Tag Archives: Playing Card Meanings

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

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Ace of Diamonds

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

In cartomancy with playing cards, the Ace of Diamonds (A♦) is mainly the symbol of all inceptions. If all aces are about beginnings, the Ace of Diamonds typifies the idea itself of beginning.

The general meaning is that of news. News, however, must be understood broadly as anything that is new. The card can herald the arrival of actual information, for instance in the form of a text, but much more generally the Ace of Diamonds signifies new things. It’s the card of impulses and dynamic moments where things begin to happen. If this card comes up after a row of bad cards and it is followed by good ones, it signals a complete renewal and the arrival of a new phase in the querent’s life.

The Ace of Diamonds signifies everything that begins and therefore also everything that is first or of the highest value. It signifies diamonds, gold, the sun, eagles (first among birds), lions (first among animals), a first place in a competition, etc.

In a love reading, the Ace of Diamond does not speak of love, but it does tend to bring renewal or at least solidity. Because of its connection with valuable things, it can signify a jewel and therefore the wedding ring, and by extension it shows a solid union. This card often comes up when the third wheel hopes he will leave his wife, and it usually signifies that the marriage won’t break. If the querent is single, the Ace of Diamonds can foretell a new exciting phase, social contacts and even a new person coming into the querent’s life (usually not someone the querent knows well, because the person is “new”).

In work readings, it shows the arrival of news, broadly. It also adds value to the cards around it. Usually, a person coming up with the Ace of Diamonds next to them will be a higher-up or boss, or even a business owner.

Psychologically, the Ace of Diamonds speaks of an energetic person and one who is not easily satisfied. This can be good or bad, of course. When the Ace of Diamonds is hemmed in by Spades, it can show the inability to bring about new conditions, possibly feeling stuck.

Some Combinations:

A♦ – K♦ or Q♦ = news from someone | a business owner or powerful person
A♦ – 10♠ – J♠ = a spy
3♣ – 4♠ – A♦ = the end of a marriage and the beginning of a new phase
A♦ – 4♦ = an object of great value, among other possible interpretations
A♦ – 2♦ = important news, important message

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

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Ace of Clubs

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In cartomancy with playing cards, the Ace of Clubs (A♣) represents the inception of the suit. The Suit of Clubs is material and concerned with toil and the physical reality that exists out there as opposed to the inner realm of the Hearts.

Because Clubs are a suit of action and the ace is the beginning, the Ace of Clubs signifies what action begins with, namely with an objective, an aim, a commitment, something that drives us outside of ourselves in pursuit of something or someone else. It is a very powerful card. In fact, one of the most powerful in the deck. It gives the querent strength and power over the situation and it shows active commitment toward something or someone. When a face card comes up with the Ace of Clubs next to them, he or she is a strong person, one whose say matters, and usually a truthful person. Broadly, the card gives qualities of creativity, productivity and reliability.

Attended by Spades, the Ace of Clubs shows difficulties concerning a commitment or plan, and it points to an inability to get what you want. With Hearts, the querent’s will is realized easily.

The Ace of Clubs is connected with the notion of out there, and just as the Ace of Hearts signifies the home, the Ace of Clubs signifies a place out in the world, outside of the home, such as an office, a government building, a prison, a church, a shop, a restaurant, etc.

Another meaning of the Ace of Clubs is that it represents official documents, because an official document is objectively binding and is not just an inner fantasy. More specifically, the Ace of Clubs signifies signed documents and the act of signing, i.e., of committing to an interpersonal agreement.

In love readings, this card can signify a strong commitment of one person to another or of both person to their common projects. It can of course signify a marriage license. In work readings it shows the querent’s commitment or his commitments and duties, and how and whether he lives up to them. It also brings new opportunities and possibilities.

The Ace of Clubs is a card of vigor and power. Even when a line of card is not completely satisfactory, if it ends with the Ace of Clubs, the querent will still come out on top, or at least land on his feet.

Examples of Combinations:

A♣ – 3♣ – 10♥ = it can signify a marriage (commitment to a happy union)
A♣ – 5♠ = being overwhelmed by your commitments, feeling sacrificed by them
A♣ – 7♠ = impossibility to live up to a promise or commitment, but not through your own fault
6♣ – A♣ – 10♦ = completion of a project after much sweating, especially something to do with money
A♣ – 4♦ = the signing of papers

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

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Ace of Hearts

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The Ace of Hearts (A♥) is almost universally known as the house card. I do not know why this is the case. Since I recently talked about the Bolognese Tarot, I will note that the Ace of Cups (which correspond to Hearts) is called the House in that system, which goes back many centuries, even before Etteila (who, after all, admits to having learned from Italian card readers, although he ended up switching some cards around).

The way I have rationalized the Ace of Hearts in my system is that Hearts represent all things inner and intimate and aces have to do with beginnings. They are in a way the source of the theme they speak of. The source of our inner side, of our intimate side, is our family, our house, the place where we consider ourself “inside” rather than “outside”.

The Ace of Hearts is the card of the Querent’s house, and usually describes it in a neutral to slightly positive way. The house can be intended as the physical place of residence or as the group that inhabits it, thus signifying the querent’s family. A Court Card falling near the Ace of Hearts can show a family member (or, depending on the question, a person who wants to start a family with the querent).
However, if the Ace is attended by Spades, it shows a negative environment or tears at home. These can very well end up affecting other aspects of the querent’s life.

Illustration of the Ace of Hearts in cartomancy with playing cards

Broadly, the Ace of Hearts can show a positive beginning to anything, and something that is solid and stable or brings stability to the querent. It also shows serious intentions in all aspects of life. For instance, if a perspective business partner shows up with the Ace of Hearts next to him, it doesn’t necessarily mean he has the hots for the querent. It can simply mean he’s serious and dependable, solid.
Because the Ace of Hearts shows positive beginnings, it is auspicious for pregnancies.

Psychologically and spiritually, the Ace of Hearts is a card of protection, but more broadly it signifies the querent’s inner side, his intimate feelings and perceptions, which may be described by the surrounding cards. Thus, the card can shed light on the whys and wherefores of his behavior.
With Diamonds preceding it, the Ace of Hearts can show money being invested in the family or in the house. With Clubs it can point to family activities or plans, while with other Hearts it shows harmony in the house. Spades, as already said, bring strife in the family.

Some Combinations:

A♥ – 2♥ = family visits | broadly, it refers to relatives | it can signify the arrival of something positive
A♥ – 9♥ = traditionally it signifies greetings in the family, but more generally it shows a great joy about one’s intimate and family life
A♥ – 6♠ – Q♣ or K♣ = can mean an inherited desease or more generally catching an illness from a family member
A♥ – 3♣ = married life, a strong family bond
3♦ – A♥ – 5♦ = spending money on renovations