Post by moonwind333 on Apr 17, 2006 22:29:35 GMT -5
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INTRO TO CARTOMANCY
While most people think of the Tarot when anyone mentions the use of cards in divination, Cartomancy is the use of a regular deck of playing cards as a divination tool.
There are differing opinions on whether the playing cards of today were derived from the Tarot or not. Some believe the decks came about as separate entities, citing the lack of the Major Arcana and the fact that the Page was omitted. Others believe the playing cards came about as a way to disguise the Minor Arcana of the fortune telling decks during the bad times. Whichever is true, of you know the meaning of the cards in the regular deck, it can be used just like the Tarot for fortune telling and divination.
While there are many parallels between the Tarot and the regular deck, there is a lot of symbolism associated with the playing cards alone. Just as with the Minor Arcana there are four suits in the deck which represents the four seasons and the four elements. Unlike the Tarot, there is much symbolism in the number of cards found in the deck (excluding the Jokers). The 13 cards in each suit represents the 13 moons in a year. The total of 52 cards stands for the 52 weeks of the year. And the 12 face (or court) cards represent the 12 months of the year as well as the 12 signs of the Zodiac.
THE NUMBERS AND THEIR GENERAL MEANINGS
Aces (Ones): This number indicates new beginnings. It represents a single unit. It is an action number, showing a person is ready to go. It represents a time of forging ahead into the unknown, going where one has not gone before.
Twos: This number shows duality. It indicates one is no longer alone, that there has been the taking on of a mate or partner of some kind. It can also indicate a time of waiting; a time of learning patience. A two can signify a new love, a new job, or a new place to live. It can also represent the meeting of two like minded people.
Threes: This number indicates growth of some kind. It may indicate one is taking on another partner or that a couple (two) will soon become three. It can also indicate that the happiness of a couple has turned to boredom or that one of them has developed a wandering eye. Threes represent short trips and journeys and deal with communication. It can also represent a small group of people or friends involved in the same situation or project.
Fours: This number can represent “little boxes” or “walls”. They can symbolize structure and stability, but often are a symbol of restriction and the inability to move ahead, which can be the results of structure and stability. Fours can signify the walls that one might surround oneself with – walls of people, of money, of possessions, or just the walls of one’s home. They can symbolize a retreat from others or can show self-discipline, hard work, or burdens that one assumes.
Fives: This number indicates a need to break out, a need for freedom. It can indicate loss and hardships or impulsive actions that can hurt others or yourself. Fives can represent a time of quarrels and tears. They can also symbolize the upheaval of leaving behind the old and comfortable for the new and unknown.
Sixes: This number represents letting go; letting go of situations, people, or things that have caused pain or hardship; a time to think of the past, celebrate it, and then let go of it. Sixes represent a time to kick back and watch. They symbolize movement from the past into the future.
Sevens: This number represents learning about the self. It symbolizes growth from within, examining what has been done and how one might improve on it. Sevens can also indicate anger or fighting against what has come before. They can signify obstacles to be faced. A seven can also indicate assertiveness. They can also indicate one’s need to act upon one’s own options.
Eights: This number represents power, leadership, and strength. It symbolizes going after what you want. It represents material acquisition. It shows solid foundations and good backgrounds. It indicates knowing where you are headed.
Nines: This number indicates a need for closure; to finish some part of the past. It represents a need to turn away and move on. It symbolizes holding on to only what is needed for the future while discarding everything else.
Tens: This is the number of both endings and beginnings. It represents the end of something but the taking from it valuable knowledge needed for the future. It indicates beginnings (such as the Aces as the 10 is 1 + 0, or 1), but not brand new beginnings. It symbolizes basing the future on what one has learned from the past in order to be successful, be it in relationships, career, or any other endeavor.
Jacks (Elevens): These indicate mutability, immaturity, and changeability. They represent a young person (under age 25) or either sex, including children. When Jacks are involved in something they believe in it wholeheartedly, but they can change their minds, views, or feelings in the blink of an eye. The power of the Jacks can be either good or destructive due to the number 11, which becomes a two (1 + 1), indicating duality.
Queens (Twelves): Queens indicate feminine energy. They represent the mature woman or a mother. They are there when they are needed. They symbolize compassion, love, and care for another’s feelings. On the other hand they can represent anger that can be swift and painful. They can indicate a deep love of others … and can also indicate deceit and/or vindictiveness if that love is rejected. The Queens can indicate change, but in a passive, feminine way due to the 12 (1 + 2) which becomes a three, indicating growth and change.
Kings (Thirteens): These indicate the strength and power of any situation. They are cardinal in nature. They are the judges, the advisors, the ones you turn to for physical needs. They represent those who sit in judgment, who give advise, and who also protect and serve. The Kings represent masculine energy. Due to the number 13 (1 + 3) becoming the number 4 they also symbolize stability and structure.