Cartomancy

Cartomancy is divination through the use of cards.  While the most popular form of cartomancy in the United States is tarot, the use of regular playing cards is far older.  

Tarot cards appear to have come to us in mid-15th century Italy, but weren't known to be used for divination until the 1800s.  Playing cards, however, most likely originated in China around 1100 AD and were being used for divination in Europe as early as the 14th century.  

How the cards are read today may vary by region, and this chart is based on Appalachian heritage and personal experience.  If you'd like to learn more, contact the Spirit Lady.  

	Hearts	Clubs	Diamonds	Spades	Notes
Aces	Romance / New Romance	Solitude / Alone	Letter / Personal Exchange / Communication	Death / Sudden Change	Changes; Primary or Solitary things
Twos	Lovers / Coupling / Sex	Business / Partnership	Exchange of Funds	Separation	Pairs; Couples; Exchanges
Threes	Wish Granted / Full Cup	Stone Wall / Obstacles	Gifts / Fountain / Shower	Battle / Setbacks	Growth; Wishes
Fours	Travel / Journey	Plowed Field / Be Prepared	No News	Muck / Mire / Mud	Decisions; Stagnation; Choices
Fives	Fertility	Healthy Body	Good Luck / Laughter	Illness	Bodily things; Gains/Losses
Sixes	Loyalty / Stamina	Footprints / Clear Trail	Streets of Gold / Good Decisions	Devil / Temptation / Bad Decisions	Paths
Sevens	Hate / Fear	Doubts / Worries	Lies / Deceit	Tears / Blood / War	Epitome Cards; Inversions; Trouble
Eights	Flirtation / Pillow Talk	Shop Talk / Business Talk	Gossip / Idle Chatter	Argument / Shouting	Talking; Ideas
Nines	New Life	Reaping / Forest / Can't See the Forest for the Trees	Daydreams / Peace	Funeral / An End	Patience; Ambition; Expansion
Tens	Happy Family	Unclear / Clouds	Sunlight / Joy	Cemetery / Church	Completion; Endings
Jacks	Baby / Young Boy	Friend / Sibling / Close Relationship	Good News / Young Girl	Bad News / Backstabber	Youth; Children; Messages; Peers
Queens	Client / Soulmate	Friend / Sibling / Close Relationship	Good Wife / Duty / Obligation	Cruelty / Jealousy / Rivalry	Women; Mothers; Nurses; Teachers
Kings	Client / Soulmate	Father / Judge / Authority Figure	Money / Finance / Legal	Criminal / Wrath /	Men; Wisdom; Age; Power; Judges
Joker	A Secret	Hidden Meaning	Mystery	Sense of Humor
Notes:	Family, Friends, love & lovers. Also emotions and things deeply felt.	Work & business. One's calling or destiny. Also conflict, discussion & debate.	Money, luck, fortune & happiness. Also news, letters & socializing.	Tears, suffering, woe. War, fighting, violence. Also change, warning & doubts/fears.