Playing cards are not traditional tarot cards, but that doesn’t mean tarot readers cannot use a traditional deck of playing cards to read one’s fortune. It’s common knowledge that the Ace of Spades is aligned with the “Death Card” in an authentic tarot deck. So why shouldn’t a poker player be able to apply the knowledge of the mystics to poker?
First things first; we are neither recommending the technique, nor vitiating the potential success, of playing poker hands according to tarot-based symbolism. It is merely a theory, a prospective strategy, that may or may not be effective for any individual player.
Like most supernatural or mystical beliefs, the efficacy of tarot reading has a lot to do with the perception of the individual they are applied to. Many believe that having faith in the accuracy of a tarot reading will greatly influence whether or not it is, in fact, accurate. Some believe the individual sees what they want to see and will find a way to relate the intuitive meaning to past, present or future events accordingly. We believe it’s something everyone must decide for themselves, preferably through experimentation.
For this experiment, you will need nothing more than a deck of cards and a chart to depict the premonitions of each card. If you want to get a few friends in on the action, go ahead. If not, simply deal the cards face-up and take the position of each player, determining how to play out each hand based on its tarot evaluation.
Here’s a quick break-down of each cards meaning, by suit and value.
Diamonds: Associated with intellect and clear thinking. They represent Spring (early life, new beginnings). When referring to another person, Diamonds denote those with an impulsive and impatient personality.
Clubs: Associated with practicality, creativity and initiative. They represent Summer, (early-to-mid life, the saplings of labor). When referring to another person, Clubs denote those with a determined attitude, strong focus and extrovert personality.
Hearts: Associated with a mature, nurturing emotional status. They represent Fall, (mid-to-late life, the fruits of labor). When referring to another person, Hearts denote those with an altruistic demeanor and quiet, introvert personality.
Spades: Associated with warnings, obstacles and wisdom in decision making. They represent Winter, (old age, the closing of a door). When referring to another person, Spades denote those with lack of emotion, cold and/or aggressive behavior and a reclusive personality.
Ace: New Beginnings
2: Opposition, balance, making a choice
3: Creativity and communication
4: Foundation
5: Impatience, change
6: Peace, adaptation
7: Surprises
8: Karma
9: Fortune
10: Completion
Jack: Youth
Queen: Maturity (feminine)
King: Maturity (masculine)
Combining each face with suit, the following meanings are derived.
Ace of Diamonds: Increase in assets
Ace of Clubs: New undertakings
Ace of Hearts: New love
Ace of Spades: New knowledge, new obstacles
2 of Diamonds: Making a practical choice
2 of Clubs: Value of intuition
2 of Hearts: Romance
2 of Spades: Stalemate, indecision
3 of Diamonds: Rewards, fruition
3 of Clubs: Helpful entities
3 of Hearts: Reason to celebrate
3 of Spades: Three’s a crowd, too many partakers
4 of Diamonds: Establishment of a home base
4 of Clubs: Strong values
4 of Hearts: Security
4 of Spades: Peace in decisions
5 of Diamonds: Financial change
5 of Clubs: Petty contention
5 of Hearts: Sorrow, loss
5 of Spades: Triumph at a cost
6 of Diamonds: Opportune relief
6 of Clubs: Successful outcome
6 of Hearts: Loyal to history, renewed friendships
6 of Spades: End of sorrow, bright future
7 of Diamonds: Consistency rewarded
7 of Clubs: Competition, self-defense
7 of Hearts: Unrealistic expectations
7 of Spades: Betrayal
8 of Diamonds: Skills reap profit
8 of Clubs: Communicative fortune
8 of Hearts: Communication of love
8 of Spades: Fear of a negative situation
9 of Diamonds: Material achievement
9 of Clubs: Stubborn, reserved will
9 of Hearts: Dreams realized, overindulgence
9 of Spades: Worry, loss
10 of Diamonds: Improvements
10 of Clubs: Setbacks
10 of Hearts: Happiness at home
10 of Spades: Unhealthy, weak
Jack of Diamonds: Unfounded ambition
Jack of Clubs: Lucky
Jack of Hearts: Impractical, unrealistic
Jack of Spades: Immaturity, negligent leadership
Queen of Diamonds: Practical, ambitious
Queen of Clubs: Strong leadership and business skills
Queen of Hearts: Supportive
Queen of Spades: Logical, calculating, power hungry
King of Diamonds: Protective, authoritative
King of Clubs: Strong instincts
King of Hearts: Sincerity, philosophy
King of Spades: Commanding, Ruthless