The gypsies of Europe were the first ones to start using playing cards for tarot-reading and fortune-telling. However, today many soothsayers practice tarot-reading using playing cards and have amassed several loyal followers.
Playing cards have been around for centuries, and have always been used as a source of recreation. However, the older playing cards were different from the numbered ones we use today. With time, the cards that held spiritual symbols and mythical creatures, became the tools for fortune-telling and a part of certain occults.
In due course, many soothsayers preferred using common playing cards for predicting the destiny of the seekers. This practice protected the readers from being branded as witches or wizards, and allowed them to lead normal lives. After centuries, the practice of using playing cards for tarot reading has been reintroduced. This practice has many takers and believers, who wish to know what their future holds.
Card & Tarot Symbols
It is possible to read the destiny of a person using playing cards. The four signs – spade, heart, clubs, and diamonds are meaningful signs for a tarot reader. Given below are the symbols of playing cards that correspond with tarots.
Spades – Represent the swords of tarot cards. A spade symbolizes death, misfortune, and personal loss.
Clubs – Represent the wands of tarot cards. A card with a club sign provides information.
Hearts – Represent the cups of tarot cards. A card with a heart symbol, focuses on matters of love and happiness.
Diamonds – Represent the pentacles of tarot cards. Diamonds deal with issues regarding a venture or a business. It also suggests information relating to fortune and money.
Joker – All the joker cards represent The Fool from the Tarots, which must always be read along with the other cards that were selected by the seeker. With good cards the outcome with the joker shall be favorable or vice versa.
Things to Remember
It is very important that you pick your cards in sets of 1-3-6-9-12 and so on and so forth. This will allow the reading to be unbiased and will provide a middle path for the situation at hand. Whenever you are in distress and need a rapid reading, you can pick just one card for helping you zone-in on the situation and solution. Secondly, you have to cleanse you thoughts, so that you can focus your energy on the questions you wish to ask the cards. This is the most imperative step before any form of fortune-telling, because if your mind is muddled with conflicting feelings, the cards will find it hard to interpret the question and answers you seek. Thirdly, none of the cards are negative or positive, however the conclusion must be drawn from the entirety of the cards in relation to the question you asked.
Reading Playing Cards
Many tarot readers use a deck of playing cards for fortune-telling or for divination. Sometimes, an entire deck of cards may be used for a complex divination session. The various card meanings and combinations are given below.
Card |
Hearts |
Diamonds |
Spades |
Club |
Ace |
Home |
Revelation |
Fatality |
Fame |
King |
Power |
Danger |
Troublemaker |
Loyalty |
Queen |
Justice |
Lust |
Betrayal |
Companion |
Jack |
Confidant |
Bad news |
Procrastination |
Motivation |
2 |
Success |
True love |
Change |
Misfortune |
3 |
Impulsiveness |
Legal dispute |
Marital flaws |
Separation |
4 |
Picky lover |
Familial dispute |
Imbalance |
Failures |
5 |
Indecisiveness |
Prosperity |
Fortune |
Marriage |
6 |
Warning |
Unhappiness |
Delay |
Partnership |
7 |
Disappointment |
Bad luck |
Discord |
Luck |
8 |
Unforeseen event |
Travel or marriage |
Deceit |
Financial instability |
9 |
Balance |
Adventure |
Misery |
Unresolved tensions |
10 |
Harmony |
Financial growth |
Misfortune |
Happiness |
What Do the Cards Say?
Hearts
Ace – An ace of heart represents a change of residence, matters relating to home, or the arrival of a visitor to your place.
King – This card represents an influential person. The king of hearts represents a powerful person who has come as a guide. You must seek his help in order to benefit from his wisdom.
Queen – The queen of Hearts represents a fair and just person, who is trustworthy and faithful. You must keep her in your life at all costs.
Jack – The jack of Hearts represents a seeker’s friend or someone who is close to the seeker. It could be the inquirer’s dear friend or relative, whose intentions are to support the seeker.
10 – This card brings good luck and has the ability to reduce the negativity of the bad cards around it.
9 – Number 9 is also known as the “Wish Card”. The card represents harmony. If unfavorable cards surround this number, the inquirer might have to deal with obstacles in order for his wishes to be fulfilled.
8 – The card represents an event of great significance that is likely to happen in the near future. In case the card is read with other favorable cards, the outcome is likely to be positive or vice versa.
7 – Number 7 indicates betrayal and disappointment. If you are planning on a business venture, there is a possibility that your partner might abandon the project at the last moment.
6 – The card warns the seeker of misfortune or a bad event that is likely to happen in the future. Hence, it is also called the “Warning Card”. This card presides over the life of the seeker.
5 – Number 5 indicates indecisiveness of the seeker. It could also mean that the seeker is likely to break or make plans for the future with his immediate friends.
4 – This card is known as the bachelor or old maid card. It represents the nature of the seeker, who is being too picky or cautious.
3 – Number 3 represents the decisions that are likely to be made in haste. This is also a warning card that rules the mind.
2 – The number 2 card represents success. In case negative cards are chosen with this card, the seeker will attain success after much toil.
Diamonds
Ace – The ace of Diamond indicates an important information awaiting the seeker. It could be a package or letter containing a vital message.
King – The king of Diamonds represents
an evil and dangerous person. The seeker should keep him at a distance.
Queen – The queen of Diamonds is a flirtatious woman who is likely to interfere in the personal life of the seeker. Avoid her.
Jack – The Jack of Diamonds is a harbinger of bad news.
10 – This card indicates monetary benefits for the seeker.
9 – Number 9 is known as the card of adventure and hope.
8 – Indicates travel and marriage in the future.
7 – Card number 7 indicates ill-luck in the near future.
6 – Early and unhappy marriage is indicated by card number 6.
5 – Harbinger of prosperity and success.
4 – Card number 4 indicates unwanted and unnecessary troubles between the seeker and his family members.
3 – Indicates troubles such as lawsuits and legal actions in the coming future.
2 – Card number 2 is an enchanting card and represents true love which may result into marriage.
Spades
Ace – The ace of Spades is likely to bring bad news in the near future. It represents death or illness.
King – The king of Spades represents a troublesome person who could interfere in the seeker’s life.
Queen – The queen of Spades indicates a wicked and cruel woman who is likely to betray the seeker.
Jack – The Jack of Spades represents a lazy person who is likely to hamper the progress of the seeker.
10 – This card brings ill-luck to the seeker. However, if good cards surround this card, its negativity can be reduced drastically.
9 – Number 9 indicates bad luck, misery, and loss of money.
8 – This card indicates that the seeker would be betrayed by his close family or friends in the near future.
7 – Represents unwanted arguments, quarrels, and sorrow in the coming future.
6 – Number 6 indicates that the seeker is unlikely to reap the fruit of success for his hard work.
5 – This card represents success in matters of love and business. However, the seeker will find success after lots of hard work.
4 – The card indicates a minor misfortune in the form of an illness or loss of money in the near future.
3 – The card number 3 represents unhappiness or misfortunes in matters regarding love and marriage.
2 – Represents a sudden or an unforeseen change that is likely to take place in the life of the seeker.
Clubs
Ace – This card represents fame and wealth that will lead to a rise in social status.
King – The king of clubs represents a lifelong companion who has proven to be a good friend and can be relied upon during tough times.
Queen – Queen of Clubs represents a woman in the seeker’s life. It could be a good friend or his/her sister. If the seeker is male, then the queen might represent his lover.
Jack – Jack of Clubs represents a good friend who has the ability to cheer up the inquirer during bad times.
10 – The 10 of Clubs is known as the harbinger of happiness and good fortune. It can also represent a journey the seeker is likely to undertake.
9 – Indicates trouble or an unresolved dispute between the inquirer and his friends or relatives.
8 – Represents an urgent need for cash which is likely to occur in the near future.
7 – Number 7 is known as a lucky card if other good cards surround it.
6 – This card represents success in partnership ventures.
5 – Number 5 is known as the marriage card and could also be relevant to a long-standing relationship.
4 – Number 4 represents impending danger and represents a series of failures and misfortunes in the seeker’s life.
3 – Card signifies a broken engagement and marriage. If you are already married, it might indicate the possibility of separation or a second marriage.
2 – This card indicates bad luck and opposition from family and friends.
You will need to be open-minded to truly benefit from the answers the Tarots give you. It’s alright to be skeptical, but never disrespect the cards, in which case you will not find what you seek from this ancient mystical art.