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 atthe 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.
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cut in three, the cut again read as before; they are laid on the table, seven cards being taken off, the topmost being withdrawn.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 aresupposed to refer entirely to the future. The three cards that are left out are useless.
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.
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 oneover 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.
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.
The pack of fifty-two cards is taken, shuffled, cutin 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 readlengthwise, 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.
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 pairedfrom 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.
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 showgood 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 arebetweentwo 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.
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 packchosen, 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.
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.
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" ofthe 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.
Used in Interpreting the 32-Card Method of Telling Fortunes.
Diamonds.KINGUpright—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.QUEENUpright—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.JACKUpright—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.ACEUpright—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.TENUpright—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.NINEUpright—Enterprise. Separation. Advantage.Reversed—Delay. Annoyance. Poverty. A family feud, or a quarrel among intimate friends.EIGHTUpright—The country. Riches. Love-making overtures.Reversed—Sorrow. Motion. Wealth. Satire. Mockery, and foolish scandal.SEVENUpright—Present intentions. Good news.Reversed—Birth. Contrariness. Vexation. In a great measure.Hearts.KINGUpright—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.QUEENUpright—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.JACKUpright—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.ACEUpright—The house. A repast. Festivity. A love letter. Agreeable intelligence.Reversed—A friend's visit. Forced or constrained enjoyment.TENUpright—The city. Envious people.Reversed—An inheritance. A surprise.NINEUpright—Victory. Happiness. Triumph. Union. Harmony. Work. Trade. A present.Reversed—Weariness. Ennui. A passing trouble. Curiosity. Encumbrance.EIGHTUpright—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.SEVENUpright—The thoughts. A weapon. A jewel.Reversed—Desire. A parcel.Spades.KINGUpright—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.QUEENUpright—A dark complexioned woman. Awidow. 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.JACKUpright—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.ACEUpright—Abandonment. A document.Reversed—Pregnancy. Abandonment. Grief. Distressing intelligence.TENUpright—Tears. Jealousy.Reversed—Loss. An evening party. Brief affliction. In the evening.NINEUpright—A great loss. Tidings of death. Mourning. Failure.Reversed—Disappointment. Delay. Desertion. Tidings of the death of a near relative.EIGHTUpright—Sickness. Want of prudence. Bad news.Reversed—Ambition. A religious woman. A marriage broken off, or an offer refused.SEVENUpright—Expectation. Hope.Reversed—Wise advice. Friendship. Indecision. A foolish intrigue.Clubs.KINGUpright—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.QUEENUpright—A brunette female. One fond of conversation. An affectionate, quick tempered woman.Reversed—A nut-brown complexioned lady. A jealous and malicious female.JACKUpright—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.ACEUpright—A purse of money. Wealth.Reversed—Nobility. Love. A present.TENUpright—The house. The future. Fortune. Success. Gain. Money.Reversed—Money. A lover. Sometimes want of success in a trivial matter.NINEUpright—Chattels. Goods. Movable article. An indiscretion.Reversed—A trifling present. Gambling.EIGHTUpright—The affections of a brunette maiden. The art of pleasing.Reversed—A nut-brown maiden. Removal. Separation. A frivolous courtship.SEVENUpright—A small sum of money. A debt unexpectedly paid. A child.Reversed—A child. Embarrassment.
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.
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.
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. Awidow. 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.
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.
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 theeight 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 theeight of hearts, it demonstrates that he or she is annoyed through being a victim to the tender passion.
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 talkativeorcommunicative female; and agood, 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 acountry ladyits 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 atalkative 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 asoldier, apostillion,or a light hairedyoung man, in or from the country. In addition to these characteristics this card, whether upright or reversed, assumes another, which is technically calledthe good stranger.
As asoldier, 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 ofthe 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, aletter, anote, apaper, apetition, 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 theace of diamondsare:
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 theseven 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, theace, which with this card form the only two in the pack possessing this peculiar quality, theten of diamondspreserves its value and signification, whether it emerges either upright or reversed. The primary significations of this card aregold,water, thesea, aforeign city,change of locality.
As the representative ofgoldits synonyms are:
Riches; opulence; magnificence; splendor; éclat; sumptuousness; luxury; abundance; means.
When its signification is assumed relative towaterand thesea, 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 achange in locality, the synonyms, in addition to preservation of its original meaning of a mere change in domicile, orhabitation, 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,advantageorgain. Viewed as such its synonyms are, as toenterprisein 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 representadvantage, 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 ofdelay, 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 asspoliationandpoverty, 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 eitherthe countryorriches, as its signification is relatively determined from its surroundings.
In its signification as thecountry, 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 ofriches, 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 issorrowandmovement. The synonyms forsorroware:
Sadness; affliction; displeasure; grief; desolation; mortification; bad humor; melancholy; the blues; hypochondria; vexation; trouble.
But with the wordmovement, 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 theconversationcard, as its initial and primary signification isdiscourse for the present, while it likewise designates the approaching receipt ofgood news; as the oracle demands, to be secure, proper interpretation.
When used as theconversationcard, 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 denotedesigns for the moment, whether mental or expressed by word of mouth, embracing intent and resolution.
When signifyingnews, 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 oneof which isbirth, 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 agreat deal, or a large quantity, qualifying the value of those cards next to it. For example, should it come before theten of spades reversed, or theten 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 signifydeclaration, 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 area blonde man,an advocateand aman of note, but its secondary significations are those attached to the state andlegislation.
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 ablonde man, it has these synonyms:
Honest man; honesty; probity; equity; arts and sciences.
Considered as aman of noteor 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 atutor, or aman 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 aman 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 offriendshipin 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 asjustice, 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 oftemperancewith 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, withnut-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 ofdissension, 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 theeight of spadesbe near it, it will result in illness, and if theten of spadesbe 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 theace of spades.
Consequently, in a secondary capacity, it is taken to meanevil desiresorlonging, 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 isthe 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 arepastorfeasting, 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 designatesforcedorconstrained enjoyment, but more generally it should be taken fornew acquaintances, whence is derived a secondary significance offresh 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 adisordered household, and from this comes the secondary idea ofintestine 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 representsfamily 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 thecity, 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 signifyenvious 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 signifiesan 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 signifyrelativeswhen 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 issurprise, 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 thenine 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 isvictory, 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 isunionandconcord, 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 designateslaborandcommerce, inwhich 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 isa present, whence we have:
Gift; generosity; benefit; gratification; service.
Nine of Hearts—Reversed. This card meansennui, 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 signifycuriosity, whence we have the secondary signification of inquisitiveness; a busybody; a marplot and intruder.
Then again an ordinary signification of this card isobstacleorhindrancewith 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 signifiessuccess 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 ofarrogance, and thence:
Noise; quarreling; dispute; disturbance; difference; contestations; litigation; bickerings; arguments.
But the most general signification of this card reversed isgreat 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 themeans 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 ofthought, anarm, or ajewel.
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 signifysolitude, 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 apackage, 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 isdesire, 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,desiremay be changed intoaversion, and anattractionintorepulsion.
When its signification isdesire, 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 termdesireis 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 theking of diamondslikewise 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 awicked 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 awidow, 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 awell-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 tosignify acrafty 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 acritic, 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 acorrupt messenger, or through the intervention of some intermeddler.
Its primary signification, when the card is reversed, is that of aPaul 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 istraitor, 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 theten of spadesit 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 apaperor document, chiefly appertaining to lawmatters, such as warrants for arrest, writs, subp[oe]nas and legal pleadings.
Another is that of aship, or other means of conveyance by water, particularly when accompanied by theeight 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 ispregnancy, 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 theknave of clubs, likewise reversed, this card is a premonitor ofdeath.
The general secondary signification of this card, when reversed and in the body of the oracle, is afall, whence we have:
Decadence; decline; discouragement; dissipation; ravage; ruin; demolition; destruction; bankruptcy; error; fault; overwhelming sorrows; perdition; anabyss; precipice; gulf; waterfall; disgrace; shame.
Ten of Spades—Upright. The general signification of this card isjealousy, particularly when accompanied by theknave 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 thenine of spadesshould likewise appear in the oracle.
The other primary signification of this card istears, 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, aloss, either moral or physical, as the surrounding cards designate. Thus, with thenine of heartsintervening between the consultant and this card, it announces that he or she will lose a situation or employment. When it comes preceded by theten 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 theseven of clubsshould appear, the loss of her character will be brought about through some indiscretion.
Another primary signification of this isthe 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 apriest,mourninganddisappointment.
The secondary significations, derived from these sources, are:
From thepriest: Pastor; church; church services; ritual; sanctity; piety; devotion; religious ceremonies; celibacy.
Frommourning: Regret; desolation; affliction; sadness; sorrow; calamity; grief; heart-pain; funeral; burial; tomb; grave; church-yard; loss of relatives; wailing.
Fromdisappointment: Obstacles; hindrance; delay; disadvantage; contrarieties; misfortunes; suffering.
Nine of Spades—Reversed. When this cardappears in the oracle reversed its evil influence is augmented two-fold, although its primary significations are modestly expressed asfailure,abandonmentanddelay. 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 theeight of spades, in the same oracle, it signifiesmortality, 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 issickness, although it is more generally interpreted asbad news. This is its acceptation when preceded by theknave of spadesor theknave of diamonds,or when accompanied by theace of diamonds, and sometimes by theeight of hearts, reversed.
When this card signifiessickness, 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.