CARTOMANCY

What Is Cartomancy

Cartomancy is the act of divining using cards. Divining means to find out by
inspiration, intuition or magic; to foresee. Divination is most often
practiced as a means of foretelling the future, however, many people who
practice divination using cards or other tools find it a helpful tool for
exploring the present and the past as well.

What are the origins of cartomancy

The history is cartomancy is shrouded in mystery. We do know that playing
cards have been around at least 600 years and it is believed that paper
cards originate in China since they developed the first known paper currency
which resembled playing cards. It is believed that the tradition of playing
cards traveled from Western Asia to Egypt, then to North Africa. From there,
they finally surfaced in Europe. One theory of the history states that the
Arabs and Moors introduced the cards to the Spaniards in 1379. In Spain,
people called the cards naibi, which means "to foretell." Whether they
originated as tools for playing games or for divination purposes cannot be
sure, however, cards were definitely being used for predictive purposes by
the sixteenth century. By the eighteenth century, cartomancers - as fortune
tellers were frequently called - were all the rage. The Emperor Napoleon is
said to have consulted the cards on a regular basis.

Playing cards and tarot cards

Most people are not aware that the 52-card playing deck that can be found in
almost every home is almost identical to the tarot deck, although research
has not yet proven which came first. The traditional tarot deck contains a
total of 78 cards. Twenty-two cards form the Major Arcana and 56 cards form
the Minor Arcana, from which the regular playing deck is derived. Instead of
three face cards, the tarot deck has four face cards, called court cards.
They are Page, Knight, Queen and King. The Minor Arcana consists of four
suits: Wands (Clubs); Cups (Hearts); Swords (Spades); and Pentacles
(Diamonds).

Clubs reflect the drive, energy and ambition you put forward to reach your
goals. They can reflect struggle and weariness or determination and a
fighting spirit. Clubs often relate to business endeavors, career or work
issues and any area where you may face obstacles and learn to assert
yourself. Clubs reflect your desire to get moving, take action, defeat the
enemy, and achieve victory. Too much club energy may mean that you are
moving too fast, taking on too many responsibilities and expending too much
energy

Hearts reflect your emotional state, the status of your relationships, and
your ideals and wishes. They depict your feelings and concerns about others
and may show love, happiness, estrangement or boredom. Hearts most often
relate to partnership or group concerns. They may reveal opportunities to
identify and pursue your secret desire and opportunities to celebrate your
thankfulness and success. Hearts reflect your desire to share and cooperate,
resolve interpersonal conflicts, and find what truly makes you happy. Too
much heart energy may mean that you have your head in the clouds and are
living in a fantasy world. It can also suggest that you are too emotionally
vulnerable to the desires of others

Spades reflect areas where you are experiencing blockage, conflict and a
need for change and elimination. These cards are often seen in a negative
light, but their purpose is to let you know when it's time to move on, give
up a bad habit, or release a destructive or unhealthy pattern in your life.
Spades often relate to problems and conflicts as well as illness or
health-related difficulties. However, these cards hold the power of
transformation as well. Spades reflect your inability to let go, to see
clearly, to share and cooperate with others, or to act in a direct manner.
Too much spade energy suggests that you are in denial about some issue and
refusing to make necessary changes in your life Diamonds reflect your sense
of financial and emotional security and issues concerning structure and
stability. They can show how much you have, don't have and how much you
want.

Diamonds reveal what brings you comfort and satisfaction and they usually
relate to concerns about money, possessions, home and family. Diamonds
reflect your desire to acquire things, to increase your financial status,
and to feel satisfied with your progress and station in life. Too much
diamond energy suggests rigidity, hoarding and possessiveness. It can show
you are unwilling to change or have a deep-seated fear of losing some form
of security

Numerology is an integral part of cartomancy. Below is an outline of
numerical meanings of the pip cards, those numbered one to ten. To find
detailed card descriptions, click on the appropriate number.

ACE

Represents new beginnings, ambitions, fresh opportunities, and planting new
seeds which may have long-range developments. Aces signify the right time to
begin a new venture or they can reflect a deeply held desire. They show that
it is a time of leadership, independent thought, and progress.

TWO

Represents partnership issues, cooperation, receptivity and the need to make
a choice or decision. Twos often herald a time of waiting and being passive
and a need to cultivate patience. Twos often relate to the characteristics
of sensitivity, gentleness, and shyness.

THREE

Represents growth, creativity and expansion. Threes signal a time where
self-expression and self-promotion are likely and there is a possibility of
recognition and expression through the written or spoken word. Three
represents groups and shared interests so it also reflects increased social
activity.

FOUR

Represents stability, order and structure. Fours suggest a time to lay
foundations for future success. They may also reflect a period of
restriction and burdens where you feel you are faced with important
decisions. Fours relate to self-discipline, hard work and maintaining the
status quo.

FIVE

Represents a desire for freedom and independence that makes you go against
the status quo. Fives can signal a time of nervous energy, challenges and
conflicts with others, and adventure and impulsive actions. Fives also
suggest travel and expansion as well as fluctuations in many areas of life.

SIX

Represents a transition from the past to the future. Sixes also relate to
responsibilities to others, and duty to home and family. It is a number that
is associated with peace and harmony and its vibration tends to settle any
past debts.

SEVEN

Represents a need for introspection, independent self-discovery and inner
growth. Sevens reflect taking an original approach to learning, meditation,
retreat, and reevaluation. Sevens often signal a time of slow growth and
may also suggest an attitude of defiance.

EIGHT

Represents power, leadership, money and career issues. Eights relate to the
focus and control necessary to direct your energy toward achieving your
goals. They show movement and changing direction. This number signifies
advancement in the external world, property issues and material gain.

NINE

Represents completion, self-fulfillment, and preparation to let go and move
to a new level of experience. Nines suggest a time of attainment and
clearing the decks to make way for new opportunities. It also symbolizes
compassion, selflessness and charity.

TEN

Represents the end of a cycle and starting over on a new level of experience
which can mean a new marriage, house or a promotion. Tens also reflect
having too much of something and the stress and preoccupation that causes

The face cards are Jacks, Queens and Kings. These cards usually represent
people surrounding or influencing your question. In most playing card
decks, the face cards actually face to the right or to the left. This
directional clue can help you to determine the personality or concerns of
the person represented by the card.

Here's an example where the King of Hearts is facing the 2 of Spades: This
may signify that a man surrounding the questioner (perhaps the questioner's
husband, father or someone having an emotional connection to the questioner)
is feeling indecisive and doubtful. Or, as a significator, it may reflect a
male questioner with concerns about love who is not seeing things clearly
or is indecisive in a relationship.

Jack

Represents youth and youthful attitudes. They can represent people of
either sex that are younger or less experienced than the questioner. Jacks
also relate to issues of movement and change. Like children, they are
restless and have a need to travel and explore. They are gaining experience
and maturity and cannot be counted on to commit to anything or anyone but
themselves. They tend to browse through life, stay neutral and seem unable
to make decisions. Yet there is a stubbornness and tenacity about them.
Jacks can also represent thoughts when they are in readings with Queens and
Kings of the same suit.

Queen

Represents women and issues of nurturing or cultivating traits and projects.
Queens often represent the growth stage of any project or goal and relate
to helpful people that can assist the questioner. Queens react to external
impulses. They judge them and based on that judgement, either cherish or
reject them. They are therefore good arbitrators and mediators. Queens
also represent nurturing our inner qualities of introspection and intuition.

King

Represents men and issues of authority and control. Kings also stand for
the endpoint of a project or goal, and reveal successful endeavors. Kings
are often considered aggressive-natured and outgoing, but unlike the Jacks,
they have matured and have gained ample experience along the way. Kings
tend to display little emotion and view life from a particularly practical
standpoint, regardless of thie suit.

Spreads

A spread is the pattern in which the cards are laid out. Spreads can help
you to gain a general picture of someone's life or they may focus on a
particular problem or question.

Below is a list of just a few spreads you can use for doing readings. You
can also create customized spreads when you find that set spreads are too
limiting to answer your questions.

Chien De Pique

This method is French, and focuses on four areas of the questioner's life,
with particular emphasis on their fate. Uses 12 - 16 cards.

The Romany Spread

A gypsy favorite, this spread has been used for at least 200 years. Choose
this spread when you want to have a general look at the past, present and
future. It can also be used to answer a specific question, revealing past
influences, current circumstances and future potential. Uses 21 cards.

The Destiny Square

This spread places cards in a position which corresponds to the twelve
houses of the Zodiac. It helps to explore twelve different areas of life,
including career, home, and finances. Uses 13 cards.

Business Snapshot

This spread is based on the layout of the destiny square but is performed
from a business perspective. It gives a snapshot of an organization from the
inside out. Uses 12 cards.

The Six-Card Linear Spread

This is a short, basic spread that helps to answer specific questions. It
also reveals a primary challenge the questioner is encountering and the
strengths and skills needed to deal with it. A seventh card can be selected
as a timing card. The Celtic Cross This is a popular tarot spread and it
gives an excellent overview of the questioner's situation. It also provides
insight into the questioner's past, and hopes and fears. It can be used for
a general reading or for a specific question. Uses 10 cards.

The Process-Direction Spread

This spread is useful for receiving advice on the direction you should take
regarding your concern. Choose this spread when trying to answer "should"
questions, for example, "should I take the job out of state?" Uses 9 cards.

Relationship Spread

Choose this spread to help you answer questions regarding your relationship
with another person. Cards are chosen to represent both sides of the
partnership. Uses 10 cards.

Chakra Spread

Chakras are energy centers in your body. This spread examines how you are
using the energy of these centers and shows areas of potential blockage.
Uses 7 cards.

Some readings require a significator. A significator is a card that
represents the questioner and usually the card chosen is a face card. This
card is usually chosen for one of two reasons:

(1) Sometimes, the reader will give the questioner the significator card to
focus on during the shuffling process. This allows the questioner to focus
his or her thoughts so that the reader can concentrate on the question being
asked.

(2) Often, the significator is chosen and then put back into the deck to
shuffle. If it appears in the reading, it suggests the questioner has a
good deal of control over the issue at question. It is also important to
note where the significator comes up in the reading for further clues to
answering the questioner's concerns.

Face cards of the same suit in a reading indicate a close relationship. For
example, if the King of Spades appears in a reading for a questioner whose
significator is the Queen of Spades, you can assume he represents her
husband or an important man in her life. If the reading is about career
issues, this could be a colleague or boss. Suits also have an opposite
which reflect a negative affinity. Hearts oppose Diamonds and Clubs oppose
Spades. So, if the King of Clubs appears in a reading for a woman
symbolized by the Queen of Spades, this could represent a man who will bring
tension and difficulty for her.

Typically, Kings are chosen to represent men, Queens for women and Jacks for
young people and children. But what suit should be used? There are many
systems for choosing a significator and you should come up with a system
that works for you. You can choose the suit based on the questioner's
concerns, or based on their Astrological sign, or their personality type, or
any other method you create

People often wonder how a reader sees major life changes such as pregnancy
or divorce in a spread. No single card signifies an event of this
magnitude. It takes several cards combined in a spread to trigger the
possible interpretation of such events.

The following list shows certain combinations that may be seen in readings.
These combinations do not typically signify predictive events but usually
indicate issues surrounding or influencing the question. For example, if you
see a combination for death, this may signify that someone related to the
questioner has recently passed. You should see at least three of the cards
shown in the combination before interpreting them as listed.

Addictions - 7 of Hearts, 9 of Hearts, Jack of Hearts

Arguments/Fights - 3 of Spades, 5 of Spades, Jack of Spades, 5 of Clubs, 7
of Clubs

Birth/Pregnancy - Ace of Hearts, 3 of Hearts, 6 of Hearts, 10 of Hearts

Death - Ace of Spades, 9 of Spades, 10 of Spades

Deceit - 7 of Spades, Jack of Spades, 7 of Hearts, Jack of Hearts

Divorce - Ace of Spades, 3 of Spades, 5 of Spades, 10 of Spades, 5 of Hearts

Health problems - 4 of Spades, 8 of Spades, 9 of Spades, 10 of Spades, 10 of
Clubs

House or property Issues - 4 of Clubs, 9 of Diamonds, 10 of Diamonds

Job Layoff or Quitting Job - 4 of Spades, 5 of Spades, 6 of Spades, 7 of
Spades

Job Raise or Promotion - Ace of Diamonds, 3 of Diamonds, 8 of Diamonds, 6 of
Clubs

Marriage - Ace of Hearts, 2 of Hearts, 3 of Hearts, 10 of Hearts

Monetary Increase - Ace of Diamonds, 4 of Diamonds, 6 of Diamonds, 9 of
Diamonds

Travel - 6 of Spades, 8 of Hearts, Jack of Clubs, 8 of Clubs

Finding the reading's numerical theme is one way to broaden your
understanding of the questioner's concerns. The numerical theme of a
reading tends to reveal the questioner's current state of mind or where
their energies are directed with regard to their question. It sometimes
sheds light on readings where there is internal conflict between the
questioner's energy and his or her external influences. For example, the
questioner may be presented with a new job opportunity but they may be in
waiting mode, unable or unwilling to act upon the opportunity.

Usually, the numerical theme helps to explain why the questioner is asking
the question. For example, when a questioner is in a mode of reflection or
contemplation, their numerical theme is often a seven (introspection and
wondering about direction and progress). When they are concerned about
security and may be afraid to take on a new adventure their numerical theme
is often a four (holding onto what you have, maintaining the status quo).
When the questioner is ready to take action, they may receive a numerical
theme of five (adventure, freedom and travel) or ten (starting over on a new
level of experience).

To find the numerical theme for a reading, I add all the numbers in the
spread using the following coding system:

Ace through 10 = 1 through 10

Jack = 11

Queen = 12

King = 13

Next, Add all the numbers and arrive at a number which is reduced to a
single digit by adding the individual components of the number. If you are
familiar with numerology, this process should be familiar. Here's an
example. Let's say the numbers for your reading add up to 56. I add 5 + 6
= 11. Then I add 1 + 1 = 2. Two is your numerical theme. This may suggest
that you are concerned about partnership issues, cooperation and
compatibility. It can also mean you are vacillating and indecisive about
some issue.

People often want to know when an event will occur and I believe that this
is not something that cartomancy can reveal accurately like astrology.
However there are a few techniques that others have come up with that can
give timing estimates if you would like to include them in your readings.
Here are some of these techniques:

Seasons Since there are 52 cards and 52 weeks in a year, each card suit can
be broken down into the 13 weeks of each season. Clubs correspond to
spring; Hearts to summer; Diamonds to fall; and Spades to winter. On the
Pips and Face Cards pages, I have given the time periods for each card.

Zodiac You can assign time periods to each face card according to their
zodiac cycles:

King of Clubs - Leo

Queen of Clubs - Aries

Jack of Clubs - Sagittarius

King of Hearts - Scorpio

Queen of Hearts - Cancer

Jack of Hearts - Pisces

King of Spades - Aquarius

Queen of Spades - Libra

Jack of Spades - Gemini

King of Diamonds - Capricorn

Queen of Diamonds - Taurus

Jack of Diamonds - Virgo

Aces If you assign each ace to its appropriate season, you can go through
the shuffled deck until you come to an Ace. The Ace that appears reflects
the season during which the event will happen.

Twelve months spread Using the Destiny Square spread, you can find out what
will happen during each month of the year. Instead of using the spread for
astrological houses, make each card represent a month of the year. Look for
clues in the cards that suggest timing issues. For example, if the
questioner is asking about when he will get a raise and the Ace of Diamonds
shows up in the month of July, a raise may be forthcoming at that time.

Practise Exercises

Daily Reading

The Daily Reading involves choosing one card in the morning and leaving it
face down during the day so that you don't see it until the evening. In the
evening, jot a few notes down about your day. If you already keep a
journal, just add the daily reading to your journal entry. After writing
down your thoughts, turn over your card and see if there are any parallels
between what you wrote and the card's meaning. Take note of the card suit
and number. When you get comfortable with using one card, then you can add
two more for a three-card reading each day.

Card of the Day

This exercise is almost like the Daily Reading only instead of choosing a
card at the beginning of the day, you wait until the end of the day and then
select a card to represent your day. For example, if you met someone new,
you might select the 2 of Hearts. If you received a gift, you might select
the 6 of Diamonds. Write down the card you choose and your reason. (By the
way, its really helpful to keep some kind of journal when you are studying
this subject, so you can write your exercises and readings down and any
other insights that pop up).

Opposites Attract

In this exercise, you are looking for opposing pairs. Looking through your
deck, select as many opposing pairs as you can find. An example of this is
the 8 of Clubs-8 of Spades pair which shows movement vs. restriction. Try
to do this exercise without using pairs of the same number.

My Birthday

This exercise is actually a reading that you will do for yourself.
Hopefully it will be enlightening. Shuffle the deck as usual. When
finished, turn over each card looking for the numbers of your birthday

Lay down the first cards that you come to with those numbers. Then do a
short reading on your personality or outlook based on the cards in front of
you. The month will be represented by one number; November and December
birthdays will be represented by the Jack and Queen respectively. The day
will be separated if it is a two-digit number. For example, December 11 =
Queen-1-1.