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Playing Cards and Numerology – The Sevens

December 22, 2022 MQS Leave a comment

In cartomancy with playing cards, the sevens in general represent the idea of achievement.

The Seven of Hearts has the general meaning of surprise. This is because the suit of Hearts does not contemplate the notion of effort, so anything that happens happens either thanks to other people or thanks to positive circumstances. This card signals positive turns of events, fortunate breakthroughs and good luck. It is also connected with the idea of talent, because if we have a talent for something, achieving great results in it is easy.

The Seven of Clubs is less fortunate. It is a card of problems, things that stand in the way of achievement and that need to be worked through. It is not a tragic card. Sometimes it limits the amount of success shown by the other cards, while at other times it signifies that the sailing will be less than smooth. Either way, the problems shown by this card are solvable (which doesn’t automatically mean they will be solved). Supported by positive cards, the Seven of Clubs becomes a card of hard-won achievement. It can signal the conclusion of an agreement or that of a practical project.

The Seven of Diamonds is the card of money and financial achievement, and of achievement in general. It is a simple card most of the times. Unlike the Seven of Hearts, here effort is implied. By extension, this card is positive for recognition and winning prizes, and allegorically it is connected to harvesting.

The Seven of Spades is a card of misfortune. It shows obstacles that are difficult to solve, against which the querent has little power. More broadly, the card has to do with all negative unforeseen circumstances that either prevent us from achieving what we want or strongly limit us. With positive cards it shows that success won’t be complete, while with negative cards it’s a sign of utter capitulation.

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Playing Cards and Numerology – The Sixes

December 21, 2022 MQS Leave a comment

The way I read playing cards, sixes are the difficult number. In general, six brings out the worst in the cards. I’ve noticed that this is a trend in Italian systems of cartomancy (althouth not in Kapherus’ system).

The Six of Hearts is the only positive card of the bunch, as it signifies the solution of trouble, adjustment and the return to happiness, health, etc. It shows peace, improvement and relax. Only when hemmed in by nasty cards it turns foul and it brings tears (which the card graphically reminds me of) and the impossibility of a solution.

The Six of Clubs is a very static card. It signifies tiredness and a situation with all work and no play and no enthusiasm. It is symbolic of subordinate work and, more broadly, it implies the inability to definitely put a problem behind you, as it keeps showing up. With positive cards, it shows the ability to reach your goal, but usually without a great sense of realization.

The Six of Diamonds is also a meh card. It is connected with insecurity, worries, confusion and indecision, especially but not exclusively of a financial nature. It shows all those situations where you can’t stop thinking about something and being tormented by it. However, with positive cards it can signify a situation that is sorted out by being resourceful, planning and making an informed decision.

The Six of Spades is a card of illness, as it figuratively depicts the wards of a hospital. It is one of those cards that is very difficult to put a positive spin on. The illness can be literal or figurative, when it symbolizes a situation of suffering and upset, or even one that is noxious or damaged. In itself, it negates reconciliations and the possibility of returning to the past, though of course the following cards may alleviate it.

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Playing Cards and Numerology – The Fives

December 20, 2022 MQS Leave a comment

In cartomancy with playing cards, fives have an affinity with the idea of change, just as fours are related to stability.

The Five of Hearts shows positive change coming our way without effort. It is a card of evolution, good opportunities, gifts, offers (it is somewhat similar to the Three) and in general it shows that the querent thrives. Its general meaning is that of abundance and flourishing, freedom and being in a positive environment.

The Five of Clubs also signifies change, but change that is enacted by the querent. It implies effort, even physical effort. Nothing is free in the realm of Clubs, and therefore the card implies combativeness and even competition and the need to fight for what you want. While the Five of Hearts shows abundance, this card has an inherent sense of scarcity to it and the need to make the best of your chances.

The Five of Diamonds is the card that I thought exemplifies this number best, because in my system it just means change in a neutral sense. Generally it’s a positive card and it can bring some dynamic energy to a static spread. Of course it is also connected to the movement of money, information and energy, all of which are themes of the suit of Diamonds.

The Five of Spades is a bad card. The main meaning is that of prison, but of course it needs to be interpreted figuratively most of the times. It signifies the inability to move or to act, and it is symbolic of all things that keep us fenced in (like the pip in the middle) and chained, unable to change, be it guilt or an addiction. In general it signifies lack of opportunities, scarcity, dejection, the need for great sacrifice or, if followed by negative cards, a definite turn for the worse.

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Playing Cards and Numerology – The Fours

December 19, 2022 MQS Leave a comment

In most systems of cartomancy with playing cards, the fours are cards of stability. However, a further connotation that I think attaches to them is that of pact or agreement between parts. Possibly this is due to the four pips resembling the legs of a table where people sit to talk.

The Four of Hearts is the card of reunions, gatherings and positive social occasions. It is also a symbol of agreements that come easy or are easily restored (Hearts): harmony and affinity all play into the meaning of the card. Because of the emotional connotation of the suit, the card can signify sex.

The Four of Clubs represents talks, and it is mainly the conversation card. However, it is not splendid. Because of the neutral nature of the suit of Clubs, which implies struggle and the need for action, the Four can go either way: toward agreement or toward breakup. It implies a degree of difference that needs to be reconciled, which is why talks are necessary. It’s not a bad card, but it is open-ended.

The Four of Diamonds is the card of formal agreements. It represents all things to do with papers, documents, offices, etc. Because the suit is more material than that of Hearts, the agreement can be interpreted as a transaction, and therefore the card represents buying and selling, and, by extension, all objects. In general, it signifies economic activity and has an affinity with the more material side of life.

The Four of Spades takes the basic theme of the number and runs it into the ground. The card represents loneliness and isolation. It shows the inability to get along or reach a positive conclusion. It shows complete disharmony and the impossibility of proceeding in a given direction, thus implying blockage. With other negative cards it means failure and trouble that cannot be overcome.

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Playing Cards and Numerology – The Threes

December 18, 2022 MQS Leave a comment

The threes or treys share their low value with the twos. Once again, we are dealing with small cards. They are, however, stronger than the twos, and tend to form strong or noteworthy combinations when the fall with the two of the same suit.

All threes are connected with the idea of interaction, mediation and that of “getting” or receiving.

The Three of Hearts is the Gift card. This can be a real gift, or it can signify anything that we receive easily and for nothing. Allegorically, it signifies solution, the overcoming of small obstacles, positive development and happiness. It also means positive interactions, small gatherings, good mediation between parts and the positive influence of a third party.

The Three of Clubs represents the binding of people together by common interests that they pursue together. It can signify a small group of people, like all threes, and a union, a contract, a marriage etc. More broadly the card means doing things together. It is also the card of intermediation in a neutral sense. As for “getting”, nothing is free in the world of Clubs, so the card indicates enterprise and getting progressively nearer to your goals, heaping those small steps of the Two on top of each other to get where you want. In general, it signifies situations slowly taking root.

The Three of Diamonds is a small money card. It shows the receiving of money or of profitable offers. It can indicate things appreciating in value, but generally the card is restricted to material affairs. Symbolizing the reception of money, it can indicate a job, but usually part-time. Like the Three of Hearts, it shows positive interactions, but more transactional in nature.

The Three of Spades is the card of Intrigue, but the title is rather dramatic. Unless the cards point specifically to third party interference (which is how this card interprets the idea of interaction and mediation) it can signify other more plausible things. One of the classical meanings is that of “loss”, which is the opposite of getting something. Alternatively, it can point to the receiving of something bad. Broadly, the card symbolizes bumps on the road between you and what you want, but not huge bumps, unless the following cards are horrible. Think intrigue in the sense of complication or tangled affair that needs to be sorted out.

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Playing Cards and Numerology – The Twos

December 17, 2022 MQS 4 Comments

The Twos or Deuces in the playing card deck are often considered of low value, the reason being that they are the smallest number beside the Aces, which however have great symbolic value, and even great value in many games. In general, when taken alone, the Twos do not have tremendous power in changing the course of a reading, but of course they gain it by connecting to other cards.

All Twos are connected to the idea of movement in some form or another.

The Two of Hearts was taught to me as the card of the “Door Knockers”. Just as the Ace is the home, the Two is what is coming to the home. Broadly speaking, it shows things happening in a short timeframe. The general idea is that of imminent arrival. Being the card of arrival and visits, it signifies the shortening of distances and a principle of reconciliation when appropriate (but other cards must be present). Having a connection with expectation, it can show the arrival of a child if with other cards (note how this card is similar to the Three of Hearts in the Vera Sibilla).

The Two of Clubs does not signal arrival, where the querent is passively waiting for something. It shows the taking of steps. Literally, this is the card of walking and of moving, usually a short distance, visiting instead of being visited. It shows going out (as befits the Club suit) and being active in a matter. Figuratively, it can signify the idea of putting things into motion and getting your ducks in a row.

The Two of Diamonds heralds letters. It is the card of messages and all that is written: invitations, post, emails, etc. Nowadays, though, the card covers telephone calls as well. Figuratively, the card is connected with the movement of ideas, the elaboration of the thoughts and with all that has to do with evolving your perspective. It’s movement, but of the mind.

The Two of Spades is the opposite of the Two of Hearts. It’s the card of anger and of all those feelings that create fractures and distance. It can signify a separation and movement away from something or someone. Broadly, the card means annoyances and small difficulties that frustrate the querent, obnoxious things coming your way. If drowned in a sea of positive cards, the Two of Spades simply heralds delays and small difficulties. It is not a tragic card. It does show frustrations and differences of opinion.

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Playing Cards and Numerology – The Aces

December 16, 2022 MQS Leave a comment

One word of caution: back when I was taught to read playing cards, I was simply given their meanings. Just like for the Sibilla, there were no number meanings. The numerology was something I came up with to make sense of the meanings, remember them better and further expand upon them. You are free to come up with different associations, or even to disregard numerology entirely.

Aces in playing cards are connected to beginnings, obviously, but also to how and where things begin based on the associations of the suit.

In the suit of Hearts, the Ace is famously the House card. This is because our emotional sphere begins at home. The walls of the house protect us from what is outside. Thus, the Ace of Hearts represents the idea of inside. The house is the core of our individuality, where our roots are (it can also signify our origins, and the idea of origins, source, spring, well in general). It is also connected with positive beginnings or the beginning of positive things.

In the suit of Clubs, beginnings are interpreted differently. Here things begin objectively, they take root concretely out there in the world and not just inside of us, hence the Ace of Clubs’ connection with outside buildings and the idea of “outside” in general. More broadly, the Ace of Clubs is a card of production, commitment, activity, vigor and willpower. It also signifies signing papers, which is how documents become objectively valid.

In the suit of Diamonds, the beginning is seen in more absolute terms. This is the card of things starting out, of new things and, because the suit is connected to information and impulses, to news. It is also the card of all things that are first or of the highest value, such as diamonds, jewels, gold, a capital city, the sun, etc. The card can herald changes of phase, usually positive, and it is great for starting new ventures.

The suit of Spades is negative, so the beginning turns into an ending. Thus, this is almost universally the Death card. It heralds change, but painful change, change which is seen as the ending of something rather than the beginning of something else. It’s connected to all things that confine us. On a broader level it can even signify a country’s borders because that’s where the country ends. It is the card of cuts and knives. Broadly, this is the card of bad things beginning or of bad beginnings. It is also connected to all things that are last or of least value, and to where things end or end up.

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Playing Cards | The Four Suits

December 15, 2022 MQS Leave a comment

The two colors divide into four suits, two for each color.

Red splits into Hearts, which represent emotions and easy triumph, and Diamonds, which represent energy and the reward for positive action taken. Of the two, Hearts are generally more positive.

Black splits into Clubs, which represent effort and toil and the need to act, and Spades, which represent serious trouble. Of the two, Spades are more negative.

At a glance it is clear that Hearts tend to be antithetical to Spades, while Clubs and Diamonds complement each other.

Hearts signify love, family, emotion, religion, art, philosophy, nourishment, miracles, celebrations, gifts. They give freely (out of the goodness of their heart, you may say). They are connected to the home environment, and by analogy to the inner side of the individual. They are also connected to warm climates and the sea and all bodies of water. They are also erratic and lazy. They are associated with the clergy and with nobility.

Spades are the opposite. Whereas Hearts give freely, Spades take away easily. They represent obstacles, enmity, obstructions to the querent’s desires, restriction, punishment and all things that are either bad for the querent (sickness) or are neutral to positive but cause pain or are associated with it(medicine, the legal system, the state). In a word, all those things that create a rigid armor of rules and punishments that keep the individual from getting what he wants. They are associated with cold climates and the mountain, and with hostile environments in general. They are connected with the army and with the state as a means of threatening the citizens.

Hearts are Spades cannot be reconciled. They represent two opposite modes of existence: pure bliss and pure pain, heaven and hell. When only Hearts and Spades litter the reading, you have either miracles or tragedies, depending on which one prevails.

Clubs and Diamonds are the conciliation of the pure redness of Hearts and the pure blackness of Spades. They represent toil and rewards. Toil implies difficulties and the need for action (but also the possibility of action), while rewards imply some action, or they wouldn’t be rewards, but gifts (Hearts).

Clubs are associated with action, physical activity, the physical body, and with the world “out there”, as opposed to the inner reality of the Hearts. They symbolize vegetation and growth, both in plants and in humans, and they stand for the countryside and for the peasantry or with the common folk, those who need to work to get by. They also are a symbol of other people outside of the querent’s family, as an extension of the idea of “out there”. Usually, Clubs are friends or more distant relatives. Clubs are different from Spades because the latter often signify obstacles that are either impossible or very hard to plough through, while Clubs put the accent on action, and therefore on the turning of something from an obstacle into a resource. If Spades are a wall that confines the querent, Clubs are a steep slope to climb.

Diamonds show the rewards reaped from the toil of the Clubs. They signify money, energy (because money can be transformed into anything that money buys, just like energy can be transformed into anything that is made of energy). They also signify the mind and progress, inventions, etc. They are associated with the city and with merchants and the bourgeoisie. They differ from Hearts, the other red suit, because although they are still connected with some sort of inner side of the querent, it is more practical and aimed at achieving the goods of this world. It is inventiveness rather than contemplation, science rather than philosophy or religion.

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Divination with Playing Cards – Red and Black

December 14, 2022 MQS Leave a comment

Before we start talking about the four suits, it’s obvious that, as card readers, we cannot not consider the two colors present in modern playing card decks. Most systems of cartomancy, as far as I know, consider them. Some believe that a majority of red is good and a majority of black is bad. Others answer yes or no questions by the preponderance of colors. You need to find your own language, but I must confess that this yes-no thing has not worked reliably for me, although I know it does for other readers (such as J David Arcuri, whose work I highly recommend).

The way I see it, and the way that I have been taught, red suits tend to be “light”, moveable (Hearts) and moving (Diamonds), volatile, life-giving, cheerful and showy. They tend to shine in a reading, and the things they symbolize tend to shine more obviously: a promotion, a great love, etc. These are all things that make us feel good immediately. They please us, mostly. They are also very unstable. A love reading with only hearts, in my experience, is not good. Hearts don’t put effort into anything, meaning that all can turn out to be a flash in the pan. The answer may be good immediately, but you can already see troubled skies ahead.

Black suits tend to be “heavy”, struggling (Clubs) or suffering (Spades). They are limiting, oppositional, dour, serious, private, toiling, strict, but also stabilizing and disciplined. They give nothing for free, if anything at all. They are very firm, and a reading with too many black cards will tend to show either immobility or lots and lots of struggle and effort for very paltry results. However, they tend to give roots to positive situations, making them last longer.

Ask any couple that has lasted a long time. There have been hard times. There have been fights and misunderstandings and moments when all seemed lost. Those are the spades and clubs of the relationships. Having survived those phases makes the relationship much more stable, it gives the two people involved a keener awareness of how to steer the ship of marriage. It also implies a willingness to commit and to work out issues, to compromise, to leave one’s comfort zone behind once the initial emotional lubricant of pure bliss is over.

I’m not trying to say black suits are pleasant. I’m merely pointing out that we don’t exist just on some childish level of awareness of pleasure and pain. Life is more complex, and divination reflects life. There are pains that are necessary and pleasures that are harmful or distracting. This is reflected in the interplay of the suits and colors of the reading.