because I want you to develop your ability to create meaningful combinations for yourself.

If you look to the meanings of the individual cards in each combo, the logic will become clear, and these examples will help you to learn how to put the cards together automatically. 

Here is a sample page of combinations for the Ace of Hearts

You can access the Individual card meanings from the tab menu at the top of the blog.

Card combinations with the Ace of Hearts:

Most of these are my own personal combinations that have proven consistently accurate for me based on my own experience with reading the cards. Most of the card combinations have more than one possible meaning. The context of the reading and your own intuition will help you determine the most appropriate meanings for your reading.

It’s possible that more than one meaning will apply accurately to a situation. I’ve listed here the most common meanings for the combinations. They are merely suggestions, and not exhaustive. Keep in mind that card order can also affect the interpretation of a pair of cards. Other meanings are possible, so don’t be afraid to use your imagination and your intuition if the suggested combination does not fit your reading.

♥ Hearts

+ 2 of Hearts: harmony in the home, a pregnancy in the family, a family pet, childhood home, dog house

+ 3 of Hearts: a family celebration, a house party, redecorating the home, a beautiful home, a church

+ 4 of Hearts: a family wedding, emotional security in the home, stable home life, the bedroom, a roommate

+ 5 of Hearts: a sister, a daughter, fabrics and upholstery, curtains, visit from a good friend or lover (female)

+ 6 of Hearts: a brother, a son, comfortable home, visit from a good friend or lover (male), family karma

+ 7 of Hearts: a duplex, a two-family home, a surprise comes to the home, a peaceful home

+ 8 of Hearts: family cooperation, family unity, family protection, the living room

+ 9 of Hearts: dream home, wishing for a new home

+ 10 of Hearts: a secure home life, settling down, a summer home, the roof of the house

+ Jack of Hearts: son, brother, young male family member

+ Queen of Hearts: mother, wife, aunt, grandmother, female family member

+ King of Hearts: father, husband, grandfather, uncle, older male family member

♣ Clubs

+ Ace of Clubs: signing a contract on a home (buying or selling or renting), family document, the cellar or foundation of the home

+ 2 of Clubs: help from a family member, a house-warming gift, domestic help

+ 3 of Clubs: garden or yard, neighborhood, hallway or staircase, an opportunity from a family member

+ 4 of Clubs: an SUV, a home garage, a motor home, a landline phone, a phone call from a family member

+ 5 of Clubs: rearranging the home, reorganizing the home, a change in living arrangements, a house in the country

+ 6 of Clubs: family counsel, tackle family issues, home library, household chores, home gym

+ 7 of Clubs: housework, chores, family discussions, home repairs

+ 8 of Clubs: working from home, household routine, housework

+ 9 of Clubs: family from out of town, a family vacation, a vacation home, being away from home, hotel room

+ 10 of Clubs: a home business, real estate business, beach house, water pipes, washing machine, pool, a houseboat

+ Jack of Clubs: male roommate, maintenance man, a friend of the family, family oriented man

+ Queen of Clubs: female roommate, housekeeper, a friend of the family, family oriented woman

+ King of Clubs: a man who is family oriented, works in real estate or construction

♦ Diamonds

+ Ace of Diamonds: home renovations, an engagement in the family, the fireplace, the stove

+ 2 of Diamonds: borrowing money from family, independence from family, memoirs, the kitchen, home insurance

+ 3 of Diamonds: temporary lodgings, a boarder, guests, part-time work from home

+ 4 of Diamonds: an apartment, a home office, safe, lock box, place where money is kept in the home

+ 5 of Diamonds: a family dinner, furniture, a home in the city, legal issues related to home or family, property

+ 6 of Diamonds: family jealously, home electrical system, wiring, fuses, home electronics, an unsettled home environment

+ 7 of Diamonds: a real estate investment, a home loan, home equity, a luxury home

+ 8 of Diamonds: household budget, family planning, the pantry, windows

+ 9 of Diamonds: rent check, mortgage payment, tax refund, family income, electrical wiring

+ 10 of Diamonds: home security, value of the home, family nest egg

+ Jack of Diamonds: family friend, in-law, home repairman

+ Queen of Diamonds: family friend, in-law, a professional woman associated with the family, insurance agent, realtor

+ King of Diamonds: family friend, in-law, a professional man associated with the family, insurance agent, realtor

♠ Spades

+ Ace of Spades: family decision, sometimes a death in the family

+ 2 of Spades: family quarrel or separation, family gossip, getting rid of the home

+ 3 of Spades: family problems, third-party interference, misunderstandings, deceptions, household pests, termites

+ 4 of Spades: housebound, home sick, quarantined, a nursing home, a jail cell

+ 5 of Spades: moving out of the family home, a divorce in the family, estranged from family, living alone, a break in

+ 6 of Spades: moving house, changing residence, the bathroom

+ 7 of Spades: family setbacks, leak in the home, water damage, substance abuse in the family, a crack house

+ 8 of Spades: sick family member, a doctor in the family, family disappointment, house inspection, home repairman, pest control, genealogy

+ 9 of Spades: family obligations, pressure from family, domestic abuse, home demolition, damage to the home

+ 10 of Spades: family secrets, family worries, agoraphobia, the floor of a home, a winter home, a haunted house, a crime scene

+ Jack of Spades: a controlling or demanding family member

+ Queen of Spades: land lady, a controlling family member

+ King of Spades: head of the family, controlling family member, land lord, housing authority

Cartomancy Card Meanings and Combinations

Ace of Hearts

Suit Influence:

Hearts:
Love, emotions, feelings, romance, marriage, children, happiness, peace, contentment, comfort, compassion, compatibility, sympathy, empathy, sharing, family matters, relationships, friends, intimacy, rest, relaxation, amusement, entertainment, fun, fantasy, summer, warmth, laziness, pleasure, peace, calm, creativity, art, beauty, soul connections, religion, hope, healing, intuition, honesty, trust and goodwill.  

Characteristics:
Romantic, loving, nurturing, sensitive, sensuous, emotional, intuitive, imaginative, creative, artistic, calm, empathetic, empathic, sympathetic, protective, parental, family-oriented, lovable, light-hearted, lazy, complacent, indulgent, self-indulgent, moody.

Number Influence:

The Number 1: New beginning, first, best, starting out, source, initiative, individuality, the self, solitude, leadership, the conscious mind and conscious control, will.

How to Read the Ace of  Hearts:

Traditionally the Ace of Hearts is a card of love. happiness and celebrations.  The Ace symbolism combined with the Heart symbolism may indicate the birth of a new love, or the beginning of an emotionally fulfilling period in the querent’s life.

The number 1 symbolizes the beginning, or source.  When combined with the suit of hearts, it denotes the source of one’s emotional support which in most cases is the home and the family.

The Ace of Hearts specifically symbolizes the home and domestic affairs. It can refer to the actual building in which one resides, or it can denote the idea of feeling comfortable and “at home.” It can describe your personal environment, your neighborhood, where you hang your hat. In a general sense the A♥ represents a strong foundation.

The A♥ can indicate a change of residence, or a return home after being away for a period of time.  The A♥ can refer to real estate and the sale or purchase of a home.  The  A♥ can also represent a specific family member, or refer to one’s family in general.

My grandmother called the A♥ “La Casa” which means “the house” or “home” in Italian.  For her this card would denote wherever a person held residence.  It could be a house, an
apartment, a hotel, or even a car if that was where the individual called “home.”  The surrounding card would reveal the current situation in the home, and any problems or changes affecting the querent's home life.

The A♥ is also a card of protection. I can remember my grandmother sliding an Ace
of Hearts inside the picture frame behind a photo before she hung it on the wall. She believed the Ace would protect the home and bring good luck.

Ace of Heart Characteristics:

The A♥ will describe someone as: a family member, family-oriented, a homebody, a home owner, comfortable, ready to settle down and start a family, paternal, maternal, parental, neighborly, stable, grounded, strong.

Body Connection:

The A♥  represents the soul


Card multiples:

• 2 Aces - Leadership and authority.


• 3 Aces - an unexpected twist of fate.


• 4 Aces - Major changes that affect every area of life.

Suggested Card Combinations with the Ace of Hearts:

A♥ + Face Card =  someone coming to the home, or someone who is home and family oriented.  The A♥ with the K♣ it would denote a builder or contractor. With a group of Face cards, the A♥ would represent a family reunion, or a family celebration.

Hearts

A♥ + 2♥ = a pregnancy in the family, a domestic animal, a small house, a dog house, a doll house, pet habitat

A♥ + 3♥ = beginning of a new relationship, a church, a house of worship, a religious group, spiritual connection to higher power, love in the home, a house party, decorating the home

A♥ + 4♥ = housemate, sharing living quarters, a brothel

A♥ + 5♥ = daughter's home, girlfriend's home, curtains, fabrics, wallpaper, carpeting.

A♥ + 6♥ = son's home, male friend's home, a love nest, family trust, a soulmate, family karma

A♥ + 7♥ = second home, or two-family dwelling, a surprise comes to the home

A♥ + 8♥ = neighbor, roommate, living together, household spirit, loving family

A♥ + 9♥ = home and hearth, happy home, family wishes

A♥ + 10♥ = summer home, the roof of the house, family compatibility

Clubs

A♥ + A♣ = a mortgage, or a contract on the sale or purchase of a home, the basement in the home

A♥ + 2♣ = household help, maid, cleaning woman, maintenance man

A♥ + 3♣ = garden, yard, a greenhouse, neighborhood

A♥ + 4♣ = motor home, home garage, landline telephone

A♥ + 5♣ = home in the country, housework

A♥ + 6♣ =  family advice, a home gym

A♥ + 7♣ = home repairs, a family discussion/argument

A♥ + 8♣ = work from home, housework, family meeting, daily routine in the home

A♥ + 9♣ = vacation home, travel lodge, motel, hotel, home away from home, going on vacation

A♥ + 10♣ = real estate business, home based business, beach house, vacation home

Spades

A♥ + A♠ = a family decision, loss in the family

A♥ + 2♠ = selling the home. anger or annoying problems in the home, household pests

A♥ + 3♠ = growing problem in the home, meddlesome family member, losing one's home

A♥ + 4♠ = structural problems in the home, cramped household, quarantine, smothering family, a sick family member

A♥ + 5♠ = leaving home, moving, unhappy home

A♥ + 6♠ = a mobile home, moving out, plumbing, septic system

A♥ + 7♠ = problems in the home, an abandoned house, a crack house, a drug house

A♥ + 8♠ = a home inspection, disappointments in the family

A♥ + 9♠ = damage to the home, a dilapidated house, a condemned house

A♥ + 10♠ = winter home, the floor in the home, a haunted house

Diamonds

A♥ + A♦ = remodeling the home, changes in the home

A♥ + 2♦ = family dinner, home insurance. rent payment

A♥ + 3♦ = time share rental, temporary home, vagabond

A♥ + 4♦ = home office, rental home, apartment, condo

A♥ + 5♦ = a home in the city, furnishings for the home, land, acreage

A♥ + 6♦ = a home computer,  jealousy in the home, a stubborn or possessive family member, erratic behavior in the home

A♥ + 7♦ = a showroom home, an expensive home, a wealthy family, a famous house

A♥ + 8♦ = household budget, windows (eyes of the home)

A♥ + 9♦ = electrical wiring in the home, mortgage payment

A♥ + 10♦ = a luxury home, a home investment, family nest egg, home equity

Fun with Cartomancy Combinations: Business Places

Let's have some fun with cartomancy combinations! When I think about times I have most impressed a querent in a reading, it is when I was able to identify their place of work or business without them saying a word. The first time this happened to me I was reading for a young woman who worked as a hair stylist. At the center of her spread I saw the Ace of Clubs with the 3 of Hearts. I blurted out, "I see a beauty salon, you're a hairdresser!" I will never forget her shocked expression. Actually, I was just as shocked as she was. These moments don't happen in every reading, but when they do they confirm the magic of the playing cards, and never fail to thrill me.

The Ace of Clubs can represent a large building or place of business. The 10 of Clubs can also represent a place of business. The difference between the two cards can be subtle. In most cases, the Ace of Clubs will denote a large building or an institution or place where customers go to be served. The 10 of Clubs will usually represent a place where merchandise is sold. The Ace of Hearts will also sometimes represent a place of business such as a private practice. The best way to explain the differences is to show some examples...

If you need help with working out the combinations, please check out my lists of cartomancy card meanings.

3 of Hearts = beauty

Ace of Clubs + 3 of Hearts = beauty salon
10 of Clubs + 3 of Hearts = beauty supply store, beauty industry
Ace of Hearts + 3 of Hearts = interior designer, cosmetics, home vanity

6 of Clubs = book

Ace of Clubs + 6 of Clubs = library or publishing company, or factory
10 of Clubs + 6 of Clubs = bookstore
Ace of Hearts + 6 of Clubs = home library

4 of Clubs = car or a telephone call

Ace of Clubs + 4 of Clubs = car parking garage, or the telephone company
10 of Clubs + 4 of Clubs = car dealership, or phone store
Ace of Hearts + 4 of Clubs = landline phone

8 of Spades = doctor or ill health

Ace of Clubs + 8 of Spades = hospital
10 of Clubs + 8 of Spades = medical supply store
Ace of Hearts + 8 of Spades = doctor's office or dentist's office.

2 of Diamonds = food

Ace of Clubs + 2 of Diamonds = restaurant
10 of Clubs + 2 of Diamonds = grocery store
Ace of Hearts + 2 of Diamonds = kitchen

7 of Spades = liquor, drugs or medicine

Ace of Clubs + 7 of Spades = bar/nightclub or factory distillery or winery, pharmaceutical company
10 of Clubs + 7 of Spades = liquor store, drug store/pharmacy
Ace of Hearts + 7 Spades = home liquor cabinet, medicine cabinet

Ace of Clubs + 10 of Clubs = large corporation
Ace of Hearts + 10 of Clubs = family business
Ace of Clubs + Ace of Hearts = apartment building/complex

These are just a few of the combinations possible. Please keep in mind that many of these combinations have alternate meanings which will depend on context and surrounding cards. For example, the 10 of Clubs + 6 of Clubs can also represent a pool, or the act of swimming. The Ace of Hearts + 3 of Hearts can indicate redecorating the home. Your intuition will help you hone in on the right interpretation, and you'll often find that multiple interpretations will be valid and meaningful for the querent.

See if you can work out your own places of business based on the list of cartomancy card meanings. Feel free to post your combination(s) in the comment section below, and I will be happy to offer comments and/or suggestions. Alternately, you can post on my Art of Cartomancy Facebook page. I'm going to post a link there to this blog article.

The Jack of Spades

The Jack of Spades (JS) is a skillful, clever young man. In some of the older cartomancy meanings he represents an unsettled, erratic, emotionally inconsistent young man; or simply the thoughts of the Queen or King of Spades. Although Jacks can represent young people of either sex, the Jack of Spades is most often read as a young male.

In coloring, the Suit of Spades is considered the darkest of the deck, and represents people with dark brown to black hair, and dark brown eyes.

Traditional meanings associated with the Jack of Spades:

Positive Aspects:

• A dark-haired, dark-complected youth
• A youth from a foreign country
• A youth in uniform; soldier or cadet
• Skillful, clever youth 
• An intellectual youth; math whiz
• Young leader; knows how to take charge

Negative Aspects:

• A youth in trouble
• A gang leader
• Juvenile delinquent; the bad kid at school
• Cold and calculating youth
• Gossiping, spying youth
• Inconsistent, erratic, emotionally immature youth
• Emotionally controlled and detached

Of course the meaning you choose for this card will depend on the surrounding cards as well as a good dose of your own intuition.

Some combinations with the JS:

JH/JS: The querent’s son or brother or boyfriend is in the military or is a rookie police officer.

Two Jacks:
Quarrel or court case pending (especially with 5D)

Three Jacks:
Boys night out

Four Jacks:
Boys school, boy scouts, organization consisting of all young men

Modern Meanings for the Jack of Spades:

In modern Cartomancy, the Jack of Spades can represent watching and surveillance, in all of its many forms. This is based on the card’s traditional meaning as The Spiteful Spy.


JS + 8D = watching something or someone carefully

JS + 8D +6C = watching TV

JS + 8S = a private investigator

JS + 10S = a stalker

JS + 8C = a security officer

JS + AH = a home security/surveillance system

AC + JS + 8S = the FBI

AC + JS + 10S = the CIA

Split Combinations in Cartomancy

I received the following question about the King and Jack combination in reference to my recent post titled Who Is Who in My Love Reading? I think it's an excellent question which can be applied to any set combination, so I decided to respond publicly as a blog post.

Hi Kapherus,

Thank you for continuing to educate students of playing card divination with your online  articles. They are great!

I hope you could shed some light on a reading technique you recently incorporated in an  article.

In your article entitled “who’s who in my love reading?” you interpreted the Jack of spades and King of Hearts (with 7 of spades between them) as two different people.  Regina Russell’s book explains that a king or Queen with the Jack of Spades can be a person from the past returning, but the book is silent (as far as i could tell) on whether the cards must be back to back in order for this interpretation to apply.  I mention Russell’s technique because I understand you incorporate some techniques from her reading method into your own.

In your reading system, are there situations where these two court cards - with one pip card between them - could represent one person?

I want to start off by stating that it is my strong belief there are no hard and fast rules in cartomancy. Given that, I do believe that there are important guidelines that have proved tried and true by many cartomancers over many years.

I also believe that intuition trumps any and all guidelines. When my gut tells me that a certain combination of cards means something totally different from its standard set meanings, I always go with my gut, and I've never regretted it.

In light of these basic beliefs, my simple answer to your question is... yes, there are situations where two court cards with one pip between them could still represent one person. But... in my experience, the intervening card will almost always describe a relationship between two people represented by the two court cards.

Another point to keep in mind is that distance bewteen card combinations can also indicate distance in the situation. For example, let us say that you got a King and a Jack, but they appear a distance apart in the spread. This can indicate that you will hear about someone from the past, although that person may not be physically returning to your life.

I will often see the combination Ace of Clubs and 8 of Spades appear in a spread. This is the classic combination for a hospital. When these two cards appear side by side, it is usually the querent or someone very close who will be hospitalized. When a Face Card touches either card in this combination, it will almost always represent the person hospitalized.

But when the Ace of Clubs and 8 of Spades appear at some distance apart in the spread, it often turns out that the querent will hear of someone going into the hospital-- most often a distant acquaintance rather than family or a close friend.

As an example, let’s take a look at the following combination of cards which turned up in a real-life reading recently....

The Ace of Clubs and 8 of Spades fall nearby to indicate a hospital visit. The Queen touches the Ace of Clubs, suggesting that a woman will have the hospital visit.  But there is also the Jack of Hearts which touches the 8 of Spades, indicating a young loved one. Could there be two people who will be hospitalized? It is possible, but then it dawned on me...

The Queen and Jack are separated to give a sense of distance. These cards suggested to me that the querent would hear of a woman known from the past (perhaps an ex with the Jack being a Heart) who will be hospitalized. The 10 of Clubs suggests a problem with bodily fluids, perhaps edema. The heart card falling last is a good indicator that the problem is not too serious, and can be easily remedied with proper medical (8 of Spades) treatment.

And that is almost exactly what happened. The querent heard through the grapevine that an ex-girlfriend (Queen of Spades) from his college days was hospitalized for a severe gallbladder attack due to a blocked bile duct, the 10 of Clubs of course referring to the bile. In retrospect it struck me that the 8 of Spades actually represents the gallbladder. I was so focused on this card representing the doctor (which is its primary meaning) that I missed the opportunity for a truly spot on diagnosis!

7 of Spades

The 7 of Spades in Modern Cartomancy can warn of a challenging situation. It is not a card we hope to see, particularly in a love reading. Generally the 7 of Spades represents a setback or a reversal of fortune, and in relationship readings it invariably shows a cooling off of affections.

For example, the 4 of Hearts with the 7 of Spades would show a marriage or partnership on the rocks. There is a cooling of affections, and one or both parties feel frustrated and unfulfilled. This combination can also suggest that the partner drinks too much.

The 7 is Spades is the "drinking" card. It can denote imbibing alcohol or partaking of any kind of intoxicating substance including both prescription medications and illegal drugs. The combination 7 of Spades and Ace of Spades (the mind) can show intoxication. If the 4 of Spades is nearby, it can denote a hangover.

When surrounded by positive or neutral cards, the 7 of Spades can refer to social drinking or recreational drug use. With cards indicating a party or social interaction, the 7 of Spades will usually indicate that liquor will be a part of the celebration. The combination 7 of Spades with the 3 of Hearts can denote a cocktail party.

When the 7 of Spades falls between two Face Cards it shows the two people going out for drinks. If the 7 of Spades appears  surrounded by multiple Face Cards, it shows a night out on the town with a group of people. A predominance of Clubs would indicate celebrating with co-workers. A predominance of hearts would show a night out with friends.

When falling with cards from the Club suit, denoting career or profession, the 7 of Spades can describe someone who works as a bartender, a barback, or a cocktail server. If the 2 of Diamonds is nearby, it would indicate that they work in a restaurant where liquor is also served.

The 7 of Spades is also the Card of addiction. Alcoholism or drug addiction is commonly represented by the combination 7 of Spades and 9 of Spades. The 9 of Spades shows something harmful (although this combination can also indicate that your prescription medication is causing you harm). If the 5 of Spades is nearby, it will show that others (family members, friends, etc.) can be hurt as well by the substance abuse.

The 7 of Spades is also a "water" card, but usually only in a negative sense.* It can predict anything from a faucet drip to a leaky pipe to an inconvenient rainstorm.

If you're looking to purchase a home, and the cards show the 7 of Spades near the Ace of Hearts along with a money card, you can be sure that you'll find a problem with the plumbing that will be costly to repair.

The absence of a big money card may simply indicate that the water heater needs replacement, especially if the 7 of Hearts is also present.

With Diamonds, the 7 of Spades will show financial setbacks. The surrounding cards will usually indicate the cause. If the 3 of Spades (loss) is nearby with a money card, it would show a gambling or trading losses.

In a general sense, the 7 of Spades is a card of stagnation and frustration.

When this card begins a line of cards, it indicates a long delay before the events outlined by the following cards can play out.

When the 7 of Spades ends a line of cards, it can show a lack of progress, or a stalled situation. It will usually indicate that events  will not play out as you hoped.

When it appears in the middle of a line of cards, the 7 of Spades indicates that the preceding cards are blocked, and the following cards are delayed. If the subsequent cards are positive, the situation will require patience and perseverance to achieve the predicted outcome.

Whenever and wherever it appears, the 7 of Spades is rarely a welcomed sight. You can bet that patience and perseverance will be required to overcome a difficult period of setbacks and frustrations.

* The card that represents water in a positive sense, such as swimming or boating, is the 10 of Clubs.

Ace of Clubs

In traditional cartomancy, the Ace of Clubs is the card of marriage. In olden days, marriages were often arranged based on money and prestige. You could lift your social status by marrying your daughter off to noble family, or to a wealthy landowner. In many cultures the girl was expected to bring along a dowry as well, to add to the husband's holdings.  Based on the marriage contract she was usually considered to be the property of her new husband.

Today very few marriage are arranged this way in the western world. It is perhaps for this reason that the Ace of Clubs in modern cartomancy has lost the meaning of marriage. These days, most marriages are based on love, and may be better represented by cards in the suit of Hearts.

The Ace of Clubs does retain its meaning as a "binding contract." The primary meanings for this card include important papers, a legal document, and a contract to be signed. With the Ace of Hearts, the Ace of Clubs can denote a contract to buy or sell a home. With the 10 of Clubs, it would show signing papers on a business. With the 2 of Hearts, representing a child, it would show a legal adoption.

The Ace of Clubs also retains the meaning of "property," and it's the card that represents "a building" in Modern Cartomancy. The Ace of Hearts is the home, but the Ace of Clubs can represent anything from a friend's house, to the workplace, to a commercial establishment, to a large institution.

Here are a few fun combinations to consider...

Ace of Clubs + 2 of Hearts = elementary school, nursery school, or dance studio
Ace of Clubs + 3 of Hearts = beauty salon, flower shop
Ace of Clubs + 5 of Hearts = furniture store, clothing store, department store
Ace of Clubs + 4 of Spades = a hospital, or jail
Ace of Clubs + 7 of Spades = a bar (with the 2 of Hearts to show dancing = nightclub)
Ace of Clubs + 8 of Spades = doctor's office, dentists office, medical clinic
Ace of Clubs + King of Spades + any other King = police station, also joining the military
Ace of Clubs + Ace of Diamonds = the post office
Ace of Clubs + 2 of Diamonds = a restaurant
Ace of Clubs + 4 of Diamonds = a bank
Ace of Clubs + 5 of Diamonds = the courthouse, shopping center
Ace of Clubs + King of Diamonds = a college or university
Ace of Clubs + 3 of Clubs = garden center, barbershop
Ace of Clubs + 6 of Clubs = a bookstore, a factory (manufacturing plant)
Ace of Clubs + 7 of Clubs = a shoe store
Ace of Clubs + 8 of Clubs = the building where you work
Ace of Clubs + 9 of Clubs = a passport, but it can also represent a hotel
Ace of Clubs + 4 of Clubs = a car garage

Another way to look at it would be to consider that the Ace of Clubs refers to a service organization, whether it's a retail shop or a large corporation or a staunch institution. In fact, this card can even represent the military.  Two Kings falling together would generally indicate a police officer. If the Ace of Clubs is nearby, the combination could refer to a soldier.  The combination Any King + King Spades + 4 of Spades would show someone being arrested. The combination Any King + King of Spades + Ace of Clubs would show someone joining the military. If the Ace of Clubs falls first, it would show being conscripted into the military. The King of Spades must appear in the combination to show "duty." Queens in place of the Kings would indicate that it's a female.

The Ace of Clubs can represent a legal will, and it can also represent one's personal power of will. This card shows a personal choice backed by determination. When the Ace of Clubs falls in a reading about someone's intentions, it shows that they have already made up their mind on a course of action, and have no intentions of deviating from their chosen direction. The surrounding cards will usually offer a clue about the choice. If the Ace of Clubs is surrounded by Spades, it can show someone who is weak-willed, and unable to follow-through on their plans.

Five Card Draw: Pregnancy Prediction

The consultant is a 40 year old woman who asks, "Will I get pregnant in the next three months?" She provides no additional information.

For the yes/no question I draw five cards with the intention that the ratio of black cards to red will provide a simple answer. It is also my intention that the individual cards will provide details to further explain the answer. For specific information on how I read the suit colors to answer a yes-or-no question, please see my article: Cartomancy Technique for Answering Yes-or-No Questions.

I received permission from the consultant to share this reading because it's short and sweet and to the point, and I think it provides an excellent example of how I read the classic Line of Five cards in cartomancy.  I analyze the cards step by step using the following process...

Step 1: I take note of the center card (heart card) which serves as a hinge on which the rest of the reading turns.

Step 2: I read the middle three cards in combination.

Step 3: I read the first three cards in combination.

Step 4: I read the last three cards in combination, taking special note of the final card which serves as the outcome card.

Step 5: I take note of the cards that mirror or reflect each other in the reading.

Step 6: I read the first, middle and last cards in combination as a summary of the reading.

When I first glance at the cards, I immediately notice the predominance of black cards which gives a most likely NO answer to the question. The consultant will not succeed in getting pregnant within the next three months.

My attention is next drawn to the heart card of the reading, the Ace of Diamonds. I always look for the theme of the question to be reflected in the reading, and the Ace of Diamonds is the spark of life, and would represent the desired conception.  The  Ace is hemmed in by spades on either side indicating a serious problem, and confirming that conception will not happen within the specified time frame.

Next I ask myself, who is the King of Spades? Perhaps he is the consultant's husband?  No. The adjacent card (8 of Spades) is the doctor card, and it describes the King. My impression is that the King of Spades represents a doctor. The card following the 8 of Spades shows what kind of doctor-- Ace of Diamonds shows one who deals with conception issues, or a fertility specialist. This idea is confirmed for me by the classic combination of the 8 of Spades with the 9 of Spades which mirror each other in the center of the spread, and denote a medical procedure. These cards surround the Ace of Diamonds suggesting that medical intervention may be necessary to facilitate conception.  When the cards indicate a problem or obstacle, they invariably also provide one or more possible solutions.

Finally, on to the last trio of cards. The 9 of Spades follows the Ace of Diamonds, and shows disappointment, and represents the difficulty with conception. The 4 of Clubs is a service card, and indicates help with resolving issues. The 4 of Clubs ends the line, and suggests an eventual resolution to the fertility problem represented by the 9 of Spades. I notice that the 4 of Clubs mirrors the King of Spades. This shows a consultation, and suggests to me that the doctor will serve to help correct the problem.

My prediction is that the querent will not be able to conceive within the next three months, but if she consults with a fertility specialist, the doctor will help resolve the problem. The fact that the Ace of Diamonds appears in the heart position of the reading is a hopeful sign that conception will eventually be possible.

The querent confirmed that she has a history of problems with getting pregnant, and that she is already receiving treatments at a fertility clinic.

How to Interpret Multiple Court Cards in a Reading

A common question I get from students is, "How do I handle multiple court cards in a reading. I derive meaning based on how the cards interact with each other, so I prefer to use a structured layout. But that’s just my personal preference. It’s perfectly fine to deal out seven or ten cards in a row and read them in sequence. In fact, I know some very successful readers who don’t ever use a structured layout.

Second, I’ve learned through experience that court cards almost always represent people in the querent’s life. But of course there are exceptions.

The following Line of 7 was submitted by a student:

When a group of court cards fall together, it usually means a party, a get together, or a group outing with friends is coming up. That’s the first thing that comes to mind when I look at your grouping of cards because the Ace of Diamonds can represent an invitation.

Your interpretation also makes perfect sense. It could be an engagement party coming up that you’ll either hear about, or be invited to (Ace of Diamonds could indicate all three possibilities).

There’s another possibility if we pair off the court cards. Two Kings can represent a policeman or judge, and the Queen + Jack combination can represent a old female friend from the past. You have two such combinations in your spread. So another possible interpretations is that you’ll run into a female friend you haven’t seen in a while (Queen of Diamonds + Jack of Clubs) who will bring news (Ace of Diamonds) about another old female friend you’ve not seen in a while (Queen of Hearts + Jack of Spades) who has been in trouble with the police (King of Spades + King of Diamonds). The Queen of Hearts shows it was probably a close friend or even a family member and the Jack of Spades shows trouble.

Well, those are some basic ideas without even considering the direction that each card faces. Court cards that face toward each other can indicate collusion or conflict, and those that face away indicate anger or indifference. Cards that face toward the left usually have the querent’s best interests in mind. Those that face to the right are more concerned with their own interests.

For example, the King of Spades and King of Diamonds are interested in each other. We could assume they know each other and are probably friends. The Queen of Hearts is interested in what’s going on with the King of Diamonds, she could have romance on her mind (Heart), but his focus is elsewhere. The Jack of Spades is engaging the Queen of Diamonds. The Jack of Clubs is focused on the invitation, so the invitation is most likely coming from him.

You can find more information about reading the court cards in groups in the Cartomancy Court Cards Category.

A student asks:

Kapherus, I would like to know if there is more to understand when reading court cards. I realize there are suit interactions here that will help the reading to make more sense. Another site states that kings are power/ ideal partners; queens are, truth and jacks are messages in addition to being people in our lives. When I draw court cards I see them so literally as people but perhaps I am missing their broader meanings. Could you write some about this.

Sure, here’s some more information on how I approach the court cards:

The Kings

In card combinations, a king will almost always represent a mature man either in age or behavior. For example, the King of Spades can represent a divorced or separated man who often appears as an ex-husband, ex-lover, or ex-friend in the cards. He can also be read according to his “Spade” nature. His positive traits are sexy, charming, intense, mysterious, determined, and powerful. On the negative side, he might be aggressive, secretive, demanding, etc.

Because the King of Spades is a natural born leader, he may often represent a man in your life who is in a position of power over you. This could be your father, employer, landlord, professor, or even husband. I know that all of these levels of meaning can seem overwhelming to the beginning card reader, but you’ll find that soon enough your intuition will kick in to help you choose the most appropriate interpretation. (Please see my article on The Court Cards As People for specific information on how to identify the other face cards in your reading, and suggestions on how to read the directions they face.)

In a card spread where the individual positions carry specific meaning, the King can sometimes be read as a quality. The King is top man on the totem pole. He represents influence and authority. The King can represents the querent’s authority in a reading regardless of whether the querent is male or female, or young or old. The specific suit will usually give a clue as to the area of influence. For example, the King of Spades can indicate that the querent is being overbearing in a situation. The King of Hearts can show protectiveness. The King of Clubs shows taking full responsibility for resolving a problem or issue. The King of Diamonds can denote taking financial or intellectual control of a situation.

In combination, the Kings can be read as men interacting with each other. Two Kings is symbolic of a handshake, and can indicate some kind of partnership or mutually beneficial deal. Two Kings can also represent a man in uniform–the first King would represent the man, and the 2nd his uniform. For example, the two Kings could represent a policeman, a fireman, a rescue worker, or a military officer. As a side note, two Jacks can also represent a man who wears a uniform for work, but not necessarily as a symbol of authority. Groups of Kings would indicate an event or organization consisting of mostly men.

The Queens

The Queen is ageless (meaning she can represent a female of any age) and the Jack is a young male or female, so this pairing is wide open to a multitude of possible interpretations. In other words, there is not a general meaning I can give you that will always apply to any Court Card pairing.

Here are some guidelines that work for me:

When two or more Face Cards of any matching suit appear together, they can represent a family connection. Therefore, the Queen + Jack could be mother and son, or sister and brother, or older sister and younger sister, or even a young married couple.

The combination of Queen + Jack can also be read as an old female friend coming back into your life. The Queen of Hearts might indicate old love interest returning. The Queen of Spades could be an old rival. The Queen of Clubs could be an old work associate, and the Queen of Diamonds could be a long lost relative returning.

Two Face Cards of the same suit can also denote compatibility. For example, the King and Queen with matching suit will usually indicate a married couple, or at the very least a compatible relationship. The Jack of the same suit often represents their offspring.

Sometimes the Queen + Jack can indicate a woman who is involved with a younger man.

The Queen can also represent the subconscious. or something happening behind the scenes. In a reading she can reveal the subconscious motivations that are influencing the situation. For example, the Queen of Diamonds could denote someone subconsciously motivated by money and/or power.

Then on top of all of that, you can also figure in the specific personality traits associated with each suit. So as you can see, the possibilities are almost endless. Your intuition is always your best guide when interpreting the Court Card combinations.

The Jacks

I’ve found in my own readings that the Jacks almost always represents young men, although they can also represent young women or children of either sex. The specific suit can be used to determine interests or personality traits to help place the person in the querent’s life.

Jacks almost always represent people for me, but in layouts with individual spots that convey a specific meaning (such as the Celtic Cross or 5-Pointed Star) the Jacks do often represent thoughts or ideas. Of course a card almost never means only one thing, so it’s also possible to read a Jack first as a specific person in the querent’s life, and then again as an important thought or idea.

I use the Jacks in two ways to represent thoughts or ideas. First, if the King or Queen of the matching suit appears in a reading, the corresponding Jack could represent that person’s thoughts, and the surrounding cards would describe what was on this person’s mind.

Secondly, the Jacks can represent the querent’s thoughts, or an idea being contemplated, particularly if no other Face Cards appear in the spread. In this case, the Jack of Hearts could represent thoughts of love or family, the Jack of Diamonds = thoughts of money or power, the Jack of Clubs = thoughts of work, business or study, and Jack of Spades would denote thoughts concerning a challenge or problem-- often negative thinking. The Jacks can also be read as something new or something offered, but this has rarely been the case for me.

When the Jacks appear in pairs, I use the one falling on top (to the right) to convey the mood of the union or encounter. If a heart falls on top, it would show cooperation, and a friendly interaction such as two good friends sharing a mutual experience. If a Club falls on top, then the interaction is more practical, such as shaking hands on a business deal. If a diamond falls on top, there is probably money or scheming involved. A Spade on top almost always denotes a problem or challenge, and can indicate trouble or conflict between the two young persons.

I have had the pair of Jacks (most often the Jack of Diamonds + Jack of Spades) indicate a lawsuit in my readings. Usually the 5 of Diamonds is also somewhere in the spread indicating a court case. The Jack of Hearts + Jack of Spades would clue me in to a disagreement. Of course the surrounding cards would also influence the final interpretation, and any pair could denote a quarrel with Spades.

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 convey 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. In most cases, 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.†

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, dividend yield, etc).

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 house. The combination of red cards showed a positive outcome, and the client was approved for the loan.

Example 1.1

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 for an accurate interpretation of a card sequence in cartomancy. 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 suggest the need for effort, 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 for how to read a row of 5 cards in my blog article: Cartomancy Skills: Linking a Row of Cards.

†You can find a copy of the card meanings at Basic Card Meanings.

Basic Cartomancy Skills: Number Meanings

Part 2: Number Meanings

I think the biggest problem most new cartomancers encounter is how get the card meanings to fit together and tell a story.  The beginner will memorize all of the various meanings and the important combinations for each card. In actual practice, those special combinations don’t always show up in a layout to make things easy.  That’s when a good foundation in the symbolism of the suits and numbers becomes so important.

Once you have a good understanding of the Suits and how they interact as outlined in Basic Cartomancy Skills: Part 1, the basic number meanings can be used to delve more deeply into the symbolism of each card.

In the system that works for me, each number has two opposing meanings.  The appropriate meaning applied to each card will be determined by it’s suit symbolism.  The first meaning listed (positive meaning) usually applies to a red card, and the second meaning (negative) will most often apply to a black card.  It's important to note that the card falling to the right will always influence the final meaning, and it’s always best to allow your intuition to make the final determination.

Basic Number Meanings:

1 – beginning or ending

2 – cooperation or conflict

3 - expansion or loss

4 – foundation or instability

5 – activity or restlessness

6 – communication or ignorance

7 – improvement or stagnation

8 – Health or illness (balance/imbalance)

9 – wish or disappointment

10 – success or failure

11 (Jack) – thoughts/message, also young helpful person, or troubled youth

12 (Queen) – receptivity/intuition, also female friend or rival

13 (King) – action/force/mastery, also male friend or rival

The basic Suit Interactions combined with the Basic Number Meanings are all you need to produce accurate, insightful Cartomancy readings.  You can add additional meanings to each card to broaden the scope of your readings, but you’ll find that you’ll return to the basic information again, and again when the more detailed meanings don’t seem to jive in your card layout.

Example Reading with Basic Number and Suit Meanings:

To illustrate this basic method of Cartomancy, I shuffled the cards while focusing on my question.  When I felt the shuffling process was done, I cut the cards into three piles from left to right using my left hand.  Finally I flipped over the top card of each pile to reveal the three cards for my reading.

Question: Will I be hired in the new job position I’m pursuing?

Cards:

1. 9 of Clubs


2. 6 of Diamonds


3. Queen of Hearts

Interpretation:

Since I asked a “yes/no” question, the first thing to take note of is the balance of red vs black cards in the layout.  In this spread we find a predominance of red cards indicating that the basic answer to the question is “yes.”

Next, let’s take a look at the Suit Interactions:

♣ + ♦

Club + Diamond =   an increase in money, rewards, or power.

♦ + ♥

Diamond + Heart = rewards, positive attraction, and sharing money.

The suit combinations confirm the good news, and suggest that the new position will bring a raise in pay, and emotional well being.

Now let’s dig for more information by taking a look at the Basic Number Meanings:

The number 9 represents a “wish or disappointment.” Because the 9 is followed by a red card, I would read it to represent a wish.  The 9 is a club, and if we look to the basic suit meanings, we find that clubs represent business and work, among other things.  So the 9 of clubs is the perfect card to represent my wish for a new job.

The number 6 represents “communication or ignorance.“  Since this number 6 is a red card, and it’s also followed by another red card, I would go with the positive interpretation of “communication.”  The basic suit meanings tell me that diamonds represent energy, power, rewards, money, etc.  So the 6 of diamonds would indicate some good news (followed by ♥ ) regarding money, and could represent the forthcoming news that I am hired for the new position.

The final card is number 12 (or Queen) which represents “a female friend or rival,” and may also denote the qualities of “receptivity and intuition.” Either or both of these meanings could apply.  In either case, I would interpret the Queen of hearts as a friendly influence since hearts indicate love, friendship, peace, happiness, and pleasure.

The Queen of hearts falls in the end position of the layout which represents the final outcome. Therefore, I can read this card in a general sense to mean that the new job brings (I receive) pleasure and happiness.  Or I could read this card to represent a kind-hearted female who will be instrumental in helping me secure the new position.  Either way, this card denotes a happy outcome to the question.

As you can see, with just these simple meanings it is possible to get a lot of detailed and accurate information from the cards.  When you encounter a card in a layout that doesn’t seem to make any sense, you can fall back on the basic symbolism of suit and number. You’ll be amazed by how the reading will suddenly come together and make sense.  Give it a try, have lots of fun, and happy readings!

Basic Cartomancy Skills: Suit Interactions

Part 1: Suit Interactions

I first learned to read playing cards from my paternal grandmother, who was professional reader in New York City back in the 1950′s and 60′s. She had learned to read the cards from an aunt back in Italy before immigrating to the U.S. I remember, as a young child, eavesdropping on my grandmother’s readings with fascination, and when I turned 12 years old, she agreed to teach me her method.

The first thing I learned was to read the cards based on the symbolism of the four suits only. At the time, I was feeling restless and disappointed because I desperately wanted to learn the “meat and potatoes” of card reading. Now in retrospect, I appreciate my grandmother’s immense wisdom. My ability to perform a complete, in-depth reading using only the symbolism of the four Suits, and how they interact, has contributed greatly to my success as a reader.

The cards will speak to you in a unique and personal way if you are willing to open your heart and mind to their wisdom.  These are the basic suit meanings that work best for me:

Basic Suit Meanings:

♠ Spades - negativity, problems, challenges, failure, illness and loss.

♥ Hearts – emotion, love, happiness, sharing, pleasure, and healing.

♣ Clubs - good luck, growth, activity, work, business and social interactions.

♦ Diamonds - energy, power, imagination, money, rewards, success and legal judgments.

Basic Suit Interactions:

Each Suit is influenced by the Suit that tops or falls to the right of it. Here is a table of suggested meanings for the interactions of the Four Suits that work for me. This list only scratches the surface, so don’t be afraid to work out your own interpretations based on your own unique understanding of the four suits.

	♠ Spades	♥ Hearts	♣ Clubs	♦ Diamonds
♠ Spades	serious trouble, illness, possible harm	physical or emotional healing	actively working through problems	imagined problems, improved finances
♥ Hearts	hurt feelings, emotional pain	joy, happiness, love, romance, enjoyment	creativity, service to others & good luck	happiness & success, comfort & security
♣ Clubs	increased difficulties, problems with work	happy outcome, developing emotions	action, increased activity, taking control	increase in power or money, rewards from work
♦ Diamonds	energy block, money problem, spending money	rewards, positive attraction or sharing money	applied power or investing money	great success or acquiring and saving money

With just the basic meanings to the Suits, it’s possible to provide an accurate, insightful reading. And a good understanding of the four suits and how they interact is an excellent jumping off point for delving more deeply into the symbolism of the individual cards.

In Part 2, I’ll review the basic cartomancy number meanings, and how to combine them with the suit interactions to provide a surprisingly detailed and accurate cartomancy reading.