How to Read Tarot With Playing Cards

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 Correspondences

• 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 also represent relationships because relationships tend to engender the full range of emotions, especially in the early stages.
• 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.

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. For 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.

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

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 :)

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.

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...

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.

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...

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.

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...

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...

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.

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.

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...

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...

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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/

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.

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...

Question: Do I use both jokers or only one when using playing cards to do tarot readings?

Answer: Just one.

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...

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.

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...

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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...

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...

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.

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...

Question: How do you lay the cards out when reading tarot with playing cards?

Answer: You should be able to find some suggestions for various spreads here: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...

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.

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...

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...

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.

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...

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.

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.

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...

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...

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...

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).

© 2012 Bev G

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

Alex Satan on August 28, 2020:

I dont have a tarot deck so this helped me a lot. Thanks

jiya on July 20, 2020:

thanks this was really helpful, the way the explanations are ,are really good. for people who are interested in such stuff now have an easier way of learning and practicing

thanks again

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on July 17, 2020:

Depends on what you need, Daniel. Have a look at this page. There are lots of suggestions about how many cards to use: https://exemplore.com/fortune-divination/Playing-C...

daniel on July 17, 2020:

how many am i soposed to do?

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on July 15, 2020:

Sorry, Red, I don't do interpretations.

https://discover.hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/...

Red on July 15, 2020:

Ive never gotten a reading like this and not sure how to answer A ♠3♠ 10 ♠2♠Q♠

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on July 11, 2020:

Hi Julia, I've never done that, but as readings are a 'snapshot' of energies in the moment, it's highly likely that will happen. It means the cards' message/s are significant.

Julia Lane on July 10, 2020:

I just began using a regular deck of cards for tarot I'm new to this but have had insight of others and many spiritul incidences all my life.my question is when i do a 3 card reading. I shuffel again after the reading to see if the same cards come up. They do so much that its just not a coincidence. What does this mean? Most are in the same order or reverse order

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on June 29, 2020:

Hi Sophia, the four elements are exactly the same as tarot, so Clubs = fire, Hearts = water, Spades = air, and Diamonds = earth.

I can't list out all the cards/zodiac signs, sorry (there's 52 of them). You'll have to look them up. Just work out which tarot card is the equivalent and do a search on it

Personally, I don't often include the signs as they apply to the cards in my readings. The person's birth sign is enough for me. Tarot was never meant to align with astrology anyway. They are separate systems that have been shoehorned together - it's a bit clumsy, I think.

Sophia on June 29, 2020:

So I always see tarot readers figure out zodiac signs/zodiac elements in readings. What cards here have anything to do with the signs/elements? Can you list them off? If there even are any of course.

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on June 11, 2020:

Hi Eden, playing cards have their own character and energy - if you want a full tarot deck, you may as well buy a tarot deck :)

Eden on June 11, 2020:

If you add the jacks from another deck they can work as the knights (just add a mark to know the difference). I've also heard a friend say they used some cards from another deck to represent the major Arcana.

Melda on June 06, 2020:

I always wanted to learn about Tarot this might be a good place to start! thank you

Alison Eden on April 18, 2020:

This was very helpful!!! Thank you from southern NJ, USA

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on April 18, 2020:

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. on April 18, 2020:

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

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on April 12, 2020:

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 on April 12, 2020:

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!

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on April 09, 2020:

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 on April 09, 2020:

What’s a good age to start

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on April 01, 2020:

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 on April 01, 2020:

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

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on February 09, 2020:

Hi Willow, it is general numerology knowledge - widely available. Of course, systems will vary.

Willow on February 08, 2020:

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?

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on December 22, 2019:

You too, Candy. Have a wonderful time this Christmas, and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Candy Johnston on December 21, 2019:

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

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on December 19, 2019:

Sorry Angelica, that's not how it works. You can get a free one-card reading at tarot-study.info.

Angelica on December 19, 2019:

Please, read for me in tarot. Thank you. Waiting

AkaJustVih on December 15, 2019:

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 on November 03, 2019:

I loved this article, thank you! Reading Tarot with playing cards is really fun.

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on August 13, 2019:

Thank you, Gail. I feel the same - as though I'm just scratching the surface :)

Gail on August 12, 2019:

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!

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on July 02, 2019:

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 on July 02, 2019:

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 on June 30, 2019:

Yes, back in the day my nan used playing cards for readings and it work fine.

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on June 24, 2019:

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 on June 24, 2019:

All four suits of jack flipped out one after the other when shuffling . Can you tell me what this means

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on June 11, 2019:

If you scroll through the comments, you'll see a link to some suggested spreads.

Blade on June 11, 2019:

Is there a special lay out order

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on May 15, 2019:

Hi Peggy, I don't have one, I'm afraid.

Peggy on May 15, 2019:

How do I find your E-book for this

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on April 21, 2019:

Someone will be detaching themselves emotionally. There may be pain, but a difficult road must be taken.

Shannon on April 21, 2019:

I have received the 8 of heart two days in a row now. What can you help me to understand with that card

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on March 07, 2019:

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 on March 07, 2019:

You don’t mention how many cards you should pull for a reading

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on March 04, 2019:

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 on March 04, 2019:

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!

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on February 18, 2019:

Sorry, Dawn, I don't know of any. I simply applied my knowledge of tarot in order to develop this system.

Dawn Parker on February 18, 2019:

what book would you recommend that has the meanings of playing card tarot?

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on February 02, 2019:

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 on February 01, 2019:

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?

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on January 15, 2019:

Sorry Melat, I don't interpret other people's cards in that way.

Just keep learning :)

Melat on January 15, 2019:

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?

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on November 24, 2018:

It often takes people by surprise, bloovoodoo. X

bloovoodoo on November 24, 2018:

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 from India on November 06, 2018:

This is interesting. I never knew we could use playing cards as a substitute to tarot.

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on October 12, 2018:

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 on October 11, 2018:

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

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on October 07, 2018:

Lovely, Keso. What do you think it means?

Keso on October 07, 2018:

I got Joker Facing wrong side down, 9 of clubs and 2 of hearts.

Paul from California on September 30, 2018:

Thank you Bev. I just bought the book in ebook form. I really appreciate your advice. Have a nice day.

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on September 30, 2018:

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 from California on September 29, 2018:

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 on September 19, 2018:

this is very useful.

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on September 09, 2018:

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 on September 08, 2018:

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 on August 19, 2018:

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.

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on August 13, 2018:

You are very welcome, Carol :)

Carolmilne on August 13, 2018:

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 on July 31, 2018:

I really liked the information here. It has opened my eyes to some insight . Thank you!

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on July 11, 2018:

Good luck, Janisa! Thanks for reading.

Janisa from Earth on July 10, 2018:

Thanks for the detailed post! I've been wanting to get into "fortunetelling" for a while now

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on July 01, 2018:

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 on July 01, 2018:

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

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on June 07, 2018:

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 on June 07, 2018:

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.

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on May 23, 2018:

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 on May 23, 2018:

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!!

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on May 21, 2018:

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 on May 21, 2018:

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?

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on May 01, 2018:

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 on May 01, 2018:

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???

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on April 15, 2018:

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 on April 15, 2018:

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.

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on April 12, 2018:

Enjoy your study, Myridiasage. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Myridiasage on April 12, 2018:

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 on March 26, 2018:

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 from Chicago Area on February 17, 2018:

I never realized you could use a regular card deck for this! Thanks for sharing!

They Call Me Trinity on February 09, 2018:

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 on February 02, 2018:

Ok thank you I will

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on February 02, 2018:

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 on February 01, 2018:

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.

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on February 01, 2018:

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 on January 31, 2018:

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

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on January 27, 2018:

You are very welcome, QoA :)

Queen of Ace on January 26, 2018:

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 on January 22, 2018:

I'm looking forward to learning to read with playing cards.

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on January 12, 2018:

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 on January 11, 2018:

6 hearts

4 diamonds

3 diamonds

Can you tell me what they mean

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on January 08, 2018:

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