I believe that in the development of divination techniques, the creation of meanings for multiples of cards of the same number must have probably come pretty early. When I was taught to read playing cards, the person who gave me the meanings passed also the signification of card multiples to me, with the caveat that she’d never found them to be very reliable, contrary to the rest of the method. I must confess that I almost never use them, except when the meaning can be derived from the meanings of the cards, which is why I never talked about them before. However, since someone asked me, I’ll retrieved them from my notes so that you can experiment with them.
Note that it does not matter which cards we are talking about as long as they have the appropriate number of pips. However, the presence of Spades in the combination is supposed to worsen the meaning, especially if the Spade card comes last.
Aces 2 = Surprise 3 = Positive Chance 4 = when together, death or great danger, when apart, glory or success
A couple of days ago I wrote that a user had pointed out some of my links were broken. It took me a significant amount of time to correct the issue, so this was definitely a significant part of my day.
As I have probably already mentioned, sometimes I draw three cards for the day to see how it’s going. For that day I had:
J ♣ – 7♣ – 2♣
I forgot all about the reading until evening, but then it made sense: the help (the Jack) in taking steps (Two of Clubs) on an issue (Seven of Clubs).
Furthermore, it is not uncommon for daily readings to cover more than one happening in your life. That day I fell on the street (Seven of Clubs on Two of Clubs) and people helped me get up and gathering my groceries.
This may sound silly, but our life is made up of these little things, and the cards can reflect them. It is not always that clear, but sometimes it is possible to see the immediate connection between cards and life.
I was asked in a private message about the difference between the Ace of Spades and the Five of Diamonds in my way of reading playing cards, since both seem to signify change. This is a nice question, so I thought I’d write an article about it. Maybe I’ll write other comparative articles if I feel inspired to.
First off, let’s start with two obvious facts. The Ace of Spades belongs to the Suit of Spades, which is the most negative in the deck. Spades have very few redeeming qualities. They represent the dark side of existence, pain, grief and sorrow. The Suit of Diamonds, on the other hand, is neutral, with some positive undertones. It is a symbol of energy, change, progress. It is connected to technology and science, to money, wealth, intelligence. Broadly, it shows impulses and new impulses. This fact alone indicates that the Ace of Spades must have more negative connotations than the Five of Diamonds.
Furthermore, the Ace of Spades is, well, an ace. Aces have a powerful impact on any reading, as they can show the manifestation of new currents of destiny, new life phases, etc. They indicate the beginning of something. Even when they don’t, they are still very dominant cards, and we must always pay close attention to them. Fives, on the other hand, are roughly in the middle of the sequence, so the change they indicate is more akin to a transition within the same sequence or current of events.
This is, of course, somewhat vague and needs to be understood within the context of each reading. However, when we combine the suit with the number, we do have a general picture of the Ace of Spades as a very drastic card, whereas the Five of Diamonds, unless supported by drastic cards, tends to show a smoother transition, which is also less all-encompassing.
There is something else to take into account. Calling the Ace of Spades the card of change is somewhat reductive, as if we were trying to neutralize it. The Ace of Spades is, for the most part, a negative card. One of the ways my teacher called it, in addition to ‘the Death card’ was also ‘a thorn in the heart‘ though I don’t remember if I talked about this in the post. Perhaps I, too, have been guilty of playing it down.
A thorn in the heart is something that makes us suffer beyond words. It symbolizes grief, bereavement, sometimes even trauma. Even when followed by positive cards, the Ace of Spades represents painful changes that take a toll on our psyche, changes we are likely to perceive as some kind of great loss. The somewhat sterile concept of ‘change’ pales in comparison to this description.
The Five of Diamonds has, by itself, none of these connotations. It shows transition in the most neutral sense possible. For instance, when found next to the Ace of Hearts, i.e., the house, the Five of Diamonds can show renovations or changing the place of some piece of furniture, depending on the accompanying cards. The Ace of Spades next to the House can show grief in the family or coming from the family, and if it does indicate change, it is more likely to indicate an eviction or an unwanted change of residence.
Again, this is rather vague: we need to understand the cards within the context of a concrete reading, but by and large that’s my experience.
Court cards are scary, because they don’t seem to have a logical meaning, or at least not a prominent one. Instead, they represent people, and this can be inconvenient, because people exist in the real world and need to be described more or less accurately for the reading to be useful. This can be very difficult.
Queens and Kings are more likely to represent people and less likely to represent concepts, although on occasion they might. The K♣ and Q♣ are the two querent cards, and only in the rarest occasion do they stand for anything other than that.
A general rule of cartomancy (not just with playing cards) is that action happens in the spread. Who is not in the spread does not act. This can take on a variety of meanings, but most commonly what it means is that, for instance, if the querent doesn’t show up, they are relatively passive, and it is going to be harder for them to change the situation.
A natural corollary to this is the fact that if a person does show up in the spread, they influence the situation directly. Example: a female querent once asked me if she would find a job. The cards were:
10♠ – Q♥ – 7♥
The querent is not represented in the spread. This doesn’t mean that she wasn’t actively looking for a job (she was). It just means that her looking for one won’t solve the problem. Instead, out of nowhere (10♠) a woman will provide the solution in an unexpected way. What happened was that an aunt who lived far from home and didn’t even know the niece was looking for a job phoned and she happened to mention that there was an opening in the company she worked at that she needed to fill. Once she discovered the niece was looking for a job she helped her get the job.
Another example. A friend of mine once asked if the relationship that had just ended would resume (he had been left)
K♣ – 5♣ – A♦
An accumulation of Clubs is not good when asking about reconciliations. Here, the querent’s significator is shown acting (Five of Clubs) to start something new (Ace of Diamonds.) A week later he met a new girl and he (successfully) went after her. Here, despite the question, it is clear that the previous girl is completely out of the picture and cannot influence the events, so much so that later on she tried to reconnect with him (obviously, when she noticed that he was taken) but the spread showed that he was the one wielding power within the situation and was committed to the new.
As I did for the Sibilla, I shall now write a series of articles on the concrete interpretation of playing cards in divination. Some of what I said for the Sibilla applies here, so make sure to check that article.
Keep in mind that you cannot learn card reading in theory. I am among those who believe that, without some grounding in theory, practice tends to be shallow. I’ve met plenty of “intuitive readers” who basically spend their querents’ time saying “how powerful this reading is” without actually saying anything of consequence except some pseudo-empowering truisms (“It’s time for you to get out of your own way”). There is nothing wrong with empowering the querent, but the advice needs to be taylored to their specific situation, and reading the querent’s specific situation requires some study of the theory.
That being said, there is also such thing as too much theory. If you want to be a card reader, read cards. Do it for friends, acquaintances, relatives. Sooner than you think you are going to amass a wealth of practical insight into the nature of the cards which is going to be more valuable than anything anyone may write.
Playing Cards are usually read one after the other in a linear fashion. If you feel called by positional spreads (“This is his heart, this is his past, this is his wish, etc.”) by all means go ahead. However, playing cards are great at creating broad pictures by combining with one another.
The first thing to remember is that Hearts tend to be positive and Spades negative, with Diamonds and Clubs fluctuating somewhere in between. Unlike in the Sibilla, where red cards tend to be weak and black cards strong and assertive, in playing cards Hearts are just as strong as Spades. This means that much of the interpretation depends on which card falls first and which last.
For instance, let’s say you have the 2♥ followed by the 2♠. In this case, an argument or some kind of vexation is coming up next. The Two of Hearts is a rather broad card in terms of meaning, often just showing that something is about to knock at the door. However, if it were 2♠ followed by 2♥, then whatever negative thing the Two of Spades signifies is likey to be overcome by harmony (the Two of Hearts indicate a distance being bridged).
Diamonds and Clubs are broadly neutral, although Diamonds tend slightly toward the positive and Clubs slightly toward the negative. This means that they are strongly influenced by the Hearts and Spades in the spread. For instance, one of the main associations of Diamonds is with money, but in itself we do not really know if it’s money gained or money lost. This depends on how the card falls in the spread, and whether with Hearts or with Spades. Clubs, on the other hand, indicate effort, so a Heart can make the effort pleasurable or positive, while Spades can make it in vain. In general, accumulations of Clubs indicate difficulties.
Note that although Clubs are neutral and Hearts are positive, which prevails still depends on which card falls first. For instance, 6♥ + 7♣ shows that there are difficulties in overcoming a separation or in healing from sickness. In itself, this combination is slightly positive because the Seven of Clubs is not a Spade, so it leaves the door open, but it is not satisfactory. If we had 7♣ + 6♥, then a problem would be overcome rather easily.
In general, a Spade falling last indicates failure. However, you need to be careful. If you are only pulling three cards, this may very well be so. However, the more cards make up the row of cards you are interpreting, the less a Spade falling last can overcome very positive card, especially if it’s not a hugely negative Spade. Suppose you have five or seven cards in a row that show that the querent will get his wish, but then a Spade falls last. In this case we would interpret the spread as “you will get what you want, but then a problem will arise.” What kind of problem will be shown by the cards themselves. In case, do another spread.
These are just some preliminaries. Playing cards tend to be rather straightforward, so you will soon find yourself understanding the cards in context better than I could ever describe them in an article.
They are normally people who are, at the very least, cold toward the querent, and do not further his aims in any way, unless it is through pain (such as in the case of a doctor, or a judge). Sometimes they are openly hostile and will have plans and aims that are opposite to those of the querent. This is a big difference with Diamond figures, for the latters are neutral, and their objectives may or may not align with those of the querent.
With Spade people, however, it is clear that someone is going to try to throw a wrench in our plans. In love readings they are often the third party, and it is important to note that when the rival in love shows up as a Spade, it is very hard for the querent to get rid of them, meaning that usually these people have a serious relationship going on with the querent’s partner. It is not merely a flirt. The same is true in all other aspects of life.
With Spade Face cards, however, it is possible that they represent something other than a real person. The Queen of Spades is a symbol of falsehood, lies, deceit, gossip, slander. The card comes up whenever someone is being less than upfront with us. It also stands for things that are rotten, noxious, overripe, decaying, and it is also associated with lack of acceptance, privation, loss.
The King of Spades is also the card of the law and of all official authority. It can represent the legal system, organized religion and all those structures that are unbending and cold toward the querent, though not necessarily evil. Furthermore, it can represent science, but usually those aspects of science that are less pleasant, such as medicine.
Combinations:
Q♠ + 5♣ + 3♠ = a woman who does everything she can to interfere
Q♠ + 4♣ = lies (even when there’s no woman involved)
Q♠ + J♥ = a bad mother (if with cards of pregnancy, a pregnant woman who doesn’t want the child)
Q♠ + 5♠ + 4♠ = a destitute or desperate woman
A♠ + 6♠ + Q♠ = in a health reading, the removal of a body part
K♠ + 6♠ = a doctor (if Q♠ can be a female doctor, although more rarely. Often the K♠ indicates a doctor regardless of sex)
K♠ + 4♣ = official talks, a court case (again, here the King is the authority, regerdless of sex)
K♠ + 3♣ = official contract, can also be a civil marriage
3♥ + K♠ = a concession from an authority
9♣ + K♠ = it can be a foreign authority if it makes sense, otherwise it may show legal entanglements causing delays
if the Heart figures indicate people that are close to the querent, the Diamond figures show other people, usually unrelated (except when they represent relatives by marriage.)
In general, they can also stand for people who have wealth or power over the querent, although usually not legal power, as would be the case with Spade cards. With Diamonds we deal with money or knowledge, so they are often a boss, a professor, someone knowledgeable, a specialist doctor, etc.
In love readings, they are neutral. They indicate other people influencing the situation. They can also stand for third parties, or, when the querent is the third wheel, the official partners, especially if there is no love between them and the querent’s partner anymore. Broadly, Diamonds don’t love. This doesn’t mean they actively hate, but their primary loyalty is not to their heart. Keep in mind, though, that just because a partner shows up as a Diamond, it doesn’t mean the story is going to end. Plenty of people stay in relationships out of habit or for questions of interest (and interest must be construed broadly. Even children are a question of interest, as they may give some people a reason beyond love to stay together). Also, unlike Spade cards, Diamonds are usually not actively malicious or aggressive, unless they are surrounded by cards that say otherwise.
In material readings the two Diamond figures are more positive, as they signify wealthy people. This is especially good if the querent is looking for a job–the presence of a wealthy person together with appropriate cards, can indicate finding employment, i.e., a wealthy person to work for. Traditionally this is especially true for the King of Diamonds, but nowadays it may happen with the Queen as well.
Even when they don’t represent people (and this is very rare), the two cards stand for wealth: the Queen indicates increase of wealth, and the King indicates the manipulation of wealth, including commerce, banks, financial institutions and similar things.
Psychologically the cards denote a practical mindset, which can become callous materialism with negative cards, or ability to help and find practical solutions with good cards.
Combinations:
Q/K♦ + 9♦ = an influencial man or woman will play an important role
Q/K♦ + 3♣ = a married man or woman (but he or she doesn’t love her partner)
Q/K♦ + A♥ = it can be a wealthy family member or a distant relative, but depending on the context it can also be a landlord/lady, broadly it shows a homeowner
Q/K♦ + 4♦ = if the Face card doesn’t represent a person, it indicates a wealthy deal
A♠ + K/Q♦ = traditionally a divorced person, but take the context into account (if it were Q/K♠, a widow or widower)
In cartomancy with playing cards, the Queen of Clubs (Q♣) and King of Clubs (K♣) are the significator cards for the female and male querents respectively.
As such, they do not require much in the way of explanation. Their meaning is obvious in so far as they have one. They are perfectly neutral. In cartomantic systems of old they were assigned positive significations, but that’s because old systems tended to flatter querents. So the Queen of Clubs was called a woman of high virtue and the King of Clubs a man of honor. Whether they are of high or low virtue, in reality, will be shown by the surrounding cards.
Most of the times, the other significator card will indicate the partner. However, if this person doesn’t exist, or if it doesn’t make sense within the context of the reading, they still indicate people that will have a central role. Usually, they are more involved and closer to the querent than the Diamond figures, but more neutral than the Heart face cards.
Extremely rarely, so rarely, in fact, that I should probably not even mention it, these card can show something other than people. In this case, the Queen of Clubs can indicate serious and honest effort, although usually the Club suit precludes great realizations. The King of Clubs can have the meaning of sound judgment, fairness and much activity.
Combinations:
K/Q♣ + 3♥ + 10♠ + 7♥ = the person is secretly planning a surprise, it will be a gift
K/Q♣ + A♥ + K/Q♣ = they live or will live together
3♠ + 2♥ + K♣ + 7♣ + Q♣ = in this example, his family interferes, causing problems between them
9♥ + J♥ + K♣ + 2♠ + Q♣ + 4♠ = he wants a child, she doesn’t (if you switch the two significators around it’s the opposite)
K♣ + 3♣ + Q♣ + 10♠ + Q♦ + 3♠ = she is secretly bisexual and seeing another woman
In cartomancy with playing cards, the Queen of Hearts (Q♥) and King of Hearts (K♥) represent loved ones.
They are slightly positive cards, although their true meaning will be revealed by the surrounding cards. In themselves, they portray a man or a woman in a positive light, because the suit of Hearts is positive in itself. Often, they indicate people whom the querent already knows and have an emotional connection (or a blood one) with him or her. They may show up as parents.
In love readings, it’s important to remember that the official querent is the Q♣ or K♣, and their partner will be the other Club card. However, if the cards want to show, for instance, that the male querent will break up with his partner and will then find a new girlfriend, the Q♥ would show the new one. Same for the woman with the K♥. In gay relationships, though, the Q♥ and K♥ can show the official or perspective partner.
In career readings, usually these are positive figures who have the querent’s best interest at heart and often an emotional connection to him (though not necessarily a romantic one). Keep in mind that it’s a little weird for a boss to show up as a Heart figure, unless they are your parents or you have very close bond of affection with them. Still, if the question is “will he or she help me?” the fact that they show up as a Heart is encouraging.
Usually Queens and Kings are people. Rarely, they can take on allegorical meanings. In that case, the Queen of Hearts indicates acceptance, receptivity, obedience (not necessarily submission), docility and nurturing situations. The King shows positive decisions made by or for the querent, including in a legal setting.
Finally, the Q♥ and K♥ represent all things feminine and all things masculine, respectively.
Spiritually, they can indicate deities (in Catholic Italy, the Queen of Hearts is Mary and the King God).
Combinations:
Q/K♥ + 2♥ + 9♥ = the realization of your wish is dependent on a man or woman who is very close to you and will further you (same if 3♥ instead of 9♥), usually a very close friend or a relative Q/K♥ + 10♠ + J♠ = a man/woman that appears good but harbors negative feelings A♦ + J♣ + Q/K♥ = a new positive friendship with a man/woman 4♣ + Q♥ = it can mean a lot of things, but broadly, if the Q is not a woman, it shows that your words are deeply understood by other people, what you say is accepted by others. If K♥, it still means the man is truthful A♠ + Q♥ + 5♦ + K♥ = transition female to male (if you swap the Q and the K, it’s male to female)
Like all Jacks, it can represent a child, albeit rarely. When it does, the child is “problematic”, to use an abused word. He or she is either difficult or has a problem (for instance, he could be sick, and this is especially bad in pregnancy readings).
In general, this card represents the opposite of the Jack of Hearts, as it indicates a negative attitude and ill-will. It personifies the desire to hurt or to do something bad or illegal or at least somewhat shady.
In relationship readings, the Jack of Spades indicates poor communication, disharmony and possibily the desire to cheat. Together with a face card indicating another person outside of the couple, it can show a rival. Broadly, it shows underhandedness. It can also mean spying.
It can also signify more mundane things. For instance, after a disagreement, having the Jack of Spades near your partner’s card simply shows they still need time to get over their anger. In this sense, they are still your “enemy”. This can be true for every kind of personal relationship.
In work readings, the Jack of Spades can show the presence of ill will on the workplace, rivals and enemies of all kind. However, this is also the card of the uniform, and it is connected to jobs in the armed forces in a neutral sense.
Psychologically the card shows malice and a poor attitude in general, pettiness, double standards and slyness. Spiritually it’s connected to evil spirits,evil thought forms and being “bad” in general.
Combinations:
J♠ + K♠ = if pertinent, it indicates a policeman or soldier (if also 5♠, arrest) J♠ + 9♦ + 3♠ = one possible combination of slander (9♦ is the reputation) A♥ or 2♥ + J♠ = disharmony and enmity at home or close to you J♠ + 5♦ + J♣ or any positive card, especially a ♥ = enmity turns to friendship J♠ + 6♠ = it can indicate a morbidly negative attitude, in a health reading it can indicate parasites or viruses
