Divination with Playing Cards

Playing cards offer us an easy to access means to gain insights, knowledge, advi
ce, and clarity. Though it can't be accurately ascertained as to their true orig
ins, as an oracle, our common playing cards have a wonderful history of use in d
ivination. There are many systems and methods of card reading, and one is not ne
cessarily any better than another. What's important, as with any form of divinat
ion, is to create a personal, intuitive connection with your tool, be they cards
, runes, stones, or bones...
Presented here is a simple, numerological based system for divining with playing
cards. Again, the information presented here is just a suggestion of possible u
ses--feel free to alter any card meanings, try new spreads, add cards, take card
s away, and/or explore other systems (see links pages). Find what works for you!
Flexibility and simplicity is the beauty of playing cards!
The system is a two part one... The first section provides a comprehensive and u
sable oracle and is based upon forty cards, those numbered ace through ten. The
second half is optional. There, the face cards--jacks, queens, and kings are add
ed.
For those learning card based divination, face cards, also known are court cards
, are often tricky to master. This second half of the system is offered for thos
e who prefer to work with a full deck (no pun intended!) It's important to note,
that there are several wonderful card reading systems that do not use the full
deck of fifty-two. The Lenormand system, based upon the famous French fortune-te
ller Anne Marie Lenormand, only uses thirty-six cards. There is also an English
method that uses thirty-two, and a Spanish method that also uses forty.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To start with, examine the four suits of your deck... For this system, the suits
shall have the following correspondences:
Diamonds are the rock-solid element of earth and the season of winter... these c
ards reflect things which we value, both ethically and materially... our finance
s and physical body... they are a fairly neutral suit... and when looking at tim
ing, this suit is slowest in manifesting...
Hearts are the most favorable cards in the deck... they are the element of water
and as such flow with ease... they are the season of summer they represent our e
motions, love, and spirituality
Cubs are a neutral suit representing the element of fire and the season of sprin
g... quicker than hearts and diamonds, clubs portray our energy, actions, and cr
eative ventures--our goals, passions, and ambitions...
Spades are the quickest of the suits and are assigned the element of air and the
season of fall... here you'll find thoughts, ideas, challenges, and obstacles..
. though not necessarily "bad" cards, spades are somewhat difficult to experienc
e, but through this difficulty we learn much!

The next step is to assign a meaning to each card, blending its suit meaning and
its numerological associations... There are many approaches to numerology and t
his system offers just one view. Below you will find the meanings of individual
numbers (ace through ten) and a suggestion of how that manifests in each suit. K
eep in mind, these meanings need not be locked or too rigid. Make room for intui
tion! When looking at cards, go with your gut. Imagine what it would feel like t
o experience each card. Forming a personal connection with your tool aids in bot
h accuracy and insight.

Aces are unique individuals and new beginnings

diamonds - a valuable opportunity
hearts - female (intuition, feelings, love, passivity)
clubs - male (knowledge, skill, action, creation, passion, exuberance)
spades a major decision, great clarity and understanding, new
Beginning, elimination
Twos deal with decisions and partnerships
diamonds agreement, compromise, documents, correspondences
hearts - a relationship, love shared
clubs - potential, expansion
spades indecision, confusion, separation
Threes emphasize the three c's: creation, cooperation, and communication
diamonds - support, teamwork, communication
hearts - friendships, creativity
clubs - manifestation, ingenuity, karma
spades - arguments, disagreements
Fours are the solid and sturdy things in life which keep us grounded and calm
diamonds nature, work, security, practicality, common sense
hearts home, tranquility, church, spirituality
clubs - solid foundations, feeling good, enthused, or excited
spades truth, integrity, law, and order
Fives are unstable and unpredictable and emphasize the need for freedom
diamonds - financial setbacks, health concerns
hearts - anger, jealousy, depression, sadness
clubs - hassles and delays, exhaustion
spades impulsiveness, restrictions, stress, anxiety
Sixes offer harmony and movement/direction along our paths
diamonds - generosity, gifts, blessings
hearts improvements, hope, inspiration, movement toward happiness
clubs - good news, movement toward a goal, vitality
spades - difficult news, heading in the wrong direction
Sevens caution us to learn to shed light on secrets and mysteries
diamonds - study and learning, diligence
hearts retreat, introspection, intuition
clubs - cautiousness, deliberateness
spades - deceit, lies, and/or manipulation
Eights speak of power and inner-strength
diamonds hard work, perseverance, priorities
hearts compassion, patience, healing
clubs determination, resolve, defense
spades fears, doubts, over-thinking
Nines are attainment and reflection on what we've attained
diamonds luxury, abundance, wealth, charity
hearts fulfillment, happiness, and joy
clubs recognition, reward, accomplishment, pride
spades regret, disappointment, reevaluation, worry
Tens represent completion and transformation
diamonds travel, journeys
hearts family, children
clubs rest, recuperation, planning for what s next
spades death and endings

** Optional Face Cards **

The twelve face cards in a playing deck can be a bit tricky to understand at fir
st. There are many way to look at them in a divinatory sense. Some methods utili
ze face cards as people with distinctive coloring of skin and hair. Other method
s look at these cards as personality traits and situational influences. The inte
ntion of this system is to keep things as user-friendly and straight-forward as
possible, while still retaining the benefits of an accurate and insightful oracl
e. In keeping with this theme, face cards need be viewed as clusters (basically
their suits) of guiding energies. Just like the numbered cards were broken down
combining suit and number, here too the face cards shall be so explained, just s
lightly differently
Face cards shall be considered guiding energies that may or may not manifest as
an actual person. If when they fall in a spread, a person with their qualities d
oes not come to mind, simply look at them as guides offering advice and guidance o
n ways to approach a situation or issue. When not a person, you might think of t
hem as your angels, spirit guides, higher-self, etc whatever works for you!
Each face card will have a keyword to describe their energies again this could be
an actual person or simply a guiding influence.
First let us look at each of the three kinds of face cards Jacks, Queens, and King
s
Jacks are the younger, more inexperienced energies that could relate to either a
male or female. They are innocent and naïve in a sense, looking at things through
a lens of wonder, and learning thing through experience.
Queens are the more mature female energies of feelings and receptivity. They sha
re and assist, offering guidance learned through their experiences and intuition
.
Kings are the male manifestations of leadership and control. They ve accomplished
and now guide with an air of authority and wisdom.

Now, when considering the suits in combinations with meanings of individual face
cards, some easy associations can be made
Diamond face cards are those whom are related to things we value or to our healt
h As people they are grounded and practical, as guides they encourage us to make
sure we too are being grounded and sensible
Heart face cards might be those connected to us in an emotional way someone whom w
e love and care about or who loves and cares about us. As people they are emotio
nal, intuitive, and caring, as guides they urge us to consider that approach in
whatever issue we ve asked about.
Clubs are those who are related to our goals and ambitions helpers (or hindrances
if negatively aspected) who push us to find success. As people they are enthusia
stic and ambitious, as guides they offer their passion and exuberance as an ener
gy we may consider utilizing for our benefit
Spades could be those who are connected with our ideas or perhaps even our chall
enges they are our teachers who challenge us in various ways. As people, well, they
can be challenging sort, often aloof or even manipulative, as guides, they cauti
on us to learn and to live with integrity and ethics
So to further expand upon this, consider the following
Jacks
Diamonds The Student A cautious, studious energy that takes things slowly and meth
odically, all the while learning
Hearts The Romantic A loving and idealistic sort that follows the heart, wherever
it may lead
Clubs The Adventurer A fun-loving, highly energized spirit that pursues new ventur
es with passion and vitality
Spades The Trickster A sly and aloof energy that is often impatient and instinctiv
e
Queens
Diamonds The Nurturer This earthy spirit is in tune with nature and the earth and
urges us to take care of ourselves first and foremost, so we may then assist oth
ers
Hearts The Psychic This mystical figure encourages us to trust our intuition and a
pproach things based upon what we re feeling, rather than thinking
Clubs The Firecracker This energy knows what it wants and goes after it whole-hear
tedly, find comfort in your own skin and assert yourself is the message this queen
brings forth
Spades The Widow This lady practices detachment and can seem cold and uncaring, sh
e urges to rise above challenges and take things with an air of grace
Kings
Diamonds The Provider Taking care of business is the priority of this character. H
e is in control of his body and finances and asserts the most sensible and busin
ess-like approach to all endeavors.
Hearts The Sage This loving, wise King is heart-felt first and foremost. Good inte
ntions are all he knows. There to help, he urges us to be in control of our emot
ions, so they are not in control of us
Clubs The Leader The epitome of power and authority, this guy takes charge and get
thing done and urges you to do the same
Spades The Judge This highly intellectual energy assesses a situation and logicall
y, and judiciously renders his judgment. Discernment is his priority and he wast
es no time or energy in eliminating that which doesn t serve his highest and best
good. He hopes you do the same
***
There you have a simple, easily accessible oracle to use for guidance
Simply take your cards in your hands, shuffle them in any way you like, and lay
them before you however you feel appropriate. Setting an intention for guidance
before laying the cards greatly helps you to focus your attention on the message
being brought forth.
Any spread (pattern of laid out cards) may be used. This system works very well
when cards are paired together and read in a single position. For example, in a
basic three-position past present future spread, use six cards, two for each pos
ition. This allows the cards to compliment each other and offer more specifics a
nd information.
Again, utilize your intuition while working with the cards. Allow the spread to t
alk to you. What do you feel from the cards? Are you drawn to a particular card o
r position? Where do your thoughts drift when considering the meanings or messag
e? Close your eyes and pay attention to your feelings! Read between cards Form a
story If you decide to use playing cards as a tool for guidance, use them in a wa
y which works for you! Just do so in a respectful and appreciative way, both of
yourself and in the spirit of touching a bit of the divine.
*****
I will be creating several spreads for use with this system... one of them is a
diamond shaped 9 position spread, the six card, PPF, and the version I use of th
e celtic cross with 18 cards as well... so... for a beginning spread, here's the
my version of a past-present-future... at least a tentative version as I'll be
writing off the top of my head... pardon any typos and all the ellipses... they
help me think!
Take your cards in hand... quiet your mind and take a couple of deep breaths...
now set an intention for working with the cards at this moment... as you shuffle
the cards, be mindful that you're "intending" to connect with divine energies a
nd recieve guidance and insights.... and example of an intention could be--
"I am seeking to receive guidance and insights regarding my current work situati
on"
There are three positions (1, 2, 3) each with two cards for a total of six cards
2****1****3
Lay down your first card in position 1 and examine its meanings, and see how it
relates to the intention you set... The first card is the heart of this reading,
the energies present now and a major consideration... how do you feel about thi
s card?? what does it bring to mind?
Card 2, is laid crossing card 1, this is a challenge for you... something you mu
st be mindful of and strive to work towards (or if a difficult card, something t
o avoid)... it adds more information to card 1 and the two cards together bring
forth information for you to consider that is affecting you most at the present.
...
Cards 3 and 4 are laid in position 2, sorta of overlapping each other, so that y
ou might see they are a combined in manifestation... these are passing influence
s... at one time in the past they were more profound in how you may have been ex
periencing them... they have been brought forth in this reading to remind you of
where you have been... examine these two cards... are they something you should
release from your life?? are they something that you should still be mindful of
?? how are they affecting what's going on in position 1?? all of this is importa
nt... you should start to see a story forming, based upon the intention you set,
open you heart and mind to the guidance and see where your thoughts drift... ge
tting any ideas? motivation? clarity? confirmation??
Cards 5 and 6 are placed in position three, again, overlapping.... there are upc
oming influences... should you continue upon your current path, these are the po
ssibility of what lies ahead of you... perhaps they are something you should emb
race? or something to be cautious of? they could be something to look forward to
... these cards allow you to see the possibilities of things in store... with wh
at's shown in this position, it's very important to be mindful of the "challenge
" card in position 1... that card can help you to capitalize on what could be in
position 3... or even avoid anything you're being cautioned of... always consid
er your challenge card as it is the most unique card in this reading...
after you have laid all your cards out and examined them... take a step back fro
m the spread... look to see how many of each suit you have... too much of one? n
ot enough of some?? keep this in mind and see how it relates to your intention..
. too many hearts could mean you're too emotionally connected to the situation..
. too few diamonds could mean you're not taking a practical and grounded approac
h... also... is there a repeat number... for example... two 2s?? or three 6s?? w
hen this happens, the energy of those cards, especially when they lie right on t
op of or next to each other, is amplified and becomes a major influence in the r
eading... pay attention to multiples of numbers... there's a reason you've recei
ved them... examine the numerological meaning of that number... pay attention fo
r that number to pop out at you on a day to day basis, in all likelihood, it's a
message of some kind... some bit of guidance and insight being brought to you i
n order to help out.... write down your reading and reflect on it when you need
to... make notes... journal thoughts... see how you relate to.. .this helps to f
orm a personal, intuitive connection to divination and can help you to really ge
t the messages in the cards...