Tag Archives: Playing Card Meanings

Card Meanings, Cartomancy, Divination, Fortune-telling, Playing Cards

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Four of Hearts

Leave a comment

In cartomancy with playing cards, the Four of Hearts (4♥) is the card of the reunion.

Four Hearts, from the Playing Cards series (N84) to promote Turkish Cross-Cut Cigarettes for W. Duke, Sons and Co. by W. Duke, Sons & Co. is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0

In general, the fours in cartomancy represent stability, but they are also strongly interpersonal card. They represent agreements between parts.

The Four of Hearts is a card of harmony and agreement in general, and it represents meetings and reconciliations. Usually, when the card stands for a meeting, it’s a small gathering or party, but it can also be a date or an appointment. In itself, the card says that it goes well, but check the cards following it to make sure.

More generally, as a card of order, the Four of Hearts represents harmony, symmetry, reciprocity and sharing. In a love reading it often signifies getting along just fine with your partner without much need for exhausting talks and without many arguments. The card brings stability to love situations and can be a symbol of married life. It is also a symbol of be bedroom, so it can imply some nooky. If there has been a breakup, the Four of Hearts promises a reconciliation, and that harmony will prevail over strife.

Illustration for the Four of Hearts in cartomancy with playing cards

In material matters, the Four of Hearts speaks of ease and feeling good in the work you are in. It can hint at work meetings, going back to work after a period of unemployment or striking a deal, though deals are more in the province of the Four of Diamonds. But the two cards overlap quite a bit.

Psychologically the card speaks of wellbeing and a well-adjusted individual, or one who adjusts easily to various situations. It can also, with bad cards, point to laziness and lack of commitment or to being a pushover.

Some Combinations:

A♥ – 4♥ – 8♥ = a house party or family gathering
3♣ – 2♠ – 4♥ = reconciliation after strife (bonus points if the 6♥ is present)
3♦ – 4♥ – J♥ = just sex
9♠ – 4♥ = feeling forced to go to a meeting (or to have sex)
4♥ – 8♠ = lack of harmony

Card Meanings, Cartomancy, Divination, Fortune-telling, Playing Cards

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Three of Spades

Leave a comment

In cartomancy with playing cards, the Three of Spades (3♠) is a card of intrigue.

Three Spades (black), from the Playing Cards series (N84) for Duke brand cigarettes by W. Duke, Sons & Co. is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0

Generally, the threes all have to do with the idea of receiving and of interaction. They also represent small gatherings.

The notion of intrigue can signify the querent is being led on or is leading someone on. It can represent lies, lack of clarity and dishonesty. This is especially true if there are other cards of dubious moral character in the spread. By itself, however, the notion of intrigue must be understood as that of difficult, complicated, intricate situation. It represents bumbs on the road.

In love readings, the Three of Spades often signifies lack of clarity and difficulties getting along. With bad cards it can show abandonment, and in some combinations it foreshadows an affair, showing the interference of a third party.

The card also represents the idea of loss, which is especially important in readings about material situations. Usually, the loss is not heavy, unless it’s accompanied by tragic cards. The notion of intrigue can also apply to swindles and such things.

Psychologically, the Three of Spades brings about lack of clarity, the inability to make good choices and the sense that the situation is a tad too complicated and the querent feels overwhelmed. With very negative cards it can be a card of bereavement (connecting to the idea of loss).

Finally, although this is a rare meaning, the Three of Spades can represent small gatherings of negative people, such as a cabal of schemers, a cult etc.

Some combinations:

4♣ – 3♠ = lies
J♠ – 3♠ – 10♠ = theft, scams, etc.
9♦ – 3♠ = losing a promotion
3♠ – 5♣ – 3♦ = working hard to recoup your losses
Q♠ or K♠ – 3♠ = third party interference

Card Meanings, Cartomancy, Divination, Divination Master Post, Fortune-telling, Playing Cards

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Three of Diamonds

Leave a comment

In cartomancy with playing cards, the Three of Diamonds (3♦) is the card of money.

Three Diamonds (red), from the Playing Cards series (N84) for Duke brand cigarettes by W. Duke, Sons & Co. is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0

All threes are about getting, receiving etc. as well as interactions. The Three of Diamonds represents the getting of money, and is therefore related to the act of receiving something valuable. In this, the card is similar to the Seven of Diamonds, which, however, usually represents more money. The Three of Diamonds is typically a small money card.

Although usually the card represents the receipt of money, it can also signal that the money will be spent. For instance, if it is followed by the Ace of Hearts, it can show spending money on the home or family, if the Ten of Clubs on a journey or on the car, etc.

The influence of the card is mainly on material affairs, with an emphasis on money. Representing the receipt of money, it can be a job card, usually a part-time job or, with negative cards, one that is not well paid.

In more romantic readings, the card, if in a positive context, can signify having small projects together with the partner. However, with negative cards, it shows a story of little value, maybe a flirt or at any rate something not that serious.

Psychologically, the Three of Diamonds is a card of excitement, but also of little effort or little interest in someone or something. This can be positive, as in, you’ll achieve something with little effort, but often it shows a bit too much carefreeness. It also shows a rather transactional frame of mind, quid pro quo Clarice, etc.

Some Combinations:

6♦ – K♠ – 3♦ = getting social security money (unemployment, etc)
6♠ – 3♦ = sick pay
3♦ – 3♥ – Q♣ or K♣ = spending money on a gift for your sweetheart (if a ♥ Face, on a loved one)
8♣ – 3♦ = can be a small raise or simply signal part-time employment
3♦ – 9♣ – 4♥ = getting back money you’ve been waiting for

Card Meanings, Divination, Divination Master Post, Fortune-telling, Playing Cards

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Three of Clubs

Leave a comment

In cartomancy with playing cards, the Three of Clubs (3♣) is the card of the union.

Three Clubs (black), from the Playing Cards series (N84) for Duke brand cigarettes by W. Duke, Sons & Co. is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0

All threes express the idea of interaction, the interaction being represented by the one pip popping up between the previous two. They also express the idea of getting, and of small gatherings.

The suit of Clubs is concerned with concrete, verifiable reality, so the type of interaction represented by the Three of Clubs will by a legally binding one. This card represents all situations where two or more people come together to form a legally binding agreement. This include marriage, contracts, partnerships etc. In this sense, the Three of Clubs is not a card of feelings, but rather one of strong commitment to a common cause. Therefore, it can also represent associations, clubs etc. In a love reading, in addition to potentially representing the union itself, the card signifies all activities done together. Broadly, the Three of Clubs shows having common goals, unless difficult cards come up after it.

On the material side of things, the card can represent a job contract or a partnership. It also signifies positive group environments to work, where people share the same goals. Attended by good Diamonds this is an especially auspicious card, as it shows job security.

Another important meaning of the card is that of intermediation. All threes can represent this idea, but the Three of Clubs represents it neutrally, whereas the Three of Hearts would be positive and the Three of Spades negative.

Psychologically, the card shows great personal enterprise in reaching for what one wants. Spiritually it is connected to the taking of oaths.

Some Combinations:

3♣ – Face card = married person or business partner, depending on the other cards
3♣ – 5♠ = in a couple it shows not doing things together
3♣ – 8♠ – 6♥ = querent is unhappy with the marriage but things will improve
3♣ – 8♦ – 10♦ = a rich business contract
3♣ – 4♦ = a partnership

Card Meanings, Cartomancy, Divination, Divination Master Post, Fortune-telling, Playing Cards

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Three of Hearts

Leave a comment

In cartomancy with playing cards, the Three of Hearts (3♥) is the card of gifts.

Three Hearts (red), from the Playing Cards series (N84) for Duke brand cigarettes by W. Duke, Sons & Co. is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0

All three are connected to ideas of interaction and of getting, as well as to the idea of small gatherings and of intermediation.

The Three of Hearts is the gift card because Hearts give easy success, and we normally receive gifts without having done anything special to deserve them. They are free. In general, the Three of Hearts may signify an actual gift or a metaphorical one, in the form of help, an offer, etc. It can also signify a third party mediating between the querent and what the querent wants, thus helping them achieve it.

The idea of gift can be interpreted even more broadly as a positive evolution, the solution of small difficulties and something that is cause for happiness or joy. If the Three of Hearts come up after a slew of difficult cards, it shows the progressive solution of those issues, especially if the bad cards are not too bad. Generally, the card also shows that the querent won’t be alone, and it can also signal small gatherings or even dates.

A representation of the Three of Hearts in cartomancy with playing cards

A Face card together with the Three of Hearts is usually a positive person who is trustworthy and ready to help, and will usually further the querent’s goals. Followed by Spades or difficult Clubs, the power of the Three of Hearts is greatly diminished and it can mean that no solution is on the horizon, or that great sacrifice will be needed.

In love readings, in addition to signifying a date, it shows falling in love more deeply and it can signify that most issues the couple has will probably solve themselves over time. If the querent is single, it can promise them a new meeting.

In material readings, the card shows positive situations concerning the querent’s job or money. It is a symbol of help received, job offers and a positive environment.

Psychologically, the Three of Hearts signifies joy, a positive attitude and trustworthiness. It is also an important card in spiritual readings as it is connected to prayer, which is a positive (hearts) mediation (three) with the divine. Because the card signifies gift, it also represents a person who has talent for something, a gift in the metaphorical sense. It is good for artists.

Some Combinations:

3♥ – 3♦ = a gift of money, an offer
10♠ – 7♥ – 8♥ – 3♥ = a surprise party with a gift
K♣ – 3♥ – Q♣ = joyous relationship
3♥ – 3♠ = an affair (especially with the 10♠ or cards of enmity and rivalry)
7♣ – 5♣ – 3♥ = solution of difficulties through own effort

Card Meanings, Cartomancy, Divination, Divination Master Post, Fortune-telling, Playing Cards

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Two of Spades

Leave a comment

In cartomancy with playing cards, the Two of Spades (2♠) is in many ways the opposite of the Two of Hearts. While the latter signifies conciliation, arrival, visits etc. the Two of Spades is a card of anger, of difficulties getting along.

Two Spades (black), from the Playing Cards series (N84) for Duke brand cigarettes by W. Duke, Sons & Co. is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0

All twos in cartomancy deal with the idea of movement. They represent how two entities relate to one another, whether by approaching or separating. The Two of Spades is definitely a card of separation and removal. It represents movement away from someone or something. Figuratively, it also stands for all those forces that drive people apart, such as anger.

Broadly speaking, the Two of Spades represents all sources of vexation and nuisance. It is a Two, a very small card, so by itself it is not that dramatic. It can show unexpected obstacles, small arguments, etc. When it piles up on top of other difficult cards, however, its power to dissolve bonds and positive situations becomes magnified. Usually, by itself, and followed by good red cards, it shows difficulties in that area (if Hearts, love, if Diamonds, money) getting resolved. If followed by Clubs the solution will require more effort or be less positive.

In love, the Two of Spades signifies arguments and strife or, at best, situations that cause the couple some vexation. With negative cards, it brings about the dissolution of the couple. It is the card of legal separation, if the context allows for such an interpretation.

In work and money readings, the card often shows lack of harmony in the workplace, difficulties getting along or even not being cut out for the job you’re doing. In money matters it shows small losses. When cards of travel show nearby, it can signify an unwanted business trip.

Psychologically, the card shows someone who is not at peace with themselves or with a situation, and it shows doubt, uncertainty and an unwillingness to find compromises.

Some Combinations:

3♣ – K♠ – 2♠ = legal separation (if 4♣ instead of 3♣, a court case)
2♠ – A♥ – 5♠ = anger at home, making it a bad environment
3♦ – 2♠ = small expenses, small debts
2♠ – 6♥ = reconciliation (similar meanings with other Heart cards, with different shades of interpretation)
J♣ – 2♠ – J♠ = friends turning to enemies

Card Meanings, Cartomancy, Divination, Fortune-telling, Playing Cards

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Two of Diamonds

Leave a comment

In cartomancy with playing cards, the Two of Diamonds (2♦) is the letter card.
All twos in cartomancy relate to the idea of movement, but the Diamond suit is restless, ethereal and intellectual, so the movement in this case is a movement or information and ideas.

Two Diamonds, from the Playing Cards series (N84) to promote Turkish Cross-Cut Cigarettes for W. Duke, Sons and Co. by W. Duke, Sons & Co. is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0

In its most simple interpretation, the Two of Diamonds therefore refers to letters, telephone calls, messages, etc. This meaning applies easily to all fields of life, so that there is no need to further explain it. More broadly, the card refers to everything that is written, including letters, books, receipts, tickets, etc.

Due to its connection to information, the Two of Diamonds is also a card of research, of searching and of wading through the facts to find the key to the issue. In this sense, its psychological significance comes to the fore, as it describes someone who is curious, inquisitive, suspicious even, depending on the other cards. If a person has a lover and the official partner comes up with the Two of Diamonds next to them, they may be perking up their ears.

In a more positive sense, this card covers all that concerns the elaboration of plans. It represents intelligent effort to achieve something.

Some Combinations:

2♦ – K♠ = important communication from an authority
2♦ – 10♠ – A♦ = investigating a mystery and uncovering the truth
2♦ – 10♠ – J♠ = malicious anonymous phone calls
7♠ – 2♦ – 3♠ = loss of correspondence
2♦ – 3♣ – 10♥ = invitation to a wedding

Card Meanings, Cartomancy, Divination, Divination Master Post, Fortune-telling, Playing Cards

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Two of Clubs

Leave a comment

In cartomancy with playing cards, the Two of Clubs (2♣) represents steps, walking, roads, paths, etc.

Two of Clubs (black), from the Playing Cards series (N84) for Duke brand cigarettes by W. Duke, Sons & Co. is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0

All twos in divination with playing cards are connected with the idea of movement, and Clubs themselves, as a suit, are connected with movement, generally speaking, as they signify activity, toil, sport, etc. Thus, the Two of Clubs can be a card of physical movement in a neutral sense, as opposed to the Two of Hearts, which shows movement toward the querent, and the Two of Spades, which signals movement away.

The Two of Clubs is associated with the legs, and when it shows actual movement it usually implies that it is short, such as going out for an evening with friends, or a quick excursion. Often, the Two of Clubs is a social card, implying some sort of company. This is not a rule, but because Clubs take the querent out of his home and out there into the world, this card can signify having a nice social life, if with positive cards.

The idea of steps can also be interpreted metaphorically, as steps taken, as path chosen, method, way. In this case, the movement is not literal, but rather an effort on the part of the querent.

In a love reading, the Two of Clubs can be the card of making a pass at someone or, more romantically, of taking steps to show someone your love. It can also show that the couple is taking steps toward… Something that the following cards will clarify. It’s their path. When falling between two Face Cards, the Two of Clubs can show that the first one takes steps toward the other, whatever this may mean: helping, proposing, etc.

Note that if difficult cards come up after the Two of Clubs, depending on the nature of the cards, they can show either that the person is unable to or prevented from taking steps, or that they take steps in the wrong direction or do something bad.

In a career reading, the Two of Clubs is usually positive, as it signals activity and doing. It can also show going out on a short business trip or doing your best to achieve good results. This is one of the cards that can signify investments, especially if followed by money cards.

Psychologically, the Two of Clubs signifies one who is proactive and does not give up, as well as someone who is generally a social person.

Some Combination:

2♣ – 3♦ = a small investment (if 7♦ or 10♦, a larger one)
2♣ – 3♣ = doing things together with someone else, or taking steps as a family or as a couple
2♣ – 4♠ = unable to move
A♥ – 2♣ = going out (+8♥, to have fun)
2♣ – 4♥ – 8♠ = unwanted sexual advances (it also works with other Spades)

Card Meanings, Cartomancy, Divination, Divination Master Post, Fortune-telling, Playing Cards

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Two of Hearts

Leave a comment

In cartomancy with playing cards, the Two of Hearts (2♥), as it was taught to me, has the meaning of “near the home”. In fact, the traditional name for the card is the Door Knockers. The meanings that may be derived from this concept are varied.

Two Hearts, from the Playing Cards series (N84) to promote Turkish Cross-Cut Cigarettes for W. Duke, Sons and Co. by W. Duke, Sons & Co. is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0

Door knockers are used by guests to announce themselves to the family they are visiting. Furthermore, the twos in cartomancy all connect with the notion of movement, and Hearts, because they are a positive suit, and the suit of warmth, prefer when movement brings things together rather than apart. Therefore, the first, broad meaning of the Two of Hearts is that of visit, the arrival of something or someone. Usually, the thing or person that arrives is positive and is probably awaited, but all this is subject to change if the cards say otherwise. In itself, the Two of Hearts is a positive card.

Illustration of the Two of Hearts in cartomancy with playing cards

Because it speaks of things close to the home, figuratively, the Two of Hearts symbolizes the family, just like the Ace of Hearts. However, it also shows relatives and close friends in general, i.e., people who are close to the core of the family. This is especially true if the Face card falling next to it is a Heart.

In love readings, the Two of Hearts shows closeness and warmth, and it can also signal the arrival of someone (with negative cards, even of a third party). When two lovers have quarreled, the Two of Hearts can signal positive developments on the way, and a general tendency of the couple to be drawn back together. With negative cards, though, it can show endless waiting. Because of its connection with waiting, the card can signal a pregnancy (“we’re expecting”).

In material affairs, the card is not so important, and its meaning may be derived from the context. It can show family help, working with children or pregnant women, etc. Psychologically and spiritually, the card shows a positive attitude, unless attended by bad cards, in which case it shows anxiety and restlessness.

The Two of Hearts can act as a time card, signaling that the event is immiment, being about to knock at your door (traditionally, within two days or two weeks, but take this with a pinch of salt).

Some Combinations:

2♠ – 2♥ – 6♥ = a reconciliation
2♥ – J♣ – 8♥ = visit from friends
2♥ – 4♠ or 5♠ = waiting in vain
Any Q – 2♥ – J♥ = a pregnancy (if a Spade, she doesn’t want it)
2♥ – 3♥ – 4♦ = arrival of a gift

Card Meanings, Cartomancy, Divination, Divination Master Post, Fortune-telling, Playing Cards

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Ace of Spades

Leave a comment

In cartomancy with playing cards, the Ace of Spades is the death card. This is another almost universal card, like the Ace of Hearts, and it keeps its meaning in most systems.

All aces in cartomancy have to do with beginnings, but because the suit of Spades is negative, it turns the meaning into the opposite, that of ending. Ending comes in many forms, although the most vivid archetype of change is, of course, death. This meaning, however, is drastic and should only be applied when with other horrible cards. More often than not, the Ace of Spades brings change. We have another card in the deck that brings change, namely the Five of Diamonds. In the case of the Ace of Spades, though, the change is drastic and likely to be less gradual and more important, often (but not always) negative and usually rather traumatic even when it ends well.

The Ace of Spades is connected through the notion of death to the idea of cutting and therefore to all sharp instruments. Think of a scythe fatally swinging through the barley, felling it. The accent, in this card, is on what ends, rather than what begins, even if what begins is positive.

Death is the last thing we experience in life, so the Ace of Spades is connected to everything that is last, as opposed to the Ace of Diamonds which is everything that is first. It represents the poor (the last in society), it represents a country’s borders (the last thing before the country ends), a last place in a competition, etc. Figuratively, the last thing in something is its extremity, so the Ace of Spades also represents extreme things, extremism, excess, violence.

Illustration of the Ace of Spades in cartomancy with playing cards

Aces also have to do with the idea of source, and the Ace of Spades is definitely a source of trouble or of grief. Figuratively, it becomes a thorn, something that makes you suffer. When surrounded by Hearts, it can mean that the querent suffers emotionally (with other negative cards it can point to traumas and great disappointments, sometimes leading to depression). With Diamonds it points to financial hardships, while with Clubs it shows obstacles of all kind, especially of an objective nature, hardships at work and difficulties realizing your plans. If the cards are bad, the Ace of Spades bring failure, the abandonment of a plan.

In love readings, sometimes the card describes a widow or widower (especially when near a Spade Face card). At other times it can signify someone who has come out of an important story, not necessarily due to the partner going legs up. Broadly, the Ace of Spades is a card of great suffering, but when bombarded by positive cards it shows positive, if drastic, changes.

In more material affairs, the card is very seldom positive. It announces stressful times where the querent’s nerves will be put under great strain. It can, of course, announce a will or inheritance with the appropriate cards.

Psychologically and spiritually this is not a good card. It brings great worry, grief even at times, and in general it shows a nervous mind, often due to great uncertainty or owing to a sharp change of direction in the querent’s life. With very positive cards following it, it announces a new way of thinking or even a conversion.

Some Combinations:

A♠ – 3♠ – 9♠ = Death (often other bad cards show up)
A♠ – 9♠ = a bad combination in general. It augurs ill.
A♠ – 3♠ – A♣ and/or 4♦ – 7♦ or 10♦ = inheritance
K♠ – A♥ – A♠ – 2♠ = eviction
A♠ – 9♥ = a drastic change that leads to the fulfillment of your wishes