Tell Me Your Fortune - Part V

Pretty much everyone has a deck of cards laying around the house, why not have a little fun and test out your fortune-telling abilities?

While Tarot is highly symbolic in its images, symbols, color, astrological and mystical references, it shares some important basics with regular playing cards: elements and numbers.

Our modern playing cards are descended from the Tarot – Hearts are Cups, Clubs are Wands, Diamonds are Pentacles (or Coins), and Spades are Swords.

There are thirteen cards in each of the four suits, corresponding to the 13 lunar months in a year. Fifty-two cards correspond to fifty-two weeks in a year.

Hearts correspond to the element of water, and signify love, friendship, happiness, and domestic concerns. Generally speaking, they are "happy" cards. Reversed they indicate pain and suffering.

Clubs correspond to the element of fire, and generally signify business, ambition, and achievement issues. They generally indicate success and happiness. Reversed they mean disappointment.

Diamonds correspond to the element of earth, and generally signify career, and money issues. Reversed they mean difficulties and money problems

Spades correspond to the element of air, and generally signify gossip, challenges, messages, and upsets. Reversed they indicate warnings and caution.

In the interest of space, I’m not going to go into detail of the meanings of the cards. I will however, offer you a couple of very easy spreads, and some links at the end for your further enjoyment.

Aces Yes/No Spread

Shuffle the cards while thinking of your question. Start dealing the cards into a pile. Stop when an Ace tops the pile or you reach thirteen cards. Do this twice more.

If aces top all three piles, the answer to your question is a definite yes.
If aces top two of the piles, your answer is a conditional yes.
If no aces appear, the answer is a definite no.
If only one ace appears, your answer is a conditional no.

Traditional 3-Card Yes/No Spread

Shuffle the cards while thinking of your question. Cut the cards into three piles from left to right. Turn the piles over to see whether they’re upright or reversed (upside down).

All cards reversed: Definitely No
2 cards reversed: Probably No
2 cards upright: Probably Yes
All cards upright: Definitely Yes


A few easy spreads

The meanings of the cards

Meanings and a spread