Part 3: The traditional names given to each of the popular English playing cards.
I refer to this list for various workings and cartomancy. For example, if you’re in a home without hob (house spirit, brownie, bogart, hobgoblin etc.) and you wish to contract with one (not typical but not unheard of. I can write about hob’s in a future post if ya’ll like.) then you could take the heart of fours (Hob Collingwood) and post it facing out of a front facing window. You would keep it there until the hob arrives and you settle on terms.
Other ways you can use playing cards are with image magic and as surrogates.
If you scroll back, I made a post about how to make your own spell cards. When you use that method, the number of cards in your deck is doubled (as it separates the face from the card backs). I always use those faces for ‘throw away’ spells. Spells I leave places, give to people, burn, and etc.
Cartomancy is divining with playing cards. Each card has a meaning and are interpreted by the reader who organizes them into certain spreads. Spreads are the way that the playing cards are set onto the table and I’ll be talking about them more later. Some readers integrate their spirituality into their readings, calling upon deities or spirit guides or connecting with their higher self. Others may use their beliefs to explain how cartomancy works.
Card Meanings
Hearts
Regarding emotions and home
Ace: New friendship or romance
Two: Deepening attractions
Three: Joy in company, friendship, or celebration
Four: Turning inwards, apathy
Five: Despair, loss
Six: Childhood, nostalgia, good memories, old frienship
Seven: Daydreaming, wishful thinking, choices
Eight: Emotional detachment, leaving love behind, making a hard choice
I use the joker to represent unlimited potential but I’ve seen various meanings.
Spreads
Here’s an example of a cartomancy spread:
A reader places a card on every rectangle pictured above. They would then apply the meaning of the card to the situation it stands for. A spread sets up the situation you are looking to divine about. Here is a spread focusing on a person’s whole life but a reader could lay out a spread that’s centered on a person’s love, job opportunities, or present struggles.
Cartomancy tips
If doing a face-to-face reading, it’s a good idea to ask the receiver to shuffle the cards. This allows them to connect to the cards and engage in the reading.
When you draw the cards, you can choose from the top of the deck or spread them out and choose whichever call to you.
There is more to consider in cartomancy than the set card meanings. A group of certain colored cards can be significant as can a group of court cards (kings, queens, jacks)
The more you know about the cards, the easier readings become.
Hah, hah hah. I actually didn’t have ANY links at the ready. So I went and compiled all this for you. Hence why it took like 3-4 hours for me to answer this. Hope it helps!
fair--y backup 