To sum up what we’ve seen so far in terms of card interactions: 1) cards behaving neutrally are influenced positively or negatively by the cards following them 2) cards with the same polarity tend to strengthen each other for good or ill 3) cards of a similar polarity tend not to rely on their placement to create meanings 4) but when cards have the opposite polarity, the one falling last tends to influence the previous one more than vice versa 5) similarly, if cards have opposite meanings the one falling last tends to influence the previous one more and indicate the direction of the reading 6) and, generally, black cards tend to be stronger than red cards, which tend to be influenced more than they influence. These rules of thumb can and often do conflict with one another, which is where the art of reading comes in.

Another phenomenon that it is well to keep in mind is the one which might be termed that of split combinations. This phenomenon happens when two or more cards forming a unit of meaning are split up to include a third card. This is especially common with cards bearing the same suit or the same number or having similar meanings. It can also happen in more elaborate combinations where all or most cards point to a single concept.

The 3♠ and 3♣ have the notion of movement in common: the Journey card is movement and the Widower is a removal. Together they form a combination that signifies a journey away from someone or something. It is very common for a card to fall between then, such as a face card. But the cards must still be read together as a unit, and the card falling between them is the thing or person the querent gets away from (K♥ their husband, 2♥ their house, K♦ their job, 10♥ their town) in other words, you do not read the combination 3♠ + 2♥ + 3♣ as: there will be loss, then the querent will move into a home. You read them as: the querent will abandon their house (or another place).

The 9♠ and 9♦ form a combination signifying a vicious cycle or an addiction (the same is true substituting either one with the 9♣R). If the 10♣R falls between them, you do not read: there is a blockage, then an opportunity which however will be squandered. You read the combination as: the querent has a problem with slot machines (the 10♣R is associated with gambling).

The 5♠ and the 7♠ often fall together to signify a definite and rather traumatic ending. If the 4♥ falls between them, you do not read the cards as: the querent will go through a sharp change, then he will find love but it won’t last. You read it as: the querent will break up with someone.

Of course, we are only taking three cards into account, which is very limiting. When you find yourself with five or ten or more cards in front of you, deciding what kinds of geometry the cards are following can become more a matter of judgement. All I can say is that you need to develop an eye for what the cards are saying.

Suppose we have the following combination: 5♠ + 5♥ + 7♥ + 2♦. The placement of the cards is relatively indifferent. Four times out of five, this combination will signal the reading of a will. If the 2♠ falls  in the middle, you do not let the card interfere with the combination and break it up. You incorporate the card into the combination, applying the combination’s meaning to the card: the reading of an old lady’s will.

Another example. Suppose we have the following combination: 4♦ + 8♠ + 10♦. This combination signals, generally speaking, a swindle. If the 6♥ falls somewhere inside the combination, you do not read that there will be a swindle, then money will be gained and then lost. You read it simply as:a swindle concerning money.