Random Reading - #110

I feel my playing cards need an airing. But something a little different this time – a Chien de Pique ("Dog of Spades"), so named for the dog that used to accompany the Jack of Spades in old playing cards. 

Andy Boroveshengra explains the spread here: Seven Days with the Dog of Spades (archived). 

The meanings I use differ slightly, so my master cards are Ace of Hearts for 'home', 10 of Hearts for 'social life', 10 of Spades for 'work', and Ace of Spades for 'surprise'. And my signifiers are, as always, the King and Queen of Hearts. I'll be reading today for whichever turns up first... 

Queen it is!

⁘  Signifier - Our "female" subject won’t be in a good state of mind this week.

Social Life – She'll be invited out, though. Possibly a day out with her best friend (to take her mind off her troubles?), or somewhere fancy where she can glam up and be spoiled.

Surprise – Some minor worry that she wasn't expecting, but it will soon pass.

Work and Home came out together – Working from home, or work on the home.  ⁘

For more details, you can fan the remaining cards and pull one for each pair.

⁘  Our subject's bad mood is prompted by a letter or paperwork she'll receive*. 

The socializing involves a love interest or the hope of meeting one. Maybe her BFF will set her up with someone.

The worry concerns a man she cares about and could be an illness or accident. But still, the 8♣ tells us it won't be as bad as it seems.

The 8♦ as a "business" card reinforces working at home rather than working on the home. The "change" aspect could indicate that this may be starting or ending, or at least that there'll be a change to the normal routine. "Business news", i.e. news about her job or similar activities, could be the subject of that troublesome letter.  ⁘

If all of this turns out to actually describe your week, please do let me know. 😁

*Why do I not see this as her sending a poison pen letter? Because I'd expect to see the Q♣ at the Q♥' back, influencing her. Here it comes after the significator, suggesting a reaction.

deck used: ASS Altenburger Skat cards (French-suited)

Random Reading - #90

Somewhere in my recent internet travels, I came across a mention of this book –

La Cartomancie - L'art de découvrir l'avenir par les cartes et les tarots
par Mme Zezina

"Cartomancy -  The art of discovering the future through cards and tarot
by Madame Zezina"

Originally published by Bornemann, Paris, in the 30s or 40s, this one is a 1970 edition printed in 1984. 

The book appeared to contain some interesting spreads, and while I'm not generally one for using spreads with playing cards, it was cheap enough 😏 so I thought I'd get it just to check them out and maybe give some a go. 

And so, here is L'Etoile, The Star. With the seeker's significator in the centre (I've used both my male and female significators for this reading) the positions are 1 | top: thoughts/hopes; 2 | left: immediate future; 3 | right: later future; 4 | bottom: surprise, the unexpected. 

⁛ Your thoughts revolve around dealings with a professional person – a doctor, solicitor, someone in an official capacity.

Your immediate future looks to be improving materially and/or physically, and we can relate this improvement to whatever official business is on your mind. And we see this increase from 9♦ to 10♦ going forward - definite profit or benefit for you; things really looking up. 

There will be some unexpected event involving your home or family. Seeing as this reading is quite positive, I have no reason to feel this will be a "bad" surprise. And again, it will be related in some way to the above.

The author's instructions tell us to also look for cards of the same value, of which there are none this time, and to read for the combinations formed by positions 2 and 3 with the significator (not only are there combination meanings for cards to the left or right of a particular suit or card, but also for ones before, after or between certain pairs of cards!).

9♦ to the left of a ♥ = broken engagement
10♦ to the right of a ♥ = honeymoon

Kind of an odd combo, and bear in mind that these are based on the author's core meanings, not mine, but I suggest that something which has been negatively anticipated will be cancelled, resulting in a period of contentment and happiness. ⁛

And there you go. It was fun to work within the constraints of a more structured reading for a change. It did rather stifle any intuition regarding what exactly it's all about, but whatever it is 😁 it's going to turn out well. 

And in case you're wondering, “les tarots” referred to in the book's title is specifically the Grand Etteilla (I). If you click on the book picture and zoom in, you can see some of the trump cards from that deck. This is also of interest to me because the same Etteilla meanings apply to my Book of Thoth Etteilla (III) and, just as with the playing cards, the author gives many examples of combination meanings based on whether a card lays before or after a particular other card. Probably way too complicated for me to actually try to work with in any practical way, i.e. without having to constantly refer to the book, but I'm curious to see what they're like. Maybe one or two will be worth committing to memory. 🙂

There are tarot spreads as well, but they are way too big for me. The smallest uses 24 cards, and the largest 67! And I'm willing to bet, though I haven't translated it yet, that the remaining 11 cards don't just sit there doing nothing.

Random Reading - #77

It saddens me sometimes that I haven't been able to find anyone who uses the same playing card meanings as my grandmother. Various "German" lists share some similarities, but not enough to be considered siblings. I'd love to know where Oma got her meanings from, but at the time, I was too young and foolish to think to ask.

One day last year, I spotted a listing on eBay for Diane Ahlquist's Full Moon Oracle Cards* – essentially, a set of 32 playing cards. Hello?! She'd added pictures of a few of the cards and I noticed some familiar associations. Basket! 🛒

When it arrived, I went through it card by card and found that 22 of the 32 shared at least some aspect of the meanings I had for the same cards. Considering the best prior to that was 18 with Birgit Kraheck-Liecker's meanings (from her now defunct website - here's an Internet Archive link), I was delighted!

Soooo, Ahlquist… Did Oma get her meanings from a Scandinavian source, perhaps? I really must do some investigating along those lines. But I've rambled enough – on to this week's reading.

⁛ This is for a someone who identifies as female. There will be a change that will result in some unexpected good news for you regarding your finances and/or employment. The change involves something coming to an end (A♠ is the only card read reversed in Diane's system; none in mine). Someone you would associate with the K♦** (Diane - “An older man with gray hair, or a middle-aged man with a light complexion and blue or green eyes”) may have changed their mind about it. As the 10♣ refers to journeys, it could be that you will be able to return to work very soon (an issue for many at the moment), or at least start to make some progress again. ⁛

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*Sadly, the deck is not available at the moment. This is Diane's eBay page: swfloridagirl941, if you're interested and would like to check back later.
UPDATE 26 May 2020 - She's back! Full Moon Oracle Cards by Diane Ahlquist 

**You may make a different association with the K♦ based on your connection with the card. For me, for instance, he's not necessarily "old", but is dynamic and charismatic, and often physically attractive. And the use of the pronoun "he" is not prescriptive.

Random Reading - #71

I just couldn’t decide which deck to use for this week’s RR. So, when in doubt – Skatkarten!

Okay, this was an odd one. I had a couple of cards jump out, so I pulled the remaining three, checked the bottom card, even checked the next top card to be sure, and decided that they were, in fact, a message for me.

But when I shuffled again, the bottom card from the previous reading jumped out, and the message from the rest of the cards was very similar to the first. I had to concede that all of this *is* the random reading…

I puzzled over this for a bit. The general sense of it was clear enough but I couldn’t see what it was ultimately trying to "say". Then it hit me…

⁛ A formal notice about your job, from official sources and doctors:

          Don’t go.

This will cause you some mental stress, possibly anger (Q♣). But they (Q♦) have a duty of care, and you and your colleagues' best interest at heart with this A♣ 9♠ 10♠ - “gift of no work”.

And the bottom card? Q♠ - someone who is alone. ⁛


Damn. I was so determined not to be one of *those* people doing a “virus” reading, and then this happens. That's probably why I struggled with it. I suppose it was inevitable that any enquiry about what might be coming up for someone this week would gravitate towards what is such a major influence on everyone’s lives right now.

Even at this stage, though, I suddenly thought, “But wait, why is the ‘home’ card (A♥) not here?”, and looked for it in the deck. It was between “elderly person” (K♠) and “sickness” (A♠). Sigh. 🤦‍♀️

Stay well, everyone.

Skatkarten - German playing cards - 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A only (32 cards). This version is published by ASS Altenburger.

Random Reading - #70

My friend Raven Coyne has published an excellent book on reading playing cards – Cartomancy: What You Need To Know - suitable for those dipping their toe for the first time, to seasoned readers considering going pro.

I'm using Raven's own 6-Card Spread today. In briefest terms ('coz I want you to buy his book to find out more 😉), the two card on the left are the question, the remaining two on top are the state, and the last two on the bottom are the answer.

⁛ You're looking for an improvement in a situation which rests on the advice or actions of a man you look up to and respect. You feel you've messed up somehow and that your position is shaky, and you're reaching out for some words of support and encouragement. Rest assured, this man will be helpful and will get you going again with renewed confidence. ⁛


Skatkarten - German playing cards - 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A only (32 cards). This version is published by ASS Altenburger.

Random Reading - #64

My Skat deck is long overdue for an airing here…

First thought - Someone (Q♥: likely female) is going to complete on the home of their dreams this week/soon.

A 'straighter' interpretation would be that you will receive notification of a loved one coming home.

There is an indication of illness around this event. Falling ill is, unfortunately, the sort of thing that happens when you’ve got something major going on in your life. And the person’s motivation for coming home could be illness, theirs or yours. In either case, it’s just an aspect to be aware of – it doesn’t take away from the fact that this will be seen as a happy time.

Skatkarten - German playing cards - 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A only (32 cards). This version is published by ASS Altenburger.

Random Reading - #36

I haven't used my beloved Skatkarten for a Random Reading in a while. Let's fix that -

This is a message for a man, or someone who is concerned about an important man in their life.

In a short time, they will experience a distressing change of circumstances affecting their financial situation. It's unexpected and could impact their family, home or small business.

I wasn't happy to just leave it at this dire prediction, so I asked for further details - advice perhaps, or a more optimistic long-term outlook.

Advice it was:
Professional assistance is needed to improve the situation.

The "Love" card puzzled me slightly. With the King of Clubs, it could point to a health event involving the heart. If you're the least concerned, go see a doctor!

Beyond that - Maintain focus? Don't lose heart? I felt I needed to know what the Jack was pointing to (see that hand?), so I turned the next card. Don't descend into internal squabbles over this setback. Don't start laying blame. Keep it together, and work with those who are in a position to help you.


So, yeah. As if to make up for neglecting them, my cards dish me up a 10-card reading. That'll teach me.


Skatkarten - German playing cards, this version published by ASS Altenburger.

Free Reading - for Andrew 24Feb19

Andrew, your question is:
Will investing in an intensive Elder Futhark Rune Course be beneficial for me?
And you chose playing cards for the reading.

Now that's an easy, and pleasant, read. I don't think I even need to spell it out for you. 😁

You'll find the course a personally positive experience. And you'll be surprised at how it will enhance your abilities and your enjoyment generally.

You will benefit, personally and quite possibly financially, from the course.

Bottom card (which I felt made a point of positioning itself there): Business change - underlining the idea that you could end up incorporating what you learn into other aspects of your practice, private and professional.

Basically Andrew, this is the cartomantic equivalent of Just Do It. 😘
(And can I have the details of this course, pls??)

Free Reading - for Holly 13Jan19

Holly - your question was "Is the info I'm receiving during meditation from spirit, and therefore accurate answers to my situation, or my wishful thinking?", and you opted for playing cards.

The cards in the initial 'Line of 5' are all positive-leaning. So the quick answer is Yes, they are from "spirit", or at least they're not just wishful thinking.

If spirit is involved, the AH-9C suggests possibly a relative or a long-term personal guide. I'm more inclined to go with the second option.

In the KD-KC-JD I see an energetic person/entity with an "official" remit to assist you, again energetically. The King of Energy advising the Jack, or student, of Energy.

Here's the kicker, though. I always check the bottom card, and this time it's the 9S: Falsehood.

So what do I make of that? Yes, there is spirit involved in the messages you're receiving, but... (and here I pulled another couple of cards for direction: 10C-8D) you may not necessarily always interpret them correctly. Best to use another method - Tarot, for instance, as you're experienced with it - to confirm your impressions.

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Thank you, Holly, for giving me this opportunity to read for you today. I hope what I've seen makes useful sense to you. Feel free to ask a follow-up question if needed. Keep up the meditation. 👍

Weekly Reading - #27

I acquired a quirky little deck a while ago and I got the urge today to use it for this week's reading.

I had real trouble getting my guides on board, though. Perhaps they viewed the deck as a bit undignified? When I finally felt their presence, this was the card I got... 😏

Watch your actions this week. Don't do anything at home or at work that you would be ashamed for people to find out about. Avoid workplace romances in particular.

We have a saying in England - "Don't piss on your own doorstep." Which basically means don't cause trouble in a place or a group where you regularly find yourself, because you'll have to constantly live with the consequences.


Thank you, guides, for humouring me. 😁


"30 designs created by a north west artist..." - I haven't been able to find any more information on this deck
 Skatkarten - German playing cards

Reading of the Week - #21

Stop trying to do everything. You're heading for nervous exhaustion.

Bottom card: Make a rational decision about how you will allot your time. Get outside. Stroke a cat (seriously - this is a Picard-based deck 😏).

Coincidentally, Pauliina (Tarot Readings of the Finnish Path) pulled the Magician in the "Stop" position this week and made the same sort of connection.


Crystal Tarot - Elisabetta Trevisan (Lo Scarabeo)
Skatkarten - German playing cards (find out more here)

Reading of the Week - #20

Prompted by an interesting discussion in the comments, I feel I should state for the record that these readings are not going to apply to *everyone* in the coming week. That would be crazy. 😳

I perform each reading with the clear intention that the message I receive will be meant for someone, and that someone will see it when they need to see it. Could be this week, could be two years from now.

In keeping with this intention, I've changed the name of these weeklies. So, let's get on with it...

An offer is not all that it seems. It hides a secret. Run it past people you trust and definitely investigate further before acting.

Black tourmaline is great for repelling negative energy.


Crystal Tarot - Elisabetta Trevisan (Lo Scarabeo)
Skatkarten - German playing cards (find out more here)

Reading for the Week Ahead - #19

Ah. The majors only spell is broken. The bottom card came up trumps, though. [pun - #sorrynotsorry]

A business venture or similar enterprise is just getting off the ground. At this stage you will need to approach potential investors/backers, or someone willing to assist you. You're not ready to go it alone.


Crystal Tarot - Elisabetta Trevisan (Lo Scarabeo)
Skatkarten - German playing cards (find out more here)

Reading for the Week Ahead - #18

Before I begin, has anyone else noticed that since I started doing these Tarot + Playing Card weeklies all the Tarot cards have been majors?

It only just hit me today. It wasn't deliberate - they've all been pulled at random. Or at least what passes for random within the realm of cartomancy.

Something is coming to an end, and very shortly you're going to get an unexpected letter/email/text about it. It's not necessarily bad news, it's just going to catch you by surprise.

You're going to have to deal with the letting go.


Crystal Tarot - Elisabetta Trevisan (Lo Scarabeo)
Skatkarten - German playing cards (find out more here)

Reading for the Week Ahead - #17

What a lovely reading! Makes a change from all those spades. 😏

Maintain a healthy level of give and take and you'll enjoy a peaceful and happy home life this week. For someone, these cards could well indicate the conception, or possibly birth, of a baby.

Bottom cards say "Choose happiness".

Langustl Tarot - Stephan Lange 
Skatkarten - German playing cards (find out more here)

Reading for the Week Ahead - #16

Someone is about to make things happen.

Out of many possibilities, one direction is about to be taken. It will go against perceived wisdom and social expectations. It's likely to upset others and catch some flak.

I usually look at the bottom card, but only after I've done the reading. Sometimes I regard it as a confirmation - or not! Sometimes it's more like a postscript.

PS. Take a moment to consider which way you want to go with this.

Langustl Tarot - Stephan Lange
Skatkarten - German playing cards (find out more here)

Reading for the Week Ahead - #15

Call them out.

Someone is having problems with a colleague at work (could be male or female). One of those people who likes to gossip, throw shade and generally cause trouble. They're causing a fair amount of aggravation and stress, and have probably been doing so for some time.

It's crunch time. Are you going to confront them about their unhelpful behaviour? Are you going to have a quiet word with the boss, or call for an entire team meeting to clear the air?

It's time to say something to somebody about it.

Langustl Tarot - Stephan Lange
Skatkarten - German playing cards (find out more here)

New and Improved. Well, New.

I'm going to be trying a new format for my weekly readings.

I'm bored with the Colour Focus readings. I need a change. Apologies to anyone who considers them the highlight of their week. 😏 I can always post one for you sometime if you ask.

The new spread will consist of one tarot major* and three playing cards. The major (I want to call it a trump but that word has been sullied) will show the overall theme or advice and the playing cards will give us the details. Actually, I was doing something similar to this on Instagram last year.
(*22 Oct 18 - I'm just re-reading this and realising that I'd completely forgotten that I was only going to use majors. Luckily, my cards have a better memory than I do. Out of the 8 readings to date, only one of them wasn't a major. Gotta love it.) 

I anticipate these readings will be more predictive than the Colour Focus ones, which looked at the general energies influencing the coming week.

This does mean that fewer people are likely to relate to the readings, which is unfortunate. On the other hand, it does make a "hit" all the more meaningful. And it makes the whole process a bit more meaningful for me.

I do hope you'll get something out of them, even if it's just an insight into how I go about reading cards.

Free Reading - for Andrew 16Jun18

Andrew won the reading I offered last week, and he asks, “Is the project going to be financially viable?”

This was supposed to be a 5-card reading, but cartomancy is not a precise science, LOL!

As I shuffled, the King of Clubs simply dropped into my lap. No jumping, no shooting across the room, just “This”. And “this” is a very good indication that we’re on the right track, as the KC is all about being professional, which is what you’re hoping to achieve.

The top row is your 5 cards and I could have stopped at the first one. Yes, this project is going to be financially viable.

So, what of the other cards? There are no Diamonds at all in this spread, so it’s less about the money, and more about ability and determination.

Queen of Spades – Ace of Clubs – King of Spades: Get advice and support from experienced people. People who have done this sort of thing. It might be a couple who work together, or the Q and K could just represent the community in general.

8 of Spades: The whole process is likely to be rather stressful. Viability depends on whether you’re prepared to see it through.

And that’s your reading… But because I like you 😉 I also did a quick “Lost Man” – I pulled the cards either side of your significator (which in my system is always the King of Hearts for a male). Good change regarding official business. You can do this.

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If people are interested, I’ll be offering more readings from time to time. Watch this space.

If you’d like to know more about the playing card method I use, check out the posts here and here.

Expanding on the "German Method" playing card meanings

Back on my old blog, I posted my grandmother’s method of reading playing cards. This is a continental style, German specifically, and uses only 32 cards. I realise that as a result it’s not for everyone – most people seeming to favour playing with a full deck 😉 – but it might appeal to some. As it was my most popular post, I brought it along to this blog – A German Method of Fortune Telling with 32 Playing Cards.

Oma’s meanings were very terse. Often only a word or two per card. At the time, I promised to come back and post some expanded meanings that I’d developed over time, and now, better late than never, here they are.

Some of these are just logical extensions of the basic meaning; others are a bit more subtle and only became apparent during readings.

I don’t use reversals with playing cards. But I usually pull a minimum of 5 cards, and I take into account the overall tone of the spread. If a spread is generally positive, with one negative card, then that card’s meaning can be ameliorated or lightened by the other cards. If the spread is generally negative, then a positive card’s impact may be lessened, or it may take on a negative or shadow aspect.

The table below lists each card with Oma’s “short” meaning followed by my additions. I will add to this list as more nuances present themselves.

Clubs
Ace	news, gift
	Something you're given, impersonal news vs. the personal messages of the Jack of Clubs, something new, knowledge, talent/ability, conversation, advertising, external forces, support
	With negative cards: bad news, not being given something/having something withheld, something you have no control over
King	Doctor or Official
	Judge, judgement, decision, important, someone hardworking, successful, intelligent
	As a person, he represents a problem male
Queen	false woman, evil alignment (way of thinking)
	Malicious actions or intent, a bad or unhelpful mindset, wrong thinking, bad habits
	As a person, she represents a problem female
	With positive cards: a gossip, a busy-body
Jack	luck, message
	A message specifically for you vs. the impersonal news of the Ace of Clubs, a friend, a student
	Traditionally, a pleasant surprise
	As a person, s/he represents a good friend
10	travel, big (official) house, hospital
	Legal matters, work place, prison, travel out of necessity, somewhere you have to go to, something you have to put effort into, far away/distance
9	good change
	Improvement, opportunity
8	Worry over a small way (over nothing, or for a short time)
	Imagined worries, temporary/short-term, confusion, a misunderstanding
7	tears, separation, obstacle
	Frustration, delay
	With positive cards: forgiveness
	This card represents the querent’s feelings about a situation; the distress/delay is generally temporary (see the 7 of Spades)
Hearts
Ace	house
	Family, domestic life, privacy, security, safety, comfort, a privately-owned business
	With 10 of Clubs can indicate being away from home
King	He
	Male significator, querent’s most important/significant male (in relation to the question)
Queen	You
	Female significator, querent’s most important/significant female (in relation to the question)
Jack	love
	Focus, desire, attraction, emotion
	With negative cards: obsession, dependency, indifference
	As a person, s/he represents a child or someone dear to one’s heart
	I’ve had this card appear as truce, relief, forgiveness and “Don't give in to emotion”. Your mileage may vary.
10	invitation
	Offer, communication, possibilities
9	Great joy or Good event
	This is my “yes” card
8	happy reunion
	Connection, meeting, partnership, wedding, celebration/party, two, visit/visitor, memories
	Traditionally, this card can represent new clothes and I have had that come up in a reading
7	prospect of love
	Hope, expectation, attraction, fun, flirtation
	With negative cards: unrealistic expectations, wishful thinking
Spades
Ace	fright, sickness
	Unexpected, a shock, sudden, a sick situation, serious illness vs. 8 of Spades “minor illness”, failure
	With positive cards: protection, defiance
King	elderly gentleman
	Establishment, tradition, wisdom, teacher, precise
	With negative cards: controlling, restrictive
	As a person, he represents an older male
Queen	dark (evil) woman, widow or single
	A rival or rivals, alone, lonely, one
	With negative cards: jealous, desperate
	As a person, she represents an older female
Jack	false friend
	Dishonesty, a bad situation, something false or misleading - appearances vs. 9 of Spades “words”
	As a person, s/he represents a bad friend.
10	profession
	Work, occupation, expertise, sense of self-worth, beliefs, higher education
9	slander, falsehood in the near future
	Not true, wrong, miscommunication/misinformation - words vs. Jack of Spades “appearances”
	This is my “No” card
	With positive cards: correction
8	danger, illness, anger
	Stress, resentment, mystery. Minor illness vs. Ace of Spades “serious illness”
	Traditionally, this card can indict night/night-time
7	grief, loss, strife, inconvenience
	Conflict, aggression
	This card represents external circumstances affecting the querent; the grief/loss is generally permanent or long-term (see 7 of Clubs)
Diamonds
Ace	letter
	All paperwork, ring (traditional), something sent, something square/rectangular
King	younger man
	Charming, energetic, fun-loving; excitement, restlessness, indecision
	With negative cards: selfish, faithless, unreliable, neurotic
	As a person, he represents a younger male
Queen	girl or woman
	Excitable, immature; aspirations, aspirational
	With negative cards: high maintenance, over-emotional
	As a person, she represents a younger female, or your best friend (not necessarily female)
Jack	happiness
	Success, getting what you want, contentment
	Some sources say this is the “best” card. Perhaps so – 9 of Hearts is situational happiness; this is an internal state of happiness
10	money, profit
	Finances, benefit, to profit from
9	business advantage
	Business gain, material advancement/well-being, promotion, a good plan, learning/education
8	business news
	A change in circumstances (possibly negative/uncertain), opportunity, choice, a new job, progress, transaction: "money coming and going"
	When the 8 of Diamonds is between two other cards I have sometimes found it to mean the first card brings or leads to the second card. Examples – 9S, 8D, 7D: misinformation leads to arguments; AC, 8D, 9H – gift brings joy
	Traditionally, this card can represent eyes or eyeglasses
7	Money or Child
	Actual money (as opposed to 10 of Diamonds “finances”), responsibility, something small, reducing/becoming less
	With negative cards: worries, arguments, not enough money
	It can represent an actual child or children, perhaps not as “dear” as the Jack of Clubs, or someone/something that needs looking after

And there you have it. As with all good cartomancy, these meanings are simply those that I’ve encountered while working with the cards. The meanings you find are the right meanings for you.

If you do have any questions or observations, though, please leave a comment. I love to “talk shop”.