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diff --git a/42008-0.txt b/42008-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..58fd781 --- /dev/null +++ b/42008-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4341 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 42008 *** + + TELLING FORTUNES + BY CARDS + + A SYMPOSIUM OF THE SEVERAL ANCIENT AND MODERN + METHODS AS PRACTICED BY ARAB SEERS AND SIBYLS + AND THE ROMANY GYPSIES, WITH PLAIN EXAMPLES AND + SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS TO ENABLE ANYONE TO ACQUIRE + THE ART WITH EASE + + Gathered From Authentic Sources By + MOHAMMED ALI + + (_EDITED BY CARLETON B. CASE_) + + [Illustration] + + NEW YORK + SHREWESBURY PUBLISHING CO. + PUBLISHERS + + + + + COPYRIGHT, 1914, BY + CHARLES SHREWESBURY + + + + +CONTENTS + + + PAGE + THE STORY OF JOSEPHINE 5 + RESEARCHING GYPSY LORE 7 + HOW TO ACQUIRE THE ART 9 + CARDS TO BE USED 9 + THE CONSULTANT CARD 10 + THE ANCIENT ORACLE 12 + METHOD A 17 + MODERN USE OF FIFTY-TWO CARDS 20 + METHOD B 28 + METHOD C 28 + METHOD D 30 + METHOD E 31 + METHOD F, THE STAR 32 + METHOD G, A SHORTER STAR 32 + METHOD H 33 + METHOD I 33 + METHOD J 34 + METHOD K 35 + METHOD L 37 + METHOD M 38 + THE PREFERRED ORACLE, WITH THIRTY-TWO CARDS 40 + DICTIONARY OF PRIMARY DEFINITIONS 42 + DICTIONARY OF SECONDARY DEFINITIONS 49 + GROUPS OF CARDS 93 + COMBINATIONS OF TWO CARDS 96 + A WORD OF ADVICE 101 + SPECIAL NOTE 101 + DEALING THE CARDS BY THREES 102 + DEALING THE CARDS BY FIVES 109 + DEALING THE CARDS BY SEVENS 111 + DEALING BY FIFTEENS 113 + THE TWENTY-ONE CARD METHOD 117 + THE WAY TO TELL A FORTUNE 122 + THE ITALIAN METHOD 126 + THE FLORENCE MODE 131 + PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE 133 + THE MATRIMONIAL ORACLE 136 + THE STAR METHOD 140 + SHORTER STAR METHOD 142 + WISHES 143 + WISH NO. I. 143 + WISH NO. II. 144 + WISH NO. III. 146 + WISH NO. IV. 146 + WISH NO. V. 147 + WISH NO. VI. 150 + CURIOUS GAMES WITH CARDS 154 + LOVERS' HEARTS 154 + LOVE'S LOTTERY 154 + MATRIMONY 155 + CUPID'S PASTIME 155 + WEDDING BELLS 157 + MARRIAGE QUESTIONS 158 + + + + +TELLING FORTUNES BY CARDS + + +The art of telling fortunes by cards, known professionally as +CARTOMANCY, has been practiced for centuries. + +In our day and generation divination by cards is chiefly employed for +amusement and pastime, for the entertainment of one's self or one's +company, or at church fairs, charity bazars, and the like; but in the +days of the ancients it was practiced by prophets and sibyls as a +serious business, and so accepted by all, from king to peasant. + +Certainly there were some remarkable coincidences, to call them by no +other name, in the fulfillment of many cartomantic divinations, of +which history maintains a record. To cite but one: + + +THE STORY OF JOSEPHINE, EMPRESS OF THE FRENCH. + +Josephine Tascher de la Pagerie, while in her native land of +Martinique, had been approached by an aged negress, who astonished her +through declaring to her: "You will ascend upon the loftiest throne in +the world." + +Always treasuring the memory of this prediction, Josephine, when the +widow of Gen. Beauharnais, during the bitter days of the Reign of +Terror, was induced to consult a distinguished seeress of the Faubourg +St. Germain, who relied upon cartomancy as a means for elucidating the +mysteries of the past, present, and future. Although her visitor was +disguised as a waiting woman, the seeress, through a simple resort to +her pack of cards, read most correctly the entire past existence of +her consultant. Then, by the same means, she laid bare the gloomy +picture of Josephine's present situation; how the prison doors of the +Luxembourg stood ready to receive her; how the guillotine thirsted for +her life's blood; how, nevertheless, she would be saved from all these +impending dangers through intercession of a young soldier, to her at +the time personally a stranger. Subsequently, by a fresh appeal to her +cards, the seeress threw aside the veil obscuring Josephine's future +destiny, predicting her marriage, the onward march of her husband +towards fame and power, until finally, after a studious observation of +the cards, the cartomancian announced to her skeptical consultant that +on a given day, within the cathedral church of Notre Dame, the unknown +man she was destined to marry would place upon her head an imperial +diadem, and furthermore that she would be hailed, in the presence of +the highest ecclesiastical potentate on earth, as "Empress of the +French," and as such would be respected until her death. + +The remarkably rapid and literal fulfillment of the predictions made +by a professional seeress to an unknown lady, to whom she promised the +most exalted of mortal positions, not only astonished the crowd of +courtiers, wonder-stricken at realization of this indisputable and +well-authenticated augury of miraculous events; but elicited the +attention of men of intellect and of science, hundreds of whom visited +the remarkable prophetess, and in every instance testified to the +accuracy of her predictions, although at a loss to comprehend the +source from whence she attained apparently super-human knowledge. It +appeared wonderful to these men of science that the mere combination +of a series of cards, which they had been accustomed to look upon as a +mere species of diversion, could be employed as well to read the past +as to penetrate the mysteries of the future; still they were +compelled, in an elaborate report made to the Emperor, whose +comprehensive mind yearned after explanation of all secrets, mental as +well as physical, to state that, while unable to account for the cause +for this prophetic knowledge, there could be no rational doubt of its +existence. + + +RESEARCHING GYPSY LORE. + +This present treatise on the subject of divination by cards is a +gathering together in handy form of the best authenticated methods of +its ancient practice as handed down from the Romany gypsies and the +seeresses that antedate them. As different nations and different times +had their varying interpretations of the values of the cards and +separate and distinct methods of laying the cards for readings, as +well as fundamental differences in their interpretations of the many +possible combinations of the various cards, we have decided to lay +before you in this work a complete symposium of each, that the reader +and student of the art may see before him all the approved methods of +the past and choose intelligently that which best pleases or suits his +convenience. + +All the old and many of the recent authors that have been consulted in +the preparation of this book have been found to insist that divination +through playing-cards is to be relied upon as a truthful exposition of +the past and future and a veritable portent of the future. They desire +to be taken seriously. The present editor has no desire to detract +from this position if it be a fact, nor does he know that it is not a +fact. His part in this work is that of editor, and there ends. Here he +presents you with the results of centuries of effort on the part of +those who profess to believe sincerely in what they practice and +teach, and leaves the reader to place as much or as little credence in +the truthfulness of their divinations as he chooses. + +Certainly there is a wonderful fascination in the mastering of +Cartomancy, in the being able to tell fortunes by the chance falling +of the cards into this or that position, and in knowing what each card +and grouping is believed to signify in their relations to the person +consulting. + + +HOW TO ACQUIRE THE ART. + +The would-be adept is advised to study in detail every word in this +book, as he would any other lesson he desired to master. Learn the +various methods of dealing and of reading the layout; consult the +several interpretations of the meanings and learn to apply them, first +in reading your own fortune and later that of friends,--this only +after you have memorized many of the meanings and acquired a degree of +fluency in elaborating the "talk" or "patter" that goes with a +successful "reading." + +No prophet or seer ever professed that divination by cards is a +natural gift. It is universally recognized as being solely the result +of study and practice, and can be mastered by anyone who has this book +and gives the subject a little thought and sufficient experimental, +practical test to acquire proficiency. + + +CARDS TO BE USED IN TELLING FORTUNES. + +While any ordinary pack of playing cards sold in the usual stores can +be used, it is best to secure, if possible, a pack whose face cards +have only a single head, inasmuch as when, in dealing, cards come out +reversed they bear a different signification in some cases, than when +upright. When, however, the usual double-headed cards are used it is +only necessary to make a distinctive mark on the top end of the faces +of certain ones to secure the same result as though the special +fortune-telling pack were employed. This mark may be a simple dot or +cross with pencil or pen, and should be made at one end of the card +only, which will then become the top of the card in all cases, and +cards coming out in the deal with this mark at their tops will be +considered as upright, and with the marked end down, as reversed. The +only cards that need to be thus distinguished are: The face cards of +each suit; the ace, eight, nine and ten of diamonds. (The spot cards +below the seven in any suit are, in most cases, not used. Where they +are employed, their reversal has no significance.) The top of the +seven of diamonds, and the other suits, is considered to be the end +that has the extra central pip. Spot cards of the three suits other +than diamonds usually require no mark to determine their top or +bottom. The "handles" of all spades and clubs, and the sharp points of +all hearts, point downward when those cards are upright; hence when +they point upward the cards are considered as reversed. If, however, +any other cards than those here mentioned are so printed as to make it +difficult to distinguish the top from the base, you should mark them +at the top. + + +THE ONE SPECIAL CARD--THE CONSULTANT. + +In some of the methods of fortune-telling by cards it is essential to +have a special card as the representative of the party seeking the +response of the oracle. This is commonly called the "Consultant." If +there is a joker in your pack, or an extra blank card, as is the case +in many packs, use one of them as the Consultant, marking this card to +show which is its top, as its reversal has its own signification. If +there is neither joker nor blank card, use the discarded deuce of +either suit in the pack, with a mark at its top end. + + + + +THE ANCIENT ORACLE + + +Various meanings have been ascribed to the individual cards in +different countries and times, several lists of which, and they the +known standards of the art, are given throughout this book. The first +list of interpretations that we present is from a very ancient work, +first published in 1600 or a little later. This, it will be noticed, +defines the entire fifty-two cards of the pack and has no separate +signification for any card being upright or reversed; in either +position the cards' meanings are the same. + +Suit values are as follows: Clubs lead and mostly portend happiness +and good business arrangements, and no matter how numerous or how +accompanied by cards of other suits are seldom considered as bearers +of other than the very best augury. Next comes hearts, which are +usually taken to signify love-making, invitations, and good friends; +diamonds, money; and spades, annoyances, sickness or worry, sometimes +loss of money. + + +_Clubs._ + + Ace--Great wealth, much prosperity, and tranquillity of mind. + + King--A man who is humane, upright and affectionate; faithful in + all his undertakings. He will be happy himself, and make every + one around him so. + + Queen--A tender, mild and rather susceptible woman, who will be + very attractive to the opposite sex. + + Jack--An open, sincere and good friend, who will exert himself + warmly in your welfare. + + Ten--Speedy wealth. + + Nine--Obstinacy and disagreeables connected therewith. + + Eight--A covetous person, extremely fond of money; that he will + obtain it but not make a proper use of it. + + Seven--The most brilliant fortune and the most exquisite bliss + this world can afford, but beware of the opposite sex, from + these alone can misfortune be experienced. + + Six--A lucrative partnership. + + Five--Marriage to a person who will improve your circumstances. + + Four--Inconstancy and change. + + Trey--Three wealthy marriages. + + Deuce--Opposition or disappointment. + + +_Diamonds._ + + Ace--A letter. + + King--A man of fiery temper, continued anger, seeking revenge, and + obstinate in his resolutions. + + Queen--A coquette, and fond of company. + + Jack--However nearly related, will look more to his own interest + than yours, will be tenacious in his own opinions, and fly off if + contradicted. + + Ten--A country husband (or wife), with wealth, and many children; + also a purse of gold. + + Nine--A surprise about money. + + Eight--Unhappy marriage late in life. + + Seven--Waste of goods, and losses. + + Six--An early marriage and widowhood, but a second marriage would + probably be worse. + + Five--Success in enterprises; if married, good children. + + Four--Vexation and annoyance. + + Trey--Quarrels, lawsuits, and domestic disagreements, your partner + for life will be a vixen, bad tempered, and make you unhappy. + + Deuce--Your heart will be engaged in love at an early period, but + you will meet with great opposition. + + +_Hearts._ + + Ace--Feasting and pleasure, and is also the house. If attended + with spades it is quarreling; if by hearts, friendship and + affection; if by diamonds, you will hear of an absent friend; + if by clubs, merry-making and rejoicing. + + King--A man of good natured disposition, hot and hasty, rash in + his undertakings, and very amorous. + + Queen--A woman of fair complexion, faithful and affectionate. + + Jack--A person of no particular sex, but always the dearest friend + or nearest relation of the consulting party. It is said that you + must pay great attention to the cards that stand next to the jack, + as from them alone you are supposed to judge whether the person + it represents will be favorable to your inclinations or not. + + Ten--A good heart, it is supposed to correct the bad tidings of the + cards that stand next it; if its neighboring cards are of good + report, it is supposed to confirm their value. + + Nine--Wealth, grandeur, and high esteem; if cards that are + unfavorable stand near it, disappointments and the reverse. + If favorable cards follow these last at a small distance, + you will retrieve your losses, whether of peace or goods. + + Eight--Drinking and feasting. + + Seven--A fickle and unfaithful person. + + Six--A generous, open and credulous disposition, easily imposed + on, but the friend of the distressed. + + Five--A wavering and unsettled disposition. + + Four--The person will not be married till quite late in life, which + will proceed from too great a delicacy in making a choice. + + Trey--Your own imprudence will greatly contribute to your + experiencing much ill will from others. + + Deuce--Extraordinary good future and success; though if + unfavorable cards attend this will be a long time delayed. + + +_Spades._ + + Ace--Has to do with love affairs generally. Death when the card is + upside down. + + King--A man ambitious and successful at court, or with a great man + who will befriend him, but let him beware of a reverse. + + Queen--A woman who will be corrupted by the rich of both sexes. + Also a widow. + + Jack--A person, who, although he has your interest at heart, will + be too indolent to pursue it. + + Ten--Is supposed to be a card of bad import, and in a great + measure to counteract the good effects of the cards near it. + + Nine--Is professed to be the worst card of the pack; dangerous + sickness, total loss of fortune and calamities; also endless + discussion in your family. + + Eight--Opposition from your friends. If this card comes out close + to you, leave your plan and follow another. + + Seven--Loss of a valuable friend, whose death will plunge you in + very great distress. + + Six--Very little interpretation of your success. + + Five--Good luck in the choice of your companion for life, who will + be fond of you. Bad temper and interference. + + Four--Sickness. + + Trey--Good fortune in marriage, an inconstant partner, and that + you will be made unhappy thereby. + + Deuce--A death or disagreeable removal. + + +METHOD A. + + Using 52 Cards and the Foregoing Interpretations. + +Take a pack of fifty-two cards and shuffle them three times well over, +and making the significator whichever queen you please (if a lady +performs the operation for herself; or king, if a gentleman), then +proceed to lay them on the table, nine in a row, and wherever the +operator finds himself placed, count nine cards every way, not +forgetting the said significator, then it will be seen what card the +significator comes in company with, and read from that. + +When several diamonds come together, the interpretation is that some +money will soon be received; several hearts, love; several clubs, +drink and noisy troublesome company; several spades, trouble and +vexation. + +If two red tens come next to the significator marriage or prosperity, +the ace of hearts is the house, the ace of clubs a letter, the ace of +spades death, spite, or quarreling (for this is supposed to be the +worst card in the pack), the ten of diamonds a journey, the three of +hearts a salute, the three of spades tears, the ten of spades +sickness, the nine of spades sad disappointment or trouble, to the +nine of clubs is ascribed a jovial entertainment or reveling, the nine +of hearts feasting, the ten of clubs traveling by water, the ten of +hearts some place of amusement, the five of hearts a present, the five +of clubs a bundle, the six of spades a child, the seven of spades a +removal, the three of clubs fighting, the eight of clubs confusion, +the eight of spades a roadway, the four of clubs a strange bed, the +nine of diamonds business, the five of spades a surprise, the two red +eights new clothes, the three of diamonds speaking with a friend, the +four of spades a sick bed, the seven of clubs a prison, the two of +spades a false friend, the four of hearts the marriage bed. + +If a married lady doth lay the cards, she must then make her husband +the king of the same suit she is queen of; but if a single lady, she +must make her lover what king she may think proper. The jacks of the +same suits are supposed to be men's thoughts, so that they may know +what they are thinking of, counting nine cards from where they are +placed, and it is said if any lady should wish to know whether she +shall obtain her desires in any particular subject, matter, or thing +whatsoever, let her shuffle the cards well, most seriously and +earnestly wishing all the time for one thing; she must then cut them +once, particularly observing at the same time what card that is which +she cuts, then shuffle them and deal them out in three parcels, and if +that said particular card which she has cut doth come next herself, or +next the ace of hearts, it is taken that she will have her wish, but +if the nine of spades is next to her she judges the contrary, as that +is supposed to be a disappointment; however, she may try it three +times, taking the major number of testimonies as a ground whereon to +place her judgment. This method of using the cards is both innocent +and will afford amusement. + + + + +MODERN USE OF 52 CARDS + + +Here we present the more modern adaptation of the entire pack of 52 +cards to the fortune-teller's use. As the meanings differ materially +from the ancient list just given, another complete list and several +combinations are presented. + +In the modern usage, Diamonds take precedence and are considered to +mean money, riches and success. + +Hearts next, love affairs, friendship, amusement and pleasure. + +Clubs, business matters, whether investments, appointments or +settlements. + +Spades, losses or grief, trouble and anxiety, sometimes sickness and +death. + +The various combinations are supposed to either accelerate or mitigate +the several meanings. + +For instance--the ace of diamonds coming with the ace of spades, a +railway journey--the nine of spades, usually taken to be a bad card, +but coming with diamonds, speedy good luck, etc. + + +_Diamonds._ + + Ace--An offer or a ring. + + King--A fair man, a military man, or a diplomatist. + + Queen--A fair woman, fond of pleasure and amusement. + + Jack--The thoughts of either king or queen. + + Ten--A legacy or property. + + Nine--A good surprise about money. + + Eight--Meetings about money matters. + + Seven--A check or paper money; sometimes scandal. + + Six--An offer of some kind, generally to do with money matters. + + Five (supposed to be the best card in the pack)--Health, wealth + and happiness. + + Four--A short journey. + + Three--Time, within three to four weeks. + + Two--A secret or something unexpected. + + +_Hearts._ + + Ace--The house. + + King--A rather fair man in society; sometimes a sailor. + + Queen--A fair woman in society, but kind and good natured. + + Jack--Thoughts of either king or queen. + + Ten--An entertainment or festivity. + + Nine--Great happiness and the wish card. + + Eight--Love making or friendship. + + Seven--A puzzle or indecision, doubt. + + Six--Love affairs, sometimes an offer. + + Five--Marriage, sometimes a new admirer. + + Four--A small invitation, such as a dinner or evening party. + + Three--Time, within a week. + + Two--Kisses or trifling present. + + +_Clubs._ + + Ace--A letter. + + King--A clever dark man, often a professional man, or in business. + + Queen--A clever, amusing woman, sometimes a little satirical. + + Jack--Thoughts of king or queen. + + Ten--A new appointment, investment or settlement. + + Nine--Relates to documents, papers, often a will. + + Eight--A journey by road or vehicle. + + Seven--A warning or unprofitable business. + + Six--A very poor business offer or else money borrowed. + + Five--News, either from the country or some one coming therefrom. + + Four--A journey by land on business. + + Three--Time, three to four months. + + Two--A good friend, in some cases a slight disappointment. + + +_Spades._ + + Ace--Spite, death, or worry; sometimes a large town. + + King--A lawyer, widower or old man; a very dark man. + + Queen--A very dark woman, a widow; a spiteful, malicious woman. + + Jack--Thoughts of king or queen. + + Ten--At night-time, imprisonment. + + Nine (supposed to be a very bad card)--Grief, suffering, malice, + and, with other black cards, death. + + Eight--Across water, sometimes treachery. + + Seven--Poverty, anxiety and annoyance. + + Six--Delay, or a bad character. + + Five--Temper, anger and quarrels. + + Four--Sickness, sometimes a journey caused through sickness. + + Three--By the water, or a very short journey across water. + + Two--Tears and vexation, sometimes a removal. + + +The following is a _résumé_ of most of the cards and some curious +combinations: + + Four Aces--Honors, dignities, rise in society, or money, friendship + with the great; but if all four are reversed, the contrary--debt, + bankruptcy, ruin and even disgrace, therefore it is to be noticed + particularly how they lie before reading the cards. + + Four Kings--Great good luck, unexpected advancement, good and + unlooked-for fortune. + + Four Queens--Society, pleasure, amusements. + + Four Jacks--Thoughts of either king or queen of each suit, + friendly gathering. + + Four Tens--Great gain, legacies, happiness. + + Four Nines--Unexpected and sudden news; if two blacks together, + not pleasant; if two reds, excellent. + + Four Eights--New appointments, sometimes new associations; two + black eights together, mourning; two reds, wedding garments. + + Four Sevens--Intrigues, scandal, opposition and variance. + + Four Sixes--A great surprise or change; two black ones together, + vexations; two red ones, good. + + Four Fives--A long and beneficial voyage, money, happiness and + health; if two blacks are near, vexation first. + + Four Fours--A birth; two blacks together, a male; two reds, a + female. + + Four Threes--Period of time from six to twelve months; sometimes + gain or money returned. + + Four Twos--Visitors; two blacks together, disagreeable; two reds, + pleasant, and sometimes love-making. + + Three Aces--Great good luck. + + Three Kings--A new friend or acquaintance who will advance you in + life. + + Three Queens--Quarrels, disputes, backbiting. + + Three Jacks--A lawsuit or treachery. + + Three Tens--A rise in social life, but not necessarily happiness + with it. + + Three Nines--A good removal, unless accompanied by very bad cards. + + Three Eights--Love dreams, and longing for the unattainable, but + often wishes or desires postponed; in some cases fresh + engagements, but a little worry in obtaining them. + + Three Sevens--Losses of friendship or property; reversed, you will + never recover your goods. + + Three Sixes--A very large and brilliant entertainment; if the two + black ones come together, disgrace or scandal. + + Three Fives--A delightful and happy meeting with absent friends. + + Three Fours--Strangers or visitors coming to the house from a + journey. + + Three Threes--Slight annoyances or vexation caused by malicious + tongues. + + Three Twos--A good and staunch friend, but one who will grieve you + by a queer temper. + + Two Aces--Strange news quick and speedy, often good luck; two + blacks, a telegram; two reds, a pleasant invitation. + + Two Kings--A partnership or friendship. + + Two Queens--A good female friend. + + Two Jacks--Unpleasantness, sometimes only thoughts of people. + + Two Tens--Change of residence or profession. + + Two Nines--A good removal, sometimes business projects or + documents, in many cases relating to a will. + + Two Eights--An extraordinary occurrence. + + Two Sevens--Sometimes sudden and unexpected; two blacks, great + treachery, especially if reversed. + + Two Sixes--A good friend; two blacks, a nasty, deceitful person, + or a great danger, possibly an accident. + + Two Black Fives--Danger from falls, or possibly by water. + + Two Red Fives--Joyful and unexpected news. + + Two Black Fours--Separation or unfriendly meetings. + + Two Red Fours--Good appointments, or good luck. + + Two Red Threes--Pleasant and profitable visitors and friends. + + Two Black Threes--Disappointment and tears. + + Two Black Twos--A departure. + + Two Red Twos--An arrival. + + The Ace, Nine, Ten and Seven of Spades--Divorce. + + Seven and Nine of Spades--Separation. + + Eight of Spades and Seven of Clubs--Prison, or confinement. + + Six and Four of Spades--Sickness and danger. + + Eight and Five of Spades--Malignity, caused by jealousy. + + Six and Seven of Spades--Treachery, scandal, vexation. + + Seven and Two of Spades--Tears caused by unfounded reports--often + a false friend. + + Nine and Six of Spades--A bitter and implacable enemy; if good + cards follow, you will overcome, but if bad ones, he or she will + triumph. + + Three and Two of Spades--A short and not agreeable journey. + + Seven of Hearts and Three of Spades--A journey and a strange + adventure thereon. + + Seven, Six and Five of Spades--Thieves, or danger of robbery. + + Queen and Jack of Spades--Widowhood. + + Nine and Ten of Spades--Danger by fire. + + Six and Seven of Spades reversed--A fall or injury. + + Eight and Ten of Spades--News at night, but not very pleasant. + + Ten, Eight and Five of Spades--Broken engagement, or unfulfilled + promise. + + Six and Eight of Spades--Delay, postponement. + + Nine, Seven, Six and Five of Spades--Bankruptcy. + + Ace of Diamonds and Ten of Hearts--A marriage engagement. + + Ace of Diamonds and Nine of Hearts--Hopes fulfilled. + + Ten of Hearts and Four of Hearts--Marriage. + + Three Tens and Five of Hearts--Happy love returned. + + Eight of Hearts and Seven of Hearts--Doubt and indecision about an + offer. + + Seven of Hearts reversed--A nice and good present. + + Three of Diamonds and Three of Hearts--In nine days. + + Nine of Hearts and Nine of Diamonds--A delightful surprise about + money. + + Nine of Hearts and Nine of Clubs--Something to do about a will, in + which the consultor is generally successful. + + Eight of Hearts and Nine of Hearts--Great good luck through love. + + Ace, Nine, Seven and Four of Spades--Death. + + +METHOD B. + +A pack of fifty-two cards is taken, shuffled, and cut in three; the +first ten are taken out, then three are missed; another nine are taken +out, then two are missed; another seven out, five missed; seven out, +three missed; three out, one missed; and the last of the pack is +taken. They are now laid out in rows of eight each, eight having been +counted every way, beginning from the significator. When all are +finished, the two extremities are taken, paired and read; they are +then gathered together, shuffled, and cut in four parcels; the first +one of each parcel is taken off and put on one side. The packet that +comes first is the one that should be read. + + +METHOD C. + + What is Supposed to Happen Within a Month to Two Months. + +A pack of fifty-two cards is taken, shuffled and cut in three, each +meaning being read as it turns up. The cards are then turned up one +by one till a spade is found, which is not withdrawn, but the +following card, which lay face uppermost on the table. If three spades +are found in succession the first is missed, but the two next are +taken out, as well as the following card, whether diamonds, clubs or +hearts; this is continued to the end of the pack, then re-commenced +without shuffling or cutting. Should the final card have been a spade, +on beginning the pack afresh the first card should be taken out. The +same operation is gone through twice more, in all three times. This +having been done, they are laid in the form of a horseshoe in front of +the dealer in the order in which they came, being careful to note that +the significator is amongst them. Should it not appear naturally, it +must be taken out and placed at the end. Seven are now counted from +the one that represents the person consulting the oracle. When they +have been read, and the relative meanings ascribed to them explained, +one is taken from each end and paired, their various significations +being interpreted as they turn up. These prognostications are supposed +to come to pass within two months. A shorter way can be done by taking +out thirty-two selected cards, viz:--ace, king, queen, jack, ten, +nine, eight and seven of each suit; they are read in precisely the +same way. This is taken to allow a shorter period to elapse, from ten +days to a fortnight, but the former is supposed to be the better +method. + + +METHOD D. + +A pack of fifty-two cards is taken, and after being well shuffled they +are turned up one by one, counting one, two, three, four, five, six, +seven, eight, nine, ten, jack, queen, king (here the ace counts as +one). If any card should fall on the number counted--thus, supposing a +five comes when five is counted, or a king when that card turns up, it +must be taken out and placed on the table, face uppermost, before the +dealer. After counting to a king the counting is re-commenced at one. +Should two cards follow, such as three and four, eight and nine, etc., +these must be abstracted, also three of a kind, such as three tens, +three kings, etc., they must also be taken out; but if three of the +same suit they may be passed by. When the pack has been carefully gone +through, shuffled and cut, the process is gone through twice more, in +all three times. They are now all laid out in rows of four and read. +When this is done they are gathered together and laid two by two, +thus:-- + + NORTH. + WEST. EAST. + SOUTH. + +One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, +twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, and so on till the pack +is exhausted. Those at the top are the North, those at the bottom are +the South, those at the right hand the East, those at the left hand +the West. The North is to be read first, as that is supposed to happen +first; the South next, the East next, and the West last. + + +METHOD E. + +The pack of fifty-two cards is taken, shuffled, and cut in three, the +meanings of the cut being read first. Then the significator is taken +out. The cards are spread on the table, face downwards before the +dealer, and seven are drawn out at random. The topmost card of the +seven is taken off and put on one side. The cards are again shuffled +and cut in three, the cut again read as before; they are laid on the +table, seven cards being taken off, the topmost being withdrawn. This +is to be repeated the third time, still taking off the topmost card. +The cards are again shuffled and cut, this time nine each time being +drawn out and the topmost two removed. This maneuver has to be +repeated three times, each time taking two of the topmost cards. In +the first deal, where the first seven cards were removed, there will +be eighteen cards; the second time there will be twenty-one remaining +after having removed the two of each cut, thus:--The thirty-nine cards +are spread out in five rows of seven, and four remaining underneath. +The significator is now put in the center, and counting every way from +it, these cards are taken to signify the past and present. The nine +cards that have been taken from each sevens and nines are to be +shuffled and looked at. These are supposed to refer entirely to the +future. The three cards that are left out are useless. + + +METHOD F--THE STAR. + +The pack of fifty-two cards is taken, shuffled, and cut in three, the +cut being explained as it is shown. The card representing the +significator should be taken out and put in the middle. Three cards +are now placed above the head, three at the feet, three to the left, +and three to the right, three at the four corners, and three across +the significator. They are interpreted as follows:--First, above the +head, then at the feet, then to the right hand, and next to the left; +each corner to be taken top and bottom opposite. When these are all +explained (those across the significator last), they are then paired, +beginning with the topmost cards and the bottom cards, from end to +end. + + +METHOD G--A SHORTER STAR. + +This is a much shorter way, and instead of placing the cards as they +come, they must be first well shuffled by the person consulting, then +laid face downwards on the table and nine cards withdrawn (the +significator must be in the center). In this method the cards are +placed round the card representing the consultor in the order in which +they come, the first card drawn being put at the head of the +significator, and the others in rotation. The nine cards are first +explained as they lie, eight round and one over the significator. +Then the consultor is desired to again draw nine, and these are put +over the first nine; this is to be repeated a third time, combining +all the cards as they lay one over the other, three deep, every way. + + +METHOD H. + +The whole pack is taken, shuffled well, but not cut, every fifth card +is picked out and laid by, the pack is gone through and every seventh +card picked out, every third card must be taken, each fifth, seventh +and third cards to be laid aside in separate packets; then each packet +is carefully examined, whether the significator is amongst those +withdrawn. If not, he or she must be abstracted and placed at the +extreme end. Now the third pack is laid out in a row, the second next, +and the first last, and all that is hidden is said to be shown you, +counting three, seven and five from each row, beginning with the +significator. Now two are taken from end to end and read till twelve +are obtained; they are put on one side; then the rest are gone on with +from end to end until all are exhausted. Then they are all taken up, +including the twelve that were put aside, shuffled, the two first and +last are taken off. These three form "the surprise"; then parcels of +four are dealt, beginning with the first; they are all read in +rotation and the small "surprise" last. + + +METHOD I. + +The pack of fifty-two cards is taken, shuffled, cut in three, and the +meanings ascribed to the cut are explained. Then they are laid in rows +of five till the whole pack is exhausted, except the two last, which +are useless. The first row is to represent "the person for whom you +are acting"; the second, "the house"; the third, "your wish"; the +fourth, "the surprise," and the fifth, "what is supposed to come +true." The first ten are now read _lengthwise_, the others in the same +manner till the fifth row has been explained; then they are taken from +end to end, each pair being interpreted as arrived at. In this case +there is no significator, as the first row is supposed to stand for +what will happen immediately to the consultant. They are all gathered +together, shuffled and cut, and laid in packets of three. The +consultor is desired to choose one of the three parcels, and that is +laid out first and explained; then follow each of the other two, which +must be also read in the same manner. + + +METHOD J. + +The pack of fifty-two cards is taken, shuffled and cut by the person +consulting. They are cut in three and the meanings interpreted. Then +they are laid out in rows of sevens, leaving the three last, which are +not to be used. Then nine are counted every way, from the significator +backwards and forwards, from left to right, and from right to left, up +and down, always returning to the significator, then crossways from +end to end. Then they are paired from corner to corner, each card +being explained as it is arrived at, noticing if there should be any +pairs, triplets, etc., amongst them. Then they are gathered up and +shuffled well, then they are dealt in two packets, the consultant +being desired to choose one. The one taken is supposed to represent +the past and present, the other the future. They are laid out and read +pretty much as before. + + +METHOD K. + +A pack of fifty-two cards is taken, shuffled and cut, and divided +thus:--Every seven, nine and five are to be removed and put on one +side. The six of clubs, the eight and ten of diamonds are to be +withdrawn and put in a place by themselves. Then the rest are shuffled +and five cards laid out face upwards till the pack is exhausted. It +will now be found there are seven rows of five cards each, and two +remaining; these two are placed with the nines, sevens and fives, to +be used later. These cards are read, counting seven every way from the +significator, then gathered together, shuffled and cut, the first +group (seven in number) being first of all withdrawn, which must be +added to the nines, sevens and fives already withdrawn. There will now +be four groups of seven cards each. The first must be read, the second +put aside, the third explained, and the fourth laid by. The second and +fourth are left out entirely and not used. The nines, sevens and fives +and the first group you have withdrawn are shuffled, cut in two +packets, and laid out on the table before the dealer. If two red nines +appear close together, it is taken to show honor, dignity and joy; if +two red sevens and two red fives side by side, great and unexpected +good luck, a legacy or money that you don't anticipate; if two red +fives and the nine of hearts are near each other, a marriage of +affection; if with the seven of diamonds, a moneyed marriage, but of +love; if two red fives and two black sevens, a marriage for money +which will turn out unhappily; if two red sevens and two red fives, +and the nine of hearts appear, it is supposed to be the greatest and +happiest prognostic you can have, whether married or single--luck, +pleasure, money; if two black sevens and two black fives appear, it is +considered very evil, and if accompanied by the nine of spades, +unhappiness in marriage, divorce, scandal and sometimes violence +caused through drink; if the eight of spades should be amongst those +withdrawn and turn up with the aforesaid cards, violent death by +murder or accident. It is taken to be the worst combination in the +pack. These cards (viz: the nines, sevens and fives, and those which +have been withdrawn from the group of fives) are laid in rows of +sevens, counting seven every way from the significator; then the +extreme ends are taken and paired, being read as they turn up. Next +the whole is shuffled, including the six of clubs and the eight and +ten of diamonds. These three cards are the index. Wherever they appear +they are supposed to show good luck, happiness and prosperity; if +they should happen between exceptionally bad cards, the luck is over, +or marred through malignity; but as a rule they are taken to import +great joy. The evil combination is thus: If the six of clubs is +surrounded with spades, or the eight or ten of diamonds are _between_ +two black fives and the two black sevens are near, then the best laid +scheme will come to nought; but if they are surrounded by the nine of +hearts and nine of diamonds, then it is a very good omen. The eight +and ten of diamonds are supposed to be extremely good if there are +three or four nines to follow them, for then the nine of spades loses +its evil significance, and should the seven of diamonds and seven of +hearts follow, a good marriage and happiness; or, if the person is +married, new prosperity or riches for the husband or sometimes the +birth of an heir. + + +METHOD L. + +The pack of fifty-two cards is taken, shuffled and cut, and divided +into two equal heaps. One of these is chosen by the consultant. Having +decided this, the other heap is left alone; it is not to be used. The +person consulting is now desired to shuffle the twenty-six cards +remaining, cutting in three, the meanings being read as they turn up. +They are now dealt in three packs, which are laid out in rows of +eight, the last card to be left out, as that forms "the surprise." +Four cards are now counted from the significator, which, should it not +be in the pack chosen, must be abstracted and put at the end. When +these have been fully explained, the same maneuver is repeated twice, +in all three times, one card being always taken out for "the +surprise." "The surprise" is turned up when those cards before the +dealer have been examined and explained. Then they are all gathered +together, and, after being shuffled and cut, they are turned up by +fours. If a sequence should come up, such as six and seven, or six, +seven and eight of any suit, they are taken out. If four of a suit, +the lowest is taken out. This is only to be done once. These are now +laid out in a row before the dealer and read from left to right, +always taking note that the significator is amongst them, and counting +four as above described. Then the two cards are taken from each +extremity and each couple explained till all are exhausted. + + +METHOD M. + +A pack of fifty-two cards is taken, shuffled well and cut. Then it is +divided into three equal parcels of seventeen cards each, and one over +for "the surprise," which is to be laid aside. The first three cards +of each packet is taken, and each three is put apart. That will leave +fourteen in each group. The first and third packets of fourteen are +taken up, the middle one being put aside. These are now laid out in +four rows of seven, being sure that the significator is amongst them; +or else the card which is supposed to represent the thoughts of the +person consulting you, viz: the jack, may be counted from. Six are +now counted, beginning from the next card to the significator; and +after every sixth card, that card is not counted as one, but the +following one. When these have been explained, which must be done till +the significator is returned to, they are paired from end to end, and +read as arrived at; then they are gathered together, shuffled and cut, +and divided again into two groups of fourteen. These are not laid out +again, but two being merely extracted from each of these, not +forgetting the middle one, and adding them to the three packets of +three placed on one side. The middle one is now taken up, shuffled +well, and four cards taken from it, two from the top and two from the +bottom, and added to the one put aside to form "the surprise." There +are now four packs of five cards each:--One for the "consultant" and +one for the "house," one for "what is sure to come true," and one for +"the surprise." These are laid out in front of the dealer and read +from left to right in rotation. + + + + +THE PREFERRED ORACLE--WITH 32 CARDS + + +We now come to the most important and approved method of telling +fortunes by cards, the method preferred and practiced in nearly all +countries. This widely accepted method requires but 32 cards of the 52 +found in the pack, consisting of eight cards of each suit, as follows: +Ace, king, queen, jack, ten, nine, eight and seven only. To these may +be added, in some cases, the Consultant card, concerning which we have +spoken earlier in this work. + +To enable this oracle to be read with an intelligent and proper +understanding it is important that one be fully informed as to all the +possible values or interpretations of the cards, singly and in +combination. Hence we shall devote a number of pages to these +definitions in very complete form before proceeding to elucidate for +you the various methods of dealing, laying and reading the cards. We +give first the simple and primary meanings, followed in detail by +their secondary or synonymical meanings, the whole constituting a +valuable work of reference for all who practice the art, enabling them +to give a full, fair and wise reading of every possible "fall" of the +cards. The primary meanings, while sufficient for the amateur, will +soon be seen by the student to be lacking in that completeness and +flexibility demanded by the adept. Their natural amplification into +their secondary and more extended definitions gives the interpreter +the fullest scope to exercise his powers of reading any possible +layout of the cards intelligently, and with satisfaction both to +himself and to the person consulting the oracle. + + + + +DICTIONARY OF PRIMARY DEFINITIONS + +_Used in Interpreting the 32-Card Method of Telling Fortunes._ + + +_Diamonds._ + + KING + + _Upright_--Marriage. A military man. A man of fidelity. A dignitary + of the state. A very fair person. A man of tact and cunning. + + _Reversed_--A country gentleman. A difficulty concerning marriage + or business. Threatened danger, caused through the machination of a + man in position or office. + + QUEEN + + _Upright_--A blonde female. A lady resident in the country. A woman + given to gossiping and scandal. + + _Reversed_--A country gentlewoman. A malignant female, who seeks to + foment disadvantage to the consultant, and who is to be greatly + feared. + + JACK + + _Upright_--A country man. A young man of light complexion, of a + lower grade in society. A messenger. Postman. A tale-bearing + servant, or unfaithful friend. + + _Reversed_--A servant. An intermeddler, who will be the cause of + mischief. A messenger bearing ill-news. + + ACE + + _Upright_--The ace of diamonds, whether upright or reversed, + signifies a letter, a petition, a note, a paper, a document. + + _Reversed_--The ace of diamonds, reversed or upright, designates a + letter to be shortly received, a petition, a note, a paper, or a + document. + + TEN + + _Upright_--The ten of diamonds, either upright or reversed, + represents coin, gold, water, the sea, a foreign city, and change + of locality. + + _Reversed_--The ten of diamonds, whether reversed or upright, + designates bullion, coin, gold, water, the ocean, a foreign city, + a journey and change in locality. + + NINE + + _Upright_--Enterprise. Separation. Advantage. + + _Reversed_--Delay. Annoyance. Poverty. A family feud, or a quarrel + among intimate friends. + + EIGHT + + _Upright_--The country. Riches. Love-making overtures. + + _Reversed_--Sorrow. Motion. Wealth. Satire. Mockery, and foolish + scandal. + + SEVEN + + _Upright_--Present intentions. Good news. + + _Reversed_--Birth. Contrariness. Vexation. In a great measure. + + +_Hearts._ + + KING + + _Upright_--A blonde man. A lawyer. A man of repute, and remarkable + for superior qualities. A person of generosity. + + _Reversed_--A very fair man. A tutor. A man in anger. Great + disappointment. + + QUEEN + + _Upright_--A blonde female. A faithful friend. A mild, amiable + lady. + + _Reversed_--A very fair female. Impediment to marriage. Obstacle to + success in business and general affairs. A woman crossed in love. + + JACK + + _Upright_--A blonde young man. A young soldier or sailor. A + traveler. A gay young bachelor, dreaming chiefly of his pleasures. + + _Reversed_--A very fair young man. A dissipated bachelor. A + discontented military man. A politician out of office. + + ACE + + _Upright_--The house. A repast. Festivity. A love letter. Agreeable + intelligence. + + _Reversed_--A friend's visit. Forced or constrained enjoyment. + + TEN + + _Upright_--The city. Envious people. + + _Reversed_--An inheritance. A surprise. + + NINE + + _Upright_--Victory. Happiness. Triumph. Union. Harmony. Work. + Trade. A present. + + _Reversed_--Weariness. Ennui. A passing trouble. Curiosity. + Encumbrance. + + EIGHT + + _Upright_--The affection of a fair young lady. Success in your + hopes. Nourishment. Food. Board. + + _Reversed_--A very fair maiden. Excessive joy. A young woman's + indifference to love advances. + + SEVEN + + _Upright_--The thoughts. A weapon. A jewel. + + _Reversed_--Desire. A parcel. + + +_Spades._ + + KING + + _Upright_--A dark complexioned man. A gentleman of some learned + profession. A judge. Advocate. Surgeon. Physician. A literary man. + + _Reversed_--A widower. A man in wrath or with a malignant + disposition. An envious man. Dishonest lawyer. A quack. An enemy. A + general failure in all your anticipations. + + QUEEN + + _Upright_--A dark complexioned woman. A widow. A lady of some + learned profession. + + _Reversed_--A widow seeking to marry again. A dangerous and + malicious woman. A fast female. Difficulty. Derangement as to + marriage. + + JACK + + _Upright_--A dark complexioned bachelor. An envoy. An ill-bred + fellow. A messenger. + + _Reversed_--An inquisitive, impertinent interloper. A man plotting + mischief. A spy. Pursuit. Treason in love affairs. + + ACE + + _Upright_--Abandonment. A document. + + _Reversed_--Pregnancy. Abandonment. Grief. Distressing + intelligence. + + TEN + + _Upright_--Tears. Jealousy. + + _Reversed_--Loss. An evening party. Brief affliction. In the + evening. + + NINE + + _Upright_--A great loss. Tidings of death. Mourning. Failure. + + _Reversed_--Disappointment. Delay. Desertion. Tidings of the death + of a near relative. + + EIGHT + + _Upright_--Sickness. Want of prudence. Bad news. + + _Reversed_--Ambition. A religious woman. A marriage broken off, or + an offer refused. + + SEVEN + + _Upright_--Expectation. Hope. + + _Reversed_--Wise advice. Friendship. Indecision. A foolish + intrigue. + + +_Clubs._ + + KING + + _Upright_--A man whose complexion is between light and dark. A + frank, liberal man. A friend. + + _Reversed_--A nut-brown complexioned man. A person to meet with a + disappointment. + + QUEEN + + _Upright_--A brunette female. One fond of conversation. An + affectionate, quick tempered woman. + + _Reversed_--A nut-brown complexioned lady. A jealous and malicious + female. + + JACK + + _Upright_--A slightly dark complexioned bachelor. A lover. A clever + and enterprising young man. + + _Reversed_--A flirt and flatterer. A young man in anger or in + sickness. + + ACE + + _Upright_--A purse of money. Wealth. + + _Reversed_--Nobility. Love. A present. + + TEN + + _Upright_--The house. The future. Fortune. Success. Gain. Money. + + _Reversed_--Money. A lover. Sometimes want of success in a trivial + matter. + + NINE + + _Upright_--Chattels. Goods. Movable article. An indiscretion. + + _Reversed_--A trifling present. Gambling. + + EIGHT + + _Upright_--The affections of a brunette maiden. The art of + pleasing. + + _Reversed_--A nut-brown maiden. Removal. Separation. A frivolous + courtship. + + SEVEN + + _Upright_--A small sum of money. A debt unexpectedly paid. A child. + + _Reversed_--A child. Embarrassment. + + +THE CONSULTANT. + +When coming out in an upright position, in the body of the deal +designates merely the person consulting the oracle, in a natural state +of mind. + +When the card comes out in the deal reversed, it denotes the +consultant to be in a disturbed state of mind, or annoyed from some +cause beyond his or her control. Coming with the _eight of spades +reversed_, for example, by its side, it shows that the consultant's +mind has been disordered through prospects of ambition or religious +excitement. If accompanied by the _eight of hearts_, it demonstrates +that he or she is annoyed through being a victim to the tender +passion. + + + + +DICTIONARY OF SECONDARY DEFINITIONS + +_And Synonyms, Supplementing the Preceding List. Consult Both._ + + +KING OF DIAMONDS--_Upright._ This card, when used as a representative, +denotes a very fair man, one with auburn hair, light blue eyes, and +florid complexion, who, notwithstanding his hasty temper, will +treasure his anger, long awaiting opportunities for revenge, or he is +obstinate in his resolutions. + +It moreover designates a military officer, and frequently one of +fidelity to his country and its honor. + +Still, it is most generally employed as the marriage card, for if it +does not come out in an oracle wherein matrimony is the wish, the +nuptials will be delayed or broken off. + +Its synonymical signification would then be: + +Alliance; reunion; attachment; vow; oath; intimacy; assemblage; +junction; union; chain; peace; accord; harmony; good understanding; +reconciliation. + +KING OF DIAMONDS--_Reversed._ This card signifies a country +gentleman, in which capacity its synonyms are: + +Country man; rustic; villager; peasant; farm laborer; cultivator; +rural; agriculture. + +Again, this card reversed, bears a further signification of a good and +severe man, when its synonyms would be: + +Indulgent severity; indulgence; compliance; condescension; +complacency; tolerance; low descension. + +When used as the marriage card, and coming out reversed, the king of +diamonds signifies primarily difficulties and obstacles imposed in the +way of entering upon or consummating the nuptial contract, and through +inference vitiation of the married state, when its synonyms are: + +Slavery; captivity; servitude; matrimonial ruptures; conjugal +infidelity. + +QUEEN OF DIAMONDS--_Upright._ When this card comes out in the oracle +upright it bears three primary significations: _a country lady_; _a +talkative_ or _communicative female_; and a _good, kind-hearted +woman_. + +As a representative card it designates a very fair female with auburn +or blonde hair, brilliantly clear complexion and very blue eyes. A +woman of this character will be given to society, and is naturally a +coquette. + +When the card is taken as a _country lady_ its synonyms will be +through induction or inference: + +Economical housewife; chaste and honest woman; honesty; civility; +politeness; sweetness of temper; virtue; honor; chastity; a model +wife; excellent mother. + +When used to designate a _talkative female_, they will be: + +Conversation; discourse; deliberation; dissertation; discussion; +conference; intellectual entertainment; prattler; blab; idle talk; +flippant conversation; table talk; gossip. + +QUEEN OF DIAMONDS--_Reversed._ When the card comes out reversed in the +oracle its ordinary signification is that of a meddlesome woman, who +has interfered in the affairs of the consultant for the purpose of +doing him or her injury, and the extent of the injury, contemplated or +done, can be estimated from the proximity of this card to that of the +consultant, or from the import of those cards intervening between the +two. This card has two secondary significations as follows: + +_Want of foresight_, whose synonyms are: + +Unawares; unexpectedly; on a sudden; napping; astonished; suddenly; +fortuitously; unhoped for; surprisingly. + +_A knavish trick_, whose synonyms would be: + +Roguishness; knavery; cheat; imposture; deceit; sharpness in +rascality; trickery; false pretense; artifice; wile; craftiness. + +JACK OF DIAMONDS--_Upright._ The primary signification of this card is +a _soldier_, a _postillion_, or a light haired _young man, in or from +the country_. In addition to these characteristics this card, whether +upright or reversed, assumes another, which is technically called _the +good stranger_. + +As a _soldier_, its secondary value is expressed in the following +synonyms: + +Man at arms; swordsman; fencing master; combatant; enemy; duel; war; +battle; attack; defense; opposition; resistance; ruin; overthrow; +hostility; hatred; wrath; resentment; courage; valor; bravery; +satellite; stipendiary. + +In the quality of _the good stranger_, its synonyms are: + +Strange; unaccustomed; unknown; unheard of; unusual; unwonted; +surprising; admirable; marvelous; prodigious; miracle; episode; +digression; anonymous. + +When employed as a representative of a person, it denotes a light +haired, unmarried man, who, although one of your nearest relations, +will sacrifice your interests to his own; a person of stubbornness; +hot headed and hasty, tenacious of his own opinions and unable to +brook contradiction. + +JACK OF DIAMONDS--_Reversed._ This card's signification is a public or +private servant; and in the latter case, without reference to gender, +either a male or female domestic. Its synonyms therefore are in +accordance with its acceptation: + +Servant; waiter; valet; chambermaid; lady's maid; a subordinate; an +inferior; a hireling; condition of one employed; servitude; postman; +errand boy; messenger; agent; expressman; newsman; message; +announcement; commission; directions; a household; relative to post +office and the transmission of messages. + +ACE OF DIAMONDS--It is a matter of perfect indifference whether this +card assumes its place in the oracle in an upright or reversed +position, as its primary signification is in no wise varied, although +of a most comprehensive nature, being, expressing generally, a +_letter_, a _note_, a _paper_, a _petition_, etc. + +It requires, however, a great deal of attention to discriminate +between the manifold significations of this all-important card, which +is governed in a great measure by the cards coming next to it, +otherwise the interpreter may be entirely baffled in comprehending the +intent of the oracle. + +The general synonyms of the _ace of diamonds_ are: + +Epistle; writings; the art of writing; grammar; Holy Writ; text; +literature; doctrine; erudition; literary labor; book; correspondence; +composition; alphabet; elements of all learning; principles; bonds; +bills of exchange; notes of hand; evidence of indebtedness. + +With the _seven of spades, reversed_, coming next to it, this card +denotes the existence of a law suit, in which case we have synonyms, +founded on the following basis: + +Deed; covenant; agreement; law paper; writs; warrants; litigation; +differences; contestations; disputes; discussions; bickering; contest; +strife; discord; contradiction; stratagem; trick; broil; pettifogging; +wrangling. + +TEN OF DIAMONDS--Like its companion, the _ace_, which with this card +form the only two in the pack possessing this peculiar quality, the +_ten of diamonds_ preserves its value and signification, whether it +emerges either upright or reversed. The primary significations of this +card are _gold_, _water_, the _sea_, a _foreign city_, _change of +locality_. + +As the representative of _gold_ its synonyms are: + +Riches; opulence; magnificence; splendor; éclat; sumptuousness; +luxury; abundance; means. + +When its signification is assumed relative to _water_ and the _sea_, +the synonyms assume both a specific and general nature: + +Fluid; humid; ablution; dew; rain; deluge; inundation; the ocean; +river; torrent; stream; fountain; source; lake; pond; cascade; falls. + +When the surrounding cards designate this one to be accepted as +representing a foreign city, its synonyms are: + +Traveler; traveling; foreign parts; beyond the sea; homeless; +wanderer; wandering abroad; trading; commerce; a sailor; ships; +refuge; exile. + +When accepted to signify a _change in locality_, the synonyms, in +addition to preservation of its original meaning of a mere change in +domicile, or habitation, are inferentially extended to embrace a +wider scope, such as: + +Departure; displacement; journey; pilgrimage; peregrination; steps; +motion; visits; excursions; incursions; emigration; immigration; +transmigration; flight; tour; rotation; circulation; deportation; +rout; defeat; overthrow; bewilderment; disconcert; to break one's +allegiance; desertion; disinheritance; alienation; alien; a foreigner; +houseless. + +It will be seen that with the varied significations which can be given +to this card, it is one of the most important in the pack. + +NINE OF DIAMONDS--_Upright._ When coming forth in its natural +position, this card is one of particular good omen, as it foretells +great success in business operations and consequent gain. Its primary +meaning comprehends the grand mainspring to human exertion, +_enterprise_, while at the same time it assures you of the desired +result, _advantage_ or _gain_. Viewed as such its synonyms are, as to +_enterprise_ in the first instance: + +To undertake; to commence; to usurp; to take possession of; audacity; +boldness; hardihood; impudence; rashness; speculative; speculation; +fearless in trade; in love. + +When taken to represent _advantage_, the synonyms are: + +Gain; profit; lucre; success; thanks; favor; benefit; ascendency; +power; empire; authority; government; rule; glory; reputation; happy +results; profitable end; victory; cure; fulfillment; termination; +satisfaction. + +NINE OF DIAMONDS--_Reversed._ We have the other side of the picture, +for this card, coming up reversed portends the occurrence of dire +mishaps and abject despoliation with its concomitant poverty. In view +of this immense difference in the value and signification of this one +and the same card in its two positions, too much care cannot be taken +to mark the way in which it emerges. + +In its modified signification of _delay_, its synonyms are: + +Disarranged; sent back; suspension; variation; wavering; slowness; +relenting; obstacle; impediment; misfortune; adversity; accidental +injuries; miscarriage. + +But viewed in its more bitter light as _spoliation_ and _poverty_, its +synonyms are: + +Destitution; violence; ruin; victim of robbery; a fall; ruined honor; +bankruptcy; privation; violated chastity; defrauded; swindled; +victimized; separation; sold out by the sheriff; cast upon the town; +hopeless. + +EIGHT OF DIAMONDS--_Upright._ In its natural position this card is +accepted to represent either _the country_ or _riches_, as its +signification is relatively determined from its surroundings. + +In its signification as the _country_, thereby meaning not only a +rural district but the characteristics of a country existence, the +interpretation of this card boasts a large number of synonyms: + +Agriculture; cultivation; field labor; farming; garden; prairie; +woods; shades; pleasure; enjoyment; diversion; pastime; amusement; +rejuvenation; rural sports; rustic dances; peace; calmness; natural +tranquillity; rural life; forests; vales; mountains; flocks and herds; +shepherd; shepherdess; moral quietude. + +As the synonyms of _riches_, as they are signified by this card in +contradistinction to others, we have: + +Augmentation of wealth; increase of estate; advancement; prosperity; +general success; happiness; goodness; felicity; beauty; embellishment. + +EIGHT OF DIAMONDS--_Reversed._ In this condition the primary +signification of the card is _sorrow_ and _movement_. The synonyms for +_sorrow_ are: + +Sadness; affliction; displeasure; grief; desolation; mortification; +bad humor; melancholy; the blues; hypochondria; vexation; trouble. + +But with the word _movement_, we have more trouble to apply its actual +signification, as shown in the cards, and therefore the interpreter is +left in a great degree to her own judgment, to decipher the connection +which should bind the oracle to a specific and intelligent reading. + +The most applicable synonyms would therefore be: + +To walk; step forward; move about; to contemplate; to propose; to make +advances; to undertake; to offer proposals; to promenade; to tender +offers; to inaugurate a scheme; to further any claims. + +SEVEN OF DIAMONDS--_Upright._ This is what is most commonly styled the +_conversation_ card, as its initial and primary signification is +_discourse for the present_, while it likewise designates the +approaching receipt of _good news_; as the oracle demands, to be +secure, proper interpretation. + +When used as the _conversation_ card, its synonyms are: + +Talk; words; matter; tattle; desultory remarks; seasonable language; +pleasant gossip; table talk; anecdote. + +Secondary to this signification, and in intimate connection, it has +oftentimes been employed to denote _designs for the moment_, whether +mental or expressed by word of mouth, embracing intent and resolution. + +When signifying _news_, the synonyms will be: + +Announcement; intelligence; newspaper; advice; advertisement; +admonition; warning; teaching; tale telling; history; fables; +anecdotal remarks. + +SEVEN OF DIAMONDS--_Reversed._ This card is capable, when emerging +reversed, of receiving several interpretations, the general and +primary one of which is _birth_, or the origin of a human being, or +of matter which has, as its synonyms: + +Nativity; origin; creation; source; commencement; principle; +primitive; extraction; first coming in of fruits and flowers; prime; +early; race; family; house; lineage; posterity; the reason for; cause; +premises for argument. + +This card frequently designates a _great deal_, or a large quantity, +qualifying the value of those cards next to it. For example, should it +come before the _ten of spades reversed_, or the _ten of clubs_, it +will read a great deal of jealousy, or of money. + +Commingled with cards, relating to a public or military official, this +one is taken to signify _declaration_, whose synonyms would +consequently be: + +Publication; orders; authenticity; approbation; placard; designation; +discovery; disclosure; revelation; confession. + +KING OF HEARTS--_Upright._ The primary significations of this card are +_a blonde man_, _an advocate_ and a _man of note_, but its secondary +significations are those attached to the state and _legislation_. + +As the representative of an individual, this card shows a good, +kind-hearted man, of an amorous disposition, rash in his enterprises, +and generally hasty and passionate in all his actions. + +Coming out as a _blonde man_, it has these synonyms: + +Honest man; honesty; probity; equity; arts and sciences. + +Considered as a _man of note_ or statesman, the synonyms are: + +Legislation; legislator; laws; decrees; code; statutes; precepts; +commandments; combination; institution; constitution; temperament; +complexion; natural and moral law; religious law; civil law; politics; +politician; natural right; right of nations; public rights. + +KING OF HEARTS--_Reversed._ This card coming out reversed, designates +a man of natural light complexion, neither fair nor brown, with dark +brown hair and hazel eyes, of an excellent temper, easily imposed +upon, credulous, moderately given to love matters, yet addicted to +vice and incontinence. Its other primary significations are a _tutor_, +or a _man in anger_, possessing vices, the reverse of those good +qualities attributed to the card when upright. In this case the +synonyms are: + +Indignation; agitation; irritation; wrath; rage; fury; frenzy; +violence; hatred; aversion; animosity; peril; animadversion; +antipathy; resentment; vengeance; affront; outrage; blasphemy; storm; +tempest; cruelty; inhumanity; atrocity. + +The chief secondary signification of this is a _man in office_, or +professional politician, to which are given the following synonyms: + +Man of rank; dishonest man; exaction; pillage; injustice; simony; a +dishonorable person; a burglar. + +QUEEN OF HEARTS--_Upright._ This card represents a blonde female, +faithful and affectionate, always the dearest friend or nearest +relative to the consultant. As such, the synonyms, attached to the +primary signification, are of an excellent nature: + +Honest woman; virtue; wisdom; honesty. + +This card is likewise taken as symbolical of _friendship_ in its +various phases, the synonyms of the term being: + +Attachment; affection; tenderness; benevolence; kindly relations; +fraternity; intimacy; identity in inclinations; agreement; affinity; +harmonious correspondence; conformity; sympathy; attraction; cohesion. + +Another signification is attached to this card in a secondary capacity +as _justice_, with the following synonyms: + +Equity; probity; right; rectitude; reason; the law. + +A further secondary signification has been bestowed upon this card, +under certain influences, when it is gifted with the attributes of +_temperance_ with these synonyms: + +Moderation; discretion; continence; abstinence; patience; calmness; +sobriety; frugality; chastity; alleviation; reconciliation; respect; +conciliation; mitigation; molification; consolation. + +QUEEN OF HEARTS--_Reversed._ This card reversed, designates a fair, +but not light, woman, with nut-brown hair and grayish eyes, who +intervenes to prevent marriage, and intermeddles in all the +consultant's affairs generally. It likewise represents either the wife +of a man in office, a woman of doubtful character, or a courtesan, a +betrayer of honor and of affection. Under this aspect it receives a +secondary signification of _dissension_, to which are given synonyms +as follows: + +Agitations; sedition; conspiracy; rebellion; pride; vanity; seduction; +outrage; presumption; disputes; moral wrong; dishonorable proposals. + +JACK OF HEARTS--_Upright._ This card, as a representative one, +designates a blonde, unmarried man, learned, good tempered and well +favored by fortune. Consequently, when it is drawn by a young woman, +and the marriage card comes near it, it portends that she will be +united to a person of such a description, and that the union will +prove both happy and of long duration. + +It likewise designates, primarily, a soldier or a traveler, so that +should it come up in your oracle it is interpreted, in a secondary +connection, in this sense, and assures that you are on the point of +undertaking a journey. If bright cards surround it, the journey will +be a prosperous one, but should the _eight of spades_ be near it, it +will result in illness, and if the _ten of spades_ be adjacent, it +will be accompanied with tears. + +In this secondary capacity it has synonyms as follows: + +Road; highway; lane; pathway; a walk; a course; career; promenade; +messenger; ways and means; expedient; enterprise; method. + +JACK OF HEARTS--_Reversed._ Should this card come out in the oracle of +an unmarried lady, reversed, it instructs her that her lover or +intended husband is a person wooing her for selfish purposes, who, +although handsome and accomplished, will make a bad match. + +To a married woman, or widow, it is a warning that some unscrupulous +individual, under garb of friendship, contemplates her injury, which +will be followed by almost immediate desertion, if near the _ace of +spades_. + +Consequently, in a secondary capacity, it is taken to mean _evil +desires_ or _longing_, when it has synonyms of this character: + +Attraction; passion; flattery; cajolery; adulation; lechery; or +declivity; precipice; fall. + +ACE OF HEARTS--_Upright._ The first and primary signification of this +card is _the house_, and as such obtains a secondary capacity of a +most extensive nature, expressed in the following synonyms: + +Household; home; house-keeping; economy; saving; dwelling; domicile; +habitation; manor; lodge; lodging; hotel; palace; shop; store; +barracks; building; vessel; vase; archives; castle; cabin; cottage; +tent; pavilion; inn; hostelry; tavern; religious house; monastery; +convent; burial; long home; grave; stable; extraction; family; race; +lineage; posterity; ancestry; retreat; asylum. + +This card likewise designates a _repast_ or _feasting_, when, +secondarily, it assumes synonyms of the following nature: + +Table; festivity; merry making; nutrition; guests; invitation; host; +hilarity; good cheer; abundance; joy; gayety; natural pleasure; +domestics; sports and pastimes. + +ACE OF HEARTS--_Reversed._ It primarily designates _forced_ or +_constrained enjoyment_, but more generally it should be taken for +_new acquaintances_, whence is derived a secondary significance of +_fresh news_, with these synonyms: + +Indication; presentiment; new instructions; fresh knowledge; +enlightenment; index; augury; forewarning; fore-knowledge; conjecture; +oracle; prognostication; prediction; prophecy; divination; second +sight; novelty. + +Again this card, reversed, means a _disordered household_, and from +this comes the secondary idea of _intestine quarrels_, with the +following more prominent synonyms: + +Misunderstanding; regret; remorse; repentance; internal agitation; +irresolution; uncertainty; family feuds; marriage trouble; domestic +strife; dissensions. + +At times this card represents _family vices_, or extravagance in +household expenditures, or any description of crime or folly which +renders home unhappy and unendurable. + +TEN OF HEARTS--_Upright._ This card ordinarily signifies the _city_, +when its secondary capacities are expressed in some one from among the +following synonyms: + +Metropolis; native land; burgh; village; town; locality; site; +town-house; dwelling; habitation; residence; municipality; city +government; citizens. + +It moreover is accepted to signify _envious people_, as by that term +the ancient inhabitants of the rural districts were wont to designate, +ironically, dwellers in cities. + +TEN OF HEARTS--_Reversed._ This card most generally signifies _an +inheritance_, when its synonyms are: + +Succession; legacy; donation; testamentary gifts; dowry; dower; +dowager; legitimacy; will; patrimony; heir; transmission; to bequeath; +to endow. + +It is likewise used to signify _relatives_ when its secondary capacity +is extended to the widest scope, embracing: + +Consanguinity; blood; family; ancestors; father; mother; brother; +sister; aunt; uncle; cousin, male or female; Adam and Eve; race; +lineage; alliance; relationship; affinity; blood connection; love +intrigues. + +Another primary signification of this card is _surprise_, generally +of a bad origin, with these appropriate synonyms: + +Cheat; imposture; knavery; deceit; trickery; mistake; oversight; +misunderstanding; trouble; vexation; annoyance; emotion; fright; fear; +terror; consternation; astonishment; admiration; alarm; rapture; +exhaustion; swooning; fainting; a marvel; phenomenon; miracle; +anything wonderful or strange. + +Among the ancient cartomancists, this card, with the _nine of hearts_, +was regarded as the most difficult of interpretation of any in the +pack, but through careful study of the synonyms above given, a true +meaning is readily attained. + +NINE OF HEARTS--_Upright._ This card is generally regarded as an +augury of good fortune, wealth, happiness and worldly advantage. + +Its principal signification is _victory_, whence we derive: + +Success; good results; advantage; gain; pomp; triumph; trophies; +majesty; show; apparel; baggage; luggage; equipage; attire; furniture; +rich goods and wares. + +Its next principal one is _union_ and _concord_, with the several +secondary significations, cognate to them: + +Moderation; discretion; continence; temperance; patience; calmness; +sobriety; frugality; chastity; harmony; music; musical tastes; perfect +happiness. + +It moreover designates _labor_ and _commerce_, in which capacity its +signification is expressed in the synonyms: + +Studious; application; work; toil; reflection; observation; +meditation; occupation; trade; employment; merchant; clerk; trader; +laborer; mercantile pursuits. + +Still another signification is _a present_, whence we have: + +Gift; generosity; benefit; gratification; service. + +NINE OF HEARTS--_Reversed._ This card means _ennui_, or weariness, +with secondary attributes expressed in these synonyms: + +Displeasure; discontent; disgust; aversion; inquietude; lack of +spirit; listlessness; trivial sorrow; affliction; uneasiness; +complaining; want of energy. + +It moreover is employed to signify _curiosity_, whence we have the +secondary signification of inquisitiveness; a busybody; a marplot and +intruder. + +Then again an ordinary signification of this card is _obstacle_ or +_hindrance_ with the following synonyms: + +Bar; embarrassment; opposition; barrier; contrariety; inconvenience; +trouble; difficulty; work; abjection; indisposition; ailment; +infirmity; distress; hesitation; vacillation; perplexity; impediment; +stumbling-block. + +EIGHT OF HEARTS--_Upright._ The primary signification of this card is +first, a blonde young lady of great natural abilities, gentle +manners, lively disposition and personal beauty, for whom we have +synonyms: + +Honest girl; virtuous girl; modesty; maidenly grace; bashfulness; +timidity; retiring disposition; fear of scandal; apprehension; +mildness; suavity of temper. + +It moreover signifies _success in expectations_, in those enterprises +whereupon the consultant has set his heart, with the secondary +significations of: + +Success; happy issue; fortunate termination; victory; cure; recovery; +accomplishment; end of trouble; discontinuance, termination of pains, +torment or labor. + +EIGHT OF HEARTS--_Reversed._ When this card comes into the oracle in a +reversed position, and is used as the representative of an individual, +it designates an unmarried lady, of a light complexion, with +chestnut-brown hair, of a natural good disposition, but spoiled by an +assumption of superiority over her companions. From this +signification, we have that of _arrogance_, and thence: + +Noise; quarreling; dispute; disturbance; difference; contestations; +litigation; bickerings; arguments. + +But the most general signification of this card reversed is _great +joy_, otherwise expressed in these synonyms: + +Perfect content; felicity; happiness; rapture; enchantment; ecstasy; +entire satisfaction; complete joy; inexpressible pleasure; heavenly +inspiration; exhilaration; enthusiasm; the music of the spheres; +celestial harmony. + +Under other influences this card becomes modified to the signification +of the _means of satisfaction_, such as: + +Gayety; dancing; the opera; the theater; festival; public rejoicings; +family reunions; poetry; romance; joyous visits; pleasant parties; +excursions. + +SEVEN OF HEARTS--_Upright._ When this card emerges in its natural +position, its primary signification is that of _thought_, an _arm_, or +a _jewel_. + +As thought, it has many secondary significations prominent among them +those expressed by the synonyms: + +The soul; spirit; intelligence; an idea; memory; imagination; +conception; comprehension; extension of ideas; designs; intentions; +desires; will; resolution; determination; premeditation; meditation; +reflection; opinion; sentiment; philosopher; philosophy; wisdom. + +This card is sometimes employed to signify _solitude_, when it obtains +a secondary signification: + +A desert; seclusion; retreat from society; hermitage; exile; +banishment; isolation; abandonment. + +SEVEN OF HEARTS--_Reversed._ When this card comes out reversed, one of +its primary significations is a _package_, or bundle, present, new +clothes, etc., in accordance with the signification of the cards +immediately preceding or following it, which can be easily learned by +study. + +Nevertheless, its most ordinary signification is _desire_, or a strong +longing for, or hankering after, some person or thing; but then again +the interpretation is qualified by the cards coming near this one, +either before or after; reading from the consultant to the right, by a +simple change in position of the cards, _desire_ may be changed into +_aversion_, and an _attraction_ into _repulsion_. + +When its signification is _desire_, its synonyms will be: + +Wish; now; will; coveting; cupidity; lusting after; concupiscence; +unlawful desire; extreme hankering after; jealous; passion for good or +bad; illusion; craving; appetite; a fancy for a thing; decided +inclination. + +It will be seen that the term _desire_ is employed as antagonistic to +love, or a holy and righteous phase of passion. + +KING OF SPADES--_Upright._ Employed as a representative card, this one +designates a man of very dark complexion, with black eyes and hair, +passionate and proud, ambitious, and successful in most of his +aspirations, but a person whom the reverse of fortune would utterly +crush into obscurity. + +Divested of this personal and destructive character, this card, when +coming upright in an oracle, designates a professional man of +eminence, a lawyer, judge, advocate, counselor, senator, practitioner, +attorney, confidential agent, jurist, orator, statesman, pleader, +diplomat, doctor of laws or in medicine, or a learned physician. + +When the consultant be an unmarried lady, this card assures her that +her admirer is a man of excessive probity and of honorable intentions, +that is, if the _king of diamonds_ likewise comes out upright. To a +married woman it denotes that her property or honor will be in the +keeping of a lawyer or agent of rectitude, who will rescue her from +the machinations of enemies or spoliators. To a widow it shows that +her second marriage will be to a man of eminence, who will render her +after life most happy. + +KING OF SPADES--_Reversed._ This card signifies a widower, a man in +anger or difficulty, also one given to inebriety. But taken in a +general acceptation, this card represents a _wicked man_, and, through +induction, _wickedness_. In that case, its secondary significance can +be gleaned from the synonyms, used to give expression to it, as +follows: + +Bad intentioned; innate wickedness; perversity; perfidy; crime; +cruelty; inhumanity, and atrocity. + +This card is likewise regarded as an unfortunate one, as it forewarns +you of the utter wreck of your expectations, wrought by some one of +the following causes: + +Reverses; prejudice; theft; violence; corruption; elopement; +libertinage; debauchery; slander; malice; exposure of secrets; +disorder in morals, or calumny. + +QUEEN OF SPADES--_Upright._ As the representative of an individual +this card designates a dark lady, with dark eyes and black hair, +naturally of an open and generous disposition, but who will change her +nature through flattery and her position in society. Should she be +possessed of beauty, her innocence will be in perpetual danger, and +only saved through the exercise of a strong will, or through motives +of self-respect. + +This card likewise, when emerging upright, designates a _widow_, +without respect to color or social position, and is also taken to +signify the condition of widowhood, to be interpreted, as the oracle +demands, by these synonyms: + +Privation; abstinence; absence; scarcity; sterility; poverty; +indigence; famine; deprivation. + +Frequently this card is employed to denote a _well-founded distrust_, +when its secondary significations will be: + +Just suspicion; legitimate fear; merited doubts; conjectures; surmises +based on fact; conscientious scruples; timidity; bashfulness; +reluctance; retirement. + +QUEEN OF SPADES--_Reversed._ As a representative of an individual, +this card, coming out in the oracle reversed in position, denotes a +widow, desirous of contracting another marriage. It moreover +designates a dark woman of amorous propensities, who does not hesitate +to disregard the conventionalities of society. + +But as a general thing, this card is assumed to signify a _crafty +evil-minded woman_, and can be interpreted as: + +Malignity; malice; finesse; artifice; cunning; craft; dissimulation; +frolic; pranks; wildness; hypocrisy; bigotry; prudishness; wantonness; +shamelessness. + +When coming reversed in a consultation upon marriage, this card +denotes that difficulties and impediments, generally originating with +a female, will be interposed to prevent the desired nuptials. + +JACK OF SPADES--_Upright._ As the representative of an individual, +this card, coming out upright, designates a dark complexioned +unmarried man, an obliging fellow, who does not hesitate to +accommodate his friends at serious disadvantage to himself, if +occasion require. + +The primary signification of the card is, however, _messenger_, an +envoy, or person, charged with bearing of intelligence, most generally +employed as a go-between in intrigues, or in a capacity of trust. + +Sometimes this card is used to designate a _critic_, or a critical +position; a moment of impending danger; an awkward predicament; a +decisive instant; an unfortunate situation; a delicate circumstance; a +threatened calamity; a crisis; or a perplexing misstep. + +JACK OF SPADES--_Reversed._ This card is one of evil omen to lovers, +as it forewarns a betrayal of their secrets, or the exposure of their +plans by a corrupt messenger, or through the intervention of some +intermeddler. + +Its primary signification, when the card is reversed, is that of a +_Paul Pry_, or spy, whence we have the secondary ones of inquirer, +spectator, watcher, overseer, as well as the result of such a man's +investigations. Hence applied more generally, the card signifies +scrutiny; examination; reports; remarks; notations, and commentaries. + +Another secondary signification of this card is _traitor_, from which +we readily obtain the following synonyms: + +Deception; duplicity; stratagem; disguise; prevarication; disloyalty; +breach of trust; conspiracy; tale bearing; imposture; black +heartedness; perfidy; falsehood; dissimulation and breach of +confidence. + +The card is, moreover, used to forewarn lovers that there is danger of +their being pursued in event of elopement. + +ACE OF SPADES--_Upright._ This card, coming out in natural position, +and intervening between the representative cards of a male and female, +relates wholly to love affairs. When accompanied by the _ten of +spades_ it shows that an intrigue will be accompanied with a deal of +sorrow and affliction, and will ultimately end in abandonment under +most disastrous circumstances. + +One of the primary significations of this card is a _paper_ or +document, chiefly appertaining to law matters, such as warrants for +arrest, writs, subpoenas and legal pleadings. + +Another is that of a _ship_, or other means of conveyance by water, +particularly when accompanied by the _eight of clubs_, reversed, which +betokens the consultant to be on the eve of a sea voyage, or other +journey over water of some description. + +ACE OF SPADES--_Reversed._ When in the oracle of a married consultant, +this card appears reversed, and near to her representative, its +primary signification is _pregnancy_, which in her case can be +expressed by the following synonyms: + +Conception; maternity; accouchement; childbirth. + +From this we derive a secondary signification, applicable to other +things, for which we employ correspondent synonyms: + +Enlargement; engenderment; fecundity; fertilization; production; +composition; increase; augmentation; multiplication; deliverance; +parturition; growth; addition. + +When reversed and accompanied by the _knave of clubs_, likewise +reversed, this card is a premonitor of _death_. + +The general secondary signification of this card, when reversed and in +the body of the oracle, is a _fall_, whence we have: + +Decadence; decline; discouragement; dissipation; ravage; ruin; +demolition; destruction; bankruptcy; error; fault; overwhelming +sorrows; perdition; an abyss; precipice; gulf; waterfall; disgrace; +shame. + +TEN OF SPADES--_Upright._ The general signification of this card is +_jealousy_, particularly when accompanied by the _knave of clubs_, +which denotes that the consultant, either male or female, is jealous +of his or her sweetheart to such a degree that their friendly +relations are in danger of being broken off, which will assuredly be +the case, if the _nine of spades_ should likewise appear in the +oracle. + +The other primary signification of this card is _tears_, whence we +derive a series of secondary significations, as: + +Sighs; groans; weeping; complaints; lamentations; griefs; sadness; +heart-sickness; affliction; mental agony. + +TEN OF SPADES--_Reversed._ This card, emerging reversed, has, for a +general signification, a _loss_, either moral or physical, as the +surrounding cards designate. Thus, with the _nine of hearts_ +intervening between the consultant and this card, it announces that he +or she will lose a situation or employment. When it comes preceded by +the _ten of clubs_, it betokens the loss of money or valuables. Should +the consultant be an unmarried female, and this card comes out +reversed near to a knave, likewise reversed, it foretells the ruin of +her reputation through calumny. But if in place of one of the knaves +the _seven of clubs_ should appear, the loss of her character will be +brought about through some indiscretion. + +Another primary signification of this is _the evening_, as a +designation of points of time; still this general term of night has +given rise to the application of important secondary significations, +of which the sense can be taken from the synonyms: + +Shades; obscurely; nocturnal; mysterious; secret; masked; concealed; +undiscovered; clandestine; occult; veiled; allegorical; hidden +meaning; in secrecy; obscure hints; double meaning; on the sly; to +conceal from sight; nocturnal meetings. + +NINE OF SPADES--_Upright._ This is justly regarded to be the most +unfortunate card in the pack, as it portends maladies, malignant +diseases, family dissensions, defeat in enterprises, constant +disappointment, and even death. The primary significations of this +card, when in its natural position, are a _priest_, _mourning_ and +_disappointment_. + +The secondary significations, derived from these sources, are: + +From the _priest_: Pastor; church; church services; ritual; sanctity; +piety; devotion; religious ceremonies; celibacy. + +From _mourning_: Regret; desolation; affliction; sadness; sorrow; +calamity; grief; heart-pain; funeral; burial; tomb; grave; +church-yard; loss of relatives; wailing. + +From _disappointment_: Obstacles; hindrance; delay; disadvantage; +contrarieties; misfortunes; suffering. + +NINE OF SPADES--_Reversed._ When this card appears in the oracle +reversed its evil influence is augmented two-fold, although its +primary significations are modestly expressed as _failure_, +_abandonment_ and _delay_. The secondary significations are of the +most disastrous character. + +The synonyms employed for these terms, in this instance, are: + +Misery; indigence; famine; necessity; need; poverty; adversity; +misfortune; deep affliction; disagreements; correction; chastisement; +punishment; reverses; disgrace; imprisonment; detention; arrest; +captivity. + +But when this card, reversed, comes before the consultant and the +_eight of spades_, in the same oracle, it signifies _mortality_, with +the following synonyms: + +Death; decease; last sigh; end; finish; extinction; annihilation; +destruction; utter ruin; abjection; humiliation; prostration; +depression; alteration; poisoning; corruption; putrefaction; +paralysis; lethargy. + +Still in all these sinister aspects the influence of this card can be +materially modified, but never counteracted, through intervention of +bright cards. + +EIGHT OF SPADES--_Upright._ This card is ordinarily of bad import, as +its primary signification is _sickness_, although it is more generally +interpreted as _bad news_. This is its acceptation when preceded by +the _knave of spades_ or the _knave of diamonds_, or when accompanied +by the _ace of diamonds_, and sometimes by the _eight of hearts_, +reversed. + +When this card signifies _sickness_, its synonyms are: + +Illness of the body, soul or mind; bad condition of health or of +business; derangement; infirmity; epidemic; gangrene; agony; +displeasure; damage; mishap; accidental injury; disaster; +indisposition; head-ache; heart-ache; inquietude; melancholy; +medicine; remedy; charlatan; empiric; physician; quack; languor. + +Sometimes, however, this card is employed to designate _prudence_, +whence we have as secondary significations: + +Wisdom; reserve; circumspection; reticence; discernment; foresight; +presentiment; prediction; divination; prophecy; horoscope; second +sight; clairvoyance. + +EIGHT OF SPADES--_Reversed._ Unlike other cards, the reversal of this +one brings with it a modification of its primary significations. +Hence, when coming out reversed, it most generally signifies +_ambition_, a passion for which we have synonyms as follows: + +Desire; wish for; search after; cupidity; jealousy; aspiration; +onward; higher; illusion; pride. + +Another primary signification bestowed upon this card when emerging +reversed, is that of a _nun_ or pious woman, whence we derive the +secondary signification usually applied to this card and expressed in +the synonyms: + +Inaction; peace; tranquillity; repose; apathy; inertia; stagnation; +rest from labor; pastime, recreation; nonchalance; free from care; +idleness; supineness; lethargy; torpidity. + +SEVEN OF SPADES--_Upright._ As a general exponent of current events, +this card is taken to forewarn the consultant of the loss of a +valuable friend, whose death will be a source of a great deal of +misery. On this account many interpret this card to signify a +_coffin_, which may be the case when coming out in close proximity to +the _ace of spades_ or the _nine of spades_. + +Its most accepted primary signification, however, among practical +cartomancists, is that of _hope_, whence are derived the secondary +ones, expressed in the terms: + +Trust; confidence; expectation; desire; inclination; longing after; +wish; taste for; whim; humor; fancy. + +SEVEN OF SPADES--_Reversed._ This card takes a wider and an apparently +contradictory scope in its primary significations, when emerging in +this manner, being _good advice_, _friendship_, and _indecision_. + +From _good advice_ we derive, as secondary attributes: + +Wise counsels; salutary warnings; news; announcements; +advertisements; placards; consultations; admonitions; instruction; +advice. + +For _friendship_ we have the following synonyms: + +Attachment; affection; tenderness; benevolence; well wishing; +relation; harmony; correspondence; connection; identity; intimacy; +agreement with; concordance; concurrence; interest; conformity; +sympathy; affinity; attraction; admiration. + +For _indecision_, the general synonyms are employed: + +Want of resolution; uncertainty; perplexity; inconstancy; frivolity; +lightness; variation; diversity; vacillation; hesitation; versatile; +unsteady; changeable; whimsical; flexibility in character; unreliable; +undetermined. + +KING OF CLUBS--_Upright._ As the representative of an individual, this +card designates a man of a complexion neither very dark nor +exceedingly light, but a person with medium colored brown hair, +grayish eyes, and of an easy, plodding disposition. He will be a man +humane, honest and affectionate, given to business, and faithful in +all his engagements; he will be personally happy in all his relations +in life, as father, husband and citizen, and make everyone happy about +him. + +The primary significations of this card are, in the first instance, a +_friend_, and secondly, a _business man_. + +As a _business man_ this card has these synonyms: + +Merchant; trader; dealer; banker; broker; exchange agent; speculator; +calculator; physician; schoolmaster; collegian; geometry; freemason; +mathematics; engineer; science; professor. + +KING OF CLUBS--_Reversed._ This card, as the representative of an +individual, designates a person of middling dark complexion, with +chestnut brown hair, who, without being positively wicked, is +viciously inclined, and for that reason should not be trusted. Being +of a morbid temperament, he will destroy the happiness of others, and +render his family miserable through his own viciousness. + +A secondary signification is consequently a _vicious man_ or _vice_ +itself, expressed in synonyms as follows: + +Vice; defect; default; moral blemish; weakness; moral imperfection; +unformed nature; irregularity; flightiness of mind; depravation in +manners; libertinism; lewdness; licentious speech; ugliness; +deformity; corruption; stench; rottenness. + +QUEEN OF CLUBS--_Upright._ As a representative of a particular +individual, this card designates a brunette lady, of a warm, tender, +and sympathetic nature, intellectual, witty and high spirited, of a +strongly loving disposition, given to society and social reunions, +where she distinguishes herself through her conversational ability. + +The most prominent primary signification of this card is _opulence_, +which is represented in the following synonyms: + +Riches; display; pomp; ostentation; vain show; pageantry; luxury; +sumptuousness; assurance; steadiness; confidence; certitude; +affirmation; security; hardihood; self-reliance; liberty; frankness; +candor; openness; plain-dealing; freedom. + +Another signification of this card is a _parley_ or _conference_, and +is expressed by some of the subjoined synonyms: + +Discourse; conversation; talk; communication; colloquy; dissertation; +deliberation; discussion; speech; pronunciation; grammar; dictionary; +tongue; idiom; jargon; slang; exchange; commerce; trade; traffic; to +speak; to confer; to converse; to tattle. + +QUEEN OF CLUBS--_Reversed._ As a representative of an individual, this +card, reversed, denotes a lady whose complexion is brunette, with dark +hair and black eyes, but not dark enough to be represented by a +_spade_. She will be a woman of warm passions, of fine personal +appearance, given to coquetry and dependent more upon her natural +charms than education or intellectual training for conquests in her +flirtations. + +The general signification of this card, reversed, however, is +_ignorance_ in contradistinction to its attributes when in natural +position, and therefore can be interpreted as: + +Boorishness; unskillfulness; want of experience; untutored; +impertinent. + +JACK OF CLUBS--_Upright._ As a representative of an individual, this +card denotes a young man of middling dark complexion, kind, gentle and +docile by nature, sedate and domestic in his habits, and studious +through inclination. He is a warm friend and faithful admirer. + +Coming out in the oracle of a young lady, this card is the +representative of her lover, without respect to his color or other +qualifications, denoting simply the person indicated. + +The primary signification of this card, divested of its representative +character, is a _scholar_ or lover of knowledge, while its secondary +attributes are expressed in the synonyms: + +Study; instruction; application; meditation; reflection; labor; toil; +work; occupation; apprentice; student; disciple; pupil; master. + +Another signification of this card, governed according to its +surroundings in the oracle, is _prodigality_, whence are derived +synonyms as follows: + +Profusion; superfluity; luxury; largess; bounty; sumptuousness; +magnificence; liberality; benefits; generosity; charity; benevolence; +a crowd; a multitude; depredation; dilapidation; pillage; dissipation. + +JACK OF CLUBS--_Reversed._ As a representative of an individual, this +card designates a bachelor, a shade darker, and of a more determined +character than the young man above described. It may likewise +represent that same young man in a state of anger or on a sick bed. + +Its especial signification, however, is _delirium_, whence we have as +secondary attributes or synonyms: + +Frenzy; aberration of mind; wandering of the brain; unseated reason; +fury; rage; fever; enthusiasm; imbecility; imprudence; distraction; +apathy; delirium tremens; intoxication; brain fever. + +ACE OF CLUBS--_Upright._ This card is universally regarded as a most +fortunate one, inasmuch as it betokens vast wealth, personal +prosperity, physical health, mental tranquillity, marital happiness +and longevity. + +The principal significations of this card are _a purse of money_ and +_riches_, whence we have as synonyms: + +For _a purse of money_: Sum of money; a present; capital; principal; +treasure; bullion; gold and silver wares; opulence; rare; dear; +precious; inestimable; of excessive value. + +For _riches_: Wealth; health; prosperity; worldly goods; happiness; +felicity; amelioration; improvement; benefit; advantage; profit; +blessing; favor; grace; plenty; destiny; chance; speculation; good +luck. + +ACE OF CLUBS--_Reversed._ When this card emerges to form part of an +oracle, in a reversed position, its more popular and current +significations are _nobility_, _love_ and _a present_, but in a +consultation made for a young unmarried lady it signifies that she +will unexpectedly unite herself with a man, probably a widower, who +will better her fortunes; hence to a female operative this card is a +very good omen. + +For _nobility_ we employ as appropriate synonyms: + +A nobleman; a man of consequence; important; great; the eldest son; +extended; vast; sublime; renowned; illustrious; powerful; elevated; of +good quality; illustration; reputation; consideration; grandeur of +soul. + +For _love_, a correct interpretation of the oracle may require +selection from among the following synonyms: + +Passion; inclination; sympathy; affection; allurement; attraction; +charm; enticement; disposition; taste for; propensity; admiration; +gallantry; complacence for the sex; intrigue; affinity; an affair of +gallantry; attachment; devotion. + +TEN OF CLUBS--_Upright._ When this card enters in your oracle it is to +apprise you that you will unexpectedly receive a handsome sum of +money, a gift or a legacy from some dear friend or near relative. +However, at the same time it warns you that your smiles will be +intermingled with tears; inasmuch as you will almost simultaneously +learn of the death of some person whose love you have cherished. + +The chief primary signification of this card is _the future_, whence +are derived the following secondary ones: + +Hereafter; to come; posthumous; after death; heaven. + +Another primary signification is _gain_, which can be interpreted as +required, by any of these synonyms: + +Advantage; profit; success; grace; favor; benefit; ascendency; power; +empire; authority; usurpation; profitable; useful; important; +interest; official position. + +A more general signification in this card is _money_, from which we +have secondary ones of this description: + +Wealth; coin; bullion; ingots; gold; silver ware; whiteness; purity; +candor; innocence; ingenuity; the moon; purification; twilight; +moonlight. + +TEN OF CLUBS--_Reversed._ As a general thing this card, emerging +reversed, designates a _lover_, of either gender, unless the _knave of +clubs_ appears in the oracle of a lady, or the _eight of hearts_, +reversed, in that of a gentleman. + +Employed in such a signification, we have as synonyms: + +In love; gallantry; a gallant; husband; wife; married man; married +woman; friend; protector; courtesan; to love; to cherish; to adore; to +match; to mate; harmony; concord; suitable; corresponding; in +relations with; decency; decorum; regard; seemliness; convenience; +vicinity; fitness. + +This card is sometimes used to designate _the house_. + +NINE OF CLUBS--_Upright._ The general primary signification of this +card, when employed as a measure of time, is _the present_, whence we +have as synonyms: + +At the instant; actually; now; presently; suddenly; unexpectedly; upon +the spot; momentarily; at hand. + +The second primary signification of this card is an _effect_, whence +are derived the secondary ones of this nature: + +For sure; with certainty; in consequence; result; evidence; +conviction; conclusion; will happen; event; to finish; to execute; +household goods; furniture; bonds; personal estate; jewelry; movable +goods. + +This card has another primary signification, _indiscretion_, from +which are derived the secondary meanings, as follows: + +Want of foresight; imprudent; rash; headlong; with precipitation; +thoughtlessly; impulsively; suddenly; disorder; confusion; misconduct; +want of reflection; chaos; disgrace; without restraint; dissipation; +libertinage; discordance; inharmonious; moral ruin. + +NINE OF CLUBS--_Reversed._ This card, reversed, is most usually +employed to denote that the consultant, in whose oracle it appears, +will be the recipient of a _present_, but as to its value and its +nature the surrounding cards must determine. The card consequently may +represent: + +Gift; presentation; memorial; offering; testimonial; a gratification; +service; offer of money; thanksgiving. + +Another signification of this card when coming out reversed, is +_gambling_, but as this is a serious moral offense, great care should +be exercised to study its application. + +From _gambling_ are derived these secondary meanings: + +Games of chance; lottery; luck; card playing; any fortuitous +circumstance; by accident; destiny; human life; cards; dice; money +games; disreputable company. + +EIGHT OF CLUBS--_Upright._ As a representative of an individual, this +card designates a brunette, unmarried lady, remarkable for her +personal attractions, of a mild and tractable nature, who, should she +not possess beauty, will win admiration from her accomplishments and +demeanor, as well as from her sincerity and virtue. + +As a general thing this card signifies _the art of pleasing_, or, as +it is more appropriately styled, _a virtuous girl_, in which +connection, its meaning is expressed in the synonyms: + +A virgin; chaste; modest; virtuous; genteel; becoming; decent; +decorous; suitable; befitting; civil; kind; courteous; polished; +polite; well bred; accomplished; condescending; meek; hospitable; good +manners. + +EIGHT OF CLUBS--_Reversed._ As an individual's representative, this +card, when reversed, denotes a middling dark complexioned unmarried +woman, with dark chestnut hair, and eyes nearly approaching black in +color. She will be vain of her personal charms, and make little +account of the world's opinion should her own desires be gratified. + +The primary signification of this card is _removal_ or _departure_, +and can be appropriately expressed in the following synonyms: + +Moving; to move; change of residence; at a distance; remote; absence; +separation; dispersion; going aside; out of the way; ramble; +excursion; digression; flight; to discard; disdain; repugnance; +aversion; incompatibility; opposition; division; rupture, and +antipathy. + +This card, reversed, has moreover the signification of _indecorum_, +which can be used in these different senses: + +Inhospitable; ill bred; discourteous; bad manners; immodest; unchaste; +insincere; boorish; brazen faced; slovenly; a virago; a tartar; a +wanton. + +SEVEN OF CLUBS--_Upright._ The principal primary signification of this +card is a _trifle in money_, but which, however, has been amplified to +designate _economy_, or the art of spending very little money to the +best advantage. Consequently from this source we have the following +synonyms: + +Good behavior; wise administration of affairs; foresight; discretion; +order; regularity; household virtues; good management; wisdom; +happiness; prosperity. + +This card likewise signifies _company_ or _sociability_, in which +connection it can be taken to denote: + +Association; an assembly; a gathering; family party; friendly +intercourse; pleasant relations; harmless pastimes; domestic +recreations; balls; concerts; theater. + +Still, its most important signification is a _child_. From this +physical object the secondary meanings of this card are extended to +designate the characteristics of childhood applied to after life. +Hence the synonyms of this signification are: + +Infancy; childhood; puerility; frivolity; weakness; dependency; +abasement; humiliation; depression; humble; abject; minute; small; +diminutive; helpless. + +SEVEN OF CLUBS--_Reversed._ As a general thing this card reversed has +the signification of _embarrassment_ or _impediment_, and, taken in +this light, its meanings, as applied to the exigencies of a correct +interpretation of the consultation, will be found in some one of these +synonyms: + +Hindrance; entanglement; clog; fuss; intricacy; confusion; exigency; +disorder; distress; to make work; to come to a stand; to perplex; to +puzzle; to obstruct; to delay; to block up; to choke up; to stop up; +to stifle; hurry; bustle; in a fix; in perplexity; at a loss. + +It must be borne in mind that this card, when signifying a child, may +come out either upright or reversed. + + + + +GROUPS OF CARDS + + +_All Four, Any Three and Any Two of a Kind, that Come Out in the Deal, +Either Upright or Reversed, to the RIGHT of the Consultant--Their +Meanings._ + + Four Kings--Removal. + + Four Queens--Great assemblage of ladies. + + Four Jacks--An illness. + + Four Aces--A great surprise. + + Four Tens--An affair of justice. + + Four Nines--An agreeable surprise. + + Four Eights--A reverse. + + Four Sevens--Intrigue. + + Three Kings--Consultation. + + Three Queens--Female deceit. + + Three Jacks--A trifling dispute. + + Three Aces--Paltry success. + + Three Tens--Change in social position. + + Three Nines--Petty results. + + Three Eights--Unfortunate marriage. + + Three Sevens--Pain in the limbs. Contrariness. + + Two Kings--Petty counsel. + + Two Queens--Friends. + + Two Jacks--Inquietude. + + Two Aces--Deception. + + Two Tens--Change. + + Two Nines--A little money. + + Two Eights--A new acquaintance. + + Two Sevens--Trifling news. + + +_All Four, Any Three and Any Two of a Kind, that Come Out in the Deal, +Either Upright or Reversed, to the LEFT of the Consultant--Their +Meanings._ + + Four Kings--Celerity in business matters. + + Four Queens--Bad company. + + Four Jacks--Privation. + + Four Aces--Disagreeable surprise. + + Four Tens--An occurrence, an event. + + Four Nines--Disagreeable surprise. + + Four Eights--Error. + + Four Sevens--An unjust man. + + Three Kings--Commerce. + + Three Queens--Friendly repast. + + Three Jacks--Idleness. + + Three Aces--Misconduct. + + Three Tens--Want. + + Three Nines--Imprudence. + + Three Eights--A play. + + Three Sevens--Great joy. + + Two Kings--You have projects. + + Two Queens--Occupation. + + Two Jacks--Company. + + Two Aces--Enemies. + + Two Tens--To be in expectation. + + Two Nines--Profit. + + Two Eights--You will be crossed. + + Two Sevens--A new acquaintance will criticize you. + + + + +COMBINATIONS OF TWO CARDS + + +_Coming Together in the Deal--Their Meanings--"Upright" Unless +Otherwise Stated--First Card Named is the Lefthand One of the Two._ + + Seven of diamonds and seven of spades, both reversed--A quarrel. + + Seven and queen of diamonds, both reversed--A quarrel. + + Nine of diamonds and eight of hearts--A journey. + + Ace of spades reversed and nine of hearts--Despair. + + Nine of diamonds and seven of spades reversed--Delay. + + Eight of clubs and ace of clubs reversed--Declaration of love. + + Eight of diamonds and eight of spades--A difficulty between two + persons. + + Ten of clubs reversed and eight of diamonds--You will go out of + your way to reach your house. + + Seven of spades and seven of hearts, both reversed--Security, + independence; deliverance from some trouble. + + Ace of hearts and ace of spades reversed--Distrust. + + King and ace of hearts, both reversed--Loan office or pawnbroker's. + + King of spades reversed and ace of hearts--Palace. + + Ten of diamonds and ten of spades reversed--Anger. + + Nine of spades reversed and nine of diamonds--Great delay. + + King of hearts reversed and ace of hearts--Banquet hall; festivity. + + Seven of hearts and seven of spades reversed--You are undecided + regarding a certain person. + + Ten and ace of diamonds--You will send a letter to a foreign city. + + Eight of clubs reversed and ten of diamonds--Departure for a distant + foreign city. + + Jack and ace of spades--Second marriage. + + Ace of spades and seven of spades reversed--Lawsuit. + + Jack of hearts and jack of spades reversed--Uneasiness about politics. + + Ace of clubs and seven of diamonds reversed--A deal of money. + + Queen of spades and eight of hearts--A blonde widow. + + Ace of hearts reversed and jack of diamonds--Someone is waiting for + you. + + Ace of hearts and ten of diamonds--A blow. + + Queen of diamonds reversed and king of diamonds--A handsome stranger. + + Jack of diamonds reversed and ace of spades--You await somebody. + + King of hearts reversed and ace of hearts--Ballroom. + + Ace and ten of clubs--A sum of money. + + Ace of spades reversed and queen of clubs--Injustice. + + Ace of hearts reversed and ten of hearts--Surprise at the house. + + Ten of clubs and ten of spades, both reversed--Loss of money. + + Ten of spades and ten of clubs, both reversed--Money at night. + + Seven of clubs and seven of hearts--You think of silver. + + Seven of hearts and ten of diamonds--You will have gold. + + Ten of diamonds and ace of clubs reversed--Present of gold. + + Ten of clubs and ten of hearts--Surprise of money. + + Ace of hearts and seven of diamonds reversed--Words at the house. + + Seven of spades and ace of clubs, both reversed--Declaration of love. + + Eight of diamonds and seven of hearts reversed--You desire to take a + walk. + + Ace of clubs reversed and ten of hearts--A love surprise. + + Ten of spades and seven of hearts reversed--You will receive a shock. + + Seven of hearts and ten of spades reversed--You will lose a small + object. + + King and ace of hearts, both reversed--Gaming house. Stock exchange. + + King and queen of clubs--Married couple. + + Ten of diamonds and eight of hearts reversed--Unexpected voyage. + + Jack of diamonds reversed and queen of diamonds--A domestic and + home-loving woman. + + Eight of diamonds and eight of spades--Sickness. + + Eight of diamonds and eight of clubs--Moving to the country. + + Ace of clubs and ten of spades, both reversed--Jealousy in love. + + Eight of diamonds and seven of spades reversed--Hesitation about going + to the country. + + Queen of clubs and seven of diamonds reversed--Discussion. + + Seven of spades reversed and seven of hearts--You think of being + someone's friend. + + Ace of spades reversed and nine of diamonds--You will experience a + delay with some paper. + + Ace of hearts and jack of clubs--Flattery. + + Eight of clubs reversed and eight of hearts--Great affection. + + Seven of diamonds and seven of clubs, both reversed--A great deal of + embarrassment. + + Seven of spades reversed and nine of diamonds--Certain delay or + separation. + + King of hearts reversed and ace of hearts--Convent. + + King and nine of spades, both reversed--Want. + + King and queen of hearts--A married couple in good society. + + King of hearts reversed and ace of hearts--Court of justice. + + King of diamonds and eight of clubs--Robber. + + Eight of clubs and king of diamonds--Theft. + + King and nine of spades, both reversed--Unjust accusation. + + King of diamonds reversed and ace of clubs--A rich countryman. + + Jack of diamonds reversed and jack of spades--Strange young man. + + Ace of spades and jack of diamonds, both reversed--Someone expects + you. + + King of hearts reversed and ace of hearts--Large house, hotel. + + Queen and ace of spades, both reversed--Infidelity. + + Ace of spades reversed and king of hearts--Hospital. + + Ace of clubs and ace of spades, both reversed--Imprisonment. + + King and queen of clubs--Man and wife. + + King of hearts reversed and ace of hearts--Government house; + campground. + + Ace of hearts and eight of hearts reversed--Money due. + + Ace of clubs reversed and ace of diamonds--Love-letter. + + Queen of hearts and nine of spades reversed--A lady in mourning. + + King and queen of diamonds, both reversed--A country lady and + gentleman. + + Ace of hearts and queen of clubs reversed--Injustice. + + +A WORD OF ADVICE. + +It will be found of material assistance to the complete understanding +of each of the following methods of telling fortunes to have in your +hands a 32-card pack as you read, and to carefully follow out the +details with the exact cards mentioned in the text. We strongly +recommend this plan to the student who desires to become an adept in +the art. + + +SPECIAL NOTE. + +In all the following methods the 32-card pack is used, which consists +of the ace, king, queen, jack, ten, nine, eight and seven only of each +suit, and usually the extra Consultant card to represent the person +consulting the cards. + +When about to consult the oracle, the cards should be arranged in the +following manner before shuffling: King, queen, jack, ace, ten, nine, +eight and seven of each suit. This precaution should be taken for +every consultation, whether for yourself or for another person, as +without this the permutation may chance not to be perfect. + + + + +DEALING THE CARDS BY THREES + + +The pack of thirty-two selected cards is taken, and a card is selected +to represent the dealer, supposing he is making the essay on his own +behalf; if not, it must represent the person for whom he is acting. In +doing this, if the Consultant card be not used, it is necessary to +remember that the card chosen should be according to the complexion of +the chooser. King or queen of diamonds for a very fair person; king or +queen of hearts for one rather dark; clubs for one darker still; and +spades only for one very dark indeed. The card chosen also loses its +signification, and simply becomes the representative of a dark or fair +man or woman as the case may be. This point having been settled, the +cards are shuffled, and either cut by the dealer or for him (according +to whether he is acting for himself or another person), the left hand +being used. That done, they are turned up by threes, and every time +two of the same suit are found in these triplets, such as two hearts, +two clubs, etc., the highest card is withdrawn and placed on the table +in front. If the triplet chance to be all the same suit, the highest +card is still to be the only one withdrawn, but should it consist of +three of the same value, such as three kings, etc., they are all to be +appropriated. If after having turned up the cards, three by three, six +have been able to be withdrawn, there will remain twenty-six, which +are shuffled and cut, and again turned up by threes, acting precisely +as before, until thirteen, fifteen or seventeen cards have been +obtained. The number must always be uneven, and the card representing +the person consulting must be amongst the number; if not, it must be +drawn out and put at the end. + +Say that the person whose fortune is being read is a lady, represented +by the queen of hearts, and that fifteen cards are obtained and laid +out in the form of a semi-circle in the order they were drawn: The +seven of clubs, the ten of diamonds, the seven of hearts, the jack of +clubs, the king of diamonds, the nine of diamonds, the ten of hearts, +the queen of spades, the eight of hearts, the jack of diamonds, the +queen of hearts, the nine of clubs, the seven of spades, the ace of +clubs, the eight of spades. The cards having been considered, there +are found among them two queens, two jacks, two tens, three sevens, +two eights and two nines. It is therefore possible to announce:--"The +two queens are supposed to signify the re-union of friends; the two +jacks, that there is mischief being made between them. These two tens, +a change, which, from one of them being between two sevens, will not +be effected without some difficulty; the cause of which, according to +these three sevens, will be illness. However, these two nines can +promise some small gain; resulting, so say these two eights, from a +love affair." + +Seven cards are now counted from right to left, beginning with the +queen of hearts, who represents the lady consulting the cards. The +seventh being the king of diamonds, the following may be said: "You +often think of a fair man in uniform." + +The next seventh card (counting the king of diamonds as one) proves to +be the ace of clubs: "You will receive from him some very joyful +tidings; he, besides, intends making you a present." + +Count the ace of clubs as one, and proceeding to the next seventh +card, the queen of spades: "A widow is endeavoring to injure you on +this very account; and (the seventh card counting the queen as one +being the ten of diamonds) the annoyance she gives you will oblige you +to either take a journey or change your residence; but (this ten of +diamonds being imprisoned between two sevens) your journey or removal +will meet with some obstacle." + +On proceeding to count as before, calling the ten of diamonds one, the +seventh card will be found to be the queen of hearts herself, the +person consulting; therefore, the conclusion may be stated as: "But +this you will overcome of yourself, without needing anyone's aid or +assistance." + +The two cards at either extremity of the half circle are now taken, +which are respectively the eight of spades and seven of clubs, and +may be read: "A sickness which will result in your receiving a small +sum of money." + +Repeat the same maneuver, which brings together the ace of clubs and +the ten of diamonds: + +"Good news, which will make you decide on taking a journey, destined +to prove a very happy one, and which will occasion you to receive a +sum of money." + +The next cards united, being the seven of spades and the seven of +hearts, you say: + +"Tranquillity and peace of mind, followed by slight anxiety, quickly +followed by love and happiness." + +Then come the nine of clubs and the jack of clubs: "You will certainly +receive money through the exertions of a clever dark young man." + +Queen of hearts and king of diamonds: "Which comes from a fair man in +uniform. This recontre announces great happiness in store for you, and +the complete fulfillment of your wishes." + +Jack of diamonds and nine of diamonds: "Although this happy result +will be delayed some time through a fair young man, not famed for his +delicacy." + +Eight of hearts and ten of hearts: "Love, joy and triumph." + +"The queen of spades, who remains alone, is the widow endeavoring to +injure you, and finds herself deserted by all her friends." + +The cards that have been in use are now gathered up and shuffled and +cut with the left hand. They are then made into three packs by dealing +one to the left, one to the middle, and one to the right; a fourth is +laid aside to form "a surprise." Then the cards are continued to be +dealt to each of the three packs in turn until their number is +exhausted, when it will be found that the left hand and middle packs +contain each five cards, while the one on the right hand consists of +only four. + +The person consulting is now asked to select one of the three packs. +Supposing this to be the middle one, and that the cards comprising it +are the jack of diamonds, the king of diamonds, the seven of spades, +the queen of spades, the seven of clubs; recollecting the previous +instructions regarding the individual and the supposed relative +signification of the cards, they may be easily interpreted as follows: +"The jack of diamonds--a fair young man possessed of no delicacy of +feeling, seeks to injure--the king of diamonds--a fair man in +uniform--seven of spades--and will succeed in causing him some +annoyance--the queen of spades--at the instigation of a spiteful +woman--seven of clubs--but by means of a small sum of money matters +will be easily arranged." + +The left hand pack is next taken up, which is "for the house" the +former one having been for the lady herself. + +Supposing it to consist of the queen of hearts, the jack of clubs, +the eight of hearts, the nine of diamonds and the ace of clubs, they +would be read thus: "Queen of hearts--the lady whose fortune is being +told is or soon will be in a house--jack of clubs--where she will meet +with a dark young man, who--eight of hearts--will entreat her +assistance to forward his interests with a fair girl--nine of +diamonds--he having met with delay and disappointment--ace of +clubs--but a letter will arrive announcing the possession of money, +which will remove all difficulties." + +The third pack is "for those who do not expect it," and will be +composed of four cards: the ten of hearts, the nine of clubs, eight of +spades, and ten of diamonds: "The ten of hearts--an unexpected piece +of good fortune and great happiness--nine of clubs--caused by an +unlooked for legacy--eight of spades--which joy may be followed by a +short sickness--ten of diamonds--the result of a fatiguing journey." + +There now remains on the table only the card intended for "the +surprise." This, however, must be left untouched, the other cards +gathered up, shuffled, cut, and again laid out in three packs, not +forgetting at the first deal to add a card to "the surprise." After +the different packs have been duly examined and explained as before +described, they must again be gathered up, shuffled, etc., indeed the +whole operation repeated, after which, the three cards forming "the +surprise" are examined, and supposing them to be the seven of hearts, +the jack of clubs and the queen of spades, they are to be thus +interpreted: "Seven of hearts--pleasant thoughts and friendly +intentions--jack of clubs--of a dark young man--queen of +spades--relative to a malicious dark woman, who will cause him much +unhappiness." + + + + +DEALING THE CARDS BY FIVES + + +Shuffle the 32-card pack thoroughly and cut it twice with the left +hand, placing the first cut face downward at the right hand and the +second on the left. + +Now take off the top card of the middle package and place it aside, +and repeat the shuffling and cutting of the balance in a precisely +similar manner, and again remove the top card of the middle package. +Repeat shuffling, cutting and discarding until you have in this way +taken out five cards. This done, examine if the Consultant be among +the number of cards taken from the pack. If it be, shuffle the five +cards well, and then deal them in a row, turning their faces up from +right to left in this manner: + + 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 + +and proceed to read them from the same direction. + +If the Consultant be not found among the five cards drawn as above, +take it from the pack and substitute it for one taken by chance from +the five cards after shuffling them thoroughly, faces down, so that +the card to be discarded shall not be recognized. After placing the +Consultant among the other four cards, shuffle well and deal as +directed, and you have your oracle of five cards for consultation and +explanation, and among which the Consultant will appear in its proper +position. + +As an example, let us say that the five cards obtained are, from right +to left, as follows: Ten of hearts, ten of clubs, Consultant, eight of +clubs reversed and ten of diamonds. + +The Consultant having behind him the eight of clubs near to the ten of +diamonds, these two cards announce to him his residence at a distance +in a foreign city, and the two tens which are found placed behind him +notifies that he is about to quit his house (ten of clubs) and the +city (ten of hearts) where he now lives. + + + + +DEALING THE CARDS BY SEVENS + + +After having shuffled the pack of thirty-two selected cards either cut +them yourself or, if acting for another person, let that person cut +them, taking care to use the left hand. Then count seven cards, +beginning with the one lying on the top of the pack. The first six are +useless, so put them aside, and retain only the seventh, which is to +be placed face uppermost on the table before you. Repeat this three +times more, then shuffle and cut the cards you have thrown on one +side, together with those remaining in your hand, and tell them out in +sevens as before, until you have thus obtained twelve cards. It is +however indispensable that the Consultant card or one representing the +person whose fortune is being told should be among the number; +therefore the whole operation must be recommenced in case of it not +having made its appearance. Your twelve cards being now spread out +before you in the order in which they have come to hand, you may begin +to explain them as described in the manner of dealing the cards in +threes--always bearing in mind both their individual and relative +signification. Thus, you first count the cards by sevens, beginning +with the one representing the person for whom you are acting, going +from right to left. Then take the two cards at either extremity of the +line or half-circle, and unite them, and afterwards form the three +heaps or packs and "the surprise" precisely as we have before +described. Indeed, the only difference between this and the three card +method is the manner in which the cards are obtained. + + + + +DEALING BY FIFTEENS + + +After the cards have been well shuffled and cut, they are dealt out in +two packs containing sixteen cards in each. The person consulting is +desired to choose one of them; the first card is laid aside to form +"the surprise," the other fifteen are turned up and ranged in a half +circle before the dealer, going from left to right, being placed in +the order in which they come to hand. If the card representing the +person consulting be not among them the cards must be all gathered up, +shuffled, cut, and dealt as before, and this must be repeated till the +missing card makes its appearance in the pack chosen by the person it +represents. They are explained, first, by interpreting the meaning of +any pairs, triplets, or quartettes among them; then by counting them +in sevens, going from right to left, and beginning with the card +representing the person consulting, and lastly, by taking the cards at +either extremity of the line, and pairing them. This being done, the +fifteen cards are gathered up, shuffled, cut, and dealt so as to form +three packs of five cards each. From each of these the topmost card is +withdrawn and placed on the one laid aside for "the surprise," thus +forming four packs of four cards each. + +The person consulting is desired to choose one of these packs for +herself or for himself as the case may be. This is turned up, and the +four cards it contains are spread out from left to right, the +individual and relative signification ascribed to them being duly +explained. In like manner the pack on the left, which will be "for the +house," is used; then the third one, "for those who do not expect it;" +and lastly, "the surprise." + +In order to make the meaning perfectly clear another example is given. +It is supposed that the pack for the person consulting consists of the +jack of hearts, the ace of diamonds, the queen of clubs and the eight +of spades reversed. + +It will be easy to interpret them as follows: "The jack of hearts--a +gay young bachelor--the ace of diamonds--who has written, or who will +very soon write a letter--the queen of clubs--to a dark woman--eight +of spades reversed--to make proposals to her, which will not be +accepted." On looking back to the list of significations, it will be +found to run thus: + + Jack of Hearts--A gay young bachelor who thinks only of pleasure. + + Ace of Diamonds--A letter, soon to be received. + + Queen of Clubs--An affectionate woman, but quick tempered and + touchy. + + Eight of Spades--If reversed, a marriage broken off, or offer + refused. + +It will thus be seen that each card forms, as it were, a phrase, from +an assemblage of which nothing but a little practice is required to +form complete sentences. Of this a further example will be given by +interpreting the signification of the three other packs. + +"For the house" is supposed to consist of the queen of hearts, the +jack of spades reversed, the ace of clubs and the nine of diamonds, +which are supposed to read thus: "The queen of hearts--a fair woman, +mild and amiable in disposition--jack of spades reversed--will be +deceived by a dark, ill bred young man--the ace of clubs--but she will +receive some good news, which will console her--nine of +diamonds--although it is probable that this news may be delayed." + +The pack "for those who do not expect it," consists of the queen of +diamonds, the king of spades, the ace of hearts reversed, and the +seven of spades: "The queen of diamonds--a mischief-making woman--the +king of spades--in league with a dishonest lawyer---ace of hearts +reversed--they will hold a consultation--seven of spades--but the harm +they will do will soon be repaired." + +Last comes "the surprise," formed by, it is supposed, the jack of +clubs, the ten of diamonds, the queen of spades and the nine of +spades, of which the supposed interpretation is: "The jack of clubs--a +clever, enterprising young man--ten of diamonds--about to undertake a +journey--queen of spades--for the purpose of visiting a widow--nine +of spades--but one or both their lives will be endangered." + + + + +THE TWENTY-ONE CARD METHOD + + +After the thirty-two cards have been shuffled and cut with the left +hand, the first eleven are withdrawn from the pack and laid on one +side. The remainder--twenty-one in all--are to be again shuffled and +cut, that being done, the topmost card is laid on one side to form +"the surprise," and the remaining twenty are ranged before the dealer +in the order in which they come to hand. If the card representing the +person consulting be not among them, one must be withdrawn from the +eleven useless ones placed at the right extremity of the row, where it +represents the missing card, no matter what it may really be. Let us +suppose that the person wishing to make the essay is an officer in the +army, and consequently represented by the king of diamonds, and that +the twenty cards ranged in front of you are: Queen of diamonds, king +of clubs, ten of hearts, ace of spades, queen of hearts reversed, +seven of spades, jack of diamonds, ten of clubs, king of spades, eight +of diamonds, king of hearts, nine of clubs, jack of spades reversed, +seven of hearts, ten of spades, king of diamonds, ace of diamonds, +seven of clubs, nine of hearts, ace of clubs. You now proceed to +examine the cards as they lay, and perceiving that all the four kings +are there, you can predict that great rewards await the person +consulting you, and that he will gain great dignity and honor. The two +queens, one of them reversed, announce the reunion of two sorrowful +friends; the three aces, foretell good news; the two jacks, one of +them reversed, danger; the three tens, improper conduct. + +You now begin to explain the cards, commencing with the first on the +left hand: "The queen of diamonds is a mischief-making, under-bred +woman--the king of clubs--endeavoring to win the affections of a +worthy and estimable man--ten of hearts--over whose scruples she will +triumph--ace of spades--the affair will make some noise--queen of +hearts reversed--and greatly distress a charming fair woman who loves +him--seven of spades--but her grief will not be of long duration. Jack +of diamonds--an unfaithful servant--ten of clubs--will make away with +a considerable sum of money--king of spades--and will be brought to +trial--eight of diamonds--but saved from punishment through a woman's +agency. King of hearts--a fair man of liberal disposition--nine of +clubs--will receive a large sum of money--jack of spades +reversed--which will expose him to the malice of a dark youth of +coarse manners. Seven of hearts--pleasant thoughts, followed by--ten +of spades--great chagrin--king of diamonds--await a man in uniform, +who is the person consulting me--ace of diamonds--but a letter he will +speedily receive--seven of clubs--containing a small sum of +money--nine of hearts--will restore his good spirits--ace of +clubs--which will be further augmented by some good news." Now turn up +"the surprise" which it is supposed will prove the ace of hearts, "a +card that is taken to predict great happiness, caused by a love +letter, but which, making up the four aces, is said to show that this +sudden joy will be followed by great misfortunes." + +The cards are now gathered up, shuffled, cut, and formed into three +packs, at the first deal one being laid aside to form "the surprise." +By the time they are all dealt out it will be found that the two first +packets are each composed of seven cards, whilst the third contains +only six. The person consulting is desired to select one of these, +which is taken up and spread out from left to right, being explained +as before described. The cards are again gathered up, shuffled, cut, +formed into three packs, one card being dealt to "the surprise," and +then proceeding as before. The whole operation is once more repeated, +then the three cards forming "the surprise" are taken up and their +interpretation given. + +No matter how the cards are dealt, whether by threes, fives, sevens, +fifteens or twenty-one, when those lower than the jack predominate it +is considered to foretell success. If clubs are the most numerous, +they are supposed to predict gain, considerable fortune, etc. If +picture cards, dignity and honor; hearts, gladness, good news; spades, +death or sickness. + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE WAY TO TELL A FORTUNE + + +Illustrating the 21-card deal and the expert fortune-teller's method +of constructing a complete and connected reading of the same, which +you are advised to carefully consider, as a guide for your own use in +delivering an intelligent, interesting and coherent oracle in all +cases where you are rendering an interpretation for others. + +A man asks the question: + +_Shall I Marry the Woman I Love?_ + +The fortune-teller turns the cards by the 21-card method, with the +resultant layout as shown in the picture, and proceeds to read the +gentleman's answer in the following language: + +You desire to learn, sir, whether you will marry the young lady to +whom you are now paying your addresses? You inform me that the lady is +a blonde; still it is necessary for me to inform you that in order to +be able to foresee whether or not the marriage be accomplished +according to your wishes, I am compelled to select as a representative +card of your future wife, a lady of your own color, for such a one is +necessary for the oracle, otherwise our labors go for nothing. You, +sir, are a middling dark man, and therefore would come up as a +_club_; as a representative card of your beloved we will take the +_queen of clubs_, as of your own complexion. + +Now, sir, having performed our deal and arranged the oracle, permit +me, in the first place, to call your attention to the fact that you +stand represented by the _knave of clubs_, and in the next to observe +your position in the oracle. + +The _eight of hearts_ coming as it does in company with the _eight of +clubs_, gives me satisfactory information that you entertain for the +young lady a most profound and honorable sentiment of affection, which +it appears to me she reciprocates with a no less degree of intensity. +I have chosen to designate your beloved by the _queen of clubs_, and +she is doubtlessly a personage well worthy of your love, as the _eight +of diamonds_, coming before her in conjunction with the _ace of +hearts_, demonstrates her to be a lady of wisdom, intelligence and +prudence. Observe, moreover, that the _nine of hearts_ intervenes +between you both, but is placed nearest the lady. This card predicts a +union, which is much desired by her, while on your part you regard +your intended with a spirit of admiration bordering almost upon +adoration. Such a union will assuredly be followed by domestic +happiness, by peace and concord in your domestic circle, by a reign of +harmony within your household. + +I assure you, sir, that, scrutinizing this oracle from every aspect, +I fail to perceive any obstacle which can interpose to prevent your +contemplated marriage. On the other hand, the prognostications are +decidedly in its favor, for you will be pleased to notice that the +_eight of hearts_ and the _eight of clubs_, coming up side by side, +and between you and your intended, predict a success. Remark more, +that there are _three tens_ at your back, which denotes a change in +your estate or an alteration in your manner of life and social +position. + +The presence of the _queen of hearts_ in immediate vicinity to the +_seven of diamonds_, indicates not only the receipt of pleasant +intelligence from a relative able to give you assistance, but +permanent prosperity should you continue in her good graces. I +perceive, likewise, from the _seven of hearts_, that you are at this +moment thinking of visiting your intended father-in-law, formally to +demand the hand of his daughter. + +Do not hesitate, my dear sir, to do so, for you will risk nothing by +such an act of courtesy, as it will be crowned with the most happy +results. There can be no doubt on that head, as the presence of the +_king_, _queen_ and _knave of hearts_, coming almost together, and +blended with your new estate, assure you of the respect and esteem of +the family. True, the young lady entertains such affection (_seven of +spades_) for her parent that when she comes to be separated (_nine of +diamonds_) from him upon marriage (_king of diamonds_) the native +impulse of her heart will cause her to shed tears (_ten of spades_) +at the thought (_seven of hearts_) of leaving her paternal roof (_ace +of hearts_). + +And now, sir, your surprise. It is a letter (_ace of diamonds_), +which, placed upon the last card to the left, which is the _king of +clubs_, announces to you that you will be surprised through receipt of +a most gratifying epistle from your intended father-in-law in relation +to your approaching marriage. + + + + +THE ITALIAN METHOD + + +Take the pack of thirty-two selected cards, shuffle them well, and +either cut or have them cut for you, according to whether you are +acting for yourself or another person. Turn up the cards by threes, +and when the triplet is composed of cards of the same suit, lay it +aside; when of three different suits, pass it by without withdrawing +any of the three; but when composed of two of one suit and one of +another, withdraw the higher card of the two. When you have come to +the end of the pack, gather up all the cards except those you have +withdrawn; shuffle, cut, and again turn up by threes. Repeat this +operation until you have obtained fifteen cards, which must then be +spread out before you, from left to right, in the order in which they +come to hand. + +Care must, however, be taken that the card representing the person +making the essay is among them; if not, the whole operation must be +recommenced until the desired result is obtained. We will suppose it +to be some dark lady--represented by the queen of clubs--who is +anxious to make the attempt for herself, and that the cards are laid +out in the following order, from left to right: Ten of diamonds, +queen of clubs, eight of hearts, ace of diamonds, ten of hearts, +seven of clubs, king of spades, nine of hearts, jack of spades, ace of +clubs, seven of spades, ten of spades, seven of diamonds, ace of +spades, jack of hearts. + +On examining them, you will find that there are three aces among them, +announcing good news; but, as they are at some distance from each +other, that the tidings may be some time before they arrive. + +The three tens denote that the conduct of the person consulting the +cards has not been always strictly correct. The two jacks are enemies, +and the three sevens predict an illness, caused by them. + +You now begin to count five cards, beginning with the queen of clubs, +who represents the person consulting you. The fifth card, being the +seven of clubs, announces that the lady will soon receive a small sum +of money. The next fifth card proving to be the ace of clubs, +signifies that this money will be accompanied by some very joyful +tidings. Next comes the ace of spades, promising complete success to +any projects undertaken by the person consulting the cards; then the +eight of hearts, followed at the proper interval by the king of +spades, showing that the good news will excite the malice of a +dishonest lawyer; but the seven of spades coming next, announces that +the annoyance he can cause will be of short duration, and that a gay, +fair young man--the jack of hearts--will soon console her for what she +has suffered. The ace of diamonds tells that she will soon receive a +letter from this fair young man--the nine of hearts--announcing a +great success--ten of spades--but this will be followed by some slight +chagrin--ten of diamonds--caused by a journey--ten of hearts--but it +will soon pass, although--jack of spades--a bad, dark young man will +endeavor--seven of diamonds--to turn her into ridicule. The queen of +clubs, being representative of herself, shows that it is towards her +that the dark young man's malice will be directed. Now take the cards +at either extremity of the line, and pair them together. The two first +being the jack of hearts and the ten of diamonds, you may say: "A gay +young bachelor is preparing to take a journey--ace of spades and queen +of clubs--which will bring him to the presence of the lady consulting +the cards, and cause her great joy. Seven of diamonds and eight of +hearts--scandal talked about a fair young girl. Ten of spades and ace +of diamonds--tears shed upon receipt of a letter. Seven of spades and +ten of hearts--great joy, mingled with slight sorrow. Seven of clubs +and ace of clubs--a letter promising money. Jack of spades and king of +spades--the winning of a lawsuit. The nine of hearts, being the one +card left, promises complete success." + +Now gather up the cards, shuffle, cut, and deal them out in five +packs--one for the lady herself, one for the house, one for "those who +do not expect it," one for "those who do expect it," and one for "the +surprise," in the first deal, laying one card aside for "consolation." +The rest are then equally distributed among the other five packs, +which will four of them contain three cards, whilst the last only +consists of two. + +We will suppose the first packet for the lady herself to be composed +of the ace of diamonds, the seven of clubs, and the ten of hearts. The +interpretation would run thus: + +"Ace of diamonds--a letter will be shortly received--seven of +clubs--announcing the arrival of a small sum of money--ten of +hearts--and containing some very joyful tidings." + +The second pack, "for the house," containing the king of spades, the +nine of hearts, and the jack of spades: + +"The person consulting the cards will receive a visit--king of +spades--from a lawyer--nine of hearts--which will greatly +delight--jack of spades--a dark, ill-disposed young man." + +The third pack, "for those who do not expect it," composed of the ace +of spades, the jack of hearts, and the ace of clubs, would read: + +"Ace of spades--pleasure in store for--jack of hearts--a gay young +bachelor--ace of clubs--by means of money; but as the jack of hearts +is placed between two aces, it is evident that he runs a great risk of +being imprisoned; and from the two cards signifying respectively +'pleasure' and 'money,' that it will be for having run into debt." +The fourth pack, "for those who do expect it," containing the eight of +hearts, the queen of clubs, and the ten of diamonds: + +"The eight of hearts--the love-affairs of a fair young girl will +oblige--the queen of clubs--the person consulting the cards--ten of +diamonds--to take a journey." + +The fifth pack, "for the surprise," consists of the seven of spades +and the ten of spades, meaning: + +"Seven of spades--slight trouble--ten of spades--caused by some +person's imprisonment--the card of consolation--seven of +diamonds--which will turn out to have been a mere report." + + + + +THE FLORENCE MODE + + +A pack is taken of thirty-two selected cards, shuffled well and cut in +three, then laid out in four rows of eight cards each. Significator is +made any king or queen that may be preferred; then seven are counted +from that significator from left to right, and from right to left, +also crossways, always starting from the king or queen that represents +the person consulting. The thoughts, which are supposed to be +indicated by the jacks, may then be counted from, or the house, or a +letter; in fact, anything about which information is desired; when +this is explained, the cards are paired from each extremity, each pair +being explained as arrived at till the pack is finished. They are now +gathered up, shuffled and cut in three; then turned up by threes, the +highest of each suit being taken out. + +When three of equal value come together, such as three aces, three +kings, etc., they must all be taken out; the same is to be done should +three of a suit come together; this is to be repeated three times, +shuffling and cutting between each, and when the pack has been gone +through, any that are remaining over must be put on one side and not +used. Seven cards are counted again from significator, and paired as +before. + +The meanings ascribed to some of the cards being different from those +already given, are here stated: + + Ten of Clubs--A journey or big building. + + Eight of Clubs--Drink or vexation. + + Ten of Spades--At night-time. + + Nine of Spades--Disappointment or sickness. + + Ten of Diamonds--Money. + + Seven of Diamonds--Check or paper money; sometimes an article of + jewelry. + + Three Sevens--A loss. + + Four Tens--A great social rise through powerful friends. + + Two Jacks--Treachery. + + Ten of Hearts--An entertainment. + + Seven of Hearts--Delay or slight anxiety. + + Seven of Spades--Speedily. + + Seven of Diamonds and Ace of Spades--News read in the newspaper. + + Ace of Spades and any Court Card--Photograph. + + Two Red Tens with Ace of Diamonds--A wedding. + + Two Black Tens with Ace of Spades--A funeral. + + Eight and Nine of Clubs--Dinner or supper party. + + Seven of Clubs--A present. + + Three Eights--Good business transactions. + + Three Nines--A removal. + + Three Tens--A rise, either of money or social. + + + + +PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE + + +The person wishing to try her fortune in this manner (we will suppose +her to be a young, fair person, represented by the eight of hearts), +must well shuffle, and cut with the left hand, the pack of thirty-two +cards; after which she must lay aside the topmost and undermost cards, +to form the surprise. There will now remain thirty cards, which must +be dealt out in three parcels--one to the left, one in the middle, and +one to the right. + +The left-hand pack represents the Past; the middle, the Present; and +the one on the right hand, the Future. She must commence with the +Past, which we will suppose to contain these ten cards: The king of +clubs, ace of spades, jack of diamonds, nine of diamonds, ace of +hearts, jack of hearts, queen of hearts, king of spades, jack of +clubs, and the king of hearts. + +She would remark that picture-cards predominating was a favorable +sign, also that the presence of three kings proves that powerful +persons were interesting themselves in her affairs; the three jacks, +however, are supposed to warn her to beware of false friends; the nine +of diamonds, some great annoyance overcome by some good and amiable +person, represented by the queen of hearts; the two aces, notice of a +plot. Taking the cards in the order they lay: "The king of clubs--a +frank, open hearted man--ace of spades--fond of gayety and pleasure, +is disliked by--jack of diamonds--an unfaithful friend--nine of +diamonds--who seeks to injure him. The ace of hearts--a love +letter--jack of hearts--from a gay young bachelor to a fair amiable +woman--queen of hearts--causes--king of spades--a lawyer to endeavor +to injure the clever--jack of clubs--enterprising young man, who is +saved from him by--the king of hearts--a good and powerful man. +Nevertheless, as the jack of clubs is placed between two similar +cards, he has run great risk of being imprisoned through the +machinations of his enemy." + +The second parcel, the Present, containing the ten of diamonds, nine +of spades, eight of spades, queen of diamonds, queen of clubs, eight +of hearts, seven of spades, ten of spades, queen of spades, eight of +diamonds, signifies: + +"The ten of diamonds--a voyage or journey, at that moment taking +place--nine of spades--caused by the death or dangerous illness of +someone--eight of spades--whose state will occasion great grief--queen +of diamonds--to a fair woman. The queen of clubs--an affectionate +woman seeks to console--eight of hearts--a fair young girl, who is the +person making the essay--seven of spades--who has secret griefs--ten +of spades--causing her many tears--queen of spades--these are +occasioned by the conduct of either a dark woman or a widow, +who--eight of diamonds--is her rival." + +The third packet of cards, the Future, we will suppose to contain the +eight of clubs, ten of clubs, seven of diamonds, ten of hearts, seven +of clubs, nine of hearts, ace of diamonds, jack of spades, seven of +hearts, and the nine of clubs, which would read thus: + +"In the first place, the large number of small cards foretells success +in enterprises, although the presence of three sevens predicts an +illness. The eight of clubs--a dark young girl--ten of clubs--is about +to inherit a large fortune--seven of diamonds--but her satirical +disposition will destroy--ten of hearts--all her happiness. Seven of +clubs--a little money and--nine of hearts--much joy--ace of +hearts--will be announced to the person making the essay by a letter, +and--jack of spades--a wild young man--seven of hearts--will be over +joyed at receiving--nine of clubs--some unexpected tidings. The cards +of surprise--viz., the king of diamonds and the ace of clubs--predict +that a letter will be received from some military man and that it will +contain money." + + + + +THE MATRIMONIAL ORACLE + + +In the case of consultation upon the subject of marriages in general, +the Consultant should be withdrawn from the pack, inasmuch as it is +necessary that the couple should be of the same color, in order that a +marriage be formed. + +Should the young lady be a blonde who consults the oracle upon +questions of marriage, she should pick out the jack of hearts and the +queen of hearts, and taking these two cards from out of the pack, +place them aside; then, let her shuffle the cards well and again pick +out eleven, which are in like manner set aside. Then take up the jack +and queen of hearts and replace them among the remaining cards in the +pack, shuffle them again, place them in succession in a line from +right to left. It is necessary so that the marriage be an accomplished +fact, that a quint, or five cards in hearts, appear in the lay-out, +and, if it be found at the end of the deal at your left, the marriage +will be a certainty; but, should the nine of diamonds or the seven of +spades be placed in front, the marriage will be most certainly +delayed; should the nine of diamonds alone appear, the delay will be +not over serious; but should, in place of these cards, there be found +the king of spades inverted, or three tens, the marriage will never +come off. + +If the lady be a brunette she will take the jack of clubs, and, if +very dark, the jack of spades as her representative husband, and +represent herself by a queen of corresponding color, always taking +care that the card ordinarily used as the Consultant be retired from +the pack. + +Should a widow desire to contract a second marriage, she represents +herself as the queen of clubs and her future husband as the king of +clubs, which cards should be retired and placed aside. Then the pack +is shuffled well and dealt upon the table, face downward, in five +rows; take these up again in a reversed manner, shuffle them well and +cause the consultant to cut, and to select eleven from the pack, which +are to be put aside. Then retake the king and queen of clubs, and +place them among the remainder of the pack, whence the eleven have +been withdrawn; shuffle well and again let them be cut, and then deal, +placing the first one dealt upon the table directly in front of you in +an isolated position--this is the surprise. Deal the others and place +them in a single line below the surprise card on the table, ranging +from right to left, one by one. Turn over all the cards except the +surprise, which is only to be consulted after the rest. Read the cards +thus placed likewise from right to left, and study their +significations well. It is necessary, in order that the widow's desire +for a second marriage be successful, that the queen of spades come +out inverted, that the king of the same color likewise appear, and +that the jack of spades be at the side of the ace of spades or of +hearts, and under this combination her second marriage is an assured +fact. Should the ace of spades emerge near the jack, it will also be +necessary that the ace of hearts come out to effect an alliance; but, +if the consultant have three tens before her, the marriage will not +occur; and, should the nine of spades come out, it denotes absolute +failure. Again, if instead of these cards the eight of clubs and the +eight of hearts appear, the marriage will be a great success. Great +care should be observed in noticing whether three eights appear behind +the Consultant, for in that instance the marriage will not be a happy +one. + +[Illustration: _The Star Method._] + + + + +THE STAR METHOD + + +We will suppose the person making the essay to be a widow, and +consequently represented by the queen of spades. This card is, +therefore, to be withdrawn from the pack, and laid face uppermost upon +the table. The remaining thirty-one cards are then to be well +shuffled, cut, the topmost card withdrawn and placed lengthwise, and +face uppermost, above the head of the queen of spades. The cards are +to be shuffled, cut, and the topmost card withdrawn, twelve more +times, the manner of their arrangement being this: The queen of spades +in the center, the first card lengthwise above her head, the second +ditto at her feet, the third on her right side, the fourth on her +left, the fifth placed upright above the first, the sixth ditto below +the second, the seventh at the right of the third, the eighth at the +left of the fourth, the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth, at the +four corners, and the thirteenth across the center card--the queen of +spades--thus forming a star. (See engraving.) We will suppose the +fourteenth card to be the queen of spades, which represents the person +making the essay; then--1. Ace of hearts; 2. King of clubs; 3. Ten of +clubs; 4. Nine of diamonds; 5. Queen of clubs; 6. Eight of hearts; 7. +Ten of spades; 8. Jack of clubs; 9. Seven of clubs; 10. Ten of hearts; +11. Jack of diamonds; 12. Eight of diamonds; 13. Nine of clubs. These +being placed at right angles, the person consulting them takes them up +two by two, beginning with those last laid down. + +The first card, 12, the eight of diamonds, and the one in the opposite +corner, viz., 11, the jack of diamonds, read--"Overtures will be +made--jack of diamonds--by a fair young man--next two cards, 10 and 9, +ten of hearts--which will prove unsuccessful--seven of clubs--on +account of something connected with money. Next two cards, 8 and 7, +the jack of clubs--a clever dark young man--ten of spades--will be +greatly grieved by, 6--eight of hearts, a fair girl to whom he is +attached. Next two cards, 5 and 4, the queen of clubs--a dark +woman--nine of diamonds--will be annoyed at not receiving, 3--ten of +clubs--a sum of money--next two cards, 2 and 1, the king of +clubs--which was to have been sent her by a generous dark man, who is +fond of obliging his friends--ace of hearts--it will at last arrive, +accompanied by a love-letter--13th card, placed across the queen of +spades, nine of clubs--and be the cause of unexpected gain to the +person consulting the cards." + + + + +SHORTER STAR METHOD + + +The shorter and simpler star method surrounds the card representing +the person trying his or her fortune with a less number of cards. The +cards are shuffled and cut as before described, and the topmost one +withdrawn. We will suppose the center card to be the jack of clubs, +representing a dark young man. The first topmost one proves to be the +ace of clubs and is placed above the head of the jack. The second, the +eight of hearts, is placed at his feet; the third, the jack of +diamonds, at his right; the fourth, the queen of spades, at his left. +These are now read: Ace of clubs--"you will soon receive a letter +which will give you great pleasure"--eight of hearts--"from a fair +girl"--jack of diamonds--"a man in uniform"--queen of spades--"and a +malicious widow will seek to injure you on that very account." + + + + +WISHES + + +Having finished all the different methods of laying the cards, various +indications will now be given which are supposed to show whether the +one who is consulting will obtain his or her wish. These are done in +various methods, and each is given in order. + + +WISH NO. I. + +The pack of thirty-two selected cards having been well shuffled and +cut, proceed by turning them up by threes; if an ace appears amongst +the three, those three cards must be taken out; and if the nine of +hearts and the significator appear, they must also be taken out with +the cards that accompany them. This operation has to be repeated three +times, and if in the three times the four aces, the significator and +the nine of hearts come out in eleven or nine cards, then the wish is +taken to be certain; if they do not appear under twelve or fifteen, it +is said the wish will not come to pass. To make the meaning perfectly +clear, we will suppose that a dark man, represented by the king of +clubs, is making the essay. Having well shuffled and cut the cards, +they must be turned up in threes. + +In the first come the king of diamonds, ace of spades, and king of +clubs--the person who is making the essay; the next three are king and +queen of spades and ten of diamonds--these are useless; the next +three, the ten of hearts, six of diamonds and king of hearts--these +are laid on one side; then the seven and eight of spades and ace of +diamonds--these are withdrawn and are put over the other three, with +the ace and significator; the next three--nine of diamonds, eight of +clubs and ace of clubs, these come out; likewise the jack of clubs, +ten of spades, and ace of hearts, and the two left are the jack of +spades and nine of hearts--the other cards are useless. Fourteen cards +are now left, they are shuffled and cut, and again dealt in threes. + +The ace of spades, nine of hearts, king of spades remain; the next +three, ten of spades, ace of hearts and nine of diamonds also remain. +The following triplet: king of diamonds, king of clubs and jack of +clubs all come out. The seven of spades, ace of diamonds and eight of +clubs remain, as also the two last--eight of spades and ace of clubs. +This makes eleven cards, so that the wish is considered to be gained; +but if it is tried the third time, and more cards come out, then it is +supposed that it will be very speedily accomplished. + + +WISH NO. II. + +Shuffle and cut the pack of thirty-two selected cards. Put them +together, and turn up in threes. Supposing there should be two of one +suit, and one of another, the highest is taken out. Should there be +three of one suit, all are to be withdrawn and laid on the table in +front of the dealer, in the shape of a semi-circle or horse shoe. If +three of equal value, such as three kings, or three tens, they are +likewise to come out. The pack is gone through, then shuffled and cut +again. When the end of the pack is arrived at, this is repeated a +third time, acting in the same manner. Now count from the +significator, or if that should not appear naturally, use the jack +(which is taken to represent the thoughts of the person consulting); +seven are counted each way till it is come back to, then the cards are +paired from end to end, being read as arrived at; then all the cards +are shuffled together, cut in three, and dealt out in packets of four, +face downward. Each packet is taken up and looked through, the cards +being turned up one by one till an ace is come to. Should there be no +ace in the parcel it is put on one side--it is useless. The cards are +shuffled and cut again, being turned up as before, and dealt in three +packets, stopping each time at the ace, as before. The third time they +are shuffled but _not_ cut, and dealt in packets of two, and proceeded +with as before. Should the four aces (in the last deal) turn up +without another card, the wish is supposed to be sure, and to come at +once. If they come out with hearts, or diamonds, there will be some +delay, but if the nine or seven of spades makes its appearance with +the aces, then it is said to be a sign of disappointment. + + +WISH NO. III. + +A pack is taken of thirty-two selected cards, and cut with the left +hand; thirteen cards are then dealt out. If amongst these is to be +found one or more aces, lay them aside. The remaining ones are +shuffled and cut and thirteen again dealt; the aces are withdrawn as +before, and again shuffled, cut and dealt. If in these three deals all +four aces make their appearance, it is supposed that the wish will be +granted. If all the aces come at the first deal, the answer is taken +to be in the highest degree favorable. If in the three times only one +or two appear, it is considered that the wish will not be granted. + + +WISH NO. IV. + +A pack of thirty-two selected cards is shuffled and cut, the +consultant wishing all the time. They are laid out in two rows of four +each, face downwards. When two pairs come up, they must be covered by +the cards held in the dealer's hand. Should it be possible to cover +each pair--such as two kings, two queens, etc., it is supposed that +the wish will be granted. If the cards do not pair easily, it is said +the wish will not come to pass, or, at any rate, not for a long +period. + +The following is taken to show whether the wish will be granted: The +cards are well shuffled, the consultant keeping his thoughts all the +time fixed upon whatever wish he may have formed; the cards are cut +once, and the card cut is noted; they are shuffled again and dealt out +into three parcels--each of these being examined in turn, and if it is +found that the card turned up next, either the one representing the +dealer or the person who is consulting him--the ace of hearts or the +nine of hearts, it is said that the wish will be granted. If it be in +the same parcel with any of these, without being next to them, it is +supposed there is a chance of the wish coming to pass at some more +distant period; but if the nine of spades makes its appearance, it is +taken that a disappointment is possible. + + +WISH NO. V. + +The pack of thirty-two selected cards, as in the foregoing method, is +taken, shuffled and cut; then the four aces are taken out, the +significator, or the person for whom the dealer is acting, and +anything he wants to know about--such as money, then the ten of +diamonds would be selected; if about a man, any king; if about a +woman, any queen; if about business, the ten of clubs. These are +shuffled after having been withdrawn, without cutting, and the nine of +spades, which is the disappointment card, is also added to the aces, +etc., in all seven cards, laying them face downwards on the table. +Then the remainder are taken, shuffled well, and turned up in threes +twice, the one following being the seventh. The pack is gone through +like this, and when the nine of hearts appears whatever number that +falls on in the twenty-five cards remaining. When one, two, three, +four, five, six or seven, it must fall on the card drawn out by the +seven cards abstracted thus; if it should fall on No. 1 and that +happens on an ace, it is favorable, and if he should chance on an ace, +or his wish, or anything but the disappointment card (nine of spades), +the wish will be realized. + +First of all, the four aces are taken out, and the nine of spades, +(the disappointment card); then, supposing the dealer is acting for a +fair man, or a soldier, who is anxious to know whether he will get his +wish. We will imagine he has invested a sum of money, and he wishes to +know whether it is a good one; or that he hopes for a legacy and is +anxious to know if he will get it. The king of diamonds (representing +the fair man), and the ten of diamonds, the money card, should +therefore be taken out. These are added to the four aces and the nine +of spades. These are well shuffled, but not cut, and laid face +downwards on the table, like the following:-- + + +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ + | _Ace_ | | _Ace_ | | _Fair man_ | + | _Clubs_ | | _Hearts_ | | _inquirer_ | + +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ + + +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ + | _Ace_ | | _Nine_ | | _Ace_ | + | _Diam._ | | _Spades_ | | _Spades_ | + +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ + + +------------+ + | _Ten_ | + | _Diam._ | + +------------+ + +These represent the four aces, the disappointment card and the +inquirer and his wish. The remaining cards are now taken and turned up +three at a time. We will suppose the first three are the nine, seven +and eight of clubs; the next three the ten and jack of hearts, and +eight of diamonds; and the seventh card, the queen of clubs--these are +passed by. Begin again, counting one. We will suppose the next three +are the eight of spades, the seven of clubs and the nine of hearts. +Three are then counted from those laid face downwards on the table, +and that card is turned up--we will suppose that to be the king of +diamonds; the cards turned up by threes are gathered together and +shuffled, and turned up by sevens as before. Should the nine of hearts +fall on the fourth card the second time, that is to be turned up--we +will suppose that to be the ace of diamonds. Proceed again as before, +and this time we will imagine the nine of hearts to fall on the +seventh--this may be the ten of diamonds--so that it could be said to +the persons consulting that it is said he will get his wish; but +supposing the nine of hearts to fall on the fifth card, and that turns +out to be the nine of spades, he will be disappointed; and should it +happen that _in the first reading_ the nine of hearts should come on, +we will say, the first card, which might prove the nine of spades, +then it is no use continuing the three times, as it is supposed there +is no chance whatever of the wish being realized. + + +WISH NO. VI. + +The whole pack of fifty-two cards is taken, shuffled and cut in two +packets. They are now laid out face uppermost, in three rows of four +cards each, in all twelve cards. If in the first twelve cards any +court cards appear, they are taken out, filling up the spaces with +fresh cards; should these again be court cards, they are abstracted as +before, filling in the spaces as described; if not, they are thus +counted: Eleven must be made up of any _two_ cards, such as an ace and +ten (ace counting as one), and covered, or two and nine, each card +being covered as counted, three and eight, four and seven, five and +six, etc. If a court card appears, it is a stop and counts as nothing. +If, as the cards are covered, eleven can be made out of any of the two +cards, and continued to the end, exhausting all the cards, it is taken +that the wish will be gained; in that case all the court cards ought +to be on the top, as those cast aside at first are used at the last, +to cover each two cards as they count eleven. If the court cards +cannot be got to come out at the end, the wish is supposed to be +delayed, and if eleven cannot be made from nearly the beginning, it is +said, the wish will not be realized at all. To explain the meaning +more clearly, the following diagram is given. We will suppose they are +as follows:-- + + +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ + | _Jack_ | | _Four_ | | _Seven_ | | _Four_ | + | _Clubs_ | | _Spades_ | | _Spades_ | | _Clubs_ | + +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ + + +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ + | _Three_ | | _Six_ | | _Four_ | | _Jack_ | + | _Diam._ | | _Spades_ | | _Hearts_ | | _Diam._ | + +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ + + +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ + | _Five_ | | _Ace_ | | _Eight_ | | _King_ | + | _Diam._ | | _Clubs_ | | _Hearts_ | | _Diam._ | + +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ +------------+ + +There are now removed the three court cards, viz.:--the jack of clubs +in the first row, the jack of diamonds in the second, and the king of +diamonds in the third. These are replaced by the nine of clubs in the +first row, five of spades in the second, and six of hearts in the +third. The cards are now to be covered. In the first row, four and +seven of spades, making respectively eleven covered by ten of clubs +and ten of spades. Eleven is now made, where possible, from all three +rows. In the second row will be found the six and five of spades; +these are covered by two and one of clubs. In the third row, one of +clubs and ten of hearts, covered by seven of diamonds and three of +spades. In the same row, five of diamonds and six of hearts, covered +by the two of diamonds and king of hearts. In the first and second +rows, nine of clubs and two of spades, covered by the four and eight +of diamonds. In the second row, three and eight of diamonds, covered +by the jack of hearts and queen of clubs. In the first and second row, +the one and ten of spades, covered by the three of hearts and three of +spades. In the first and third rows, four of clubs and seven of +diamonds, covered by the ten of diamonds and nine of hearts. In the +third row, nine of hearts and two of diamonds, covered by the five of +clubs and ace of diamonds. In the first and third rows, ten of clubs +and ace of diamonds, covered by the seven of hearts and queen of +diamonds. In the first row, four of diamonds and seven of hearts, +covered by the eight and five of hearts. In the first and third rows, +eight of hearts and three of clubs, covered by the seven of clubs and +jack of spades. In the first and second rows, seven of clubs and four +of hearts, covered by the two of clubs and eight of spades. In the +first and second rows, the three of hearts and eight of spades, +covered by the king and nine of spades. In the first row, two of clubs +and nine of spades, covered by the ace of hearts and six of diamonds. +In the first row, again, the ace of hearts and ten of diamonds, +covered by the two of hearts and six of clubs. In the first and third +rows, five and six of clubs, covered by the nine of diamonds and queen +of hearts. In the first row, five of hearts and six of diamonds, +covered by the king and eight of clubs. Then in the first and second +rows, the eight of clubs and three of spades, as there is only one +card remaining, viz.:--the queen of spades, the three other cards to +be covered, those put aside at first are taken up, the last two to be +covered being the nine of diamonds and two of hearts, covered by the +jack of diamonds and jack of clubs. In this case the wish is supposed +to be realized; but in some cases it will be found that it has not +made up the number eleven in the two cards, and then it is taken that +the wish may be either delayed or not fulfilled. + + + + +CURIOUS GAMES WITH CARDS + +_By Which Fortunes Are Told in a Most Singular and Diverting Manner._ + + +LOVERS' HEARTS. + +Four young persons, but not more, may play at this game, or three by +making a dummy hand. This game is played exactly the same in every +game, making the queen, which is called Venus, above the ace; the ace +in this game only stands for one, and hearts must be led off by the +person next the dealer. He or she who gets most tricks this way (each +taking up their own and no partnership) is supposed to have most +lovers, and the king and queen of hearts in one hand is said to denote +matrimony at hand; but woe to the unlucky one who gets no tricks at +the deal, or does not hold a heart in his or her hand; to them are +ascribed misfortune in love and long tarry before they marry. + + +LOVE'S LOTTERY. + +Let each one present deposit any sum agreed on, or a certain number of +counters; put a complete pack of cards well shuffled in a bag, let the +parties stand in a circle and the bag being handed round, each draw +three; pairs of any kind are supposed to be favorable omens of some +good fortune about to occur to the party and get back from the pool +the sum that each agreed to pay. The king of hearts is here made the +god of love, and claims double, and professes to give a faithful swain +to the fair one who has the good fortune to draw him; if Venus, the +queen of hearts, is with him, it is the conquering prize, and clears +the pool; fives and nines are reckoned crosses and misfortunes, and +pay a forfeit of the sum agreed on to the pool, besides the usual +stipend at each new game; three nines at one draw is supposed to +portend the lady will be an old maid, three fives, a bad husband. + + +MATRIMONY. + +Let three, five, or seven young women stand in a circle, and draw a +card out of a bag. It is taken that she who gets the highest card will +be the first married of the company, whether she be at the present +time maid, wife, or widow, and she who has the lowest has the longest +time to stay ere the sun shines on her wedding day; she who draws the +ace of spades will never bear the name of wife; and she who has the +nine of hearts in this trial will have one lover too many to her +sorrow. + + +CUPID'S PASTIME. + +Amusement may be caused by this game to all those playing, and at the +same time it is supposed that some curious particulars may be learned +concerning the future fates of the consultants. + +Several may play at the game, it requiring no special number, only +leaving out nine cards on the table not exposed to view; each person +puts a trifling sum in the pool, and the dealer double. The ace of +diamonds is made principal, and takes all the other aces, etc.; twos +and threes in hand are said to show luck; fours, a continuance in the +present state; fives, trouble; sixes, profit; sevens, worries; eights, +disappointment; nines, surprises; tens, settlements; jacks, +sweethearts; kings and queens, friends and acquaintances; ace of +spades, death; ace of clubs, a letter; and the ace of diamonds with +ten of hearts, marriage. + +The ace of diamonds being played first, or should it be amongst the +nine, the dealer calls for the queen of hearts, which takes next. If +the ace be not out and the queen conquers, it is supposed that the +person who played her will be married that year without a doubt, +though it may perhaps seem unlikely at that time; but if she loses her +queen, she must wait longer. The ace and queen being called, the rest +go in rotation as at whist; kings taking queens, queens jacks, and so +on, and the more tricks taken, the more money the winner gets off the +board on the division; those who hold the nine of spades are to pay a +penny to the board, and it is said they will have some trouble; but +the fortunate fair one who holds the queen and jack of hearts in the +same hand is supposed soon to be married, or if she is already within +the pale of matrimony, a great rise in life by means of her husband; +those who hold the ace of diamonds and queen of hearts clear the money +off the board and end that game; it also professes to betoken great +prosperity. + + +WEDDING BELLS. + +You select the four kings from a pack, and lay them side by side in a +row upon the table. + +The lady who wishes to know her fortune gives to each of these cards +the name of some gentleman of her acquaintance who might be likely to +woo her in marriage. It is usual to pronounce these names aloud before +the company. The name given to the king of hearts is, however, an +exception. This secret the lady keeps to herself. To these four kings, +you can also add a queen, which then denotes the old maid. + +Now, take the rest of the pack, shuffle it thoroughly, let the person +in question cut three times and commence. Under each of the +above-named picture-cards you lay a card in turn, and as often as a +spade is placed under a spade, a heart under a heart, _et cetera_, +that is, as often as a card of the same suit is placed under one of +these picture-cards, the picture-card is turned from its position. + +The first time it takes a direction from left to right, the second +time it lies upside down, the third time it is raised again to a +position from right to left, and the fourth and last time it regains +its former upright position. + +That one of the four kings who, after these different changes, first +resumes his upright position, is to be the happy husband. If it should +happen to be the old maid, you can imagine what is in store for you. + + +MARRIAGE QUESTIONS. + +After having learned from the cards who is to be the husband, the +questions next asked are, usually: How much will he love his wife, why +he marries her, and what is his profession. These questions are +answered in the following manner: + +Gather up the cards, shuffle them thoroughly, and let the person cut +them three times. Then tell off the cards upon the table, as you +recite the following sentence: + + Heartily, painfully, + Beyond all measure. + By fits and starts. + Not a bit in the world. + +You repeat this sentence until the king of hearts makes his +appearance. If it happens that, as you lay this upon the table, you +pronounce the word "heartily" he will love his future wife heartily, +and so on. + +Now as to why he marries her. Count off the cards upon the table, +while you repeat the following sentence: + + For love, for her beauty, + For his parents' command, + For the bright, golden dollars, + For counsel of friends. + +The sentence by which you discover what is his profession is the +following: + + Gentleman, alderman, clergyman, doctor, + Merchant, broker, professor, major, + Mechanic, lawyer, shipmaster, tailor. + +This method of telling fortunes is very entertaining in society, when +you have not the book to find more particular answers. + + + * * * * * + + + + +THE SHREWESBURY POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS + + +GYPSY WITCH DREAM BOOK + +BY THE QUEEN OF THE ROMANIES + + 160 Pages Paper Covers Price 30 cents. + +(Edited by Carleton B. Case.) The completeness of this work is +attested by its numerous exclusive interpretations of dreams based +upon modern subjects, as the aëroplane, automobile, baseball, cabaret, +chauffeur, football, golf, manicure, moving pictures, phonograph, +tango, turkey-trot, telephone, typewriter, wireless, and many others, +found in no other similar work. The best of the old and all the new +interpretations are given. Whether you take your dreams seriously or +find in their decipherment merely a pleasant pastime, you will +appreciate the perfection of this newest and most complete Dream +Dictionary. + + +SOME IRISH SMILES + +BY CARLETON B. CASE + + 160 Pages Paper Covers Price 30 cents. + +A volume of genuine Irish humor with several hearty laughs to every +page; a book to be read and passed along to one's chums, that all may +enjoy its fun. The wit of our friends from the Emerald Isle is +proverbial, and none is so ready to see and appreciate the point of it +as the American. Its humor is so spontaneous that it creates laughter +in spite of one's self, and that is the kind of wit all of us prefer. +This little 160 page book is for laughing purposes only, and will be +carefully read from cover to cover by every purchaser. + + +SHREWESBURY PUBLISHING CO. + + Publishers 526 W. 26 St. New York + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Telling Fortunes by Cards, by Mohammed Ali + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 42008 *** |