How to Read Tarot With Playing Cards

Updated on January 10, 2020

I'm a professional tarot reader, but when I don't have a tarot deck with me, I can use a deck of playing cards to provide a useful reading.

Can You Use Playing Cards to Read Tarot?

You don't need a special deck of tarot cards to perform divination—a deck of ordinary playing cards will suffice. I'm a professional tarot reader, but when I don't have a tarot deck with me, I might use a deck of playing cards to provide a useful reading.

A regular tarot deck has an extra set of cards called the Major Arcana that give extra depth and power to the meaning of the spread (layout of the cards). These qualities will obviously be missing when reading with playing cards, but you can still gain some insight.

Which playing card suit corresponds to which tarot card suit?

It's a little bit harder to read playing cards since apart from the court (royal figures) cards, there are no images to guide you. This makes the numbers and the suits more important. Hearts represent cups, spades are swords, diamonds translate to pentacles, coins, or discs, and clubs represent wands, rods, batons, or staves. We will get to the number properties in the next section.

Meanwhile, you might be looking for a quick list of playing card tarot meanings.

Playing Card Tarot

Playing Cards	Tarot	Correspondence
Hearts	Cups	Emotions, feelings, relationships
Spades	Swords	Thinking, communication
Diamonds	Pentacles, Coins, or Discs	Practicalities, material world
Clubs	Wands, Rods, Batons, or Staves	Creativity, action

How to Read Playing Cards

Hearts (like cups) represent the realms of emotions and feelings. Heart cards cover not just love but the whole range of human emotion, from despair and powerlessness to contentment and joy. Hearts are very often also represent relationships because relationships engender the full range of emotions.
Spades (like swords) are connected to all aspects of thinking and communication. Spades represent 'head-stuff', if you like. So lying would come under the rule of spades, as would writing, studying, and decision-making. Spades and swords are also associated with taking (constructive or destructive) action, like making changes, using force, asserting power, displaying ambition, having courage, or facing conflict.
Diamonds (like pentacles, coins, or discs) can offer insight into the practicalities of life. Diamonds reflect all practical, material aspects, including home, work, business, projects, property, and money—all the things we can touch, and yes again, relationships, but from a practical viewpoint. Diamonds may also indicate health issues.
Clubs (like wands, rods, batons, or staves) are action cards. Clubs may be a call to action in the realms of creativity, business, intellect, or relationships. They represent action, adventure, risk-taking, or competition. They can also refer to physical or spiritual energy, inspiration, intuition, ambition, and growth.

Spades—like swords in a tarot deck—are connected to all aspects of thinking and communicating.

CARTOMANCY (noun):

fortune-telling by interpreting an array of playing cards

What Numbers Mean in Tarot Cards

Knowing the properties of numbers will give you a solid framework on which to base all card readings, whether they be playing cards or tarot. Remember that each attribute has a positive and negative aspect. For example, fours mean stability but they can also mean feeling stuck.

Tarot Playing Cards by Number

Ace: Beginnings (aces are always positive and always represent the new)
Two: Balance (or delays, waiting)
Three: Connection (or division, mixed-up communication, plans gone awry)
Four: Stability (feeling stuck)
Five: Disturbance (or challenges that can lead to expansion)
Six: Harmony (or the lack of or yearning for it, but sixes are rarely negative)
Seven: Mystery (or being overly concerned with superficialities)
Eight: Movement (or lack of movement, stagnation)
Nine: Growth (or satiety)
Ten: Completion (or new beginnings, or new endings, too)

Combining the Suits With the Numbers

We now have two points of reference for each playing card: its suit and its number. The following table will help you interpret each card. However, the depth of a reading depends upon your skills of seeing stories in the cards, linking them together, and judging how one might influence another. Those skills will only come with practice.

Also keep in mind that these interpretations are necessarily brief, and you can extend them to encompass related concepts. For example, the three of hearts might indicate a party, the four of clubs might mean a wedding or a change of residence (each event is the culmination of a period of hard work). Be creative in your interpretations.

One other noteworthy point is that the two feminine suits, Hearts and Diamonds get more positive after the five, but the masculine suits of Clubs and Spades go into decline and veer towards the negative. Example, the Nine of Hearts often represents emotional fulfilment, but the Nine of Spades is the opposite, indicating thoughts of despair and unworthiness. Nine of Diamonds is self-sufficiency and independence, whereas the Nine of Clubs is exhaustion and the need to rest.

How to Use Playing Cards as Tarot Cards for Divination and Fortune Telling

	Hearts	Spades	Diamonds	Clubs
Ace	New friendship, romance	New insights, realizations	New project, job, home, win	New idea, business, action
Two	Deepening attraction	Failure to communicate	Juggling resources, waiting on results	Planning and preparation
Three	Joy in company, friendship, celebration	Miscommunication, misunderstanding	Teamwork, improving skills	Leadership, exploration
Four	Turning inwards, apathy	Recuperation, recovery, contemplation	Miserliness, possessiveness	A goal achieved, rest from action
Five	Loss, despair	Discord, dishonor, hollow victory	Loss of possessions or job or money	Competition, disagreement, irritation
Six	Childhood, nostalgia, good memories, an old friendship resumes	Moving on, travel, mentally getting to a better place	Giving or receiving money, a pay-rise, obtaining resources	Victory, achievement, passing exams
Seven	Daydreaming, wishful thinking, choices	Lying, deceitfulness, theft, irresponsibility	Reassessment, turning point, mild dissatisfaction	Defense, conviction, strong belief
Eight	Emotional detachment, leaving love behind, making a hard choice	Illusion of being trapped, powerlessness	Paying attention to detail, focus, practice	Organization, moving quickly, pregnancy
Nine	Satisfaction, sensual pleasure, spiritual growth	Nightmares, problems, worry, guilt	Independence, self-reliance, increasing wealth	Continuing a battle, endurance, physical strength
Ten	Contentment, fulfilment, joy, family	Giving up, victimization, martyrdom	Great wealth, family property, inheritance	Carrying burdens, responsibility, debt

Before You Do a Reading

Before you do a reading, it's important to remember that someone might be upset by a disturbing one, so always keep your interpretations upbeat and emphasize that it's just for fun.

The face cards in a regular playing card deck correspond to court cards in a tarot deck.

The Court Cards

The court or face cards (Jacks/Knaves, Queens, and Kings) can be read in two ways—they can either represent general personality traits or they can point towards real people. You have to work out which applies in the context of each particular reading.

What the Face Cards Represent

	Hearts	Spades	Diamonds	Clubs
Jack/Knave	Falls in love easily, romantic, chatterbox	Rebel, fights for a cause, intellectual, political	Reliable, hard-working, quiet, hidden depths	Unreliable, hotheaded, risk taker, athletic
Queen	Emotional, dependent, empathic	Sharp, intelligent, ruthless, insightful, organized	Practical, warm, dependable, motherhood	Energetic, career-minded, untidy, disorganized
King	Wise, tolerant, diplomatic, feeling, patient	Introspective, ethical, communicator, stern	Self-made, business owner encouraging, enjoys the fruits of his labors, jolly	Creative, forceful, entrepreneurial charismatic, hot-tempered

The Joker

The Joker is the equivalent of the Fool in the tarot and, as such, it means unlimited potential, a simultaneous ending and beginning, taking a big risk but having trust that all will be well. In many decks, the Fool is depicted as a young, carefree-looking man standing on the edge of a precipice. It is a powerful card. It would be a good idea to mark this card to indicate a 'right way up' or a 'wrong way up', so that it can show the reverse meanings of folly and foolishness.

Full List of Playing Card Tarot Interpretations

To help you learn and understand the cards, I've created a page: List of Meanings for Playing Card Tarot. By necessity they are short, but with practice, you can expand on them and learn how to interpret them to fit the question and situation.

How to Learn to Read Tarot Cards

Begin with one-, two-, and three-card readings.
Practice by reading cards for situations you read about in the press or on TV.
Pick a random card each day and see how you can connect it to your daily trials and tribulations, triumphs and joys.
Read for friends by all means but emphasize that it is for fun and practice.
Don't try serious readings until you feel competent.
Learn how to lay out a spread—the position of a card in the spread will modify its meaning.
Above all, enjoy the learning experience and do go and buy yourself a real tarot deck!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cards are in a tarot deck?

There are 78 cards in a standard tarot deck, which includes both the Major and Minor Arcana.

There are 56 suit cards in the Minor Arcana: Ace (one) through 10 and four face cards.
There are also 22 "trump" cards in the Major Arcana.

There are 52 cards in a standard playing card deck, plus a Joker, so if you don't have a tarot deck, you'll be playing without the knights and most of the Major Arcana.

What is the Major Arcana?

The Major Arcana, also known as the trump cards, are 22 picture cards that have archetypal and allegorical meanings and divine Egyptian, kabbalistic, and/or Jungian interpretations. Some suggest that these cards correspond to the stages of life (that begins with 0, the Fool, standing on the precipice). They usually employ a Roman numeral (from 0 to 21) to visually separate them from the Minor Arcana. For example, 1 is the Magician... and 21 is the World.

If I'm doing a tarot reading with playing cards, which cards represent Death, the Hanged Man, the Tower, etc?

Since a regular playing card deck doesn't include the Major Arcana (except the Fool, 0, represented by the Joker), you won't be using those cards.

What about reversed cards?

Reversed, or upside-down cards, don't occur when reading playing card tarot. As the cards look the same, whichever way they face, it's not applicable. However, if you think about it, the whole negative to positive spectrum of meanings is already in the card. It's your job to interpret which meaning is the most accurate.

Please note: the Question & Answer section below is for queries about how to learn to read the cards. It's not for requesting free readings, or for me to interpret your cards for you. That's your job :)

As you probably guessed, hearts correspond with cups in a tarot deck and represent the realms of emotions and feelings.

Note!

If you want an in-depth reading, it is best to consult a professional tarot reader with a good reputation.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Questions & Answers

Question:
How do I cleanse tarot cards to rid them of negative energy?
Answer:
Sometimes all you need to do is a really good, prolonged shuffle.

Alternatives are: swap to a different deck and let the first one rest. Placing a crystal on top would also help. Spread them out on a windowsill in the moonlight and leave them over night. Pass the whole deck through the smoke of a candle.

Also remember that if you feel yucky after a reading, try washing your hands in cold water and shake them outside. Have a drink of water too.
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Question:
How do I set up playing cards to read tarot?
Answer:
I have an article here to help you with that: https://hubpages.com/fortune-divination/How-to-Dea...
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Question:
I've starting tarot reading at a young age. People say I've been able to read their past, present, and future (they come back and tell me it came true). I was wondering if I should continue this?
Answer:
Well, I would discourage you. For the simple reason that you just haven't lived enough life to be able to advise other people. It's really easy to cause horrible damage with one ill-thought-out remark. You really don't know how it can affect sensitive or anxious folk. For your own well-being, I would wait until you are older.
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Question:
I don't understand the Six of Diamonds. What are a few ways I can interpret this card when reading for tarot?
Answer:
The Six of Diamonds is connected to the Six of Pentacles in the tarot. It generally means reaching a better place after discomfort or material challenge. It also means giving and receiving help and support.

Here is a complete list of the card meanings: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/List-of-P...
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Question:
How do I set up playing cards for Tarot reading?
Answer:
You first have to work out what question you want answered. That is very important. Then you lay down one or more cards in front of you. When using more than one card, it's called a 'spread'. Sometimes they are laid in a specific pattern with each position holding a meaning of its own. It sounds complicated but once you understand how it works it's not so hard. In the beginning it is best to stick with one or two cards.
More information can be found here: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...
and here: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/List-of-P...
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Question:
Do the playing cards have to be specifically for tarot or can you use them again for games?
Answer:
I think it would be fine to use them for games as well. I am not one of those who think that cards are sacred. They are just cards.
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Question:
If I were to mark the top of bottom of each card, would that allow for reversed meanings? Also, are there any ways to expand what a basic deck of cards can tell me? As someone who can't access tarot cards due to my family, I'd love to have the widest possible range of meanings in my readings.
Answer:
If you want to mark the cards to show reversals, that's fine. However, as you become more experienced, you will find that your intuition will tell you where on the scale of 'negative' to 'positive' a card's interpretation falls. In other words, the whole range of meanings is contained in the card; whichever way up it appears.
There have been vast quantities of information published about tarot, whereas there isn't much regarding playing card interpretation, so to expand your knowledge of card meanings, keep reading tarot websites, like Biddy Tarot. There are lots of tarot sites out there. Another resource which comes to mind is https://teachmetarot.com/
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Question:
Is this an acquired skill?
Answer:
Anyone can learn to read tarot if they are able to absorb the card meanings and use their intuition to apply them accurately. I learned to read tarot; I was not born knowing how to do it. It takes a lot of time, dedication, and practice.
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Question:
How do I set up the tarot cards?
Answer:
When reading playing cards, shuffle them thoroughly, cut the deck in half with your non-dominant hand and swap the two halves over. Turn as many cards as you want and interpret them.

More information here: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...
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Question:
Should I use one or two decks of playing cards? Does the ten of clubs mean my boyfriend is cheating?
Answer:
Use one deck otherwise you will get confused. An experienced reader may use two decks for a particular kind of spread, but that is rare.

The Ten of Clubs doesn't mean your boyfriend is cheating. However, it probably means the relationship is coming to a natural end. The energy of the Ten of Clubs is heavy and slow. However, if you are both determined to work at it, you could revive it.

Read these articles for further information:

https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/List-of-P...
https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Reading-P...
https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...

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Question:
How many tarot cards do you put down to read?
Answer:
That depends on your question. If you want a yes/no answer, then one will do. If you need more information then a structured spread will be necessary.

I have some suggestions here:

https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...

https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...

https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Reading-P...

Hope they are useful to you.
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Question:
Is it weird that my brother does tarot and gave me a tale of pregnancy and motherhood when he read me with his tarot cards? When I read with a regular deck, I got both of them: the 8 of Clubs and then the Queen of Diamonds.
Answer:
Is it weird? Well, no. That's the whole point of cartomancy to reflect what is happening in your life. Sometimes you will get different readings, depending on the energy and other things going on with you.

It wouldn't even have to be the same cards. For instance, in tarot, there are lots of cards connected to pregnancy and children: The Empress, Six of Cups (Six of Hearts), and Page of Cups. Often a combination of cards might hint at a baby or new family member: Ace of Cups and Ace of Wands, or Ace of Cups and Ten of Cups/Ten of Pentacles (Diamonds).
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Question:
Do I need to bless my playing cards before using them for tarot readings?
Answer:
Only if you want to. They are just cardboard with symbols on them. They are not magic. The magic comes when your intuition interprets the symbols. I have over 50 tarot decks, and I don't bless them either, although I do whisper a little 'thank you' to the universe after a good reading.
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Question:
If using playing cards for tarot, what does it mean if the Ace and Three of Diamonds fell out while I was shuffling the deck?
Answer:
It could mean there's a gift or promotion on the way.
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Question:
In the playing cards are two jokers. Is it okay if I use the black one for the reverse meaning when making a tarot reading?
Answer:
Personally, I'd only use one. Otherwise there is a hundred percent more chance of the card showing up in either of its colors. It would be like having two King of Clubs, or two Three of Diamonds; it upsets the balance.
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Question:
The total number of playing cards is 52 (no joker), but the minor tarots are 56. so what about the four Pages?
Answer:
The Jacks have to do double...
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Question:
My two daughters and I shuffled a deck of cards and we all picked the Queen of Hearts. What does that mean in terms of tarot?
Answer:
It means you are all three surrounded by the lovely, gentle energy of the Queen of Hearts. She's equivalent to the Queen of Cups in tarot, so if you'd like to learn more about her you could read this: https://hubpages.com/fortune-divination/Court-Card...

I wonder if one of you could identify with the character of the Queen? It means that you are emotionally supportive and sort of the glue that holds you together.
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Question:
Are there any tarot spreads which use all 52 playing cards?
Answer:
I'm sure there are, and you could always devise your own. There are some tarot spreads that use the whole deck. Generally, the positions are limited, but you place multiple cards upon them. I'm not fond of large complex spreads myself.
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Question:
I drew three eights in a row, would this have any particular meaning?
Answer:
If you are certain the deck was well-shuffled, then a multiple of the same numbered card means the energy of that number is intensified. I like this site for a deeper explanation of numerology: https://www.numerology.com/numerology-numbers/8
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Question:
How can I work out timing like day, week, or season with playing cards?
Answer:
I've never had much luck with...
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Question:
What does the court Tarot card alone correspond to? Without the suit following it?
Answer:
I'm not sure if I've understood your question but I'll try to answer it.

The individual rank of court cards do have an influence over the meaning of the cards:

Jacks are explorers and are very action-oriented.
Queens are intuitive and inward looking.
Kings are expressive and outward looking.

In a reading you would combine the above with the qualities of the suit. So the Jack of Hearts would be an adventurer and explorer of love and emotions. The Queen of Hearts feels her way through life and has a well developed intuition. She can also sense the emotional state of another person. In other words, she's empathic. The King of Hearts has a more pragmatic view of emotions and is often a reliable advisor and counselor.
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Question:
I have a couple of decks and, on receiving my first, I was told to shuffle thoroughly and draw one card. This would be my guardian or guiding card. Is this method suitable for a playing-card Tarot deck?
Answer:
That's one of those tarot myths that abound - a bit like the 'rule' that you have be gifted your first deck. However, that doesn't mean having a guiding card is a bad thing. I prefer to use my birth card, which means you reduce the digits in your birth date down to a single one by adding them. Example 24th April 1985 would be 2+4+4+1+9+8+5 = 33 3+3 = 6 The Lovers. There are permutations of this but I can't go into them here.
I wouldn't bother doing any of that with playing cards, it doesn't work. There's nothing stopping you doing the random card method if you want to, but one guide is sufficient, and you've already done that.
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Question:
Do I use both jokers or only one when using playing cards to do tarot readings?
Answer:
Just one.
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Question:
Regarding tarot card reading, what does it mean when there are two kings side by side? Does it mean the police?
Answer:
It means that the authoritative energy of those cards is strong, so you could be right about the police. I can't be specific because I don't have the information necessary, such as which kings and what the circumstances are, and what question you were asking when you turned the cards.
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Question:
How many playing cards should I draw for a good answer?
Answer:
That depends on the question and your level of reading skill. If you want a straight answer to a straight question, then stick with one card. If your situation is more complex, then you need to think about a spread: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...

For example, for a love reading, you might draw two cards to represent two people's point of view. Or how about something like 1. How he feels, 2. How she feels and 3. The future of the relationship.

The only thing I would not recommend it to draw too many cards, as it will simply lead to confusion.
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Question:
How do I set up the playing cards for reading tarot with playing cards?
Answer:
There are lots of tips for dealing and spreads here: https://hubpages.com/fortune-divination/Playing-Ca...
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Question:
Can playing cards read as tarot give answers/interpretations that are more in-depth than those described in this article?
Answer:
Absolutely. It would be impossible to cover the whole range of possible interpretations in a single article. That's why I encourage people to expand on the ideas I've put forward.

Research the equivalent tarot cards, even get yourself a tarot book and write the playing card names on the corresponding pages.

Here are two more articles on the topic:

https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/List-of-P...

https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...
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Question:
Do you recommend a set of tarot cards, or could you advise on how to pick a deck?
Answer:
For beginners, it would always have to be the Rider-Waite or a close variation. And that's because there is so much written material for that deck. It's the deck that most readers, I would guess, carry in their heads. So learn with that one, then take that knowledge and apply it to the next deck with all the additional insights from the new deck's creator. In that way, with each new deck you work with, you'll be building a comprehensive body of knowledge almost without any effort.

I have a guide to purchasing tarot decks here:

https://hubpages.com/fortune-divination/How-and-Wh...
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Question:
Can I guess my own future?
Answer:
Sure, have a guess. However, if you mean can you read the cards to predict the future,then yes, it's possible by interpreting the cards in conjunction with the present circumstances. In essence you are using your own intuition to divine what's ahead of you. The card (or cards) is your jumping off point.
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Question:
I asked a single yes or no question and got the joker. What does drawing the Joker mean in tarot?
Answer:
It really depends on your question, but generally speaking, the Joker is the equivalent to the Fool in tarot. So for a question asking should you take a certain action, the answer would be 'yes'. If it was connected to someone else's feelings, then the answer is 'No, wait a little.'

If you think about the Joker as meaning stepping off a cliff, taking a risk, trusting that all is well, you can determine whether it is positive or negative. Usually, when doing Yes/no readings I would advise removing the Joker as it is so ambiguous.

https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...
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Question:
What does it mean when the cards read 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8?
Answer:
It means you haven't shuffled them thoroughly. If they are mixed suits, then they become quite significant and can indicate a journey or progression through a life lesson. Without knowing the question/situation I can't tell you anymore.
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Question:
While using a deck of cards for tarot, what if I have two jokers in my deck, should I take one out, or can it represent something else?
Answer:
You only need one Joker card. Put the other back in the box as a spare.
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Question:
In regard to using playing cards for Tarot readings, I find playing cards in the street or on a wall or in other random places from time to time. Yesterday, it was a pristine King of Hearts. Should interpret this as the card picked me rather than the other way around? My late, uncle read playing cards for fun but he was very insightful and accurate. He too used to 'find' cards. Do you have a view on this?
Answer:
I don't really have a view. I can't remember it happening to me. The King of Hearts might be a sign for you to open your heart and be ready to either accept love or to give advice to someone about love.
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Question:
How many cards do I deal?
Answer:
That depends on the question. If you are looking for a short answer, you only need one card. If you are doing a complex reading, then use as many as you need to. I have more information on spreads for playing cards here:

https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...
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Question:
In a tarot reading, if the card is reversed, would it mean the opposite?
Answer:
There aren't any reversals with regular playing cards as they are the same both ways. It is possible to mark them so that you have the chance of reversed cards showing up.

Reversed cards can mean the opposite, but they are more likely to show that the energy of the upright meaning is weakened or 'malformed'.

So taking the Ace of Hearts as an example, it could mean that a new friendship doesn't get going properly, or that the 'friend' isn't really a friend, or the new romance is dead in the water. As always, context is everything.

Personally I rarely read with reversals, even with tarot cards, as I think that all the meanings are available in the upright cards. It's all in there, and if my intuition whispers that the card's negative aspects are more suited to the interpretation, then that's what I go with.
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Question:
What do two Jokers and a Three of Hearts mean when reading tarot cards?
Answer:
Take one of the Jokers out of the deck. You don't need both. I can't interpret your cards because I have no idea what the question is, or what your circumstances are.
This article may help: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/List-of-P...
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Question:
I've heard that one should never buy their own tarot deck, it should be a gift. Is this true?
Answer:
No, it's one of those myths that have no factual basis. Feel free to buy your own deck. Remember that they are only pieces of card with printed images on them. They are not magic in themselves. The magic occurs when your brain makes connections when seeing the images.
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Question:
What is the best way to lay out a simple spread for a beginner?
Answer:
I have a whole page devoted to that topic: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...
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Question:
What does the reversed Ace of Hearts mean?
Answer:
Usually, there are no reversed (upside-down) playing cards as they are the same from both ends. However, you can mark them to add the extra dimension of reversals.

The reversed Ace of Hearts is the same as the Tarot Ace of Cups. It can mean that love has flowed away, or that a new attraction is not quite so strong as it first appeared. Sometimes, it merely indicates a weakened version of the upright card. As always, the interpretation depends on the question and circumstances.
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Question:
How do I pull and lay my tarot spread?
Answer:
This might help: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...

And I also have this article: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/How-to-De...
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Question:
How can I learn to read tarot cards? I don't have much money, and I am very young. My family is psychic and sensitive to otherworldly things and beings.
Answer:
All you need to learn tarot is a tarot deck. Can you get hold of one? It's possible to learn by just looking at images on the internet but you wouldn't be able to do readings. Here are some articles to help you get going:

https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/How-and-W...
https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Meanings-...
https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Learning-...
https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Tarot-Car...
https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/The-Amazi...
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Question:
I want to understand the Queen of Diamonds because I see it a lot in readings. How can I do this?
Answer:
The Queen of Diamonds is equivalent to the Queen of Pentacles in tarot. As a personality and matriarch of the Diamonds/Pentacle family, she is practical, strong-minded, reliable, hard working and motherly.
Lots more information on this Queen here: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Tarot-Cou...
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Question:
How do I shuffle playing cards for tarot?
Answer:
There is no one way to shuffle tarot cards. Go with what feels best to you. Some people smoosh them on a flat surface, some hold half the deck in one hand and ease the other half into them. Others, like me, prefer the casino-style shuffle, where you cut them in half, place them face-down, and flick them so they 'mesh.' I do that a few times until they feel ready. I then cut them with my left (receptive) hand and swap the two parts over. Here's a page that might help: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/How-to-De...
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Question:
Does the King of Clubs have to represent a male or can it represent a female too?
Answer:
Some readers do say that court cards can represent either sex. I have only found that to be the case in the Jacks (Pages and Knights in tarot). However, if you are sure that a King refers to someone in authority who happens to be female, then you are probably correct.
Helpful 2
Question:
If someone were to do a tarot reading, will it come true?
Answer:
That depends if the person doing the reading is able to interpret the cards accurately. Reading cards, whether playing cards or tarot cards demands a certain level of skill and intuition. They have to balance the question with the circumstances, the seeker (the person asking the question) and the cards themselves.
This article explains things a bit better: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/How-Accur...
Helpful 2
Question:
Is tarot card reading a form of magick?
Answer:
Yes and no. There is nothing magical about the cards, after all they are just mass produced cardboard. The magic happens when the images connect with your intuition to form a message or conclusion.
Helpful 2
Question:
Is it okay to write on the playing card deck so you remember which card is which?
Answer:
If you really want to, but the suit and number is displayed on all the cards. There are only four suits to remember and become familiar with.
Helpful 2
Question:
How many cards you put down for a reading?
Answer:
As many as your question requires. If you want a simple yes/no answer, then it's best to stick with one. If your situation is complicated enough to warrant several questions, or aspects, such as past, present, and future, then you'll have to use more.

I have some ideas for spreads here: https://hubpages.com/fortune-divination/Playing-Ca...

Here's an article about yes/no spreads: https://hubpages.com/fortune-divination/Playing-Ca...

Reading playing cards for love: https://hubpages.com/fortune-divination/Reading-Pl...
Helpful 2
Question:
Can playing cards tell me if I've been lied to?
Answer:
Yes the cards can tell you. Grab a pack of playing cards and head over here: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...
Helpful 2
Question:
For tarot reading, do you just lay out one, two, or three cards and interpret them?
Answer:
When reading tarot, you need to prepare a question first. If you simply need a yes or no answer, one card is sufficient. Having said that, a single card can give you a lot of information. There's no point in just putting cards down without forming a question first. You need to focus on the question and the situation.
More information here: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...
Helpful 1
Question:
How long does it take to see any results from a tarot reading?
Answer:
A tarot reading is just a snapshot in time. It reflects what is happening around the querent in the present. It may also indicate what past influences are at the root of the present situation, and it might also show a possible path to the future. However, nothing is set in stone, and the querent might make changes in the present that affect how things turn out.

For instance, if you had a reading and the reader told you that your future planned trip isn't such a good idea, you might decide to alter your plans and go on a different trip, or not go on one at all. You are in charge of making the changes that will define your future experience.

My readings have been very accurate many times, and a large reading, such as a ten card Celtic Cross might take a year to unfold.
Helpful 1
Question:
When using playing cards to read tarot, how many cards do I have to choose to read?
Answer:
It depends on your question and the spread you decided to use, A question that requires a yes/no answer would only require one card. A more complex situation will need more cards. This page might help:

https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/How-to-De...
Helpful 1
Question:
Any information guide on playing card combinations?
Answer:
Combinations are hard to do - not because reading multiple cards as a unit is difficult, but because there are so many combinations to cover. One deck of playing cards produces a potential of 2,652 pairs (52 x 51). The best thing to do is learn how to read cards as pairs by combining their suits and numbers and then applying your intuition to the result.
You may be able to glean some information from my article on tarot card combinations: http://tarot-study.info/tarot-card-combinations/
Helpful 1
Question:
I am doing a tarot course where Pentacles is linked to Clubs, but do you have Pentacles with Diamonds?
Answer:
Yes, that's right. Clubs is the most 'negative' suit and thus is aligned with Swords.

It's fine to have a different system because the right cards will turn up for you when you do your readings. There are systems in tarot that hold that Swords = fire and Wands = Air. That doesn't work for me, but it does for many readers. As I say, you will still be able to perform your readings as good as any other reader.
Helpful 1
Question:
What does the reversed Joker mean in a tarot reading?
Answer:
If you choose to use the Joker, you can mark the card so that you have an upright and reversed option.

Should the reversed Joker turn up in a reading, it means the energy of the upright card is weakened or made negative. It depends on the situation and question. Common reversed meanings are folly, stupid risk-taking, making mistakes, impulsive, reckless, etc.
Helpful 1
Question:
Where did you learn to read playing cards?
Answer:
I began to learn tarot in 2000. I read everything I could. I did free readings for the American Tarot Association; sometimes one, three or six card readings in an evening. I helped set up TABI (Tarot Association of the British Isles), and created their basic tarot course, based on Joan Bunning's teachings.

I then set up my own website, and so on. A few years ago, I tried to read with playing cards by merely transposing my knowledge of tarot, and it worked. I gave a solid, accurate reading. I decided to write down what I'd learned, hence this article (and many others).
Helpful 1
Question:
How do I read Tarot for myself with regular playing cards?
Answer:
I have some suggestions for spreads and questions in this article: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C... The most important thing to understand is that the fewer cards you use, the easier they are to read. So for a yes/no question, just use one card. If you read through that article (and this one) thoroughly, you should gain a good understanding to be able to do your own readings.
Helpful 1
Question:
I have always wanted a tarot reading, but I am not confident in my understanding of how to do it myself. Do you have any recommendations?
Answer:
There are several sites online where you can get a free reading. Try the American Tarot Association (ATA) or the Tarot Association of the British Isles (TABI).
Helpful 1
Question:
How many cards do I spread for a tarot reading?
Answer:
Begin with one, two, and three-card readings. I have a whole other article dedicated to different playing card tarot spreads: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...
Helpful 1
Question:
How do I ask yes or no questions with tarot?
Answer:
I have an article which deals with this very subject: https://hubpages.com/fortune-divination/Playing-Ca...
Helpful 1
Question:
How do you place the cards while giving a reading?
Answer:
Your method of shuffling and dealing them into a spread is up to you. As playing cards are the same whichever direction you are looking at them, there's no point in trying to read reversals. I shuffle, cut the cards, place the pack face down and turn them over in front of me.
More information here: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...
Helpful 1
Question:
I am trying to get a feel for a person. What would be the best way to do this? I have numbered cards. For example, if I get a 3 of Spades, I’d think that they were easily misunderstood, or they misunderstand themselves.
Answer:
It sounds like you have it nailed. Although it's important to remember that the card may only reflect he or she as they are at this moment. If you drew another card next week, you'd get a different aspect of the person.
Helpful 1
Question:
When reading tarot cards, what do the 10 diamonds mean if in reverse?
Answer:
There aren't any reversed cards when reading playing cards. It's possible to mark them but there's no point really. All the meanings are contained in the 'upright' orientation.
Helpful 1
Question:
Does each joker have a different meaning or are they both the same when using playing cards for Tarot?
Answer:
You only use one Joker. It is equivalent to the Fool in tarot.
Helpful
Question:
In a reading about a romantic interest at work, I drew 8 Spades, 5 hearts, 7 clubs. Any sort of insight into this would be greatly appreciated. How should I interpret this?
Answer:
It's your job to interpret your cards. Presumably, you allocated position meanings so use the information given in the article to work out what they mean: https://hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/Can-I-Ask...
Helpful
Question:
Numbers represent both positive and negative. How can you tell the difference? I imagine it has something to do with the position of the playing card, (pointing up, pointing down) being used to read tarot?
Answer:
There's no pointing up or down with playing cards. They are the same whichever way you look at them. The interpretation depends on the question, the circumstances and your own intuition.
Helpful
Question:
I have a deck of cards that my brother gave me that I want to use for readings. They're playing cards with WW 1 & 2 posters on each card. Since every card has a picture on it, how much attention would you suggest I pay to the picture and to the suit/number?
Answer:
They sound really interesting cards. However, as I can't see them, I can't tell you if the image will help you or not. Try some practice readings. You can read for any situation - even things like characters in soap operas. See how it works out. If it's too confusing, consider learning to read tarot cards.
Helpful
Question:
Could you use two decks of cards to have all 72 cards for reading Tarot?
Answer:
No, because there's no point in doubling them up. Two decks of playing cards add up to 104 (plus one of the Jokers). A tarot deck is 78 cards, 56 minor arcana, and 22 majors. There are no majors in a deck of playing cards.
Helpful
Question:
How do you set up a tarot card reading for someone?
Answer:
Whatever works for you. I can tell you the way I do it. I have the person sit next to me so they have the same view of the cards that I do. I talk to them about how the reading will work, that I'm not psychic - there aren't any spirit guides or dead people. Then we talk about the question - sometimes I begin with a general reading and then do a couple of further, more specific readings. I shuffle the cards thoroughly and get the client to cut them with their non-dominant hand. Then I take the cards back and lay them down in whatever spread I decided to use. Normally, I'd be using tarot cards, not playing cards, so I would quickly point out any significant cards/patterns and then interpret each one individually and as part of the whole.
Helpful
Question:
How do I lay down the playing cards to read tarot?
Answer:
I have an article on that topic here: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...
Helpful
Question:
Could you add the Major Arcana cards to the playing cards?
Answer:
It would be better to keep the two systems separate, otherwise, confusion will reign. The Major Arcana in tarot are complemented by the minors and the court families. Playing card tarot is a sort of cut-down version, without Majors. However, why not give it a try? You might find it works for you.
Helpful
Question:
I was reading my friend's cards (without her present) and I turned over a five of spades in her future- a hollow victory is the one that spoke out to me, how can I prevent this?
Answer:
You can't prevent it, you can only advise her. Look at an online image of the Rider Waite Five of Swords. There are three figures. One is the victor in the foreground (the hollow victory), one is distraught, the other is walking away. Explain to her that she gets to choose which of the figures she relates to. Hint: the best one to choose is always the one who walks away - he simply refuses to engage and moves on with his life.
Helpful
Question:
Can Uno cards be used as tarot cards?
Answer:
Anything can be used to do psychic readings, from twigs to runes, to any kind of images. However, they are not tarot because they don't fit into the structure of a tarot deck. Playing cards can be shoehorned in, as described in the article, but are not perfect. So no, Uno cards can't be used in the same way as tarot, but that's not to say you couldn't use them for some kind of reading. You'd have to devise your own system. Also posting the same question repeatedly will not get it answered quicker.
Helpful
Question:
Does reading Tarot with playing cards give an accurate reading of our life?
Answer:
That depends if the reader's interpretation is correct. When we read for ourselves, sometimes we only see what we want to see. I'd say that the cards are always right, but the interpretation can be skewed by bias and false perception.
Helpful
Question:
Can you have a similar bond with playing cards as with a tarot deck?
Answer:
The bond that comes with using a tarot deck frequently can be the same when using playing cards. There is no magic in the cards, only in the thoughts and feelings that they engender within you. It's inevitable that we will become attached to such a good 'friend'.
Helpful
Question:
What if the Joker is reversed when reading tarot?
Answer:
If the Joker in your pack looks the same from both directions (up or down) then it makes no difference to the meaning. If you are using a deck where the joker really does look like he's upside down, then the meaning of the card is a warning not to be foolish, or take a risk, or make a hasty decision. The general meaning of the reversed card is a weakening of the upright. You could take it literally as 'foolishness'.
Helpful
Question:
Is there a difference between a tarot deck's black and red joker?
Answer:
No, because most packs have...
Helpful
Question:
How do I shuffle and deal the cards?
Answer:
You shuffle the cards in whatever way you prefer. Same with how you deal them out. You can read more about it here: https://hubpages.com/fortune-divination/How-to-Dea...

If you are looking for 'spreads' or 'layouts,' I have a selection here: https://hubpages.com/fortune-divination/Playing-Ca...
Helpful

Tarot
How to Read Playing Cards for Love
by Bev G20
Tarot
Learning to Read Tarot Cards: Questions and Answers
by Bev G5
Tarot
How to Make Your Own Tarot Cards
by Emma17
Tarot
How Tarot Readings Work: Science or Pseudoscience?
by Tessa Schlesinger5

It's on the cards: I predict you will leave a comment!

Alison Eden
5 weeks ago
This was very helpful!!! Thank you from southern NJ, USA
AUTHOR
Bev G
5 weeks ago from Wales, UK
You are very welcome, Graham. I'm glad it helped. I've never used Runes although I do have a set. Maybe you could point me to some good resources?
Best wishes from locked-down Wales.
Graham G.
5 weeks ago
Currently locked-down in Scotland, so thought I would check some Tarot references. I've been a Rune user for years, but your explanation of Tarot is the best...and most clearly presented - explanation I've ever come across Bev. I've always loved the artwork in Tarot decks, but thought the meanings were to complicated to master...until now. So, big 'thank you' Bev. Graham
AUTHOR
Bev G
6 weeks ago from Wales, UK
You are very welcome, Jet. Check out these too:
https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/List-of-P...
https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...
https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Reading-P...
https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...
xx
Jet
6 weeks ago
OMG! this was really helpful. I’ve always wanted to do this and I FINALLY after a month or searching. I finally found the perfect article YOURS! thanks for writing such a good guide to tarot card reading!
AUTHOR
Bev G
6 weeks ago from Wales, UK
It's not about age, HG, it's about having enough life experience to draw on when interpreting the cards. And enough wisdom to deliver the message with tact and sensitivity :)
HG
6 weeks ago
What’s a good age to start
AUTHOR
Bev G
7 weeks ago from Wales, UK
Hi Justina, I love the Celtic Cross too, but I probably wouldn't use it with playing cards as it just too complex (I like to see the pictures).
I have another article with playing card spreads right here: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...
I know what you mean about those times when the reading just doesn't click. How I deal with it is to explain to the person that I'm having trouble connecting the card to their question. So then what I do is to talk about each card in general terms and ask them if it means anything to them. That usually works and sometimes it's to do with another family member.
I can't do one to one mentoring, I'm sorry. However, I do have a site at tarot-study.info with more tarot articles there.
Justina
7 weeks ago
Hello,
I really like your interpretations of cartomancy and the article about it. I have always used celtic cross way of reading playing cards and it is great. Though sometimes I feel like mixing it up a little bit but I have no idea where to start. Do you know a different ways to spread the cards?
Also sometimes I feel like I can't do a reading for a certain person or at a certain time. Do yo have any personal insights about that? I would really find a personal 1:1 advice helpful. Would that be possible to arrange? Thank you
AUTHOR
Bev G
3 months ago from Wales, UK
Hi Willow, it is general numerology knowledge - widely available. Of course, systems will vary.
Willow
3 months ago
I really do respect. This post and your vast knowledge of information; although, I am a little confused about where you're getting your numerology calculations from. Could you please specify?
AUTHOR
Bev G
5 months ago from Wales, UK
You too, Candy. Have a wonderful time this Christmas, and a healthy and prosperous New Year.
Candy Johnston
5 months ago
I am looking forward to what I can learn and I'm thank you all for accepting me and please have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year
AUTHOR
Bev G
5 months ago from Wales, UK
Sorry Angelica, that's not how it works. You can get a free one-card reading at tarot-study.info.
Angelica
5 months ago
Please, read for me in tarot. Thank you. Waiting
AkaJustVih
5 months ago
Thanks, I wrote all of this down so that I can learn cartomancy first before learning tarot as I would personally find it easier :)
lemuriangirl
6 months ago
I loved this article, thank you! Reading Tarot with playing cards is really fun.
AUTHOR
Bev G
9 months ago from Wales, UK
Thank you, Gail. I feel the same - as though I'm just scratching the surface :)
Gail
9 months ago
I love it! This site is so insightful and I've been doing tarot cards for 18 plus years! After all that time, I'm still learning so much! Thank you!
AUTHOR
Bev G
10 months ago from Wales, UK
Hi Kayla,
In traditional decks, hearts and diamonds are always red; clubs and spades are always black. If they are any different to that, then they are novelty decks that I wouldn't recommend reading with.
So there aren't any black hearts or red clubs :)
Kayla
10 months ago
Hi Bev,
Do the colors have any significance? Say a red heart oppossed to a black heart or black club opposed to red club?
Thank you
Jordan ockey
11 months ago
Yes, back in the day my nan used playing cards for readings and it work fine.
AUTHOR
Bev G
11 months ago from Wales, UK
What is more important is what it means to you, Nikki. It depends what you were thinking about, what question you were going to ask, what your circumstances are, etc. What was your instinctive reaction to seeing them?
Jacks are equivalent to Knights and Pages in tarot. So are a mix of action and exploration. If you are thinking of doing some new thing or venture, then seeing all those should give you a positive message.
Nikki
11 months ago
All four suits of jack flipped out one after the other when shuffling . Can you tell me what this means
AUTHOR
Bev G
11 months ago from Wales, UK
If you scroll through the comments, you'll see a link to some suggested spreads.
Blade
11 months ago
Is there a special lay out order
AUTHOR
Bev G
12 months ago from Wales, UK
Hi Peggy, I don't have one, I'm afraid.
Peggy
12 months ago
How do I find your E-book for this
AUTHOR
Bev G
13 months ago from Wales, UK
Someone will be detaching themselves emotionally. There may be pain, but a difficult road must be taken.
Shannon
13 months ago
I have received the 8 of heart two days in a row now. What can you help me to understand with that card
AUTHOR
Bev G
14 months ago from Wales, UK
Hi Faiza,
That's because it depends on what the reader wants. Many will devise their own spreads. Lots will just use three cards: past, present, future. Some are happy to ask yes/no questions where one card is sufficient. Yet others want to go for the full 10-card Celtic Cross.
There wasn't enough room in this article to cover all that. However, in this article I give examples of one to five-card readings: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...
Faiza
14 months ago
You don’t mention how many cards you should pull for a reading
AUTHOR
Bev G
14 months ago from Wales, UK
You are very welcome, Ama.
There are other systems that change the correspondences between tarot suits and playing card suits. See how it goes for you... if you feel strongly that they should be different than these, then change them. It's not set in stone, and it's all about what works for you.
Ama
14 months ago
Hello! Thank you for putting together this wonderful resource! The table really helps me.
I’ve been working with a mini Rider-Waite deck for years... just as a personal development tool for when I wanna ask myself tough questions (or avoid them!) or feel myself approaching a crossroads/crisis point, etc... as a prompt for journaling. I moved to a new country one month ago, and realized I had forgotten to bring my deck — which I immediately began to miss and crave very much, as new situations, opportunities, perils, and crossroads began to develop. I didn’t realize how much I would miss being able to turn to the tarot deck as a starting point for self-reflection and context.
I have been finding a playing card in my path about every 3 days. I love finding them!!! They have turned up at the most perfect moments to punctuate my unfolding story (awareness) into little chapters.
Now I’m trying to internalize how the suits correspond to tarot suits, so I don’t have to check my phone every time I find one just to make sure. I get thrown off by the colors — red fiery diamonds always make me think of wands, and black earthy “clovers” make me think of pentacles. Hearts=cups is the only one I don’t second-guess myself on! I only started to remember spades=swords when I stopped thinking of garden tools (earth... pentacles) and started focusing on the pointy tip (pointy! swords!) ... now I’m copying your table in my journal for reference. Thank you for providing this resource.
I found my first Jack the other day — Jack of Diamonds — and I’ve been turning over in my mind the question of Page vs Knight, or a melding of the two. Your descriptions help a lot!
AUTHOR
Bev G
15 months ago from Wales, UK
Sorry, Dawn, I don't know of any. I simply applied my knowledge of tarot in order to develop this system.
Dawn Parker
15 months ago
what book would you recommend that has the meanings of playing card tarot?
AUTHOR
Bev G
15 months ago from Wales, UK
Hi Meredith, Thanks for your kind words.
The best way to expand the meanings of each card is to explore the corresponding tarot card, i.e. the Seven of Swords. So that would give you a huge amount of extra layers of meaning. Space is at a premium in a table, so I had to go with one or two keywords.
When it comes to the Seven of Spades, as well as the meaning given, you can think along the lines of 'restoration'. In the terms of restoration of justice, or regaining something previously lost. The traditional meaning is theft, or retrieving something that was taken from you.
All the cards are so complex that it would take a book to explain them all. And on top of that you have to allow your own intuition to kick in.
I'd suggest that getting yourself a good tarot book might help you with your readings.
Good luck.
Meredith Rose
15 months ago
First, this is wonderful. Its so convenient and there are so many ways I can decorate my cards, such an easy and fun way to learn.
That being said, ive done several practice readings for myself and I was just wondering, If Ive drawn a card, lets say a seven of spades, The listed correspondence seems a bit negative (Mystery or overly concerned with Superficialities). I was under the understanding that for every negative correspondence there is a positive. So is there a positive one for each of the cards that you've given only a negative correspondence to?
AUTHOR
Bev G
16 months ago from Wales, UK
Sorry Melat, I don't interpret other people's cards in that way.
Just keep learning :)
Melat
16 months ago
Hi Bev, Greetings!
Yesterday I was looking ur page and get eager to learn n read tarot so I start practicing with my brother card which I get it at home. And when I sleep I see a dream that two women is trying to rob my wallet and wakeup and when I walk through the waiting room I heard my mom voice talking about who are the ladies coming to us and I asked her who came to our home and she told me two ladies was knocking our door early morning and they run out when she open and see them I was very surprise that I saw similar thing in my dream and tell that to my mom. So I get very eager to know who they r and came to my room to draw a tarot card then shuffle it to 7 times and I drew 7 cards which is......Ace of sword,nine of pentacles,five of wands,eight of pentacles,nine of sword,three of cups and two of pentacles. I wonder how to read it clearly please help me my dear. I hope to hear from u?
AUTHOR
Bev G
18 months ago from Wales, UK
It often takes people by surprise, bloovoodoo. X
bloovoodoo
18 months ago
Hi Bev, thanks for posting the interpretations. ...helped me figure out why I kept dealing the same cards (over & over again) even after a lot of shuffling & cutting the deck. I’m not a psychic nor a card reader (the nickname is from a song). Interesting that I tried reading a few people and it works.
Shaloo Walia
18 months ago from India
This is interesting. I never knew we could use playing cards as a substitute to tarot.
AUTHOR
Bev G
19 months ago from Wales, UK
It's true, anyone can read the cards. The meanings, especially of tarot cards, have been published for centuries. But, yes, you are missing something. A gifted and accurate reader needs intuition and well-practiced skills to deliver a valuable and useful reading.
Have you never had one?
To be honest, I've never seen money exchanged for readings at a family party. Who would?
Esther
19 months ago
If the cards give all meanings n purposes whats so magical about it..? I mean im a witch n pyscich so basically you have no gifts or need no gifts to read a defenition ,,its all so general,,example oh in past you had family parties ?? Who hasnt ?? You see money going back n forth,,really ? What a waste of time and boring at that,,am i missing something
AUTHOR
Bev G
19 months ago from Wales, UK
Lovely, Keso. What do you think it means?
Keso
19 months ago
I got Joker Facing wrong side down, 9 of clubs and 2 of hearts.
Paul
20 months ago from California
Thank you Bev. I just bought the book in ebook form. I really appreciate your advice. Have a nice day.
AUTHOR
Bev G
20 months ago from Wales, UK
Hello Paul,
That's a fascinating story. Especially the "Learn to read." whispers by your inner being/intuition. I would suggest that those words apply to other things as well as the cards. For example, paying attention to synchronicities, signs, numbers and symbols that occur and reoccur. Often you won't understand their significance and that's okay. Just let them be and all will be revealed in due course. Don't strain, just keep an open mind.
Learning to read the tarot can seem both prescribed and confusing when you are starting out. The trick is to take one system (like the Rider-Waite) and use that as the framework on which you hang your own intuition and experiences.
You must never be afraid to let your own life experiences inform your readings. When random thoughts and memories pop into your head when you are reading the cards, they do so for a reason.
The 8 of Hearts interpretation is a standard one for the Eight of Cups, not mine particularly. Eights are always about movement or the lack of it. So When applying the qualities of the number to the suit of Cups, you get this 'emotional letting go'. In the Rider-Waite deck, the figure has turned his back on emotional fulfillment (in the present) to undertake a journey that may be difficult but ultimately will have its own reward - as shown in the Nine.
My advice is to stop trying to absorb too much from a wide range of resources and just stick to one for the time being. Something like 'Tarot, Plain and Simple' by Anthony Louis. He uses the Robin Wood deck which is based on the Rider-Waite, but with useful extra symbolism (best Devil card ever). It's the deck I keep in my head when using any other deck.
Leave the playing cards behind and focus on tarot. Then instead of memorizing the cards, the imagery will always remind you what the card means, and your intuition will fill in the gaps.
Good luck, Paul.
Paul
20 months ago from California
Hello Bev.
I'm Paul. Ive been on a quest to become a Cartomancer. But so far its been hard.
Ive become so confused because ive read book after book and looked at website after website and have found that there is no "one true way" to learn how to read cards. I started this journey in February of this year.
This voice in my head that ive heard since i was teen (im 35 now) told me to "learn how to read". I didnt understand what the voice meant. Until a few weeks later i stumbled across a youtube video on fortune telling with regular playing cards. It was a gypsy method of only the 9's up through to the Aces. So i dabbled with it and was completely astounded to find that i had made very accurate predictions for my best friend. He persuaded me to learn the Tarot. Thats when i realized what the Voice meant. "Learn to read" the cards.
The gypsy method was accurate yet incredibly vague. So i started reading books. Researching websites and watching endless youtube videos on Cartomancy. But after months of this ive completely stopped all learning. Nothing made sense. Every method was the same yet with subtle differences. Sometimes major differences. None of them "felt" right to me. I even memorized the major arcana cards. Well 4 or 5 key words for each card. I stopped learning because i realized that i was learning solely based on chance. None of it "felt" right. Everyone claims their meanings for cards are the most correct.
So a week ago i stopped all research and learning. I gave up. That was until a few days ago. I had a very sad dream one night. A recurring dream ive had of my first love. She and i were together for only 2 years. But those 2 years shaped me into a completely different man. Betrayal, lies and heartache will do that to a person ...
So back to the dream: in these recurring dreams i never truly see her but i "feel" her presence or hear her voice. Im always chasing her. Desperately looking for her. Looking for an answer to why she didn't love me. Looking for closure. But i always wake up in tears. But the dream i had a few nights ago was different. Because as i was doing my usual routine of looking for her i saw a playing card. The 8 of Hearts. It was something new.
So when i woke up i started looking up meanings for it. But once again all i found were contradictory definitions. Some even spoke of Happiness or a growing bond. None of the various meanings of the 8 of Hearts came close to describing the feeling of my recurring dream.
None except yours.
"8 of Hearts: Emotional detachment, leaving love behind, making a hard choice"
When i saw your definition i got goosebumps. Your definition perfectly describes my dream and what actually happen between me and her.
She was emotionally detached.
I was the one that left her. Left my love behind.
I made a hard choice. Probably the hardest in my whole life. But it was the right choice.
So my question to you is this: why would i see the 8 of Hearts in my recurring dream but the only card interpretation that correctly explains its meaning is your interpretation? Is this coincidence? Is it fate? I see it as my subconscious new i was about to give up on my new journey of becoming a cartomancer and gave me a way to choose a method that i would resonate with so deeply. It used a very powerful and painful memory of my first love to point me in the right direction.
Is this possible? Im really curious to see what you make of this. I feel like this isn't just a whim anymore. It feels like fate in the making.
brianna
20 months ago
this is very useful.
AUTHOR
Bev G
20 months ago from Wales, UK
Sure, John, just look up the Ace of Cups on a search engine. The tarot Ace of Cups is equivalent to the Ace of Hearts. Sounds like love is/will be playing a big part in your life.
Jordan
20 months ago
hey Bev.
I have been pulling out a random card every day, to help familiarise myself with the deck and make it easier for me to remember all the cards. i came into reading these cards thinking there was no possible way this stuff could be legit so I used this, one card a day thing to see if it represented what happened that day. my results surprised me every day my cards reflected the what had happened to me that day.
for the last week, I have pulled the same card, the ace of hearts. which is kinda creepy considering how much I shuffled the deck daily. is there a more in-depth description of the card that will help me get a grip on why i have been pulling it out every day?
thanks Bev
Cathy
21 months ago
Years ago a dear lady, mother of a friend would read the cards for me and soon learned from her. Due to where I live and people in my life I only will do readings for those who know about me.
AUTHOR
Bev G
21 months ago from Wales, UK
You are very welcome, Carol :)
Carolmilne
21 months ago
I have really enjoyed reading your pages I found it very easy to comprehend for me that's a 1st ha ha,keep up the good work many thanks .
Jessica
22 months ago
I really liked the information here. It has opened my eyes to some insight . Thank you!
AUTHOR
Bev G
22 months ago from Wales, UK
Good luck, Janisa! Thanks for reading.
Janisa
22 months ago from Earth
Thanks for the detailed post! I've been wanting to get into "fortunetelling" for a while now
AUTHOR
Bev G
23 months ago from Wales, UK
I'm sorry, but I can't do your reading for you. All the information to interpret it yourself is given in the article. Of course, if you want to purchase a full in-depth tarot reading, head over to my site :D
rashawn71
23 months ago
im new starting over with the playing card been a longtime ... it regarding my friendship with a close male friend 6-diamonds,6of hearts, 5 of clubs 4 of diamonds ace of diamonds 8 of clubs ace of spades king of dimonds 9of clubs Q of spades 9 of diamonds A of hearts 2 of diamonds
AUTHOR
Bev G
23 months ago from Wales, UK
Well the Queen of Diamonds is equal to the Queen of Pentacles in tarot. As a character she is a practical, down-to-earth person. She gets on well with other people. She's maternal, a nest-builder but can also be a career woman--she would be a midwife or work in a practical, supporting role.
In answer to your question, it's not the most helpful card to appear because it's not really a yes, or no (unless you assigned red cards to yes, and black cards to no).
You could try repeating the reading after removing the court cards from the deck.
Natalie
23 months ago
I keep getting the queen of diamonds when I do readings about this girl I really like. Two examples of when I got that card was in a three card spread of past present and future. It said that was her future. Another I just Did wan a one card spread and I asked if she liked me. These aren’t the only times though, I think I’ve gotten it close to 75% of the Times I do readings about her. Do you think this means anything, or am I just making it up in my head. I do shuffle the deck well before each useage, and I don’t think it is just a coincidence.
On a side note thank you very much for this article, I love it so much.
AUTHOR
Bev G
2 years ago from Wales, UK
No, that's a complete myth. You can buy your own cards with no worries at all. If you wait for a deck to find you, it might be a long time coming.
They aren't some special, magical things made by fairies, just images on card printed in a factory. The magic happens when your intuition connects with those images.
Love
2 years ago
Thank you for the helpful information!! I do have a question... I’ve always wanted tarot cards or Oracle
But someone once told me it’s bad luck to buy your own tarot cards (not sure about the oracle cards) and that if it’s meant for you they will find you them selves? Is this true?
Thank you once’s again!!
AUTHOR
Bev G
2 years ago from Wales, UK
Thank you for reading. I have loads of tarot, spiritual and all kinds of articles here:
https://hubpages.com/@theraggededge
and at https://psychicelements.com/blog/
http://lunarcafe.com/
and my own site: http://tarot-study.info
alias
2 years ago
Thanks for posting this! I'm rather young and want to study Tarot. I was thinking about getting my own deck but never had the time to do so. But when I found this article, I was very happy! Is there any tips for any newcomers who are just getting into spiritual and fortune-y things?
AUTHOR
Bev G
2 years ago from Wales, UK
Hi Ella, no. Playing cards don't have reversals like tarot, because they are a mirror image whichever way you look at them. It's not face-up or face-down, by the way. They all have to be face-up.
The Joker can be marked, and that's only if it is your personal preference to do so. If it comes out in a reading upside down, then its meaning is weakened or distorted into 'folly'.
If this is confusing, then just leave the Joker as it is. Learn the cards first and then you can change things up to suit your style of reading.
Remember that the meanings I give in the article are just the tip of the iceberg, you can expand on them as you like, and according to the question and circumstances.
Good luck, Ella.
ella
2 years ago
hi Bev, I am learning to read cards from your website, and it is really helpful from the few attempts I have made, even though I have not liked the answers I believe that I have read them right. just one thing though, you mentioned it depends which way the cards (joker) comes out (face up/down). does this mean I need to shuffle the cards to make all the cards face different ways???
AUTHOR
Bev G
2 years ago from Wales, UK
Hi Rascal, if you are a complete beginner, stick with one card readings. When you are ready to try more, I have this article: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...
Rascal
2 years ago
What kind of spread should I put the cards in to read them? I've seen multiple different ones and I want to know which spread would be most suitable for a beginning reader.
AUTHOR
Bev G
2 years ago from Wales, UK
Enjoy your study, Myridiasage. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
Myridiasage
2 years ago
Soooo happy I found this! I'm very keen towards tarot yet for now my practice has to be easily hidden so this is perfect for where I am at transitionally!
Anita
2 years ago
I am a born Psychic and Certified Hypnotist. I have read cards publicly for 46 years. I received the meaning of the cards from spirit. many correspond to those you have here. Others are a bit different. If a relationship between cards is unclear at first spirt will clarify for me. My favorite spread is 21 cards, in rows of 7. the first row is past, the second is present. and the third is future. It is a very thorough reading.
Heidi Thorne
2 years ago from Chicago Area
I never realized you could use a regular card deck for this! Thanks for sharing!
They Call Me Trinity
2 years ago
hahaha, Too many of these readings have been uncanny. I read that you based these meanings on traditional meanings. It seems that there is a special relationship between these cards and I. I appreciate your work and hope you live with tranquility.
skygal
2 years ago
Ok thank you I will
AUTHOR
Bev G
2 years ago from Wales, UK
Hi skygal,
I would suggest that you forget that reading and simply draw one card to answer your question. I avoid interpreting other people's readings because they are essentially a snapshot of the energy around you at that point in time. So formulate your question carefully, set your intention, shuffle (cut, or not) and draw one card :)
skygal
2 years ago
Hi Bev,
I just found your article while searching on how to read playing cards. Very interesting; I did a 5 card reading asking about my previous career as a Flight Attendant. I resigned in 2014 and have regretted it. I asked the cards if I will become a Flight Attendant again. I was not sure about the cards positions I was following, the cards are: 5 of Diamonds, Ace of Clubs, 8 of Diamonds, 7 of Diamonds, King of Spades. I hope you can help me understand, thanks.
BTW, do I have to cut the cards? Cause I did not.
AUTHOR
Bev G
2 years ago from Wales, UK
Mariah, my system is based on traditional tarot: the suits, the elements and the numbers. You can 'verify' by reading up on the structure of tarot and how it works. Cheers.
Mariah Ann Vogel
2 years ago
The information I have in my book that you are saying it's nothing like what youre saying...
I am just beginning this process and in current state of labeling and making my cards my own and with that I got a book in the mail and as I said the information that you're providing does not match up with what I am reading at the moment so can you explain that is there different meanings to everybody because they are not alike whatsoever
AUTHOR
Bev G
2 years ago from Wales, UK
You are very welcome, QoA :)
Queen of Ace
2 years ago
Thank you so much! I have been reading before but every time I read I get upset because I want to read positively so I quit reading but will give it another try
Cindy Skinner
2 years ago
I'm looking forward to learning to read with playing cards.
AUTHOR
Bev G
2 years ago from Wales, UK
Have you tried to work out what they mean, Kayla? This might help: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/List-of-P...
It's better if you learn how to read the cards yourself.
Kayla
2 years ago
6 hearts
4 diamonds
3 diamonds
Can you tell me what they mean
AUTHOR
Bev G
2 years ago from Wales, UK
Firstly, Wendy, I would make sure the cards are shuffled properly. When you get three consecutive cards like that, it's possible that they have stuck together.
If the deck is well-shuffled, then your cards are indicating a positive development in the material sense. They could be saying that your bf has taken a risk, but is comfortable wherever he is. He has to juggle his resources, but working with others is helping him.
However, my feeling is that the cards are telling you to focus on other things, such as a career, or some sort of project. The reversed joker, indicates that he is a silly boy and that you simply have to get on with your life. x
Wendy taggett
2 years ago
Hi ive asked a question about my relationship which at minute is on a break my bf asked another woman if she can put him up but she never answered but lives close i asked the cards if hes with her and i got
Joker card upside down ace diamonds.. 2 diamonds... 3 diamonds can you tell me what they saying to me please thank you
AUTHOR
Bev G
2 years ago from Wales, UK
Hi TJ, I have no way of interpreting your cards. I don't don't your question or your circumstances. I have no 'special powers' that allow me to know these things. Sorry, I can't read 'blind'. Why don't you tell me what you think?
TJ
2 years ago
Hello there.
My cards that are in front of me is:
3 of Hearts
Queen of Hearts
3 of Clubs
6 of Spades
Ace of hearts.
I have a gist of what it means. I would like to reassure and make of what's spread around me.
Appreciate it much!
AUTHOR
Bev G
2 years ago from Wales, UK
Hi, Annalee, if there are Court/picture cards as well, you don't need them. If not, then assign them to knave, queen, king :)
Annalee
2 years ago
I have a deck with 11s, 12s, and 13s in them. Do these have a use in tarot, or are they unnecessary?
Peppa
2 years ago from England
This is extremely useful. Thank you for this. I always get asked to do readings when I don't have my tarot deck, and now I know that I can read my regular deck, which I always carry around!
AUTHOR
Bev G
2 years ago from Wales, UK
Hi RJG, there aren't any reversals for playing cards as they look the same either way. You'd have to mark the cards. In tarot, a reversed card can indicate several things, depending on the reader, the other cards, the question and so on. Generally speaking, a reversal means a weakening of energy, so for instance, the Nine of Wands, which indicates a will to keep going in the face of resistance, would show that resolve is slipping. Please ask if you have any other questions :)
RJG123
2 years ago
Thanks soo much for your article! I love it. Just one thing I was hoping you could help with. I noticed the only card you gave a reversed meaning for was the joker. Are there specific reversed meamings for the rest or is it more of a take and use the reverse for whats there. Like happiness turns to unhappiness and so on....any further input is greatly appreciated. :)
AUTHOR
Bev G
2 years ago from Wales, UK
It's true, I can't read for myself at all. Always good to keep a record of the reading and revisit it later. And, of course, you can keep delving deeper, through the layers and symbolism.
DRA
2 years ago
Thanks for the answer. I do know the Tarot card equivalent for all, and my basic interpretation was similar to yours. I saw 3 of clubs as one more try thought. Of course ten of diamonds says "all will be well at the end"
Unfortunately, it is very hard to read for ourselves as in general, we all have a bias as to what we desire and often tend to see what we want instead of what the cards are really telling us. I guess this is the hardes part of reading for oneself.
AUTHOR
Bev G
2 years ago from Wales, UK
Hello DRA,
I'm going to give you the equivalent tarot card, so you can do some more research on the meanings.
Five of Hearts = Five of Cups: upset, bereft, feeling loss.
Seven of Diamonds = Seven of Pentacles: mildly dissatisfied, feeling there should be more to life.
Seven of Hearts = Seven of Cups: difficulty making choices and decisions, unrealistic expectations.
Three of Clubs = Three of Wands: creating opportunities for yourself. Putting in the work.
Ten of Diamonds = Ten of Pentacles: Financial security, family business, inheritance.
Hope that helps.
DRA
2 years ago
So I did the reading and could use interpretation help. Basically related to my work, left old good paying job for new job that did not work out.
5 of harts - me
7 of diamonds - why am in this situation
7 of harts - why did i meet that person and left my old employer to joint his company
3 of clubs - do i have a chance to work again for my former employer
10 of diamonds - what will the outcom to my curren situation be
Michelle
2 years ago
Your help was much appresiated.I know I'll do well.If.I need help,I'll ask

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