Lesson 4 - Cartomancy
Cartomancy: The art of telling fortunes with cards. For the purpose of this lesson we will be looking at a normal deck of cards, as opposed to Tarot Cards, in order to give you the opportunity to do a reading! Normal playing cards are much easier to obtain than Tarot Cards for some of you. Lets start the lesson.Numerous cultures took to playing games with stone and coin tokens as far back as several centuries before Christ. In the 10th century, paper became available and the Chinese started making the first types of playing card out of this new material. Typically these 'cards' were long thin strips decorated with dots, then later coins threaded onto a cord.
Around the 13th century, these made their way into Europe, along with another system of cards originating from the Islamic world. These used a four suit system not unlike the one we use today.
What we are left with today is a plethora of games systems that are derived from those early tokens. So playing cards, dominoes, Mahjong and even Tarot cards have a common root. In the last two centuries, the 52 card deck we know has become the standard in most parts of the western world, especially for those who play bridge and poker.
In some parts of Europe, there are 56 card decks, there being an additional Court card - that is the Knight - in each suit.
Below is a list showing the variations around the world.
English: Clubs, Hearts, Spades, Diamonds, Jack, Queen and King
German: Acorns, Hearts, Leaves, Bells, Bube, Damen and Konig
Spanish: Sticks, Cups, Swords, Coins, Paje, Reina and Rey
Italian: Rods, Cups, Swords, Money, Jack, Donna and Re
French: Clovers, Hearts, Pikes, Diamonds, Valet, Dame and Roi
Tarot: Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles, Knight, Queen and King
Choosing a set of Tarot cards should be a serious business as there is so much diversity and artistry in the many decks available. Playing cards, however, are much more commonplace and essentially bland. So it is most definitely acceptable to use any pack that you have at home, or cards that belong to a friend.
There are three simple points to remember: Make sure that the deck is complete, make sure that the cards are clean and not excessively pictorial.
There are a wide range of ways to lay out cards for giving readings and even more, it seems, sets of meaning for each card. These can often be complex and very confusing.
Suit Meanings
Clubs: This suit represents the physical aspects of life, such as strength and leadsership, dependency and loyalty.Hearts: The more emotional aspects of life are represented by Hearts: for example, home, family, security and love.
Diamonds: Diamonds are representative of reward and the pursuit of wealth, along with outside influences, such as work and other associations.
Spades: Nobody gets something for nothing, and Spades indicate a need for energy, focused effort and work, or potential troubles ahead.
Card Meanings
Ace: The self, your inner thoughtsThe Ace asks us to concentrate on who we are and how we feel about our situations, and how we will be affected by what lies ahead or what is already on its way.
Two: A relationship or partnership
We cannot exist alone and the Two can tell us so much about our relationships - not only of our lovers, but also business and other similar
partnerships.
Three: Luck or opportunity
Three is a magic number, for is brings luck and opportunity. Sometimes we need help spotting our chances in life. The Three is there to let us know that
opportunity knocks.
Four: Your friends or colleagues
Four represents our 'friends' and 'colleagues'. Although we usually get on well with both groups, we often need to bite our lip for the sake of good
order and peace.
Five: A gathering or meeting
Man is a social animal and he is usually to be seen with others. However, Five indicates a gathering that is not simply run of the mill. The question is
whether this is a cause for celebration or a cause for concern.
Six: Unwelcome influences
At some points in our lives, all of us can be easily led. Some of us, however, are much easier to manipulate that others. Sadly some of us can even lead
ourselves astray. Six serves as a reminder of our own weakness.
Seven: Luck or chance, or perhaps a risky gamble
Sometimes you have to stick your neck out to get what you want in life. At other times you may make a decision without realising all the implications.
Seven is the number of risk and luck - both good and bad.
Eight: Your family
They have been you grow up and been there for you at those important times. Or perhaps you wish you had been born into a different situation. Eight
reminds us our family play a great part in our lives - like it or not.
Nine: Conflict of dissatisfaction
Why can't people just get along? Well, because we are all human and just so bad at communicating with each other. Nine subtly reminds us that life does
not always run smoothly, and that fights or arguments will often occur.
Ten: Plenty or an excess
When is enough really enough? How do we know when we have had too much? Ten can let us know when we may receive what we need and warn us against taking
more than we geniunely require.
Jack: A male influence or father figure
Give some thought to any men, who have recently come into your life.
Queen: A female influence or mother figure
Perhaps this is an aunt, a nurse or simple a caring friend.
King: A leader
Think about who is in charge. Your boss? Your team leader? Or maybe some other figure of authority, such as a priest or doctor?
Card and Suit Combinations
This system is designed to make understanding specific cards very straightforward. It is easy to take the number of the card and put it in context with the meaning of the suit. Lets look at a few examples so that you can get the idea.For example, an Ace typically relates to the self. If our Ace is a Club, we might interpret this as indicating that we are, or that we need to be strong from someone else around us. If the Ace is a Heart, however, it indicates a love of our own self. More often, it implies a need to love ourselves more fully.
Sixes indicate unwelcome influences. If it is a Six of Spades, this might indicate problems at work, whereas a Six of Diamonds might warn of unexpected financial demands.
Finally, Kings imply a leader or a guiding influence. Thus a King of Spades indicates a presence of a mananger or perhaps a sporting coach. Conversely a King of Diamonds implies a financial expert or adviser of some sort.
It is generally suggested that you don't use any Jokers present in your deck of cards. Lets now look at a simple reading you can do at home.
The Three Card Spread
For all card readings, you should sit at a table or use a clean surface on which to lay the cards. The Three Card Spread is the most simple of the 'meaningful' card readings one can give.Start by shuffling your deck of cards and think about yourself and what is going on in your life. Whenever you wish stop and lay out the top three cards, facing down, from right to left.
As with the runes, these cards represent the past, present and future. You can now turn the cards over one at a time, exploring each as you go. The first card starting on the left represents the past, the middle the present and the right the future.
When performing your reading, remember to refer to the meaning for the number and the suit.
For example, if you had the Nine of Spades for your past card, it may signify past frustrations or conflicts that look up a lot of your energy. An Ace of Clubs as the present card might tell you that you need to concentrate on yourself and builing your strength and leadership. A Six of Hearts as the future card could show unwelcome influences entering your home or love life in the future.
If you put these together it could indicate that past troubles have lead to you strengthing yourself today, to work towards being able to handle unwelcome influences in your future, better than you have previously.