Monday 20 December 2010

Lesson 7 - Within Four Walls

After the challenges of the Three's, you'll be glad to hear that the Four's now bring in some stability. They can also be considered as representing four walls and corresponding institutions, as we shall see.

Four of Hearts - Emotional Stability

This card represents a period of stability in all important relationships and in our own emotions. Here the element of Water (which rules Hearts) is contained on four sides, thus creating the peace and stillness reminiscent of a pool or lake. However it is worth recognising that a pool will become stagnant if the water stands for too long, and it may be that this card cautions against complacency in relationships to avoid those too becoming stagnant. Think of what is meant when a person says that their realtionship is at a 'stand-still'. The four walls indicated by this card are the walls of the home, and matters relating to the home should be considered whenever this card is present.

Four of Clubs - Strong Ideas

Where Hearts talk of the home, Clubs talk of places of learning and communication. Therefore this card may represent buildings such as schools or colleges. However the Four of Clubs also represents stability of mind which may be significant if a person has been through a troubling time mentally. This card also suggests confirmation of ideas and certainty of one's own mind. Discussions and ideas are likely to be more grounded than they may be at other times. There is also a possibility that this card may indicate a tendency towards obstinacy and closed-mindedness, to which a wise reader might caution against.

Four of Diamonds - Money in the Bank

The Four of Diamonds is another of our Key cards. Here we see the stability of Earth/Diamonds meeting that same quality in the Four. The effect of this is that each reinforces the other, making this the most stable of all the cards in the deck. This is a card of financial and material security, and may even represent the four walls of a Bank. When this card appears in a reading the querant can be sure they will not need to worry about money matters even though they will not gain financially at this time. Nevertheless it is a position of strength. Another aspect of Diamonds is as indicative of our personal values. Therefore the Four of Diamonds may appear when we arrive at a position of strength in respect of that which we value most.

Four Of Spades - Restraint

This is the most difficult of the Four's to interpret as it brings together a challenging combination of stability (four) and freedom (Fire/Spades).  The way this card plays out in any given situation will depend entirely on how the querant responds to this challenge. For example, a positive response is seen where a person is hospitalized but manages not to be dis-spirited by the experience. Though restrained they maintain their inner 'spark' and it is often this which helps them make a swift recovery. Another example, would be of those people who are imprisoned through no fault of their own, but who rise above the experience through the practice of prayer or meditation. However it is also possible that this card could indicate the opposite. That is to say that a persons fiery disposition has resulted in them losing certain freedoms through their own actions. Of course it may simply be that a person feels trapped and that there are no 'real' restraints on them at all. Finally, possibly the best expression of the freedom/stability aspect is that where a person chooses to enter a period of isolation in order to focus on their own spirtuality. Though entering a Monastery will suit only a few, time spent at a Spiritual Retreat, or simply in quiet contemplation, may be exactly what is needed at this time.

I am sure that it is becoming clear that the cards do not give us facts! What they do is simply point us towards energetic patterns such as 'restraint' and it takes careful interpretation and, to some extent, counselling of a client, to come to understand what it is that the cards hold for them. As far as your own relationship with the cards is concerned, there really is nothing better than reflecting on situations in your life that relate to each. Record your thoughts in your journal and learn from those, adding to them as you like.

Monday 11 October 2010

Lesson 6 - Three's a Crowd

You know those situations where you find yourself mediating between two parties, or feel like the rope in other peoples tug-of-war? Somehow you know you are crucial to the situation, but at the same time it may be a situation you would rather not be a part of at all. This sense of being torn in two is one aspect of the Threes. The other is that it is you that is placed between two situations from which you have to choose, possibly even two different directions, and isn't it nice to have that option? Determining which of these interpretations applies to your querants situation will be indicated by the other cards in a reading, something we will come to later. For now, it's worth remembering that whatever the situation, these cards are all about opportunities and choice!

Three of Hearts - Heartfelt Choices

Three of Hearts shows that demands are being made on you emotionally and in the field of relationships, though it can also show that your own feelings are divided. It may be that you need to make a choice between two romantic partners, or that you are trying to meet the demands made on you by both your partner and your child, for example. It is also felt wherever there are divided loyalties in family situations, perhaps between your immediate and extended family, or between different groups of friends. If you find yourself being called upon to act as mediator in a situation, remember you have a choice in whether you do so or not. The best advice here would be to listen to your heart. Another meaning of the Three of Hearts is that of a birth, or to put it another way, it is the outcome of the two.

Three of Clubs - Being in Two Minds

This is the second of our Key cards. Here the suit of Clubs, and it's ruler Air, both lovers of discussion and debate, meet with the Three of choice. At it's most tangible, this card can indicate choices need to be made in respect of education, such as choosing between two colleges, but more often indicates indecision, arising from the querants ability to understand the pros and cons of both sides of a given situation. There is also a risk of worry and arguments if choices are not made. This card is Air at it's most airy and as such contains both the strengths and weaknesses of that element. It is simultaneously objective, fair and argumentative, with a tendency for procrastination.

My Interpretation of the 3 of Clubs

Three of Diamonds - Financial Decisions

The Three of Diamonds tells us that there are choices to be made in the realm of business, finance and any issues connected to our material comforts. It suggests decisions to be made regarding investments as well as outgoings. You may need to consider whether the querant is in the difficult position of having to decide which bills they can pay first, for example. It may also appear in the spread of a person seeking employment where it would suggest that they will find themselves choosing between two different offers of work, or where a person is torn between two choices of career path.

Three of Spades - Lifestyle Choices

As Spades carry the transformative power of Fire, this card can indicate choices that will make for a healthier lifestyle weighed against the client's enjoyment of all that opposes that. Anyone who has tried to lose weight or give up smoking will understand that feeling. Of course Spades also speak to us of our spirituality, so the Three may suggest a sense of being torn spiritually. An example might be that your work keeps you tied to the city but your spirit calls out for the countryside, or you may be torn between two spiritual or religious paths. I'd also suggest that most people meet a point in their life where they have to choose the lifestyle, values and beliefs which work for them, even if these go against those of the people they are closest to. This lifestyle decision is a classic Three of Spades moment. If you can recall a similar situation you will understand the energy of this card. You may also like to think about how your life might be different if you had not made the decision you did. Finally this card can also indicate energy being expended in two directions, so you may wish to advise your client of the risk of 'burn-out'.

I strongly advise you spend some time reflecting on the cards covered in this lesson and the significance of each. Can you think of times in your own life which each might apply to? Though the Threes are a little more complicated than the other cards studied so far, you will find that, an understanding of the area of options and choices will help you to guide your querant in making their own, possibly life-changing, decisions.

Sunday 3 October 2010

Lesson 5 - It Takes Two

You'll notice a pattern emerging as we go through this course, which goes like this; odd numbers often present a challenge, even numbers less so. It'd be easy to think of this as odds = bad, evens = good, but things are rarely that simple. There are times when a challenge is just what we need and, conversely, there are times when being comfortable means we become complacent. The Aces that we looked at in the last lesson weren't 'bad' as such, but we know from experience that 'beginnings' often bring both hopes and fears. Think of the feelings associated with startng a new job, for example. I mention it here as a predominance of odds or evens in a reading could give you an indication straight away of what is happening for your client. It's worth watching out for.  


Two of Hearts  - Romance is on the Cards (my own design)

The Two of Hearts - Shared Emotions

The Two of Hearts is the first even numbered card i want to explore with you. Here we move from the emergence of feelings in ourselves (Ace) to connect with another person. In fact the Two of Hearts is THE classic indicator of a romantic relationship, though it could also indicate the loving feelings between a parent and a child, for example. There is a sense of the feelings, that were seen in the Ace, being recognised or met. This is also the first of four Key Cards, that is cards where the Numerological significance and the Suit/Element meet and support one another. In this case the number 2, signifying relationships, is supported by the suit of Hearts which also indicates relationships. Potent cards are like exclamation marks in a reading, they are easy to understand and hard to ignore! The card, shown here, is my own design. I hope you like it.

The Two of Clubs - Shared Ideas

With Clubs we find ourselves once again in the area of knowledge, ideas and communication. Combined with the energy of the number two, this card suggests relationships such as those between a student and teacher, speaker and listener, or between two 'study buddies', for example. It doesn't need to be a formal relationship but can be any situation where there is an exchange of knowledge and ideas between two people. At it's simplest, this card indicates communication between two people, and as Clubs are ruled by Air, it could indicate receiving a letter, phone call or email. This card suggests news, but gossip could also be indicated.

The Two of Diamonds - Shared Tasks

Here the two of partnership meets the Diamonds of financial and material reality. It may suggest a business partnership or some sort of working relationship. However, this cards significance is not limited to work and employment, it may also apply to any situation where two people come together to work towards material ends. For example, it could equally suggest a meeting with a bank manager or the sharing of practical tasks such as building, gardening or cooking.

The Two of Spades - Shared Passions

Spades, you will remember, are about spirituality and lifestyle. When the Two of Spades appears, we may be being shown a Spiritual connection between two people. This could be formal, as in that which exists between a Priest and Parishioner or Spiritual teacher and student, but more often applies to any situation between two people which is charged with meaning. The other significance of Spades of course, is that gained from it's ruling element, Fire. Therefore, this card can suggest an energetic relationship between two people, such as a sporting partnership, or in fact any relationship based on shared passions. Finally, this card can also indicate a doctor/patient connection, as it should be remembered that our personal energies, and therefore our health, fall under the auspices of Spades/Fire.

To understand each of these cards a little more, try working with them in the same way that we did with the Aces. Reflect on incidents in your life over the last year, month, or even over the last week, which have involved yourself and one other person. You could think about day to day tasks, time spent on holiday, social events, etc. Try to list a variety of situations and then see if you can figure out which card best matches that situation. Once you have matched one card to an event. you may like to try and think of a comparable situation. It may be that although the activities were similar, the quality of the shared relationship was different and, as such, you may feel that different cards are called for. If you are creative, you may also like to try and design your own cards. They don't need to be works of art as such but it is a great way to clarify your understanding of them, and start to express that understanding.

Sunday 12 September 2010

Lesson 4 - To Start at the very Beginning ...

Aces, as i'm sure you remember, are all about beginnings. Sometimes they may represent something completely new for us, but often they are part of  a cycle of  beginning, completion and beginning again which plays out through our lives. In fact, we often hear it said that "as one door closes, another opens", and this is the nature of the Ace. The Ace provides us with opportunities, sometimes challenges, to start afresh. Both optimistic and future focused, these cards provide the energy which opens the door.


The Ace of Hearts - New Emotions

This card is often taken as the sign of a new romance, but i would caution against reading it as such as it takes 2 to tango, so to speak. However, what we do see here is the emergence of loving feelings on the part of the querant. This may be in respect of the desire for romance, though it could also indicate love towards one's friends, family, neighbours or towards people in need. This card then might be seen in the spread of a person who seeks a personal relationship, or in that of a person considering a career in nursing, for example. Equally this card may indicate artistic beginnings. You can see then, that it is important to develop a good sense of intuition, and should not be surprised if you draw the Ace of Hearts at this point as it is also linked to intuition and psychic ability.


The Ace of Clubs - New Ideas

As Clubs are ruled by the element of Air we can expect the Ace of Clubs to represent intellectual beginnings. New ideas, new ways of thinking about a situation, or starting a course of study could be represented. A person about to go into teaching might see this card in their spread. Equally the Ace of Clubs relates to all forms of communication including the written word, TV, radio, and the internet and could suggest a desire to pursue such interests or to enter such a career. At the very least, this card shows that your querant is starting to think about something in an objective way.


The Ace of Diamonds - Financial Opportunities

The Ace of Diamonds suggests new beginnings in the realms of business and finance. This card could indicate openings for financial advancement in whatever form that might be. For example, if the querant is unemployed this could suggest a new job opportunity, though for another person it might indicate new investments or even the start of a new business venture. It would be fair to say that all the Aces are opportunistic but that it is probably most evident here as it's effect is manifest in the material world of money and belongings.



The Ace of Spades - Transformation

I'm sure you will have heard the Ace of Spades referred to as the 'death card', and may be wondering what that has to do with beginnings! Would you be surprised if i was to tell you that this idea has more to do with taxes than divination? Let me explain.

'Old Frizzle' from the IPCS
You'll have noticed that the Ace of Spades is frequently the most elaborate card in the deck. It's design is often highly complex and  features much larger than the other Aces. Generally it is this card which bears the manufacturer's name. This dates back to a period in British History when playing cards were heavily taxed. Originally the Ace of Spades was 'stamped' to show the tax had been paid but this was later replaced by a government issued card (seen here) bearing the royal coat of arms which showed the 'stamp duty' had been paid. Forgery of the card was punishable by death, as to avoid taxes was seen as an act of treason. In 1805, a man named Richard Hawkins was executed for his part in forging 2000 playing cards, and that it would seem, is where the card's reputation as an omen of death began. More recently, the card was used by the US military in Vietnam, as a form of psychological weapon. They would place the card in the mouths of those they killed so that the card became associated with death in the minds of the Viet Cong.

To break with this morbid association, you may choose to select a deck where the Ace of Spades is more simple in design. Or alternatively you could use an elaborate one to educate your clients about it's history and reassure them that this is nothing to fear.

As for it's significance in a reading, it can be seen as the beginning of a spiritual phase in a persons life. Remember that Spades are ruled by Fire, and just as fire is difficult to predict, the same can be said of all the Spades. I mention that as they really do take some getting used to, so don't give up if you find yourself struggling to get to grips with them. The key word is transformation. If you think of fire burning everything in it's path and leaving room for something new, you will be on the way to understanding this card. Any positive changes that a person is considering making in their lifestyle will be indicated by this card. It often carries a degree of risk, so may well appear when a person is planning a major life change.

I suggest you spend a little time working with just the Aces. See if you can think of times in your life which relate to the different suits. Then narrow it down to events in the last year, month, and finally to the last week. Beginnings aren't always life-changing events. For example, if you have started reading a book in the last week you will have been tapping into the energy of the Ace of Clubs. See how many ideas you can come up with and keep notes. These will prove an invaluable resource and help you make real progress with your readings.

Thursday 9 September 2010

Lesson 3 - The 3 Card Spread

Now that you are beginning to get a feel for the individual cards let's take it a stage further by combining them in a reading. The 3 card spread is a nice way to do this and is a quick way to gain insight into a specific issue - but first you need to form your question.

The best questions are those which need more than a yes/no answer. To give you an example, rather than ask "will my team win the cup?" it would be better to ask, "what needs to happen to ensure my team has a good  opportunity of winning the cup?". You can see that not only does the second of these open the way for greater insight into the situation but it also accepts that there are other factors which can affect the result - it is not a matter of fate! This is a crucial lesson in reading the cards as our futures are not set in stone. The best reading is one in which you have been able to give another person insight into their situation so that they may make the best decisions for their own futures.

Once you have formulated your question, hold it in your mind and shuffle the cards until you feel you are ready to start the reading. Then draw 3 cards from the pack (whether you take the cards from the top or from throughout the pack is really a matter of personal preference) and lay them face down and side by side in front of you. Of these, the card on the left will represent the past, the centre card will represent the present, and the one on the right, the future. Another way of looking at this spread is that the first position is that of influence, the second is the current situation and the third is the potential outcome. Turn the cards over one at a time giving yourself enough time to recall what each signifies.

    past                                   present                                    future

Next you will need to consider what they indicate in relation to where they are situated in the spread, and in relation to the question. This isn't difficult but may take a bit of practice. For example, if you asked a question about romance and were to turn over the 2 of Hearts in the first position, you might feel that this refers to a past relationship. However, if your question was about your career, the same card in the same position could indicate that a relationship had somehow contributed (past) towards your (present) career concerns. In the second example the relationship itself may not be in the past, but it's position tells us that it has influenced the current situation.

The best way to get the hang of this is to give it a go. Ask your friends and family to suggest topics that might form the base of a reading. Think how you would phrase a question around this topic. You can then start reading the cards as a set rather than individually, remembering that the future (or outcome) is a result of decisions and actions taken in the present.  Most importantly, try to remember that reading the cards is an art not a science. You wouldn't expect to paint a masterpiece in 3 lessons, so be kind on yourself. No-one expects you to be an expert overnight, except maybe you! Relax and let your intuition guide you.

Congratulations!!! You have completed a great deal in 3 lessons. If there are parts you aren't sure of you can always go back and recap. In the next lesson we will be looking at the Aces in a little more detail and finding out why the Ace of Spades has the reputation it does. Intrigued? See you there.

Wednesday 8 September 2010

Lesson 2 - Making Friends of the Court Cards

Court cards refer to the people in our lives, though they can also refer to qualities in ourselves. Keeping things simple for now let's assume that they refer to other people and that a Queen indicates a woman, a King indicates a man and a Jack refers to a young person who might be male or female. As before, the suit indicates the element and corresponding characteristics; so a Queen of Clubs would indicate a woman who portrays the qualities of Air.

To make it easier to understand the elements as they relate to people it is useful to compare the Court Cards with Astrology.

Hearts = Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces / Emotional and intuitive.
Clubs = Air Signs: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius / Objective and idealistic.
Diamonds = Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn / Practical and pragmatic.
Spades = Fire Signs: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius / Passionate and motivated.

If you think of your friends zodiac signs and the qualities they possess in relation to the playing cards you will soon get a feel for this.

A word of caution though - when a Court Card appears in a reading don't assume that this means a person of a particular sign will be significant. That is to say that drawing the King of Diamonds, for example, does not necessarily mean that a Taurus (or Capricorn or Virgo) man is indicated. Sometimes that might be the case, but more often than not it will indicate that a person who portrays the characteristics of that sign will be relevant to the situation to which the reading refers.

In the next lesson i will teach you how to carry out a simple 3 card reading but now it's time to have some fun. Spread the Court Cards out in front of you and taking one at a time consider them in relation to the qualities given above. Do they remind you of anyone you know. What about celebrities, politicians, or characters from your favourite book or movie? Try to understand the personality of the card and in no time at all they'll be like old friends.

Sunday 5 September 2010

Lesson 1 - Getting Started

I started using playing cards for divination in my teens, when other people were starting to explore tarot. I think one of the things that attracted me to it was how easy it was to get started. At it's most basic it is a matter of combining simple Numerology (the card denominations) with an understanding of the Elements (the suits). Of course, there is more to it than that but that's really all you need to begin ... so, discarding the court cards for now, let's get started.

it's not as daunting as it seems
The Pip Cards

Ace = Beginnings.
2 = Partnerships
3 = Choices
4 = Stability
5 = Change
6 = Balance
7 = Spirituality
8 = Power
9 = Endings
10 = Success

The Suits

Hearts = Water (relationships and emotions)
Clubs = Air (knowledge and communication)
Diamonds = Earth (financial matters)
Spades = Fire (passion and spirituality).

Working with just the information above it's not hard to work out what might be indicated if you were to draw a 3 (choices) of Hearts (relationships), or what a 10 (success) of Diamonds (finances) could mean. And that's all there is to it ... for now. I will go into each in more detail in another lesson but in the meantime have fun choosing cards at random and hazard a guess at what each might mean.