There are other ways to read cards

2 of Clubs.

When you are doing a reading using a standard deck of playing cards it is important to understand just what each card means.  These meanings can have a range and often change during your relationship within the practice of cartomancy.

I have found at least 2 dozen systems of reading playing cards.  About 10 of these systems are unique to the creator, the others are spin offs, copycats or a merging of several rolled into one. What I don’t like is when people do not give credit to the original designers of these systems.

Way too many people assign meanings from the Tarot to the playing cards – how is that unique?

  

We all know that 2 of something means cooperation or partnership is possible.  There is someone or some thing else involved.  In the Tarot (Rider), the man is holding onto a wand suggesting a choice was made.

Clubs can be wands but in the older cartomancy books they are worse than the modern spades.  So what do clubs mean?  Are we going to give them the same meaning as the wands?  If that works for you go for it.  I think part of the energy is the same.  For example: action, impulse, bluntness, speed and so on.  Many readers have given clubs the dominion of all that is business related, commerce, trade, work and even travel. 

I have found that many people want plain old fortune telling without any deep esoteric symbolism.  They do not care what relationship the playing cards have with other systems.  All they want is a reading.

How would you interpret the 2 of clubs in a layout?  There are several ways to do this.  Forget everything you have ever read on this card and start with a new meaning.  Trust me on this.  The brand new meaning you assign will materialize in the exact same way as all those hundreds of meanings for 2 of clubs.

I once had an interesting dialogue with 94stranger (Rainring cards) about reading a bag of popcorn.  It is the same concept.  You read the meanings you assign.  

NOTE:  In order for this to be successful, grab a magic marker and write 2 keywords on every card in the standard playing deck, even the joker(s) if you want. Allow yourself a few hours to do this and wait for the marker to dry, because it will smudge.  This happened to me when I did this exercise.  

Next:  Shuffle the cards and do your favorite layout. You can remove any numbers you want to downsize the deck into 25, 32, or 40 cards.  You are in control.  The less cards in the layout the better at the beginning.  5-7 cards is good enough.  Look at the cards in front of you, link your own keywords and tell a story.  Now, really… did it matter if it was a 7 of hearts or 10 of spades you were reading?

Be a little adventurous    try something different  :)

10 spades A diamonds J clubs

The skat cards are the standard playing cards.  They consist of 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K and A.  The gypsy style meaning for these cards can be found at the—-> LINK

I have found that older meanings for playing cards tend to have quite a dramatic flare in nature.  And yet much of what is foretold does materialize for the most part, many many years later.

The Example of the trio is the 

10 spades, A diamonds, J Clubs

10 The card of travel usually connected to a necessity. Foreign matters- a person at a distance. A major change- much depends are neighboring cards. Questions involving “time” – the answer is a long wait.

The spade doesn’t reveal any tremendous dilemma in the recent past, however it is a time card that will require patience.  The fact that there would be a long wait could be read as a delay which technically would be a minor hardship.  Maybe a trip was recently planned but the final touches have not been made.

A The card of occupational connections. Ideas. This card brings luck to the adjoining cards. An increase of money is shown. Coupled with court cards it describes a person that is intelligent and one who will have connections in the work force.

Here we can see the issue at hand.  It is about some job condition or a way to generate additional money. The Ace is a strong card and it brings positive vibes to the delay depicted in the previous card.  It can also be the money to spend due to travel plans.  This trip could be a business trip.

JIn this system, the s lean towards the modern day  meanings. This card is the person that no one really likes. He or she is found as the instigator of troubles. If you are asking about a favorable outcome and this Jack comes up, the answer comes but not without a struggle.

Who is this bothersome Jack?  We know he is not as dumb as he looks because the Ace is beside him.  He would have financial smarts.  He is having some difficulty finalizing the travel plans, perhaps he is unable to get the time off work or find a suitable replacement.   

Looking at the colors of the suits we can determine the hardships of the spades lie to the left, in the passing stage.  The diamonds signify a situation which is of value to the reader following by the growth out of the spades circumstances as the result.  

Here we know that whatever these cards suggest the outcome will be more promising than if the trio ended in a spade.

Playing Cards reading

.The interpretation for the playing cards that you see in the image is rooted in  Regina Russell’s “Card Reader’s Handbook” system.  I have studied her technique since the publication of her original book.

After you use any system of card divination you form custom meanings through experience and feedback.  It is helpful to know the core meanings.  The Skat cards differ in meaning and yet they are standard playing cards as well.

PASSING spot   4QA

A telephone call 4is made by a female member Q+A of the family.  Often the Q is the female getting the reading done.  The topic of the conversation would be about a situation that involves providing a service of some type that is helpful 4in nature.  It would involve a home or place of business which most likely is within the place of residence.    The situation could be connected to a visit or a house call A.

The next fan of three cards will expand on this providing more information as in the circumstances around this conversation or phone call.

NOW spot  595

In the now spot there is evidence that because of a conversation in the very recent past an situation will come up that will involve an interviewing 5process.  The 5contains a wonderful opportunity that will bring great pleasure to the person who is getting this reading Q.  A long distance phone call is coming 4+ 9or a message from a long distance away that will involve a business 5opportunity.

A meeting is shown that will include some shop talk 5+ 8and the bouncing of ideas that leads to the possibility of organizing an mutually agreed upon business relationship 5+ 10.  It’s always a good idea to scan the next fan of cards to complete the theme of the cards.  It doesn’t have to be the very next fan, it can be any card or cards that happen to stand out when you are forming your interpretation.

SOON spot - 1087

A very busy time is shown in the next few weeks.  The SOON spot is usually a few weeks and often I have seen it materialize within a few days.  The relationship between the Q and the other person has not been defined at this point.  We do not know if it is a male or female.   There are 3 KINGS in this layout suggesting it would be a male oriented.     The business conversation 8continues.  Within the 10is a hint it most likely is a male.  This card depicts a matrimonial partner or someone you are in a relationship with.   Since the 10is surrounded by ’s, it is probably a good friend with an interest in business as well.

There is an offer coming.  This offer can be a business project or an actual job 5+ 8.    Often the 7+ 10 represents a reconciliation.  In a business aspect perhaps an idea that lay dormant is being looked at again.  A negotiation 7 will come to pass.

1-2 MONTHS spot  K K7

This spot reveals the probable future.  It usually happens within this time frame.  Here we have 2 KINGS suggesting a male in uniform.  There are no ’s in this fan so it is all good as in not because of any trouble.   There are no health related cards or heavy duty spades in the layout so it is safe to assume the man in uniform will be a good influence.

The 7shows a financial increase connected to these 2 Kings.  The man involved will be a warm hearted friend or a compassionate businessman.  Anytime the 7is beside a court card the suggestion is that the circumstances will be public in nature.  For example, a business that deals directly with people versus E-commerce.  Serving the public.

INFLUENCES spot   5K2

The spot in the layout usually show the unforeseen influences. The fan can hold good meaning cards or introduce possible obstacles or challenges.       The first couple of ’s side by side.   Usually the K is an Ex or a professional man.  Since he is coupled with the 5 and the fan ends in the 2I will read him as a divorced man 5 + K.  This man’s intentions are favorable or at least end on a good note.

You can read the 2 to represent children- perhaps his kids.   The A + 5 points to a relocation or changes in the residence and this is connected to this K .  The reason for that is because the 5 is beside him.

ADDITIONAL  possibilites

At this point we have a general idea of some of the situations coming up for the Q.  You can get much more information if you read the fans of 3 card vertically as well.   For example:    K55 or   K9K.   As you can see the K could very well be a male member of the family who is having issues with his job 55 and because there are 2 -5’s together there is an element of urgency to this.

…and so on…

back to HOME page 

Skat cards & Block of 9 reading (1/3, 2/3)

My long time friend of some 20 years who visited Hungary this past fall brought me back a gorgeous deck of Piatnik

Skat cards (seen in the images) among some other exotic items. The deck has 32 of the traditional cards used in the the “old gipsy” pastime of fortune telling. There are numerous systems on the market that deal specifically with regular playing cards so that it becomes a challenge to find a “good” system and stick to it.

What I have found is the CLUBS suit has meanings as challenging as the SPADES. The modern symbolisms of the CLUBS belong to the world of business. A lot depends on if the creator of a skat/playing card system is rooted in the Tarot.

Can 32 cards provide as much detailed information as does the Regina Russell’s or Deborah Leigh’s Personal Prophesy systems? I think so. Sometimes “more” is not “better”.

Under the header (top of page) is a tab called gipsy Skat 7 – Ace. There you will find the most popular traditional meanings for the 32 cards. I use these meanings in the study example of this post.

Lets look at the Queen of Hearts, mainly because this queen is usually the card representing the female that is seeking the reading. I would like to demonstrate the traditional block of 9 layout using just this Queen.

1/3 QUEEN of HEARTS – [" The card of the female asking the cards a question. A close lady friend, the partner of the K , the woman of the household. She is sensitive, giving and full of affection. You can rely on her."]

The block of 9 layout

.Starting with the center 3 cards. JACK H QUEEN H, JACK D. The Queen has the Jack of Hearts to her left and Jack of Diamonds to her right. She looks trapped by her own & other people’s thoughts. (Jacks can represent the thoughts of the King and Queen belonging to the same suit. Jacks are actual people as well – description below.

JACK ["Depicted a young person that is well known, usually within the family circle. This card represents the thoughts of the Queen or King as does the Page in the Tarot cards. It brings a good influence. When you see this card and the Queen or King are missing you will know it is what they are thinking about. "]

JACK ["The card of the young lucky man. It also represents the thought of the Q and K. He or she would be someone that does not take things too seriously and seems to come out of situations smelling like a rose. "]

Before you begin interpreting these three cards it would be a good idea to gain a better understanding of all the cards involved. The Jack falls in the past or just passing spot- he is behind the Queen even though they are still looking at each other. There is a definite emotional link. However the link could very well be the Queen’s own thinking process.

Above the Jack is the Jack["In this system, the s lean towards the modern day meanings. This card is the person that no one really likes. He or she is found as the instigator of troubles. If you are asking about a favorable outcome and this Jack comes up, the answer comes but not without a struggle."] and beneath is the

9["A card of deep worry. Sickness. Confusion & doubts. This card indicates an area were complete trust and loyalty is lacking. When touching a court card use caution in any communication. Other cards could point to a sickness of the individual as well."]

Can the reading commence yet… it could. I would like to point out that what you are reading is the step by step process of divination by cards …most of it goes on in your head before you even speak..

When you glance at all 9 cards you should have the core “theme” and then build on it as you talk (when doing a one-on-one consultation, face to face). If you are doing an E-reading for someone then you probably won’t want to provide all the details how you assimilated your information with the exception of a few cards. Most people do not care how you arrive at your interpretation unless of course they too are learning all about the cards that you are using to do the reading.

OK, the next step to get more information around the JACK and 9 . Let’s look at the single cards above and below the Queen .

Sitting on top of the Queen is the ACE ["The card of occupational connections. Ideas. This card brings luck to the adjoining cards. An increase of money is shown. Coupled with court cards it describes a person that is intelligent and one who will have connections in the work force."].

Beneath the Queen is the 9["The card of negativity. In this we have an influence that is challenging. An illusion- sometimes the person’s own imagination thinking the worst. This card cautions about mis-communications and a variety of mishaps."].

2 9’s – both of them are negative in nature, and black 9 9 AND 2 Aces -one red, one black.

3 J’s – 2 red and 1 black. Sometimes 3 Jacks can be a place of employment with mostly men under 40 ish.

By this point a good part of the jig saw puzzle should be solved but there are still a few pieces missing. The last column is traditionally the future or what shall come to pass…as in outcome or results.

Now we will look at this last column to see what’s around the JACK who doesn’t seem be very interested in what the Queen is doing. Above the Jack is the 10["The card of travel usually connected to a necessity. Foreign matters- a person at a distance. A major change- much depends are neighboring cards. Questions involving “time” - the answer is a long wait.]

Below the Jack is the ACE["The card of large institutions such as court, hospitals, educational facilities, high profile offices. Divorce, death and terminal illness."]

10- this card suggests a matter that will take a long time. It also means that the Jack will embark on some long distance travel in the future.

+ Jack + Ace = young man is trained in any of the areas depicted by the Ace.

Now that we know the [meanings] and we can see the fans of 3 cards horizontally + vertically the reading could begin. Understanding the Block of 9 layout is important too and is detailed below.

RIGHT ABOUT NOW is a good time….to get a refreshment

2/3

suggested EXPLANATION of the Block of 9 layout

1st vertical COLUMN- cards falling here describe the recent past, a situation that may still be active.

TOP CARD- what lead up to the center card. JACK

CENTER CARD- the influence card JACK affecting the Queen

BOTTOM CARD- the result of both top and center. 9

2nd vertical COLUMN- the now or current spot

TOP CARD- what is on the Queen s mind, this card will also describe her personality ACE

CENTER CARD- the female of the reading, (can also be the male KING)

BOTTOM CARD- this card summarizes the situation 9at present, or describes something pending

3rd vertical COLUMN- the near future

TOP CARD- describes what lead up to the center card. 10

CENTER CARD- the future influence card JACK affecting the Queen

BOTTOM CARD- the outcome of both top and center cards. ACE

1st horizontal ROW – what is on the Queen’s mind, the past and future

2nd horizontal ROW- the immediate past and future situation around the Queen

3rd horizontal ROW- culmination of the situation or influences from the past leading to the future.

top left to bottom right DIAGONAL line- far past that leads to the far future result

JACK QUEEN ACE

bottom left to top right DIAGONAL line- result of past leading to the beginning of the future result

9QUEEN10

interpretation STEPS next post 3/3

 

standard Playing cards accuracy

Sept 20, 2007. I want to share Part 1 – using the 15 card layout© found in the Card Reader’s Handbook. written by Regina Russell.

Some of the Regina’s card meanings & combinations are used to demonstrate this reading.

It is now 3 months after that reading … and it is a good time to review the hits or misses …

TOP FAN: JACK 5 KING

LEFT FAN: ACE QUEEN 2 MIDDLE FAN: JACK 2 ACE RIGHT FAN: 5 8 KING

BOTTOM FAN: 8 9 KING

LEFT FAN is the passing spot, some influences were still active around the time of the date of the reading. Reading the suits of the cards,we already know that an emotional situation being worked on will end up with a delay or challenge.

ACE represents the home and things going on within the family circle. Love.

QUEEN is generally a fair haired female or close friend, co-worker but in this case is a female belonging to the family (beside ACE)

2is a card about suggesting a separation or removal. I have always read this card to indicate a forced action. Against you natural Will.