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CHAPTER 1
INTERPRETING THE SUIT OF CLUBS
The Ace of Clubs
Keywords: Success, action, initiative, creativity
Quick Clues: Wealth, success, and peace of mind; also, a happy home life
The Ace of Clubs is an excellent card; it signifies a burst of energy, a new beginning, and enormous potential. This card is connected to talent and a capacity for original thought.
The Ace of Clubs can indicate a financial gain, or perhaps fame or public recognition for an achievement. This Ace brings good news, probably concerning money, but it may also signify an increase in personal status as a reward for the questioner's past efforts.
Some card readers see this Ace as symbolizing a wedding or engagement ring, and they interpret its appearance as a good omen for the questioner's love life, as well as an indicator of a lasting emotional bond.
If the Ace of Clubs is found among the first three cards in a spread, it is a sign of extraordinary talent. The questioner is likely to be in possession of unique gifts that can take him or her a long way if they are channeled in a productive fashion.
Reversed Card Meaning
The Reversed Card Meaning is the same as the upright card meaning, but milder.
The Two of Clubs
Keywords: Potential, support, opportunity
Quick Clue: Help and support might not always take the form that the questioner desires
In essence, the Two of Clubs is a card of potential that suggests that opportunities and invitations are on their way. While these may seem to be unimportant initially, this will turn out to be a time of promise. The pressure is on when the Two of Clubs is present. It means that the questioner should be more self-reliant than he or she might have been in recent times. It is likely that the questioner feels that he or she has taken on too much responsibility and will count on friends and family for support through a difficult period.
It is vital that the questioner not overuse this cry for help, because this individual could wear out his or her welcome and ruin some close relationships. If these relationships start to suffer under the strain, the questioner will find that those who were previously happy to be around have become more distant. If ever there was a time for wisdom, this is it! It's time to abandon unrealistic expectations, bring things back to basics, be less heavily dependent on loved ones, and budget wisely for the future.
Reversed Card Meaning
Disappointments and disagreements.
The Three of Clubs
Keywords: Feud, forgiveness
Quick Clues: Tradition says this card foretells marriage to a wealthy partner!
The Three of Clubs may be a card of potential success, but it has a definite downside. When this card is drawn, the questioner can be sure that the better he or she does, the more that success will give rise to envy, backbiting, and overt hostility, often from people who ought to know better. It may be the case that through some oversight or ill-thought-out actions, the questioner has inadvertently caused this unpleasant episode, but even so, it hardly seems just.
The next step is up to the questioner. Will he or she take offense, react harshly, and declare the envious one an enemy for all eternity, thus creating a feud? Or will the questioner rise above the slight, prove to be a better person, and continue enjoying life and the success he or she has achieved? These are important questions for the questioner to answer.
Reversed Card Meaning
The questioner will have a partner who is able to pay his or her way but who will not be rich.
The Four of Clubs
Keyword: Assistance
Quick Clues: Changes for the better
Hardened card players tended to think that a hand that contained the Four of Clubs was an ill omen. This is surprising when one considers that the card has such a good interpretation in the traditions of card reading.
When the Four of Clubs appears in a spread, the message is that help is available to the questioner, whether this assistance is actually needed or not. The implication is that the questioner's friends and colleagues respect and think well of this individual. It also means that the questioner is probably unaware of the esteem in which he or she is held. The only possible downside to the card is that the questioner may be so independent minded that he or she will refuse help when it is offered, or that this individual is somewhat emotionally repressed and finds it hard to express his or her true feelings.
Reversed Card Meaning
The reversed card indicates unreliable people around the questioner, and lies and betrayal.
The Five of Clubs
Keyword: Friction
Quick Clues: An advantageous marriage and helpful friends, but even these might fall out from time to time
Traditional interpretations of this card flatly state that the Five of Clubs means a heated argument between friends. In fact, the underlying causes of this conflict may never actually bring the questioner and his or her friends to heated words but, nevertheless, they are troubling. The main reason for a disagreement is likely to be envy, although it is not uncommon for the people involved to flatly deny this. It is likely that one of the friends has progressed faster, earns more money, lives in a better house, drives a better car, or has something else that provokes the "green-eyed monster." The sad fact of the matter is that both parties could actually be secretly envious of each other, seeing in the other's lifestyle things that are lacking in their own.
As a card of advice, the Five of Clubs urges the questioner not to be pompous or boastful.
Reversed Card Meaning
If the questioner meets a potential lover, the encounter will result in a friendship rather than a partnership.
The Six of Clubs
Keywords: Happy meetings
Quick Clues: Business success, especially in partnerships
The Six of Clubs is a happy card, indicating an active social life and lots of fun. More important, it also shows meetings with new people who will be a positive influence in the future. In some cases, the appearance of this card indicates a coming together of two people in a romantic sense (look to see whether the Six of Clubs is surrounded by Hearts). In another sense, the card could indicate the formation of a business partnership, or being led to the right career opportunity by a friend.
For a divorced individual, this card could point to the establishment of a new and far better relationship. For someone who is unemployed, the right job will soon turn up. If there have been family quarrels, reconciliation is now a strong possibility. In all ways, the Six of Clubs is a welcome sight in any reading, pointing to improvements in friendships, romance, and career prospects.
Reversed Card Meaning
The reversed card meaning is the same as the upright card meaning, but milder.
The Seven of Clubs
Keywords: Warning of danger ahead
Quick Clues: Happiness, joy, and prosperity, but the questioner should be careful in dealings with the opposite sex, as they will cause trouble
This has to be one of the most sexist cards in the deck! It warns that if the questioner allows a member of the opposite sex any influence in business affairs, these interests will be ruined. The only safe plan is to trust those of one's own gender — as long as there is no sexual attraction between the questioner and his or her same-gender friends!
The Seven of Clubs tells of a period of minor delays and foul-ups that cannot be avoided but have to be borne with patience and resignation. Nothing is so serious that it cannot be sorted out, unless grim cards, such as Spades, surround this card, in which case there is a definite warning of danger ahead. Even so, it might be wise for the questioner to seek some professional, even legal, advice before proceeding with his or plans.
The card might even be taken as a criticism, especially if it is one of the first three drawn. It could show that the questioner is too full of big ideas, or that this individual is great at starting projects but very poor at finishing them.
This Seven can denote a period of forced learning, in which the questioner has to take on a lot of information in a short time to protect his or her interests. It may also indicate that some people around the questioner are unworthy companions who are eroding his or her confidence.
Reversed Card Meaning
The Reversed Card Meaning is the same as the upright card meaning, but weaker.
The Eight of Clubs
Keywords: Peace, harmony
Quick Clues: Money comes into the questioner's life, but he or she must guard against being too open with new people who arrive on the scene.
This card brings good news for those who are ground down by work and duty. The Eight of Clubs tells the questioner to take a break, that there's more to life than the rat race. It's a big world out there! This is especially true if this is one of the first three cards drawn.
The card is also an indicator of a return of peace of mind. Worry will fade. It may not disappear, but there will be a growing realization that there is more to life than the questioner's own petty concerns. If too much emphasis has been placed on material values, there will now be a change of viewpoint.
The card also suggests a journey, a voyage of discovery. The main things to be discovered, of course, are the questioner's own true self and the path to inner tranquility.
Reversed Card Meaning
Opposition and arguments.
The Nine of Clubs
Keyword: Contentment
Quick Clues: Achievements — and if applicable, a new lover
A feeling of personal achievements and self-satisfaction is revealed by the Nine of Clubs. Whatever the questioner's goals and desires are, it is clear that he or she is a step closer to achieving them when this card appears in the reading. This is a card of progress and of making headway toward a desired goal. It may be that one more hurdle has to be dealt with before final success is achieved, yet this should not be too difficult, and the well-deserved end is in sight.
The questioner may already be aware of this, so he or she should perhaps start to look around for fresh challenges, a promotion at work, a higher level of responsibility, more status and authority, and so on.
On a social level, this card suggest enjoyment within a closely knit group of like-minded people.
Reversed Card Meaning
Obstacles and disagreements.
The Ten of Clubs
Keywords: New beginnings
Quick Clues: Money is coming in the form of a bonus, a win, a legacy, a raise, or a business idea that takes off quickly.
The Ten of Clubs is a card of good omen regarding new beginnings. A new day has dawned, and with it comes the potential of new directions and new challenges, all of which should be embraced. Clubs are often associated with work and making an effort, so nothing will land in the questioner's lap, but all the factors are present to make a success of whatever the questioner has in mind to achieve.
This is a card of enthusiasm. It may hint of a return to the excitement and sense of adventure that is so often associated with the Ace of this suit. However, this reawakening keenness should not go to the questioner's head. If this individual concentrates solely on career and becomes a workaholic, he or she will form friendships within the working environment at the expense of family relationships and other friendships and connections.
Reversed Card Meaning
The reversed card meaning is the same as the upright card meaning, but milder and slower to materialize.
The Jack of Clubs
Appearance: The Clubs Jack is usually thought of as having dark hair and eyes, though not as dark as the Jack of Spades. In personality, the Jack of Clubs is idealistic and romantic. Traditionally, this dark-haired young man is a reliable and helpful friend.
The Jack of Clubs is a faithful friend, an honest and respectable person. He may represent a young man in love. If found next to a feminine card (Hearts or Diamonds), his chances of romantic success are very good, unless that card happens to be the Jack of Hearts, in which case, a dangerous rivalry is likely. If found next to a male card (Clubs or Spades), then this Jack is a stalwart ally.
This is someone who has the questioner's best interests at heart — a thoughtful and helpful person. As usual, if this card is one of the first three cards drawn from the deck, then the Jack of Clubs either refers to the questioner or to someone who is very close to the questioner. If the questioner does not recognize the description of this character, then it is likely to represent the thoughts of a man with a dark complexion or dark hair. Since this card is quite positive, these thoughts are likely to be to the good.
Reversed Card Meaning
This young man is either unwilling or unable to help the questioner right now.
The Queen of Clubs
Appearance: Club court cards are usually taken to represent people with dark hair and eyes. The Clubs Queen has a medium to swarthy complexion and is considered to be a lively character.
The Queen of Clubs is sociable, outgoing, and friendly. She has a lot of charm and often possesses a physical grace and elegance. However, this is only a facade, or the face she presents to the world. Mentally and emotionally, the Queen of Clubs is very shrewd indeed, and she is often a businesswoman or someone who takes to responsibility easily. This woman is adept at adjusting social situations to suit herself by her use of charm and just a little guile. This is not to say that she is coldly manipulative; she leaves that trait to the Queen of Spades. A better description of the Queen of Clubs is that she is a survivor. Tradition says that this dark-haired woman is businesslike, capable, and very attractive to the opposite sex.
She enjoys being the center of attention, but she is prone to fairly rapid mood swings that can alienate her companions. On the downside, the Queen of Clubs has occasional periods of loneliness and self-pity.
This Queen has a good eye for a bargain, excellent taste, and a good eye for form and color. Consequently, her home is usually furnished to the highest and most exquisite standard.
When the Queen of Clubs is one of the first three cards dealt for a male questioner, it represents a woman who has astrong influence on his life. When it is one of the first three dealt for a female questioner, the card expresses her personality or the challenges that she is facing in her present life.
Reversed Card Meaning
This woman may be worried or may not be in a position to help the questioner. Alternatively, she may be calculating and shifty.
The King of Clubs
Appearance: In card-reading tradition, the King of Clubs has a ruddy complexion and a robust physique. He is often possessed of dark, rich brown or red hair, and brown or hazel eyes. He has an energetic and lively personality.
Traditionally speaking, this is a dark-haired man. He is honest, helpful, humane, and affectionate, and he makes a faithful partner who cheers everyone up.
The King of Clubs is a helpful friend who offers support. The questioner can rely on this man. If a male questioner draws this among the first three cards, it represents him, but if the questioner is female, the card represents a male friend or relative that she respects.
If found elsewhere in a spread, it is said that if the questioner is male, then this King is likely to be a work colleague or a professional person to whom he can turn for good advice and practical help. I would suggest that this interpretation holds true for questioners of both genders these days.
As a character, the King of Clubs is quite difficult to get to know. It is likely that he has been emotionally wounded in the past and has developed some defensive barriers to prevent it from happening again. This person has wide interests and is capable of both enjoying an active social life and relishing time alone. He may be somewhat lonely and will find happiness only within a supportive relationship with someone who may not fully understand him, yet would not change him for the world.
Reversed Card Meaning
This man may be troubled, in a difficult situation, or just plain tricky and dishonest.
CHAPTER 2
INTERPRETING THE SUIT OF DIAMONDS
The Ace of Diamonds
Keywords: Money, luck, communication
Quick Clues: An engagement or wedding ring; a letter bringing good news about money
The traditional meaning of this card is a message, possibly in the form of a letter, but in this age of instantaneous communication I can see no reason why the Ace of Diamonds should not represent a phone call, text message, or e-mail.
In keeping with the earthy and generally materialistic nature of the Diamonds suit, the message the Ace brings is usually connected with money. This is a positive card, so the news is likely to be good and therefore profitable. One of this Ace's subsidiary meanings is a successful and pleasing exam result.
The card is also associated with marriage, or at least the establishment of a long-term partnership. In traditional card reading, the Ace of Diamonds signifies a marriage proposal to a woman, but to a man it indicates a business proposition that has the likelihood of turning a remarkable profit.
If the Ace of Diamonds is among the first three cards in a spread, it signifies an opportunity for the questioner to use his or her abilities in a practical way that will enhance this individual's reputation and bank balance.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Fortune Telling with Playing Cards"
by .
Copyright © 2018 Estate of Jonathan Dee.
Excerpted by permission of Hampton Roads Publishing Company, Inc..
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