Tag Archives: cartomancy

‘Wrong’ Card Deck Teaches Unexpected Lesson

As a practical-minded (and not particularly flush) retiree, my online shopping excursions are few and far between. Despite this, last week I just couldn’t stop myself from ordering a very cool-looking Bicycle playing card deck I’d had my eye on. Imagine my shock (not to mention annoyance) when I discovered that what I ordered was not what I received…

Of course this sad realization occurred after I had foolishly ripped off the cellophane packaging, discarded the shipping box and date-stamped the deck’s arrival date onto an inside flap of the tuck box…

‘That’s just great,’ I grumbled miserably. ‘Now I’m stuck with them…’

Feeling miffed and more than a  little ticked off, I unceremoniously dumped the cards on the kitchen table and after a fast and furious shuffle commanded them to answer my question: ” Why Did I Get YOU Instead of the Card Deck I Ordered??!!”

Despite my rude, insensitive and downright mean-spirited demand, the cards not only replied, they replied in a way that pretty much blew me away.

Question: “Why Did I Get YOU Instead of the Card Deck I Ordered??!”

 

'Wrong Deck' teaches unexpected lesson: 6 of Clubs + 10 of Spades + 6 of Diamonds + Queen of Hearts + 5 of Clubs with King of Spades above and Ace of Hearts below.
‘Wrong’ Card Deck teaches unexpected lesson: 6 of Clubs + 10 of Spades + 6 of Diamonds + Queen of Hearts + 5 of Clubs with King of Spades above and Ace of Hearts below. © 2020 Living With Cards

Bicycle Dragon Playing Cards

I had to step away from the spread and regroup myself before I felt calm enough to see if these cards had anything to tell me. Believe me, I wasn’t expecting much.

Silly me.

6 of Clubs speaks to conflict resolution, communications, good counsel, trusted advice, listening and paying attention while 10 of Spades refers to problems, negativity, fear, worry, disappointment and hang-ups that keep you from reaching set goals. 6 of Diamonds can be electronic communication (texts, blog posts, emails, etc.) or simply using your computer (especially with 6 of Clubs in the spread).

Queen of Hearts is empathic, emotionally sensitive, trustworthy, honest and supportive while 5 of Clubs is a card of action and change.

Can you see a theme developing?!

In direct response to my question the Line of Five was telling me that this particular card deck was highly skilled in giving pertinent, accurate, insightful advice to those who may be troubled with fears, anxieties or problems in an empathetic, sensitive way that could help them orchestrate positive change.

Now let’s check out the vertical line:

King of Spades in the Above Position (on my mind) objectively pointed out that I was being highly judgmental and jumping to conclusions and negative judgments when in reality there was every indication that I’d wind up feeling quite at home with this deck  — Ace of Hearts in the Below Position (something I’m not aware of or don’t want to think about) and I’ll be able to use the deck effectively to dispense good advice.

 

Excuse me while I go hide myself in a closet of shame & chagrin for a minute…

 

Oh. And in case you were wondering which card deck I had originally ordered, I have to tell you I can hardly remember — it certainly isn’t on my short list of must-haves anymore…

Blessings,

Mary Hawkins

[Note: I originally learned the excellent Overview Spread several years ago from the prolifically authoritative & instructional The Art of Cartomancy website ( @jdavidacuri ), a treasure-trove of rich cartomantic knowledge…]


Playing Cards Answer Spread: Should I Sell the House?

In a few short months, it’s probable that my son will be moving out of state to attend grad school. I’ve been going back and forth with myself, stressing over whether I should sell my house and move into an apartment or stay where I am. There are strong pros and cons for either option.

I decided to throw an Answer Spread* using ordinary playing cards to address the question.

 

Answer Spread with Playing Cards
Answer Spread with Playing Cards

 

This spread is read in columns.

Column 1 = Near Past / Current Situation

2 of Diamonds, 3 of Spades
2 of Diamonds, 3 of Spades

I’m worried (spades) that I may lose (spades) money (diamonds) if I sell the house. 3 of Spades is a card of loss and 2 of Diamonds indicates a money exchange.

 

Column 2 = The Answer

2 of Hearts, Queen of Spades
2 of Hearts, Queen of Spades

Column 2 shows a woman (Queen) who is feeling distressed (spades) over the loss (spades) of a son (2 of Hearts). As “The Answer,” it suggests I may be too emotionally distraught (hearts followed by spades) to address the issue at this time.

 

Column 3 = Influences that May Affect the Answer (especially the bottom card in Column 3, known as the Pivot Card).

7 of Hearts, 6 of Clubs
7 of Hearts, 6 of Clubs

In Column 3 we have hearts followed by clubs, suggesting working through (clubs) emotions / emotional feelings (hearts). Kapherus* suggested that 7 of Hearts could represent second chances with a more positive outcome the second time around, and 6 of Clubs can represent an opportunity to resolve problems and issues.

Notice the spread contains three red cards and three black cards. This often signifies that the answer could go either way, or that the answer is currently up in the air. With the three black cards all topping the three red cards, I get the sense that, for the moment, no decision will or should be made. It’s a dead stop for now.

All in all, the spread seemed to suggest that I need to work through (clubs in the Pivot Position) thoughts and feelings of emotional (hearts) and financial (diamonds) loss (spades) before I can make a decision that’s right for me.

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*I learned this spread from the excellent Art of Cartomancy site by Kapherus. As I write this, he has taken down his site, much to my dismay, and that of many other cartomancers. Should he decide to come back online, I will put up a link.

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Would you have read the cards a similar way? I’d like to know.

Blessings,

Mary Hawkins