Part 3

G. This friend will be faithful and true. Bear your loss with courage. He will return unexpectedly. If you stay at home. You will meet failure in your pursuits unless you economize. Heaven will bless you thru your friends. Not at the present time. You will get ahead of all enemies. It will be difficult for you to escape bad luck. If you speculate you will lose. The patient will recover after a week. A daughter and a son, both lucky. You will get an honest associate and prosper. This marriage may bring sorrow. Decline it. Do not yield to this love. You may be recalled by an unexpected event.

H. Go on your travels and see the world. Your so-called friend hates you. Beware of him. Your hopes to recover your property will soon be realized. An unforeseen affair prevents the stranger’s return. Your fortune will come in another land. You will do well to refuse. You will not succeed. Try something else. You will soon realize your wishes. Your fortune will change for the better soon. Your luck will soon improve. Have courage. A good time to speculate. The patient will soon be better. A healthy son will bless you. You will be married in a short time to a worthy man. Do not marry this person if you value your happiness. This love will continue until death.

I. Love is true, but will cause great misery. It will be foolish for you to travel at present. Your friend will be sincere and true. You will recover the stolen property soon. The traveler will return within a week. You will be more prosperous in foreign lands. Place your trust in God. He will give you happiness. Your future will shortly be changed for the better. You will succeed if you work hard. The misfortune which threatens will be prevented. Beware of false friends who seek to harm you. Speculate in moderation. The patient will gain health and strength again. She will have a daughter who will be a credit to her. You will marry a person for whom you will have little love. The marriage will come off according to your expectations.

K. You will be comfortable and happy after many trials. You will have a sincere love from an upright heart. You will prosper in your journey and return safely. You can rely on the friendship of this person. Your property is lost forever. The traveler will be absent for some time. You will have luck and happiness abroad. Yes, success for the present is in sight. You may succeed in your undertaking if you work hard. You will do well to change your intentions. There are mean persons who would harm you. Your circumstances will shortly mend. Be patient. Speculation is serious. The patient cannot live long. She will have a tall, handsome son. It will not be difficult for you to get a good partner.

L. You will get a successful partner. Good luck will attend this marriage. His love is changeable. You will be lucky in your travels. Love is true and sacred. You may rely on it. You will lose your property. The stranger will return with a fortune. You will have success at home. Your gain will not be worth while. Be cautious or you will meet with trouble. You will succeed according to your aspirations. You will get money soon. You will do well in spite of business. Speculation spells loss. The patient will recover in a month. She will have a tall, handsome daughter.

M. She will have a son who will gain wealth and honor. A partner with much money. The marriage will be lucky and prosperous. Party wishes to be yours only. A long journey will prove to your advantage. Do not place trust in the person. You will find your property at home. The traveler’s return is doubtful. You will succeed in France but not in Germany. You will get no gain. You may get more luck than you expect. Whatever your desires, you will speedily be gratified. Will be asked to a wedding soon. You will have no occasion to complain of ill-luck. Buy stocks, but not on margin. The patient’s recovery is slow.

N. The patient will recover, but will not live long. She will have a fair daughter. You will marry into a very rich family. By marriage you will gain much wealth. Await the time and you will not be disappointed. Stay at home. This person is a sincere well-wisher. You will not recover the lost goods. When abroad keep from gambling. You will soon have what you little expect. In this venture you will have great success. Be sensible and rejoice ever at that which is given you. Sorrow will depart and joy will return. Your luck will soon be at hand. Be cautious. The stranger will return in a year.

O. Don’t speculate. The patient’s recovery is assured. She will have a son who will become famous. You will get a sensible partner. Delay not your marriage; you will have happiness. Nobody loves you better. You may go ahead with confidence. A secret enemy is trying to deceive you. You will recover the stolen goods. The stranger will not return again. A woman will greatly increase your fortune. You will be cheated out of your earnings. You will be happy in the end. Fortune shuns you at present, but will come in time. You will soon hear agreeable news. There are troubles lurking about you.

P. Every day will bring you increased happiness. Beware of gambling. The patient will recover soon and live long. She will have a son and a daughter. Your partner will be rich and lucky. Your marriage will bring you much happiness. He or she loves you devotedly. Stay at home; you will not prosper otherwise. This friend will bring you good fortune. You will not get back your goods. He is ill and cannot come to you. Remain at home and depend upon your own industry. Prosperity is ordained to you. Be patient. Work, and don’t depend too much on luck. Your wish will be granted to you soon. Be very careful lest any accident befall you.

Q. Joy and happiness between friends is your lot. This day is lucky. Use it. He will yet earn a fortune, although he is now poor. Recovery is doubtful. She will have a son who will be a genius. A rich partner with a bad temper will be yours. You insure your happiness by wedding. He has great love for you, but wishes to conceal it. Go on your journey without fear. It will be lucky. He is inconsistent and deceitful. You will recover your property in a week. The stranger may return unexpectedly. You will dwell abroad in comfort. You will surely prosper if you are modest. You will soon enjoy plenty. Be contented with your present fortune.

FORTUNE-TELLING BY CARDS

The Origin and History of Playing Cards.

The history of playing cards extends back five hundred years, and various stories and theories have been mooted as to how and by whom they were first introduced into Europe. Many Eastern nations—notably those of India, China, Chaldea and Egypt—possessed cards for divination and playing purposes which differed both in design and use from those known in Europe at an early date. It seems from ancient manuscripts that the wise men of the East regarded cards with great veneration and ascribed to them mysterious powers. They considered them mediums of revelation from the celestial powers.

Many authorities hold that playing cards were invented by Europeans. It is certain that they were known in Italy as early as 1379, and that the Moors and Saracens introduced them into Spain at an earlier date. The first cards were called “Nabis,” and the Hebrew word “_Nabi_” means to prophesy. This gives weight to the theory that the original intention of cards was for purposes of divination.

The earliest cards of which we have any definite knowledge were called “Tarots,” which are supposed to have been the invention of a Jewish astrologer and cabalist. Various explanations are given as to the name. The science and divination by means of these cards were supposed to be found in the Egyptian “Book of Thoth,” which Moses learned in the Egyptian temples and of which he guarded the secret jealously. Outside of a few packs in some of the museums, there are no tarot cards to be found. The pictures on them represented priests, popes, jugglers, emperors, devils and other characters. Later on numerals were added to the symbolic cards so that games could be played with them. At the beginning of the fifteenth century, Venice had games of cards composed of 78 cards, 22 containing symbols and 56 numerals. Later the size of the pack was reduced to 52 cards.

Suits and Symbols

There have always been four suits in use, but the symbols used had varied in different countries. Originally they were cups, money, swords and clubs. These are still retained in Italian and Spanish cards. Old German cards have acorns, leaves, hearts and bells. The French cards used spades and clubs, hearts and diamonds. The word “spade” comes from the Italian word meaning a sword. The club sign was adopted from the three-leaf clover. Many of the packs used last century were very costly and artistic. They were painted by hand to represent historic characters.

Mystic Meaning

To many people a pack of cards comes next in importance to the Bible. To others they are supposed to be the devil’s own handbooks of destruction. They have exercised an irresistible fascination over the minds of men and women of all ages. A great interest attaches to the many possible combinations to be made from the cards in a pack. It has been pointed out that—

The fifty-two cards represent the 52 weeks in the year.

Thirteen cards in each suit represent the 13 lunar months, and the 13 weeks in each quarter.

The four suits represent the four seasons of the year.

The twelve court cards represent the 12 signs of the Zodiac.

Number of pips on all the plain cards = 220 Number of pips on the court cards = 12 Counting each of the court cards as 10 = 120 Number of cards in each suit 13 ——- Total equals the number of days in the year 365

The Charm and Power of Cards

We have nothing to do in this book with cards used for gambling purposes, but as instruments of Cartomancy we find them full of charm and interest. Every person has a certain amount of superstition in his nature and desires to take a look into the dim and mysterious future. No one need be ashamed of confessing a certain amount of interest in the unseen and occult. Strange coincidences are happening all the time, and there are many inexplicable occurrences that meet us at every turn. Educated men and women are taking an interest in the occult to a greater extent than ever before, altho in the past the great statesmen and famous women of France, even the great Napoleon himself, were believers in the power of cards to foretell the future. Divination by cards is of great antiquity and is still as popular as ever. Formerly it was connected with astrologers’ incantation and religious practices. Now, however, it is indulged in principally as a means of amusement. Of course no one need be warned against the danger of taking a pack of cards as a guide in matters of importance requiring judgment and discretion.

What the Cards Signify

There are several systems of telling fortunes by cards. In each the meaning of the cards and the mode of laying them out differ. The meaning of a card is modified when the card is reversed. As our modern packs are practically the same, looking at them from either end, it is well to mark the cards so that you can tell which is the top and which is the bottom. This could be done before starting to use the pack.

MEANING OF THE VARIOUS CARDS.

Hearts are especially connected with the work of Cupid and Hymen. The suit has also close reference to affairs of the home and to both the domestic and social sides of life.

Diamonds are representative of financial matters, small and great, with a generally favorable signification.

Clubs stand for prosperity, a happy home life with intelligent pleasures and successful undertakings.

Spades forebode evil. They speak of sickness, death, monetary losses and anxieties, separation from friends and dear ones. They are also representative of love, appealing exclusively to the senses.

MEANING OF THE HEARTS.

_Ace._—A love letter, good news; (reversed) a removal or a visit from a friend.

_King._—Fair man of generous disposition; (reversed) a disappointing person.

_Queen._—Fair, good-natured woman; (reversed) she has had an unhappy love affair.

_Knave._—A young bachelor devoted to enjoyment; (reversed) a military lover with a grievance.

_Ten._—Antidote to bad cards, happiness and success; (reversed) passing worries.

_Nine._—The wish card, good luck; (reversed) short sorrow.

_Eight._—Thoughts of marriage, affections of a fair person; (reversed) unresponsiveness.

_Seven._—Calm, content; (reversed) boredom, satiety.

MEANING OF THE DIAMONDS.

_Ace._—A letter, an offer of marriage; (reversed) evil tidings.

_King._—A very fair or white-haired man; a soldier by profession, and of a deceitful turn of mind; (reversed) a treacherous schemer.

_Queen._—A fair woman, given to gossip and wanting in refinement; (reversed) a rather spiteful flirt.

_Knave._—Subordinate official, who is untrustworthy; (reversed) a mischief-maker.

_Ten._—Traveling or a removal; (reversed) ill luck will attend the step.

_Nine._—Vexation, hindrances; (reversed) domestic wrangling, or disagreement between lovers.

_Eight._—Love passages; (reversed) blighted affections.

_Seven._—Unkindly chaff, cynicism; (reversed) stupid and unfounded slander.

MEANING OF THE CLUBS.

_Ace._—Good luck, letters or papers relating to money, pleasant tidings; (reversed) short-lived happiness, a tiresome correspondence.

_King._—A dark man, warm-hearted and true as a friend, straight in his dealings; (reversed) good intentions frustrated.

_Queen._—A dark woman, loving but hasty, and bearing no malice; (reversed) harassed by jealousy.

_Knave._—A ready-witted young man, clever at his work and ardent in his love; (reversed) irresponsible and fickle.

_Ten._—Prosperity and luxury; (reversed) a sea voyage.

_Nine._—An unlooked-for inheritance, money acquired under a will; (reversed) a small, friendly gift.

_Eight._—Love of a dark man or woman which, if accepted and reciprocated, will bring joy and well-being; (reversed) an unworthy affection calculated to cause trouble.

_Seven._—Trifling financial matters; (reversed) money troubles.

MEANING OF THE SPADES.

_Ace._—Emotional enjoyment; (reversed) news of a death, sorrow.

_King._—A widower, an unscrupulous lawyer, impossible as a friend, and dangerous as an enemy; (reversed) the desire to work evil without the power.

_Queen._—Widow, a very dark woman; (reversed) an intriguing, spiteful woman.

_Knave._—Legal or medical student, wanting in refinement of mind and manners; (reversed) a treacherous character, fond of underhand measures.

_Ten._—Grief, loss of freedom; (reversed) passing trouble or illness.

_Nine._—A bad omen, news of failure or death; (reversed) loss of one near and dear by death.

_Eight._—Coming illness; (reversed) an engagement canceled or a rejected proposal, dissipation.

_Seven._—Everyday worries, or a resolve taken; (reversed) silly stratagems in love-making.

COMBINATIONS OF COURT CARDS.

_Four Aces._—When these fall together they imply danger, financial loss, separation from friends, love troubles. The evil is mitigated in proportion to the number of them that are reversed.

_Three Aces._—Passing troubles relieved by good news, faithlessness of a lover. If reversed, they mean foolish excess.

_Two Aces._—These mean union: if Hearts and Clubs, it will be for good; if Diamonds and Spades, for evil, probably the outcome of jealousy. If reversed, the object of the union will fail.

_Four Kings._—Honors, preferment, good appointments. If reversed, the good things will be of less value, but will arrive earlier.

_Three Kings._—Serious matters will be taken in hand with the best result, unless any of the three cards be reversed, when it will be doubtful.

_Two Kings._—Co-operation in business, upright conduct, and prudent enterprises to be crowned with success. Each one reversed represents an obstacle. Both reversed spell failure.

_Four Queens._—A social gathering which may be spoilt by one or more being reversed.

_Three Queens._—Friendly visits. If reversed, scandal, gossip and possibly bodily danger.

_Two Queens._—Interchanged, secrets betrayed, a meeting between friends. When both are reversed, there will be suffering for the inquirer resulting from his own acts. Only one reversed, means rivalry.

_Four Knaves._—Jolly conviviality. Any of them reversed lessens the evil.

_Three Knaves._—Worries and vexations from acquaintances, slander calling the inquirer’s honor in question. If reversed, it foretells a passage-at-arms with a social inferior.

_Two Knaves._—Loss of goods. If both are reversed, the trouble is imminent; if one only, it is near.

COMBINATIONS OF PLAIN CARDS.

_Four Tens._—Good fortune, success. The more there are reversed, the greater number of obstacles in the way.

_Three Tens._—Ruin brought about by lawsuits. When reversed, the evil is decreased.

_Two Tens._—Unexpected luck, which may be connected with a change of occupation. If one be reversed, it will come soon; if both are reversed, it is distant.

_Four Nines._—Unexpected events. The number that are reversed stand for the time to elapse.

_Three Nines._—Health, wealth and happiness. If reversed, it means financial difficulties caused by imprudence.

_Two Nines._—Prosperity and contentment accompanied by business matters. If reversed, small worries.

_Four Eights._—Attending a journey or the taking up of a new position. If reversed, undisturbed stability.

_Three Eights._—Thoughts of love and marriage, new family ties. If reversed, flirtation and foolishness.

_Two Eights._—Pleasures and passing love fancies. If reversed, disappointments.

_Four Sevens._—Schemes and contention and opposition. If reversed, failure of same.

_Three Sevens._—Loss of friends, ill-health, remorse. If reversed, slight ailments or unpleasant reaction.

_Two Sevens._—Mutual love and marriage. If reversed, faithlessness or regret.

GENERAL INFORMATION.

When a number of court cards fall together it is a sign of hospitality, festive social intercourse, and gaiety of all kinds.

Married people who seek to read the cards must represent their own life partner by the king or queen of the suit they have chosen for themselves, regardless of anything else. For example, a very dark man, the King of Spades, must consider his wife represented by the Queen of Spades.

Bachelors and spinsters may choose cards to personate their lovers and friends.

A court card placed between two cards of the same grade—for instance, two nines, two sevens, etc.—shows that the one represented by that card is threatened.

Should a military man consult the cards he must always be represented by the King of Diamonds.

It is always essential to cut cards with the left hand, there being a long-established idea that it is more intimately connected with the heart than the right. A round table is generally preferred by those who are in the habit of practising cartomancy. It is a matter of opinion as to whether the cards speak with the same clearness and accuracy when consulted by the inquirer without a fortune-teller. The services of an expert are generally supposed to be of great advantage, even when people have mastered the rudiments of cartomancy themselves.

Telling One’s Fortune with Twenty-one Cards

THE ITALIAN METHOD.

Thirty-two cards are actually required for this method, altho only 21 of them are used. After shuffling the cards and cutting with the left hand, the fortune-teller counts off the first 11 cards and lays them aside. From the 21 which are left he takes the top card and lays it apart, then he lays out the other 20 on the table before him. One card must represent the inquirer, either a knave or a queen, according to the sex. If this card is not among the 20 cards on the table the pack must be dealt over. The meaning of the cards must then be considered; if any set of 2, 3 or more of a kind occur their meaning should be read also, as it may modify the general interpretation of the rest. The 20 cards should be read from left to right continuously to let each card continue the meaning of the one before. The cards must then be put together again and shuffled and cut as before. The top card is again laid aside and the others divided into 3 packs, of which 2 contain 7 cards each and the last only 6 cards. The inquirer chooses one of the packs, which is next turned with the face up and one after the other the cards are to be read according to their significance. This operation must be repeated 3 times.

The following will give an example of how these cards are to be manipulated:

Let us take the Knave of Clubs as representing the inquirer, and the 21 cards selected are the following in their regular order: King of Spades, Queen of Hearts (reversed), Ace of Hearts, Knave of Clubs, Ace of Spades (reversed), Ace of Clubs, Knave of Hearts, King of Hearts, Queen of Spades (reversed), Nine of Hearts, Knave of Diamonds, Ten of Spades, Ace of Diamonds (reversed), King of Diamonds, Seven of Diamonds, Eight of Diamonds, Eight of Spades (reversed), Seven of Clubs (reversed), Nine of Clubs (reversed), Nine of Diamonds. The Surprise placed apart.

On examining this list carefully we find there are 4 Aces, which indicate danger and financial loss. The fact that one of them is reversed shows that the trouble is somewhat lightened.

There are 3 Kings, which indicate that important matters will be undertaken and carried thru successfully by the inquirer.

There are 2 Queens, both reversed, which show that the young man may suffer thru his own faults.

There are 3 Knaves, which mean more worries and vexations thru which the inquirer’s honor may be at stake.

Three Nines, however, are indicative of happiness and wealth, altho there will be difficulties to overcome.

The 2 Eights indicate some love interest and flirtation.

And the 2 Sevens speak of mutual love and marriage, altho one being reversed adds an element of regret.

We will now follow the cards as they lie before us from left to right:

The King of Spades is an unscrupulous man who is a dangerous enemy and will cause trouble.

The Queen of Hearts, reversed, speaks of a woman who, while good-natured, has had an unlucky love affair and on whom the inquirer has set his heart.

The Ace of Hearts indicates that a love letter containing good news will be sent to her by the inquirer.

The Knave of Clubs, a clever young fellow, is mixed up in the affair, but some grief may affect his health as indicated by the Ace of Spades, while the Ace of Clubs, coming immediately after, shows that this sorrow may have something to do with money matters.

The 3 court cards which follow are indicative of a good time in which the inquirer will have to deal with the Knave of Hearts, who is a young bachelor devoted to enjoyments, the King of Hearts a man of generous disposition, and the Queen of Spades, reversed, a dark, intriguing woman.

The Nine of Hearts shows that the inquirer will have good luck and pleasure, but the Knave of Diamonds, following immediately after, shows that an untrustworthy friend is trying to bring him to trouble.