  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 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 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 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 |
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