How To
Read Playing Cards
For Fun And
Self Development
By
Louise Hart
Published by
Sirius Publications
www.sirius-books.com
© 2002 by Louise Hart. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this publication may be produced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Requests for permission to make copies of any part of the work should be addressed to Sirius Publications through our web site at www.sirius-books.com.
Cover art design copyright 2002 by Sirius Publications. Cover graphic copyright 2002 www.ArtToday.com.
Printed in the
ISBN 1-930889-38-0
About the Author
A former newspaper editor with over thirty books to
her credit, the author has investigated psychic phenomena, interviewed
internationally known practitioners and written about their experiences, lives
and extrasensory perception for over twenty years. Her articles on the subject have appeared in
international publications, syndicated newspapers and magazines. It was during her investigations that she
first encountered the card readers from whom she learned the techniques and
layouts presented herein.
A graduate of
Table of Contents
About
the Author
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Card
Layouts
The Pyramid
The 5-Pile Layout
The Clock
The Bed
Card
Meanings and Their Values
Hearts
Clubs
Diamonds
Spades
Interpretations
of Four and Three of a Kind
Interpreting
Face Cards
How
to Find Lucky Numbers
Getting
Started
Reading
Logs
Additional
References
Acknowledgments
This book is the result of
many years of investigation, observation, study, experience, practice and
discussion in the fields of parapsychology and self-development and the use of
cards and other materials in these fields.
Without the assistance of practitioners with names such as Anna, Betty,
Bob, Carol, Doris, Fay, Harriet, James, Kate, Lillian, Lou, Margaret, Marie,
Martha, Michael, Ray, Richard, Rita, Ruth, Susan and Tom, the idea of this book
would not have been entertained. Their
names may seem ordinary, but these people are truly extraordinary. Not all have the same talent or beliefs. Some are clairvoyant; others are
clairsentient. Some are spiritualist or
religious in their approach. Others are
not. Some are ministers, preachers or
personal counselors while others are pragmatic business professionals,
engineers, teachers or retired factory workers. Some hold multiple college
degrees while others have had little formal education. What links them together
is that each has fully mastered how to use English playing cards to tap,
release and channel intuitive psychic energies.
Their willingness to share that knowledge, philosophy and practical
techniques, including the layouts and meanings provided herein, is what has
made this book possible.
Introduction
Prehistoric Man imitating
the creatures about him was first a forager and then a hunter. As a hunter, he
was also hunted. He quickly learned that
there was both safety and efficiency (in food production) in numbers. He joined communities. Communal living provided him with
companionship and others with whom to share the work of hunting, preparation of
food, clothing and shelter. He had
defenses against predators and could hunt animals with a greater safety and
success. However, the benefits of
communal living that man sought also cost man.
Living on his own or with only a partner, man lived by his
instinct. That instinct alerted him to
danger, guided him in finding food, shelter and safety and protected him from
weather or natural disasters. In short,
how to stay alive and prosper. This
instinct, some believe, became suppressed as communal man specialized. Man no longer needed this sixth sense to
survive. Hence, most lost the ability to
tap it. As proof that the gift of
clairvoyance or sixth sense is an innate talent that has been atrophied by
society, some parapsychologists point to very young children who often exhibit
these abilities, but lose them after they enter school (join a closed society).
While many appear to have
lost this ability, some retained it. In
ancient times, these were called oracles, soothsayers, shamans, seers,
diviners, prophets, druids, priests, priestesses, sages, witches, witch
doctors, palmists, fortunetellers and occultists, etc. In the New Age, all humans were again
perceived as potentially having the ability to develop extrasensory perception,
clairsensions, clairaudience, telekinesis or precognition by connecting with
their inner or instinctual self. Some
New Age seekers still rely on others (psychics, mediums, channelers,
spiritualists, empaths or sensitives) to channel their inner senses or to draw from
a universal consciousness or other source.
These practitioners and others seeking to develop their own abilities
often use a variety of tools or items as catalysts. These tools or channels, such as runes,
tablets, Ouija, astrology, I Ching, Yarrow stalks, fire, entrails, sand, rocks,
crystals, sea shells, sticks, dice, numbers, water, potions, incense,
stychomancy, bibliomancy, automatic writing, faces, palms, body types, auras,
charts, tea leaves and tarot cards, have been passed down from generation to
generation. Interpretations,
instructions, special approaches have grown up around these tools. Would-be practitioners study these guides and
use them as though they were scientific instructions and instruments that by
following and using them exactly will impart assurance of the accuracy of what
they sense.
Few who use these
instructions realize that playing cards, which first appeared in
The origin of playing cards
is even more obscure. Some historians
believe that they originated in
Playing cards were, of
course, thought to have arisen in
The use of playing cards and
the Tarot for divination appears to have arisen simultaneously. If the earliest references to playing cards
were public warnings against their use for idle games and gambling and the
Tarot was developed for the amusement of the aristocracy, their use for
divination was equally interchangeable.
In fact, The Encyclopedia Britannica defines the Tarot as any
deck of cards used for divination.
The university laboratories
that seek to study and control telepathy, telekinesis and other forms of
extrasensory perception use cards with symbols as part of their distance
viewing experiments, as well as dream laboratories, pictures, etc. both as
targets and as tools or focus objects.
Although a great deal of ceremony and credence is
placed in using tarot, astrology charts, dream analysis, Ouija boards, palms,
biorhythms, tea leaves, runes, automatic writing, etc., those who have been
able to re-develop this sense often note that they use these tools only to
relax or divert their consciousness or if reading for another, to comfort the
listener - not themselves. More advanced practitioners may not need or use
cards to achieve this alternate state.
Many, like the late Edgar Cayce, use self-hypnosis or trance-like states
to achieve a state of free association and alternate communication. However,
readers or practitioners achieve this state, what they see or cognize is often
symbolic. Even cards, charts, etc. may
provide symbols or images. How these
symbols or images are interpreted is individual. In fact, I have known a number of
professional practitioners who have maintained that their visions or the
symbols that they saw were correct, only their interpretations were at times
impaired by individual prejudice, emotions, etc.
All claimed that the symbols
or images were messages powered by energy.
Not all agreed as to the origin of that energy. Some attributed it to the energy of the
subject; some to their own energy; others to universal energy or to that of
guides. All, however, agreed that the
attitude, state of mind and emotions of the subject could influence the
outcome. Some indicated that they used
the cards and other tools as a means of not only achieving an altered state of
consciousness, but also, of overcoming any negative mindset, energy or emotions
on the part of themselves or their subjects (if reading for another). As with all other skills or abilities, all
reported that there was a period of development needed. Even those for whom the “gift” seemed in-born
or for whom the ability appeared suddenly noted that a period of study or
training seemed necessary before they achieved any control over their
“powers”. Some believed that they never
truly controlled this power, but rather, that it was under the control of
others, whether they called them guides, spirits, angels or others. Many who reported that the power was “given”
to them suddenly noted that they became aware of it while experiencing a
traumatic event. They attributed their
survival or well being to the “gift”. That
is, in fact, how the “gift” was first developed by prehistoric man - one individual
using all of his conscious and unconscious powers to survive.
Viewed in this manner, the
tools used are diversionary catalysts.
They focus, divert and relax individual concentration and consciousness
and allow the practitioner and/or his or her subject to block out the
distractions that clutter our lives. By
so doing, the individual is free to achieve a level of Zen consciousness,
trance or free association that is not unlike the creative experience of the
artist or zone of the athlete.
The theory behind the
established meaning and instructions for the tarot, cards, Yarrow, runes, etc.
is similar to that behind any common language.
It creates a database or set of commonly agreed terms or symbols that can
be understood by more than one individual.
In addition, it is believed that the practitioner or person for whom the
reading is being conducted or others seeking to communicate with the subject
will subconsciously influence which cards, runes, stalks, sticks, dice or
passages are selected in order to communicate a certain message to himself or
herself. Some, of course, believe that
the cards, dice, sticks, etc. channel messages from the “reader”, universal or
other consciousness. Often practitioners
or users believe that using the cards or other tools allow them to enter the
aura, subconscious of the subjects or another or universal consciousness. Carl Jung believed that there was a universal
consciousness or collective of all of our thoughts, memories, spirits and
wisdom. Ancients believed that these
were contained within the Akashic records. These records included the histories
of all lives, past, present (and future).
The American psychic Edgar Cayce believed that he tapped these records
when he read for distant targets or subjects.
Spiritualists believe that the consciousness is that of deceased
relative(s), friend(s), “guide(s)” or angel(s) communicate through them using
symbols that only the subject may understand.
They see themselves as channels or the equivalent of party lines. The spirits or guides communicate with
symbols, they believe, to provide subjects with privacy on their party line.
Regardless of whether an
individual believes that it is the spirit or consciousness of another or the
subject’s own subconscious and whether the individual is using cards, runes,
sticks or monitoring dreams, the reader has a choice. That choice is to accept the meaning of the
cards, runes, sticks, dreams, etc. in accordance with the dictionary or
instructions given or to write one own dictionary. To do so, the individual needs to look at
each card, rune, stick, object and by free association determine what that
object means to him or her. Often this
is how dreams are interpreted. The same
can be done with cards. However, since
it takes time to develop such a dictionary or diary of terms, the reader may
wish to adopt the standardized meaning or significance placed on the individual
objects.
For the many Tarot decks,
divination cards, runes, Yarrow, etc., the instructions include a full listing
of the meaning of each individual objects.
It is when a user attempts to obtain a reading from a plain deck of
cards that the results may seem elusive.
There are readers who use plain decks.
Many are reluctant to detail the meaning of the cards (if they know
them). Others have equated the English
Playing cards and Tarot and (even astrology) and interpret the cards
accordingly. For instance, the Tarot
wands are equated with clubs or fire signs.
Fire is said to bring energy, creativity, growth, glory, spiritual
enterprise, inspiration and constructive energy for practical and spiritual
growth. They are said to ad passion for
new creations, ideas and events and if negatively aspected, they bring
competition and transformation.
Cups are equated with hearts
or water signs. They relate to emotional
relationships, intuition, pleasure and love.
The mutability of water is thought to add peace and balance to cups or
hearts. Their influence is dependent
upon their environment as water is dependent upon its depth, tide, undertow,
etc. for its force and flow. Swords and
spades are interpreted as air signs.
They are thought to represent mind, applications of logic, thought,
authority, aggression with energy derived from wisdom and knowledge. Adversely affected, they bring great
challenges and greater lessons.
Pentacles or diamonds have
been equated to the astrological earth influence. That is, they are thought to indicate money,
trade, material matters, security, physical well-being and fortune. They are thought to indicate slow, steady
progress. The interpretation of
individual cards is, of course, subject to its position, neighboring cards and
the influence of the total layout and even the questions asked. In short, all readings are subject to the
intuitive ability of the interpreter or reader.
To assist any who might be
seeking to use regular cards for divination or self-development, the following
guide and cards are provided. The
meaning of the cards and layouts were taught to me by a spiritualist minister
who had used regular cards to assist her parishioners and others who came to
her for advice. She, like many other
practitioners, had her favorite cards that she used only for readings. The cards offered with this guide were
specially designed to assist would-be practitioners. Some feature pastoral and natural scenes that
can help would-be readers by setting the tone for the readings. At least one deck has been specially designed
with pictures on the number side that serve as reminders of the classical
meanings attributed to each card.
Practitioners are, of course, free to use any playing deck, but as noted
under the instructions for getting started, some readers have found that use of
decks featuring trees, flowers or even animals or other scenes can help in
relaxing the practitioner, allowing him or her to detach or distance himself or
herself from everyday concerns and thus, enable the emergence of his or her
intuitive, spiritual or subconscious self.
Choice of any particular style of deck or scene is a matter of choice
left to the individual.
After reading this text
through, individuals are advised to read through and familiarize himself or
herself with the meaning of the cards and the layouts before attempting a first
reading. As noted above, both the
meaning of the cards and the manner in which they are laid out are subject to
individualization. Some readers lay all
cards in a line or lay out a certain number in set patterns. Others lay the cards out in designated
geometric formations. The options
provided below are only that, options.
The reader should adopt the pattern that makes him or her most
comfortable.
Playing cards can be laid out using the same layout
designs as are used with Tarot. That is,
single card, three-card or Celtic crosses.
These are, of course, often used when the asker or reader is seeking the
answer to a specific or only one answer.
The more complex the search, the more complex the layout or the same
layout (for instance a single card) may be used repeatedly in seeking responses
to a series of questions.
Many psychic readers who use regular playing cards
as a catalyst to delve their intuition or subconscious have developed layouts
or spreads specifically for the regular playing card deck. The following are five such common card
layouts.
All start with the user shuffling the cards until he
or she feels ready to begin the reading. The user selects twenty-one cards from
the full deck (without looking at the cards).
He or she then shuffles the twenty-one until he or she feels ready to
lay the cards down. Without looking at the cards, the user then spreads or
places the cards out (face down) in the pattern he or she has chosen.
The Pyramid
For
the first layout, the user lays the cards out in a pyramid, beginning with card
number one at the top, adding one card to each row and continuing until all
selected cards have been used. The
pattern of the lay out of the cards is given below.
1
2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21
The
cards are then turned over one by one, beginning with card number one and
continuing until all cards are lying face up.
Referencing the meanings and values provided in the following list, the
user then interprets the reading. Users
can expect their readings to seem mechanical at first. However, once a reader or user starts, he or
she should set aside a special time each day to lay out the cards. He or she may find that with time, the
interpretation of the layout becomes less mechanical as that the user begins to
sense an overall pattern or meaning to individual layouts.
The 5-Pile Layout
The
second layout begins as the first with the shuffling, selection and
re-shuffling of the twenty-one cards.
When the user feels comfortable or ready the twenty-one cards are placed
(face down) in five piles of four cards each with the twenty-first card set on
the side. The physical pattern for the
piles is
1
2 3 4
5 21st card
Pile number one represents what the user or person for whom the reading is being conducted will face within a short period of time. Pile number two represents what lies ahead for the reader. Pile number three is what the Creator will give the reader. Pile number four is what the reader should avoid, turn his or her back upon or avoid. Pile number five represents what is certain to come and for which the user or reader must stand firm and wait. The twenty-first card is the consolation card.
The Clock
Again,
the user, reader or person for whom the reading is being conducted (if someone
else is serving as the reader or interpreter) starts by shuffling the deck
until they feel that the cards are ready to select the twenty-one cards. Again, the twenty-one cards are also shuffled
until the user feels that he or she is ready to lay them out. However, as the user shuffles the twenty-one
cards, he or she can make a wish or ask a question. Then, the cards are laid out in a clock
formation. The first twelve cards form
the outside circle or perimeter of the clock.
The next eight cards are placed just inside this border. The twenty-first card is placed in the
center.
The
card layout is
12
11
20 13 1
10 19 2
9 18 21 14 3
8 4
17 15
7 5
6
The
“reading” or interpreting of the cards proceeds clockwise, starting just to the
right of “high noon” or
The
first three cards to be read represent the user’s past life. The next three represent the user’s
present. The cards positioned in the
The Seven Fates Spread
The
seven fates or influences, including family life, success, career, wealth,
happiness, relationships and romance, are the focus of this reverse pyramid or
arrowhead shaped spread.
Practitioners
or card readers begin as above, shuffling first the whole deck, picking
twenty-one and then shuffling again.
When the subject is comfortable, the 21 cards are then divided into
three stacks. The three stacks are then divided into seven groups of three. One card from each stack is drawn for each of
these groups. The middle card of each
set and the middle card of the middle stack are the focal point of all
readings.
Subjects
use left, right or alternate hands to deal the cards into the pattern depending
upon the purpose of the reading. For a
past life reading, a subject deals the cards with their left hand. For a reading about a question or event in
the future, a subject shuffles and deals the cards with their right hand, and
for a question about current problems or the present, a subject alternates
hands dealing the cards out.
As
with the other layouts, each group represents an aspect of the questioner or
subject’s query, including family life (1), success (2), career (3), wealth
(4), happiness (5), relationships (6) and romance (7).