Vendredi: Cartomancy Tricks

When you are learning a new skill, whether it be riding a bike without training wheels or driving an 18 gear semi, it’s good to have a few at-a-glance tricks to help you master the subtle stuff more quickly.  Reading cards is the same way.  It can be pretty daunting to try to get a feel for the querent, open your psychic centers, remember which spread to use and keep the meanings of the cards in the front of your mind through the entire process.  No wonder so many experienced practitioners recommend a hot beverage and a bite to eat after a reading; you do need to recharge.

There are a couple of relatively consistent rules that you can check for in a spread before you begin to delve into the individual meanings of each card.  These will often give you a clear idea of what your querent is asking about as far as the reading is concerned.  While nothing with regard to divination is ever set in stone, these points are a great compass for a reading, particularly when you are just starting out.

If you see many of an individual suit in a spread, the following will probably hold true about the reading:

Clubs: Change

Hearts: Love, generosity

Spades: Strife

Diamonds: Political or financial action

By many, I was taught that you should have at least one third of any suit turn up in a reading (no matter how few cards are laid out) for the general conditions above to hold true.

On the other hand, a number of any given types of cards can also point to a trend in a reading.  By types I mean number or face cards and you should see at least three of the same type pop up before thinking about the following correspondences:

Aces: power and attainment

Twos: reorganization and assembly (usually of living condition or goals)

Threes: perseverance through trouble

Fours: calm determination

Fives: conflicts coming to a head with resolution on the horizon

Sixes: satisfactions and rewards

Sevens: uncertain arrangements (may involve personal, professional or spiritual issues)

Eights: travel, change

Nines: increased involvement (in any area of the querent’s life, not just relationships)

Tens: major business/professional activity

Jacks: fresh ideas and/or rapid movement

Queens: influential friends

Kings: contacts with power (people, business, government, etc.)

Since “many” of the same type of card means more than three, the general rule is that these indications do not apply for quick readings.  Pay attention, however, if you get three of the same type of card in a three-card spread.  That is a powerful indication indeed.

Thus, after 57 posts, Cartomancy Friday is put to bed.  I hope you’ve at least enjoyed it.  Now on to the next thing, as they say. 

Header: La Marchande d’Illusion by Claude Verlinde via Old Paint ~ this painting, whose title translates roughly to The Delusion Vendor, stands as an excellent lesson to both reader and querent alike

Vendredi: Divinatory Spread

The so called Celtic Cross is one of the most recognizable divinatory spreads in the Tarot pantheon.  It has been discussed in hundreds of books and all over the Internet to a point where it is almost exclusively thought of as a “Tarot spread”.  All that said, the Celtic Cross is a wonderful spread for cartomancy with any type of cards.

Using the above chart (from Tarot Meaning Info), let us go through the meanings of each card’s position:

Number 1 “This Covers”: this presents the general atmosphere that surrounds the question asked and the influences at work around it.

Number 2 “This Crosses”: this shows what the opposing forces may be for good or ill.  (Just as an aside, in Tarot this card is always read right side up and never reversed.)

Number 3 “This is Beneath”: here is the basis of the querent’s question or the matter at hand; something that has already become part of the person’s experience.

Number 4 “This is Behind”: this gives an idea of the influence that is just passing away.

Number 5 “This Crowns”: represents something that may happen in the future.

Number 6 “This is Ahead”: presents things that will come to pass in the near future; more often than not these are mundane as opposed to profound e.g. a meeting, an offer, a purchase, etc.

Number 7 “What the Querent Feels”: these feelings are most often the negative or hesitant emotions the querent has about their question.

Number 8 “Family Opinion”: represents the querent’s environment and the opinions and influences of their family and friends about the matter at hand.

Number 9 “Hopes”: the querent’s positive feelings about their question; their hopes and ideals.

Number 10 “Final Outcome”: this card, when combined with all the others, should answer the question.

Note that, if the question is not sufficiently addressed in the last card you are well within your parameters to draw another card for further clarification.  Vendredi heureux ~

Vendredi: Divinatory Spread

Now that we have wrapped up the Suit of Spades it is once again time to look at a divinatory spread.  Practicing divination on yourself will give you a chance to learn the meanings of the cards in a leisurely and rewarding way.  This spread, sometimes called the Gypsy Method, can be done very simply at first.  As the student becomes more proficient, cards can be added to achieve in depth readings making it ideal for everyone from beginner to adept.

Never skip the usual preliminaries of chatting with the querent and asking them to cut the cards.  That done, lay out seven cards in a fan shape starting on your right and moving left.  Each card represents an influence in the querent’s life with regard to the question they bring to the table.  Reading from right to left, the influences are as follows:

The present psychic state of the querent.

Their present home life.

The question at hand.

The querent’s expectations.

The issues they do not expect or have not thought of.

The immediate future.

The long term results.

This spread is one of my favorites because it allows for a free flow exchange of information between the reader and the querent.  You, as the reader, can look at the big picture first and then begin to pick the issue apart with input from the querent.  The only time I would not use this spread is when I am dealing with an agitated or hostile individual.  In such cases discussion and interaction are not called for by any means; quick answers with a quick reading are your best option.

To go more in depth with this reading, add two or even three cards to each of the seven points on the fan.  This gives you and the querent not only more to discuss but it allows you as the reader to be more specific at each point in the reading as well as with the over all outcome.  Have fun with it; you may be surprised at the insights you uncover.  Vendredi heureux ~

Header: La Reussite (The Issue) by Joseph Caraud c 1894

Vendredi: Divinatory Spread

Now that you have both the Suits of Clubs and Hearts under your belt, I thought it might be nice to try something a little different in divinatory spreads.  I learned this one Angeles Arrien, PhD’s The Tarot Handbook.  The book, originally published by Tarcher/Putnam, is a great workbook for beginning and intermediate Tarot work, but the spreads can easily apply to cartomancy of any kind.

Arrien calls this the “Self-Esteem Spread” and given that her field of study is cultural anthropology that comes as no surprise.  Really, you can call it whatever you like but it is a nice form of meditation on self that allows you to use the cards you have already studied.  Don’t get too hung up on the “names” of the card positions as laid out here (I have modified them a little).  Just flow with the reading and allow yourself to double check any card meanings that you aren’t sure of.  Reading your own fortune is always the best way to learn.

To basically repeat from our last divinatory spread in January, remove the Suits of Clubs and Hearts from your deck and shuffle them.  Now cut the cards into three stacks using your left hand and moving right to left while concentrating on your question or concern.  Pick them up the same way and deal five cards, again moving right to left.

Lay out six cards in a linear pattern, each below the one before it, starting at the top.  Sit back for a moment and look at the cards before you.  The reading of each card individually should look something like this:

The top card gives insight into your ability to set boundaries for yourself.  The second card deals with your flexibility in situations from relaxed to stressful.  The third card speaks to how open you are to personal relationships.  Card four indicates your ability to stick to your goals and/or stay on track.  Card five is about your communication skills.  The bottom card has something to say about your overall feelings about yourself.

Read the cards individually, looking for insights that you may not consciously have thought about before.  Once you are clear on the individual meanings, either take what the cards have to offer or consider spending a little time in meditation.  Try focusing on the areas that you and the cards have both identified as needing a little work.  You can repeat the spread as often as you like – without obsessing, of course – to help you on your path of self-discovery.

If all that is a little too New Age for you (the book was originally published in 1987), use the spread just to become familiar with divinatory meanings, head back to our last divinatory spread post or – better than all that – make up a spread of your own!  Next Friday we’ll begin the Suit of Spades.  Vendredi heureux ~

Header: The Fortune Teller by Nicholaos Gysis

Vendredi: King of Hearts

Today we finish up our discussion of the Suit of Hears, putting us half way through the divinatory meanings of an entire deck of cards.  It’s hard for me to believe that a full six months ago I began HQ with a Friday cartomancy post.  Time flies.

The King of Hearts is unfortunately well known as the “suicide King” because many card deck graphics make it appear that the subject is sticking his sword into his ear.  Rather awkwardly I might add.  In fact, the intention was to show the King in an aggressive stance with his sword raised in preparation for a strike but, as cards have shrunk in size, time has not been kind to our King.  Essentially, at least for divinatory purposes, you can ignore all that.

This card most often represents a gentleman skilled in business.  He may have studied law, or he be involved with organized religion, but he is not a zealot or fanatic.  He is also not much interested in politics on any level.  This is an honest, responsible, considerate and generous adult man who will not take advantage of anyone or any situation.  If love is in the cards, the King of Hearts is a catch.  If a romantic connection is not indicated, this man would make an excellent mentor, teacher or boss.

If we’ve ruled out every possible man in the querent’s past, present and future, then of course the card represents a woman.  She too is generous, but not as good hearted at the man might be.  She is capable and independent and, though not exactly prone to romance, she too would be a good leader for the querent to follow.

Et voila, we’ve wrapped up the Suit of Hearts.  Next week, a divinatory spread for you to try and then it’s forward into the Suit of Spades.  Bon Vendredi mes amis ~

Header: King of Hearts from an early 19^th century deck

Vendredi: Queen of Hearts

It is time to speak of the Queen of Hearts, a character made infamous by Lewis Carroll and even more so by Disney twice over.  In fact the “off with her head” Queen bears little if any resemblance to the Queen we meet in the Suit of Hearts.  But it seems Mr. Carroll needed a nice contrast to his homogenous White monarch, and the less said on that subject the better.

The Queen of Hearts is most often interpreted as a stable, capable woman who is honest and devoted to her family.  She is someone who does not mess with daydreaming, but brings her practical visions to fruition with hard work, dedication and talent.  She is a good influence on the querent, particularly if the reading tells you that a flighty or unstable individual sits in front of you.  Though not necessarily the querent’s mother, this woman is a maternal figure in all the best senses of the word.

If a woman has no place in the reading, then the Queen of Hearts may represent a sensitive, intuitive man who can also stand as a guardian for the querent.  This man is by no means as authoritative and capable as the woman would be, but he has a good heart and sees potential in the querent.

As I noted in the post about the Queen of Clubs, Queens represent a woman nine times out of ten.  Dig deeper if you have any hint that your querent isn’t being truthful on this point, and remember this may be a woman the querent will meet in the future, depending on where the Queen rests in the spread.

Our last face card for the Suit of Hearts appears next week; hard to believe, isn’t it?  Jusqu’au demain, mes amis ~

Header: Queen of Hearts by blue fusion via DeviantArt

Vendredi: Jack of Hearts

And so we come to the face cards on our exploration of the Suit of Hearts. It’s hard for me to believe we are almost half way through the divinatory meanings for an entire deck of cards. Where ever does the time go? But enough senseless musing; let us get to the business at hand.

Unlike the Jack of Clubs, which I find in most readings indicates a young man, the Jack of Hearts is gender neutral. This card may point to any younger person in the querent’s life. Whoever they are, they are probably a close a trustworthy friend. This is the kind of person that will tell you those truths you do not want to hear, not because they want to hurt you but because they genuinely love you. The Jack of Hearts is a blessing in any spread; we should all be so lucky as to have such a person in our lives.

Nobody fitting that description on the querent’s radar? Then they may be just a little time away from meeting someone like that. A great friendship may be waiting beyond the horizon. In the right spread this card might indicate a marriage proposal.

If your querent’s question has to do with infertility, this card may be a blessing as well: it can indicate the birth of a healthy child after an arduous wait for just such a gift. Double check the cards around it to confirm a reading like this. Three or more sixes of any Suit in the spread are usually a good sign for this interpretation. Vendredi heureux ~

Header: Jack of Hearts by MusicLover0137 via DeviantArt

Vendredi: Ten of Hearts

This card is the card of ultimate happiness. Even more so than the Nine of Hearts, the Ten is the card every reader wishes to see. It foretells good fortune at home and in business, a happy love life and spiritual contentment. Some experts call it the culmination of all the other number cards in the suit.

The nicest thing, at least to me, about the Ten of Hearts is its spiritual component. Showing up in a reading, the card is indicating that the querent is not just happy in the world but is also content with their spiritual path. And they are on the right track to boot. As a reader, this card gives you the pleasure of being able to honestly downplay any negative cards in the querent’s spread. The Ten of Hearts virtually wipes the slate clean of all potential despair and disaster. Your querent is living right, and they shouldn’t change a thing.

As hard as it is to believe, we will begin to explore the face cards for the suit of Hearts next Friday. For some of you, it will be spring by that time; a delightful prospect indeed. Until then bonne chance, navigation douce et Vendredi heureux ~

Header: Cardplayers by ter Borsch c 1665

Vendredi: Nine of Hearts

Unlike many cards in the standard deck, the Nine of Hearts when used for divination very much reflects its “sister card” in Tarot: the Nine of Cups. Both are famously and infamously known as the “wishing card”; find these in any reading and your querent is sure to achieve what they most hoped for when they sat down to look at the cards.

This is a card of fulfillment. The querent is blessed spiritually, mentally and physically. If other Hearts are near, the good news is about love or other relationships. If more Clubs are close, success in career or business is assured. Diamonds indicate an increase in wealth while Spades mean a victory in some dispute, usually – but not always – legal in nature.

This card is always a happy sign for the reader as well. Everyone loves to impart good news, after all. My wish for each of you is a Nine of Hearts kind of day! Bon Vendredi ~

Header: The Fortune Teller by Harry Herman Roseland

Vendredi: Eight of Hearts

The Eight of Hearts is what I like to call the party card. Unless there are some very dire indications around it – such as the Three of Spade or the Five of Clubs – your querent is in for a good time.

As with everything in life though, there may be a price to pay for all that fun. This card is an indicator that the querent has turned away from the spiritual and is pursuing, possibly at any cost, pleasure on the physical plain. I’m fairly certain that I don’t have to tell you that this kind of behavior is usually a sign of a problem that the person does not want to deal with or will not face. Your job here is to dig around through the spread for clues, ask questions, and determine whether or not this behavior is becoming a lifestyle for your querent. If it is, the potential danger is obvious.

On the other hand, if all things point to a person who is simply outgoing and fun loving, rather than self-destructive, everything is probably fine. I’ve found that if the Three of Hearts is next to the Eight, there’s very likely nothing to worry about and you can simply wish your querent bon fete and move on. Especially this time of year; it is Mardi Gras after all. Vendredi heureux ~

Header: “King Breesus”; New Orleans’ own Drew Brees as Bacchus Krewe King of Mardi Gras 2010

Vendredi: Seven of Hearts

This card is one of the few in its Suit to bode ill. While the outcome of any difficulty pointed to by the Seven of Hearts will not be terribly severe, it could very well be a life lesson well heeded.

The card indicates a querent who is suffering from delusion. They may view themselves as more capable, attractive, talented, funny, etc. than they actually are or they may be imagining things about others for their own gain. Since the card is in the Suit of Hearts, it is most probable that they are deluding themselves in love – either of someone else or themselves – unless the cards close by point strongly to another issue. The real concern with this card is that the querent has waded too deep into self-deception and may cross over into dissipation.

If there is absolutely no indication of trouble in the reading and, in fact, the cards surrounding the Seven of Hearts are remarkably positive, then the querent may very well be on the right track. Their only potential pitfall in this case would be not following up on what success they have accomplished.

And so we are more than half way through the Suit of Hearts. It’s hard for me to believe but the adage of time flying is always true. Appréciez votre Vendredi ~

Header: Late 19th century engraving of a Tarot reader and her clients

Vendredi: Six of Hearts

Today's card, while not as auspicious as last Friday’s delightful offering, also foretells happiness. Of course that is the usual expectation with the Suit of Hearts so really there’s nothing to be surprised about.

Overall, the Six of Hearts indicates unexpected good fortune. You will need to look at the cards in close proximity to determine what the good fortune might be. Diamonds could indicate an increase in wealth, Hearts a new or improved romantic situation, Clubs might indicate recognition for the querent at work or in another endeavor, Spades could bode well in a pending court case or other disagreement. There is a lesson in whatever may be coming the querent’s way as well: they need to count their blessings and be thankful for their good fortune.

If the reading gives no indication of pleasant surprises, for instance the cards all around the Six of Hearts are negative, then consider the possibility of this card indicating a relief from all that negativity. The querent will have a chance to breath; their worries – though not entirely dissipated – will be lessened. Sometimes just a brief respite from constant concern is enough to give a person a positive outlook. Bon Vendred ~

Header: Gipsy Fortune Teller by Taras Shevchenko

Vendredi: Five of Hearts

Although there are always exceptions, generally speaking the Suit of Hearts is full of happy cards. Today we will discuss arguably the happiest card of them all: the number Five.

This card is a harbinger of great good fortune and possibly more of it than the querent has ever experienced. Luck is with them in all things but usually the spread and the querent’s question will give you an idea of where it will hit. If you are reading for a person on a spiritual journey, they are likely to find new insight and – if an appropriate face card is close – a trustworthy teacher. Look for one or more Spades in proximity. If they are looking for love, it is near. Again, look at the cards close to the Five of Hearts; a definitive omen would be the King, Queen or Jack of Hearts (depending on gender/persuasion) right next door. Diamonds nearby? Then business success is on the horizon. Spades? A court case or dispute could turn in the querent’s favor. The possibilities are virtually endless.

As we’ve discussed more than once, it is always wise to end your readings on an upbeat, positive note. If the Five of Hearts shows up, you definitely have your querent’s silver lining no mater how dark their reading might otherwise be. Bon Vendredi ~

Header: The Card Players by ter Borsch c 1659

Vendredi: Four of Hearts

Tripping along through the Suit of Hearts we are headed to their very own holiday: Valentine’s Day. But today, another coincidence: speaking of the Four of Hearts on the 4th of February.

This card is one of the less salubrious in its suit. The Four of Hearts indicates disappointments and delays, particularly – of course – in romance but also in friendships. Due to these setbacks, the querent may be pushing too hard for an attachment or relationship or just for relationships in general. They may feel a fear of being left behind while it seems their entire group of friends is moving on to marriage and parenthood.

When this card turns up in a reading, it is usually a warning to the querent to slow down, take stock of the good things in their life and husband their gifts. They are thinking too much of the world around them and not enough about themselves. Now is a time to relax and possibly turn inward. The squeaky wheel may get the grease but the obviously needy rarely get the guy or gal.

If Diamonds or Clubs are near this card, it might be worth advising the querent to take a break from dating or working on interpersonal relationships and focus on career or other forms of personal development. If Spades are close by, an all out vacation, as in a cruise or a week at a ski resort, might just be the key to the issue.

It’s never pleasant to tell someone they appear to be headed down the wrong path, but it is nice to head off an unfortunate train wreck. Just remember to keep it positive and that your querent may very well already know their situation, they just needed someone to confirm their suspicions.
Bon Vendredi ~

Header: The Happy Fortune by Georges de la Tour

Vendredi: Three of Hearts

As we have seen before, some cards stand on their own with very little effort. Many times these cards virtually jump out at you as you survey the spread. They are like the squeaky wheel; it’s easy to know what they’re saying. Others are quiet, subtle and influenced by what is going on around them. Like a shy but interesting person they must be drawn into the conversation. And so it is with the Three of Hearts.

Generally, this card is a call to celebration. This may not – and usually, in fact, does not – mean party hats and noise makers. The indication is that the querent is surrounded by caring family, good friends and the fortune of happiness. All you have to do is remind them how fortunate they are. In some cases, however, something insidious may be lurking at the margins.

The sign to look out for is the Suit of Spades. If three or more Spades, particularly the lower number cards, are next to the Three of Hearts and quite literally surrounding it, someone among those joyous acquaintances may be deceiving your querent. This is particularly true of the Three of Spades which may strongly indicated adultery if the spread has any inclination in that direction.

Should Spades be present as noted, advising your querent to use discretion is very much a good idea. While blurting out “your husband is cheating on you!” is never a good idea, asking a few leading questions might reveal that the querent is already aware of something that doesn’t smell right.

This is a good place to add that ending a reading on a positive note is always, always necessary. Anyone who has asked you to read for them is already at least partially open to psychic influence and it would be unethical if not inhuman to send them away thinking about sorrow, deception or death. Even the darkest cloud has a silver lining; your job as the card reader is to find it and let it shine as brightly as possible. Vendredi heureux ~

Header: The Fortune Teller by Jean-Baptiste Leprince

Vendredi: Two of Hearts

The Two of Hearts follows the general pattern of its Suit and leads toward interpersonal relationships and partnership in particular. Most of the time, the card hints at a blossoming love. A face card nearby may give a hint as to the person involved or potentially involved with the querent. Depending on the surrounding cards the querent may be considering a date, a relationship, moving in with a partner or even marriage. Some delicate questions should get to the heart – pardon the pun – of the matter and this card in a spread is almost always a positive indicator in favor of the decision.

Some readings do not involve love, although to casually glance at the many books about cartomancy you’d be hard pressed to believe it. If this is the case look for cards from the Suit of Clubs near to this one. The indication is probably a business partnership. I once read for a woman and found the Two of Hearts right next to the Five of Clubs, a sure sign of a struggle in a business partnership. The querent insisted her issue was marriage. I pressed her a bit and it finally came out that she was considering asking for a pre-nup. Essentially she perceived her marriage as a corporate merger but hadn’t come to terms with her feelings, or those of her fiance.

Finally, if none of the above situations are in any way indicated, the card may be a sign of impending prosperity for the querent. You’ll need to read the cards around this one to try and determine what sort of prosperity is implied. Appréciez votre Vendredi ~

Header: Fortune Telling by William Mount c 1837

Vendredi: Ace of Hearts

As you will recall from HQ’s very first post (hard to believe this is 101!), the Suit of Hearts concerns friends, family and love. The Ace of the Suit is a particularly auspicious card, generally speaking, and is hung in the homes of people of Roma (gypsy) descent to foster good luck and harmony.

In broad terms the card indicates an outlook of happiness on a personal and spiritual level, particularly at home. Things are going right for your querent, particularly if the Ace is close to the “significator” card which represents the querent in more complex divinatory spreads. Other Suits in proximity to this card can alter its meaning in the following ways:

Hearts: the querent is surrounded by affection if not love.

Clubs: future rewards will take hard work but are imminent if the querent applies him or herself.

Diamonds: good news is on its way and it may include financial gain (this last is almost certain if the Six of Clubs is next to this Ace).

Spades: a disagreement has occurred or is brewing at home; quickly dealing with the issue will restore harmony immediately.

At all points the Ace of Hearts is a welcome card to deal. Even in the bleakest reading, this card will allow you to give some hope to your querent which is something that you should always strive to do. Walking away from a reading on a positive note will encourage the querent to be positive and address even the most dire situation with a good outlook. Bon Vendredi ~

Header: Reading the Cards by Harry Herman Roseland

Vendredi: Divinatory Spread

Last Friday we completed our review of the divinatory meanings for the Suit of Clubs. As promised, and as the pattern went when I was taught cartomancy, its time to learn a divinatory spread so that you can start to use the Suit of Clubs for divination and add in new cards as we go.

This is a quick spread that can be used to determine the efficacy of a project, the outlook for the day or answer simple questions. Since only five cards are dealt, you will have no problem getting an answer using only one Suit.

Remove the Suit of Clubs from your deck and shuffle them. Now cut the cards into three stacks using your left hand and moving right to left while concentrating on your question or concern. Pick them up the same way and deal five cards, again moving right to left.

The first two cards dealt will be the one on the far right and the one next to it. They represent your past. Read them as a group, taking into account the effect the cards have on each other. Once you are comfortable about the clarity of meaning for these two cards, move on to the next one.

The middle card will be the third card you dealt. This represents the present, what is happening now, and it is the key to the question. Read it as a stand alone, then move on and come back to how it influences the whole as your summary of the reading.

The next and finally two cards, the fourth and fifth ones dealt, will be on the left. They represent the future. Like the first two, they should be read as a team with focus on how their meanings relate to one another.

When you feel you understand each component separately, past, present and future, sit back and take them in as a whole. The combination should give you a solid answer to your question.

Not quite clear on one or all of the messages you see before you? Don’t hesitate to start the whole process over again. Especially when you are learning, more practice is always good and until you develop some confidence in your own divinatory abilities – and those of the cards – you may need to review the same inquiry more than once. Make time for this and take it. In a few short weeks you’ll be recognizing patterns and intuiting answers with remarkable capability.

Now go practice; next week we’ll begin the Suit of Hearts. Bon Vendredi ~

Header: Fortune Telling by Aleksei Venetsianov c 1842