What is Cartomancy?

Cartomancy is a form of fortune-telling (divination) using a standard deck of fifty-two playing cards, i.e. without the two jokers, and is known to have been in existence since playing cards were first used in Europe during the 14th century.  However, some cartomancers claim its true origins date back to Egyptian times, the art itself being derived from wisdom given to the ancient Egyptians by the god Thoth (also known as Tehuti).  Thoth, self-conceived at the beginning of time and 'inventor' of the spoken and written language, was reputed to possess great knowledge and be extremely proficient in divine speech.  This Lord of Books was the scribe of the gods and patron of all scribes.

Each of the 4 suits in a standard deck corresponds with one of the 4 seasons in a year, hearts with summer, spades with winter, diamonds with autumn and clubs with spring.  Each of the 52 cards corresponds with one of the 52 weeks in a calendar year, and can be linked to a particular week in its season.  For example, the two of clubs would be linked to the second week of spring, the five of hearts to the fifth week in summer and so on.  Who remembers Wink Martindale’s Deck of Cards from 1959?

When using playing cards for Divination purposes, the suits are aligned with the basic 4 elements and have significations as follows:

Suit

Element

Signification

Hearts	Water	Hearts reflect your emotional state, the status of your relationships, and your ideals and wishes.  They depict your feelings and concerns for others often relating to partnership, group or domestic concerns.   Generally speaking, they are known as favourable cards.
Spades	Air	Spades reflect areas where you are experiencing blockage, conflict and a need for change and elimination.  They signify hardship. gossip, challenges, messages, illnesses and upsets.  They are considered to be unfavourable cards.
Diamonds	Earth	Diamonds reflect your sense of financial and emotional security along with issues concerning structure and stability.  Diamonds will reveal what brings you comfort and satisfaction, and usually relate to concerns about money, possessions, home and family.
Clubs	Fire	Clubs reflect the drive, energy and ambition you put forward to reach your goals.  Clubs signify opportunity, generally in business, ambition, and achievement issues, and tend to indicate success and happiness.

It is not only handy, but vital to know the basic meanings of each playing card before you can choose a spread that is right for you.  The next section will provide a general meaning for the face cards (Jack, Queen and King), followed by what are known as the spot or pip cards (ace through to ten).

Face Card

Meaning

Jack	A Jack represents youth and youthful attitudes.  Jacks can represent people of either sex who are younger or less experienced than the querant.  They can also relate to issues of movement and change, because, like children, they are restless and have a need to travel and explore.  They are gaining experience and maturity so therefore cannot be counted on to commit to anything or anyone but themselves, and are incapable of making a decision.
Queen	Queens represents women and issues of nurturing or cultivating traits and projects.  Queens often represent the growth stage of a project or goal and relate to helpful people who can assist the querant.  They react to external impulses, judging them, and based on that judgement either cherish or reject them and are thus good arbitrators or mediators.
King	Kings represent men and issues of authority and control.  They also stand for the ending of a project or goal, and reveal successful endeavours.  Kings are often considered aggressive-natured and outgoing, but unlike Jacks, they have matured and have gained experience along the way.  Kings tend to display little emotion, and view life from a particularly practical standpoint, regardless of which suit.

Spot/Pip Card

Meaning

Ace	An ace represents new beginnings, ambitions, fresh opportunities, and planting of new seeds which may have long-range developments.  Aces also signify the right time to begin a new venture, or they can reflect a deeply held desire.  They indicate that it is a time of leadership, independent thought, and progress.
Two	Twos represent partnership issues, co-operation, receptivity and the need to make a choice or decision.  They often herald a period of waiting and being passive, and the need to develop patience.  Twos can often relate to the traits of sensitivity, gentleness, and shyness.
Three	These represent growth, creativity and expansion, and signal a time where self-expression and self-promotion are likely, such as the possibility of recognition and expression through the written or spoken word.  Threes represent groups and shared interests, so they can also reflect increased social activity.
Four	A four represents stability, order and structure, suggesting a time to lay the foundations for future success.  They may also reflect a period of restriction and burden where you feel you are faced with making important decisions.  Fours relate to self-discipline and hard work.
Five	A five represents a desire for freedom and independence that makes you rebel against the status quo.  It can signal a time of nervous energy, challenges and conflicts with others, along with adventure and impulsive actions, suggesting travel and expansion as well as fluctuations in many areas of life.
Six	Sixes represent a transition from the past to the future, and also relate to responsibilities to others, and duty to home and family.  Six is a number associated with peace and harmony and its vibration tends to settle any past debts.
Seven	A seven represents a need for introspection, independent self-discovery and inner growth.  Sevens signify taking an original approach to learning, meditation, retreat, and re-evaluation of one's life, often signalling a time of slow growth.  They may also suggest an attitude of defiance.
Eight	Eight represents power, leadership, money and career issues, and relate to the focus and control necessary to direct your energy toward achieving your goals, indicating movement and changes of direction.  Eights signify change in the external world such as property issues and material gain.
Nine	Nines represent completion and self-fulfilment, i.e. letting go and moving to a new level of experience.  They suggest a time of attainment and 'clearing the decks' to make way for new opportunities.
Ten	A ten represents the end of a cycle and the beginning of a new level of experience.  This can mean a new marriage, house or a promotion.  Tens can also signify having overabundance of something, along with the stress it causes.

The very basic meaning of each individual card follows, but bear in mind that each is a matter of interpretation which can only be gained through experience.  The more you practice the easier it will become.

Hearts