Italian Cartomancy - Alessandra Venturi

WRITTEN BY ALES SANDRA VENTURY FOR
www.ITALIANCARTOMANCY.COM
3
Italian Cartomancy: Learn the Vera Sibilla Italiana
/'Jessandra Venturi
Copyright © 2014 l'\lessandra Venturi,
ISBN 978-1-291-79703-9
Second Edition
All Rights ReseIVed. \10 part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed
by any means whatsoever without prior permission of the copyright owner.
,,"VI card images are the sole property of Alessandra Venturi,

The School of Italian Cartomancy and
www./talianCaJtomancycom
DISClAIMER
-To comply with EU-UK Directive and Regulation, UCDP and CPRs-
The information in this book is for entertainment purposes only and does not
constitute any kind of professional, i.e. legal, medical, financial or personal advice.
Although the author of this book has worked to the best of her knowledge in the
production of this material, the statements made in this book are not factual, as
fortune-telling and cartomancy cannot be proved to be factual. I take no
responsibility for your actions with respect to any loss, damage or injury to you or
others caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information
contained in this book
INTRODUcrORY NOTE:
As the author of this infonnation, I have written these series of books
on the Vera Sibilla deck in good faith that they will not be stolen,
passed around, reproduced or plagiarised in any way. I would ask you
to respect my hard work to make this infonnation available for the first
time in the English language, and to please purchase your own copy of
this book if you have not already done so. You need a Vera Sibilla
deck to do readings with this book; you wouldn't steal a deck, you
would buy it honestly, so please do the same with the work that makes
it possible for you to interpret it. Thank you.
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5
Preface ................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Introduction................................................................................................................................................................ 12
The History of Italian Cartomancy................................................................................................. 13
The Basics: Card Structure .................................................... "................................... ,.......................... 19
Card Division....... ,....................................... ,... ,.......................................................... ,............................................ 24
The Dominant Suits .................................................................................... ,.................................................. 25
The Subordinate Suits ................................................................. ,... ,.. ,....................................................... 26
The Suit of Hearts ..................................................................................................... "..................................... 29
Ace of Hearts - Conversation............................................................................................................. 30
T\vo of Hearts - House .............................................................. ,...... ,........................................................34
Three of Hearts - Fairview. ......................................... ".......... "........... ,................................................. 38
Four of Hearts - Love ..................................................................................................... ,............................. 41
Five of Hearts - Happiness of the Heart.............................................................................. ..43
Six of Hearts - ,r\Iloney......................................................................... ,.............. ,' ....................................... 47
Seven of Hearts - Scho1ar...................................................................................................................... 50
Eight of Hearts - Hope ................................................................................................................................54
Nine of Hearts - Loyalty.............................................................................................................................58
Ten of Hearts - Perseverance ............................................................................................................ 61
Jack of Hearts - The Lover.. ................................................................................................................. 64
Queen of Hearts - The Lover............................................................................................................. 67
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King of Hearts - The Great Gentieman."".".""".""".""""""""""""""".. "."".".""""""",,70
The Suit of Clubs""""""""""""."""""""""""""".".""""."""""""""""""""""""".""""""""""""""""".74
Ace of CI ubs - Hymenaios"."""""""."."."."."""""""""""""""".""""""""""".. """",,""".,,"""",,. 75
Two of Clubs - Haughtiness."""""."""""" .. """"""""""""."""""""""""""""""""".""""""""",,80
Three of Clubs - Travel.."""""""""""""""""."""""""""""""""""""".""""""" .. "."."""""""""".".84
Four of Clubs - The F riend"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""",,87
Five of Clubs - Fortune"""""""""."""""""""""""""""""""."""""""""""""""""""".""""""""""".90
Six of Clubs - Comforting Surprise"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""".92
Seven of Clubs - Great Consolation""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""".95
Eight of Clubs - The Reunion.""""""""""".""""""" .. """""""""""".""".".""""""""""""""".,,98
l\ine of Clubs - Happiness"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""".102
Ten of Clubs - Carefreeness"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" I 05
Jack of Clubs - The F ootman"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" I 08
Queen of Clubs - The Young Lady""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 112
King of Clubs - The Doctor.."""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""".117
The Suit of Spades."."""""""""""""""""""""."""""""""""""""""""." .. """"""""""""""""""'"'''' 122
Ace of Spades - Sorrow""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""".......................................... ,,"""""" 125
Two of Spades - The Old Lady.... ".. ".. ".. ".. """""" .. "....................................,,"""""""""",,... 129
Three of Spades - The Widower.." .. ".. ".. ".. """""""""""""" .... "...... ".. ".. ".. ".. """""""""".135
Four of Spades - The Sick Man"""""" ...... ".. ".. ".. """""""""""""""""" .. """" .. ".. ".. ".. ".. ". 140
Five of Spades _ Death.""""""""" .. ".. ".. """ ... """"""""""""" .. "" .. ,, ..... ,, .. ,, .. ,,""""""""""""""".".145
Six of Spades - Sighs""""" .. ".. """""""".""""""""" .. ".. ".. """""".""""""""""""""""""""'"'''''''' 152

Seven of Spades - T ragedy.............................................................................................................. 157
Eight of Spades - Consumed with Jealousy.................................................................. 165
Nine of Spades - Prison........................................................................................................................ 170
Ten of Spades - Soldier.. .................................................................................................................... 177
Jack of Spades - The Enemy......................................................................................................... 182
Queen of Spades- The Enemy.................................................................................................... 187
King of Spades - The PriesL .......................................................................................................... 192
The Suit of Diamonds.............................................................................................................................. 197
Ace of Diamonds - The Room. ..................................................................................................... 198
Two of Diamonds - The Letter.. .................................................................................................... 202
Three of Diamonds - Gift of Precious Stones ............................................................. 205
Four of Diamonds - F alseness ......................................................................................................211
Five of Diamonds - Melancholy.................................................................................................... 216
Six of Diamonds - Thought... ............................................................................................................ 220
Seven of Diamonds - The' Child................................................................................................... 224
Eight of Diamonds - The Housemaid................................................................................... 228
I\ine of Diamonds - The Lunatics ............................................................................................. 233
Ten of Diamonds - The Thief.. ...................................................................................................... 239
Jack of Diamonds - The Messenger... .................................................................................... 244
Queen of Diamonds - The Married Woman................................................................. 248
King of Diamonds - The MerchanL ........................................................................................ 253
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................................. 25 7
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y private family's history abounds with tales of the Sibilla
and the many mysteries, prophecies and predictions that almost

spewed from the decks of each generation.
My Great-Great-Grandmother, who I am reliably informed was
already quite accomplished in the reading of traditional playing cards,
was in her mid 60's when the Sybil was first created back in the past.
The compliment of 52 cards, I understand, was not a great leap for her
to adjust to quite quickly, and it is told within the stories passed down
from generation to generation that she became well-known for her
readings of the Sibilla deck in no time at all; giving her own special
brand of reading within the family and local community in our home
town in Italy.
Passing on her skills, insights and experience to her own daughter
(my great grandmotherl, that matriarch of the family, through fortune-
telling and divination, began what was to become a time-honoured
tradition of word of mouth lessons, passed down from one mother to
her daughter, until the present day when my own mother dedicated her
time and love, and I dedicated many adolescent and adult years to the
pursuit of understanding and getting to know the family Sibilla, its
meanings, nuances and whispers of hope, change, chance and
transformation. There have been many warnings too, down through the
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ages, and my own life has gained greatly from heeding such words of
wisdom and lessons in discernment.
As for the tales, well, time and tongue have the propensity to tum truth
into half-truth and tales into half-told stories, mixed with nostalgia and
a deep respect for what over time has inevitably become a well-
intentioned enthusiasm for a proud esoteric family history (yet kept
secret from the prying eyes of the then prejudiced general public). For
that reason I am reluctant to share so many of those family tales that
have most certainly become a mixture of fact, nostalgia and myth. One
certain fact about these cards, and it is also a commonly shared family
and wider cartomancer experience, is that they have the trait of
"chattiness" and an unceasing propensity to expand their information
around and beyond all efforts to seek immediate answers.
The translation of this trait in Italian is "chiaccherine" or the "chatty
ones", as anyone who uses this deck seriously will uncover for
themselves in a very short time. The Sibilla cards have almost a
personality all of their own, sharing information as if it were nothing
more than a conversation between friends, chatting here and there
about a diverse range of subjects, issues and information. Indeed, after
a time they become almost like well-known and trusted friends, always
ready to lend an ear to any question and responding with great and
endearing gusto and enthusiasm. For me at least, they have become
more than that, and my relationship with them is close; enhanced
beyond measure by fond memories of generations of eager Venturi
daughters like myself
For my part, I am merely the benefactor of what I consider to be a
great esoteric fortune, passed on to me by nothing more than
coincidence of birth (or was it?), and it is here that I found myself lost in
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great confusion as to how I should proceed. I am the first Venturi in
four generations who does not have a daughter with whom to share
this gift of Knowledge, and it remains my responsibility as a Venturi, to
share it with an appropriate someone who will keep the threads of this
most wonderful story intact and share them beyond the fleeting
passage of to day's passing tide and time.
The answer came to me unsurprisingiy through the cards, and
thanks to the words of my grandmother who once told me what
amounted to (translation permitting):
" lNJJen all else fails you, the cards will not Trust in them, and in the
generations that have brought them to you."
And so it was that I spoke, as if with generations of Venturi before
me, to the gift that was always theirs, given to me and future
generations of Venturi (they assumed) with love and hopes for its
continuation beyond me - the family Sibilla deck.
I asked the question. In short time I was told that I would be visited
by someone from the past, I was going to go on a trip, AND that I was
going to write a book with the help of the Internet. I hasten to add that
the only reason I understood their presentation of the concept of the
Internet was thanks to a combination of cards. Some cards in
combination refer to the old telegraph system, the most up-to-date
equivalent of which is the Internet, email, social networking and
websites. That combination, therefore, told me that I would use the
internet to accomplish what I wanted to achieve. The rest, as they say,
is, or at least I hope it is about to become, history - my personal history
at least.
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s I have told you, my grandmother learned this art from her
mother, and they were both excellent card-readers. Many people

turned to them for advice during the dark years of the first and second
world war, in a time where uncertainty, sorrow and upheaval was a
constant of their daily life. Their predictions, obtained with the Vera
Sibilla deck, were always very accurate and helped a great many
people to avoid danger during those times of trouble.
My grandmother kept a journal with her notes relating to the

"behaviour" of these cards. It is a rather large journal, where many of
her spreads were recorded, noted and verified with the actual tum of
events. Students of the Vera Sibilla diploma Course will benefit from
the wisdom contained in this little book as I will include its more salient
contents in the course written for the School of Italian Cartomancy
This information is precious, and I believe should only be revealed to
serious students of the Sibilla. My grandmother entrusted this
knowledge to me on the understanding that I will not share it with
anyone who merely sees the Sibilla just as another deck to do
readings with. I promised this on her deathbed, and I will honour this
promise by sharing her knowledge only with worthy students, who are
prepared to study the Sibilla seriously and over a period of time.
My aim for this series of books has been that of presenting the
subject in a clear, concise, and informative way. It is my intention to
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allow you to appreciate the symbolism behind these cards by providing
historical remarks, where available, for to really be proficient with a
foreign deck (for non Italian readers, that is) it is also necessary to
understand its original culture. It is very much like learning a language,
or rather, it is just like learning a new symbolic language; to be fully
fluent in it you must also be conversant with the customs and
civilization of the culture from which it originates. I have refrained, for
now, from giving advice on how I believe consultations should be
performed, as I do not wish to impose my belief-system on my readers.
I am privy, however, to techniques of relevant spiritual import that are
aimed at ensuring accuracy in the consultation by providing a psychic
shield against the interference of negativity. Should my readers wish to
know more about this subject, they can register their interest on
www.ItalianCartomancy.com.
cartomancy. The Marseille tarot, the Lenormand deck, interpreting

playing cards, Etteilla, and the life story of mademoiselle Lenormand
herself...these are all figures that in popular belief are associated with
France and its connection with occultism and fortune-telling.
England, as well, has its tradition with the Rider-Waite Tarot and the
Crowley Tarot deck, (both of recent origin) which are famous around
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the world. Few know that the divinatory tradition of cartomancy has
much older origins in Italy as well. For example, Etteilla, previously
mentioned, was a famous French cartomancer and author on the
subject, whose real name was Jean Batiste Aillette (1724-1792). In one
of his books (titled "Etteijja, au manif!:re de se n?CFf?er avec un jeu de
cartes",) Etteilla admitted that he had leamed his art, that of fortune
telling with cards, from an Italian woman from Piedmont, who taught
him to predict the future with an ordinary deck of playing cards.
Another example is found in the oldest Tarot deck ever published,
older than the Marseille Tarot itself, the Visconti Tarot, created in the
"Xv' century by the duke of lvlilan.
In Italy, the Catholic church held, and still does to this day, a dim
view of anything outside of its own realm and domain over all things
spiritual. This is especially so with cartomancy and fortune-telling. But
they are mystic arts that have withstood the tests of time through their
popularity and the age-old tradition of transmission from mouth to ear.
To this day books on the art are scant, and many are of poor quality.
Cartomancy was a hidden esoteric tradition that by default was known
to only a few men and women. They did not advertise their skills and
abilities for fear of ridicule, ostracism and persecution by the church.
Until just a few decades ago, when public opinion finally started to
change, but only slightly, finding a genuine cartomancer was a feat in
itself, unless you were fortunate enough to have an association with
one of the few families whose knowledge and skills in this area of
divination and fortune telling had been covertly retained down through
many generations since its inception. Some people were fortunate
enough to find one by word of mouth, and most frequently by sheer
chance, or the outcome of a casual conversation with someone whose
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troubling personal circumstances had been transformed by a little old
lady (or a grey old man) with an unassuming manner and a frayed
stack of cards,
Regardless of the circumstances, the effect would have been the
same; usually a mysterious story of coincidence, unsettling
circumstances and a prediction that came true, These tales of how the
events predicted by the cards unfolded, and the vivid recollections of
events and outcomes, recalled down to the tiniest detail, kept the magic
alive, Contrary to modern day belief: more often than not, these
predictions were not made exclusively with the Tarot, but with playing
cards or more frequently what is traditionally called the "sybil" cards,
But what are they?
In Italian, these specific oracle cards are called "Sybils", or "Sibille"
in the native language, In Ancient Roman times, a Sybil was a
clairvoyant priestess, who made obscure predictions in riddles and
rhymes (this is where the term "sibylline" comes from), The word kind
of "stuck", and it came to represent different decks of cards, modelled
over the structure of playing cards, that were used (instead of the
Tarot) to predict mundane events with uncanny accuracy, Many an
Italian region developed its own set of traditional fortune-telling cards
from regular decks of playing cards, however the most popular deck
nationwide has been, and still is, the one named 'Vera Sibilla Italiana",
which translates as 'True Italian Sybil",
In order to understand how this deck came about we must take a
step back in time to the nineteenth century, There was a need for
decks that were different to the 321 36 cards ordinarily used in France,
(i.e, the Lenormand deck), This was because of a desire to expand
what could be foretold by creating a larger deck that could incorporate
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more detail, and flexibility, and cater for the different individual needs
and essence of the Austrian and Italian cultures.
Austrian decks were first created, with different imagery and
symbolism, yet still retaining the same number of cards as the French
decks. Family tradition tells the story of a deck that predates the Vera
Sibilla. Indeed, I was told by my grandmother that the original family
deck, which I still have in my possession, dating back to the mid XIX
century, has its roots in another Austrian deck This was never verified
to me until recently, when through some rather painstaking research, I
managed to trace the common history back to a 32-card deck
published around 1805, by Ignaz Eber, which appears to be the
precursor of the symbolism found in its Italian cousin, the Vera Sibilla'
(please see footnote). Subsequent decks were expanded in a way
could express more accurately the vicissitudes of everyday life (as you
would with a full 52 card deck as opposed to 32) The imagery was
consistent with what was already popularly accepted, but provided
more depth and scope of interpretation due to the increased number
of cards available. Once these decks were created, the hegemony of
French cartomancy ended in Europe. (It is important to remember that
This deck, titled 'Thirty-two pictorial representations for pleasant

entertainment in many societies" can be considered the Austrian
"grandparent" of the Vera Sibilla. Its symbolism is similar; for example,
Falseness is represented by a black cat, (just like in the later deck of the Vera
Sibilla), Tragedy by a house ravaged by fire, Fortune is a woman holding a
cornucopia of coins, as well as the card representing a fisherman finding a
sack of coins in his net. Other cards that are the same as the Sibilla are
Death, the Prison, the Thief, The Room, The Widow (it is the ""'idower in the
Sibilla), the Married \,-,'oman and the Sick Man, to name a few. It is
interesting to note that the opposite symbolism is found in the card that
represents arguments and reconciliations; in the earlier Austrian deck this
card is depicted as woman kicking husband out of their home, in the Sibilla
deck, the eight of Clubs, is a couple reconciling, the man holding the
woman's hand in a caring and loving way.
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the Italian Sibilla comes from the Austrian tradition, the two countries
being part of the same empire, as opposed to the French tradition of
Mademoiselle Lenormand. I am not saying that one is better than the
other, merely that they are different traditions, one is French, the other
is Italo-Austrian}
It is at this time that, quietly but surely, the Italian decks were created.
Lacking the funding that the Austrian decks received for their
production, Italian decks were not (and still, are not) widely known
outside their country of origin. When Northern Italy was part of the
Austro-Hungarian empire (1867- 1918), the printers of Northern Italy,
who were then part of such empire, were able to study and
commission a quintessentially Italian deck, fashioned after their Austro-
Hungarian cousins.
Thus the Italian Sybils were born, with their first deck appearing in
the Veneto region around 1850 - 1880 (see original pencil sketches in
the reader's resources). These particular decks are very, very scarce
and only collectors are in possession of the few copies that survived.
They are true original artifacts, hand-painted, with copper engravings,
and both the printer and artist are unknown. Personally I have not met
anyone else who is in possession of this deck Whilst there are plenty
of Lenormand artifacts available from that era, as previously explained,
the Sibilla deck was not produced in the same quantity. I do have one
of such decks, handed down from my great-grandmother to my
grandmother and finally to me, as it has been kept in the family for
generations.
All the antique pictures (including the creative arrangements) of the
Vera Sibilla deck on http://www.facebookcom/ItalianCartomancy and
www.!taliancartomancy.com portray this deck, a family heirloom. (The
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pictures are copyrighted to me, if you wish to use them please contact
me for permission). In 1890, another Sibilla deck appeared. (It has
been republished as a limited edition by Meneghello), as well as other
versions, one of which has been republished by Luigi Scapini and Del
l\egro called Sibilla '800.
In 1925 the printer Armanino published another Sibilla deck (and

another one in 1945 under the name "Giuoco per Indovino" loosely
translated as 'The Fortune-teller's Game").
Then Faustino Solesio came out with its own version of the Sibilla in
1935. The pictures look very romantic and reflect a definite art-
nouveau style. They have been reprinted in 2005 by Peruzzo and they
go by the name "La Sibilla della Zingara", to differentiate its different
symbolism with the one belonging to the ORIGINAL Vera Sibilla deck
In Italy, decks whose symbolism has changed from the original
depictions (those that have been redrawn) have all been given different
names, out of respect for the original Sibilla tradition.
In 1944, Parini-Varoni published a Sibilla deck with lottery numbers at

the bottom of each card, this deck is similar to the original XIX century
deck In 1967, the Sibilla deck was reprinted by Morreale, providing
both lottery numbers and keywords with each card. This version has
become widespread since another publisher, by the name of
Masenghini, reproduced this deck in 1977. It is this version that is now
well-known in Italy, and can be purchased in most Tobacco shops.
Other decks have been printed since. However they are reproductions
of the old decks.
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For pictures of the decks described here please visit
www.ItalianCartomancy.com/antiquedecks.html.
I have personally traced back the history of the Sibilla and, for the first
time ever, I have published it in this book as a coherent whole. This
information, to the best of my knowledge, has not yet been
documented in any other publication, in any language, about the
history of the Sibilla cards, so I would ask you to please acknowledge
my copyright as the source who has put it together, should you use it
for any purpose.
ecks of the Vera Sibilla are composed of 52 cards that
have their correspondences (equivalent) to specific cards in the regular

playing card deck Each card can be broken down into six main
components.
1. The card number (the Sibille are numbered from 1 to 13,

the 11 corresponding to Jacks, the 12 to Queens and the 13 to Kings)
2. The Card Suit (equivalent)
3. The imagery
4. The title
5. Keywords
6. Lottery numbers
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The
Number
Card Image
/
Card Name Lottery Numbers
Fig 1 - (Deck Erst published by Parini-Varoni, 1944)
Card Image
~ ~Lottcry Numbers
Keywords
Fig 2 - (Deck published by Morreale and then by Masenghini, 1977)
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Fig 3 - (My great-grandmothers deck, unknown publisher; XiX centUIY)
In decks from the XIX century, the keywords and lottery numbers are
not given. In the 1944 deck, lottery numbers are given but not the
keywords.
In Italian, the suits are named as follows:
Picche - Spades, abbreviated as lip" on the Sibilla cards
Quadri - Diamonds, abbreviated as "Q" on the Sibilla cards
Cuori - Hearts, abbreviated as i'C" on the Sibilla cards
Fiori - Clubs, abbreviated as iF' on the Sibilla cards
The imagery on the cards of the Vera Sibilla is, in my opinion, not as
intuitive as the one found in other decks that have been styled over
playing cards .. The Sibille have no official correspondence to the Tree
of Life or Western Occultism as such. Nevertheless, they do have,
21
occasionally, correspondences to Roman and Greek mythology and
alchemy. If you are interested in using a deck for the study of the Tree
of Life, I recommend the Tarot, for this is not the purpose for which the
Vera Sibilla cards were designed.
I believe that the following advice will ultimately be beneficial to you if

you wish to learn the Sibilla correctly:
1. If you are conversant with the Tarot, Lenormand, playing cards or

other decks, forget about them for now, and do not attempt to draw
parallels between decks, (especially with the Tarot) when you are
learning the Sibilla. Learning the Sibilla cards is akin to learning a new
language, any parallel no matter how close can be misleading and
cause inaccurate readings. I have seen many people, without sufficient
knowledge of this deck, clutching at straws to find meanings for certain
cards, and harvesting them from Tarot cards that have nothing to do
with the original spirit and intent of the Sibilla. It is purely my opinion
that the true ignorance of those who read these cards in such a
manner manifests itself when meanings from different decks are
assigned to the Sibilla, turning this deck into a melting pot of different
symbolisms, not native to the deck itself, thus brewing a symbology
"stew" of dubious origin.
2. The Vera Sibilla cards do not give advice as such. They do not tell
you what you should do, they only predict the future. This has been
their traditional use, to provide you with a "snapshot" of what lies
ahead, and not to alter our freewill by telling us what we should be
doing or how we should behave. It follows that if we see future events
that we do not like, we may alter our actions to avoid these events, but
it must be our choice, made with intelligence and in full awareness of
22
the consequences of our actions, not because the cards have told us
what to do. We are the masters of our own destiny. (This is what my
grandmother used to say to me, ad nauseam, as I was learning).
I am aware that the interpretation of almost every deck that is for sale
has been rewritten to provide advice on the best course of action,
including the Vera Sibilla deck This advice has been created recently,
and is not original and does not reflect, in my opinion, the proper use
of the Vera Sibilla. I am here to teach you exactly as my grandmother
taught me, the old-fashioned way, from mouth to ear, but also backed
by my own real-life experience. I would advise you to use another
deck, such as the Tarot, for example, if you wish to get advice on what
to do. The Sibilla only tells you what She se.es in the future ahead, for
you or the person for whom you are reading. It is like taking a
snapshot of the most probable future and outcome at the moment the
question is asked. Then, of course, as a cartomancer you are able to
interpret the cards and give advice based on your own intuition, but
this advice on what to do comes from you, not the cards, which have
merely provided insight into future trends and events. The Sibilla does
tell you the naked truth, with no embellishments. Approach it with
respect; if you don't want to know something, don't ask The Sibilla
cards are not to be used as a crutch to avoid resorting to our own
initiative in shaping our future. They don't advise, they just see what will
be.
23
era Sibilla card systems can be difficult to interpret"
especially with individual cards. Their strength, however, lies in

interpreting the card combinations, and the "story" that they reveal
about the the question asked. I strongly advise you to learn the
meanings of each card by heart, especially the ones that appear to
correspond with the Tarot, if you already know them (i.e. Death, the
Wheel of Fortune, the Lovers), because their meanings are completely
different in the Vera Sibilla deck If you know the Tarot well, then it is
essential that you avoid confusing the different meanings of the two
systems. This is also true for similar systems of cartomancy, especially
French cartomancy and the Lenormand deck
To start with, the Vera Sibilla cards can be divided simply into four
groups based on the corresponding suit: the suits of Hearts, Diamonds,
Clubs and Spades.
These four groups can also be further subdivided into two

categorizations, namely the Dominant Suits and the Subordinate Suits,
which will be explained forthwith.
I personally read these cards both upright and reverse, although I am

aware of cartomancers who only read them upright. It is my opinion
that it is much better, for beginners and professionals alike, to learn the
meanings of these cards both upright and reverse, as this makes it
24
easier to identifY the different nuances of meaning that each card wants
to convey. Needless to say, read this way the deck offers 104 meanings
as opposed to 52, being more accurate in the type of events, people
and news that it is able to predict for our future.
NOTE: The beauty in learning the Vera Sibilla deck both upright and
reverse is that the reverse cards do not become necessarily negative
cards, as may happen in other decks. It is true that there are suits
where this happens, such as in the suit of Hearts described in the
subsequent section, but there are other cards that when upright are
very negative, in their reverse position can be positive and encouraging
or even neutral. I would ask you to keep an open mind when learning
and interpreting reverse cards for this very reason.
lack suits, the cards from the Suits of Spades and Clubs,
are, what I call, "dominant cards". This is because such cards have the
ability to completely modifY the meaning of other cards near to them,
and they make such cards subordinate to them. The suit of Clubs is a
positive suit, bringing news and events of happiness, fulfillment, wealth,
good luck and joy. Within it are contained the luckiest cards in the
deck The suit of Spades is a negative suit, representing sorrow, loss,
reversal of good fortune and illness. Within it are contained the worst
cards in the entire deck, with few exceptions.
25
ubordinate suits are the "red suits", those of Hearts and
Diamonds. They are considered subordinate because, generally, they

have less power to affect or modifY the significance of the cards near
to them. They are weaker cards, for better or for worse. t\amely the
suit of Hearts is a positive suit, representing anything dear to one's
heart, feelings, dreams and aspirations. The suit of Diamonds is a
"mixed" suit containing both positive and negative cards, usually
around the themes of material possessions, work and property.
Cards from these suits need the presence of other cards from the
black suits near them in order to better understand their significance.
This is because the real strength of the Vera Sibilla deck lies in
multiple card combinations, which will be thoroughly explained in the
Sibilla diploma course from the School of Italian Cartomancy and its
workbook, Volume II in this series, available only to students. Except in
one-card readings, it is a mistake to focus the entire reading on the
meaning of a single card. But an entire message needs to be
deciphered, as if the oracle was talking to you by means of pictorial
representations, and the card combinations are of vital importamce.
Please Note: I would advise you to get a deck without keywords to

start with for three reasons. 1. If you do not speak Italian they are
26
meaningless (having said that, you can easily ignore them) 2. If you do,
they are confusing, as some of the keywords refer to the card in its
reverse position, without telling you which. 3. They are restrictive.
There are more nuances of meaning than the two/three keywords
provided at the bottom of each card. Of course, point two and three
form the basis of my argument, which is really centred on reasons that
apply to those who have an understanding of Italian. If you do not, a
deck with keywords is fine as it will be easy for you to ignore them.
I have translated these keywords under the denomination of "official

keywords" (those provided with the Masenghini deck), then added my
own to provide you with a quick reference guide when you begin
memorising the cards. Students of the Vera Sibilla Diploma course be
forewarned that one of the exams will centre exclusively on recognising
card meanings by heart. The keyword section should help you in the
task of memorisation, as well as using flashcards to prepare of the
exam, of course.
In this book I have made reference to the Bible and Christianity when
explaining certain cards. I have not done this with the intention of
preaching or proselytising, but simply to provide you with the true
background of the cards, which were created in a country whose main
religion has been that of Catholicism for hundreds of years. To
disregard the cultural background of the cards would be akin to give
you a "shopping list" of meanings without explaining their origin and, in
my opinion, this style of teaching would not make me a good teacher,
27
nor one that is true to the tradition. To strip the cards of their cultural
background would not do justice to the true lineage of the Vera Sibilla.
I have translated the card titles as faithfully as I possibly can in order to

convey the same meaning as the Italian headings. I am aware that
some people would translate them differently, but it is my opinion that
in so doing much of the original spirit and history of the card is lost.
With a little practice, remembering the meanings of the cards will
become second nature. At the end of the day, it is a new symbolic
language that you are learning!
28
he present section will be centred around the suit of
Hearts. As previously seen, this suit predicts positive events when in its
upright position (but not so much so when reverse). The area of
interest centres on feelings, attachments, passions, emotions, the past
and anything that has an emotional connection to the question asked.
Generally, a predominance of cards from this suit in a spread indicates
that the events predicted will take place in the springtime.
Usually, cards from the suit of Hearts represent dark-haired people.

(unlike other decks) or men with salt and pepper hair. The Jack
however, represents a fair-haired man.
29
Ace ofHearts
THE CONVERSATION
(La Conversazione)
Card Description: A group of

people gathered around a table,
chatting and drinking what appears
to be espresso coffee, usually drunk
in Italy after a meal. The
impression is that some of them
are friends and others seem to be
related. l\otwithstanding, there is
familiarity behveen them. One
woman has her arm wrapped around another woman's shoulder,
possibly her sister. The older woman in the group, who appears to
be the mother, is pointing, with some concern, at the man in front of
her, who appears to be listening to her with interest.
The Essence of the Card: Some people attribute a positive meaning to

this card, however, although this is true in its upright position, it is not
always the case when this card is reversed. In my experience, the
Conversation is a neutral card, which changes its import based on the
cards around it. In a one-card reading, when upright, this card gives a
positive response, but reversed it can imply an uncertain response.
30
Upright: In its upright position, this card represents its title heading;
conversations, interviews, oral examinations, invites to social events
(especially those that imply to be gathered round a table, such as lunch
or dinner) an invitation, meetings with a purposeful and productive aim.
In a more general interpretation, it predicts tranquillity and happiness,
More speCifically, this card indicates the person having the

conversation when found near a significator card (i.e, the Conversation
with the Married Woman, a married woman is talking about. , ..)
In a work or financial context it heralds new connections, a good

offer!contract, new business dealings, discussions about contracts,
business plans and (new or more) clients, In love it gives hope if
disagreements have taken place, and good prospects for the future of
the relationship,
In a friendship it represents good times ahead, harmony and meeting

new friends, In a family context it represents reunions, reconciliations
and family events, In a health consultation, it advises to get a second
opinion by a specialist Another meaning, always in a health context, is
the one derived from the images of the coffee cups on the table, This
card points to nutrition and diet and, when combined with the card of
the Doctor, it indicates a nutritionist (but more on card combinations in
the course), This meaning is, however, only secondary, and experience
alone will allow the cartomancer to choose between the nuances of
meaning,
The other main (and neutral) meaning of this card refers to family,
extended family, or a group of people who spend a lot of time together
(roommates, colleagues, classmates), What will affect (or has affected)
this group of people will be clarified by the surrounding cards,
31
Reverse: In one of the possible interpretations, when reverse this card
loses its positivity (please note: being a neutral card this also happens
if the upright card is surrounded by negative cards). The Conversation,
in the reverse position, points to indecision, lack of direction, being
misguided, ill-defined circumstances, future instability and to the
presence of confusion and misunderstandings within a group of people
(or simply with another person). It usually foretells problematic
occurrences and forced change.
This card has two neutral meanings, the first one being that of
transmutation, rapidly changing situations, a shift and/or radical
change of condition (whether for better or for worse will be explained
by other cards in the spread).
In friendship, love and family it heralds arguments and

misconstructions, usually due to clashing character traits. In these
areas, it can indicate a separation due to unwillingness, or lack of
opportunity, to reconcile, to meet the other halfway and to find
common ground. In a general reading, it indicates the failure of the
topic enquired about.
Financially, it indicates difficulty obtaining customers, angry customers,

returns or being mis-sold a product or service. It can also indicate
being misrepresented (e.g. in court, where it can also point to the
presence of false witnesses). Its other neutral meaning in this instance
is that of representing and reinforcing the presence of legal matters in
the queret's life, as it is connected to the argument of a case in front of
a judge.
In a health reading, this card indicates the throat, thyroid, the voice, the
respiratory system and eating disorders (or a frugal diet).
32
Please note: There are other layers of meaning to this card in its
reverse position (not the most common ones!) that are positive. This
card announces a visit from a person dear to one's heart (or a family
member) and a change, a transmutation of some kind (whether positive
or negative) which will be defined by experience alone, that will be able
to guide the cartomancer in their choice of the right interpretation.
Keywords: The official keywords written under the 1970's

reproductions of this card are: "Joy and Serenity". My own experience
of this card also indicates that other keywords are: communication,
reconciliation, personal relationships, new contacts, and also
misunderstandings, lack of communication,' disagreements within a
group.
Lottery Numbers: 73 and 39
33
Two ofHearts
HOUSE (Casa)
Card Description: The card portrays

the outside fa<;ade of a stately home. A
blue, two-sided staircase leads to the
main door. All the doors and windows
are safely shut. This building is
somewhat ambiguous, as it is not an
everyday home, and it could resemble
a public building. The reason behind
this ambiguity falls into place when we
examine the interpretation of this card.
The sky is clear, cloudless and the sun shines brightly within the
depiction of this peaceful and silent card.
The Essence of the Card: This is another neutral card, as its meaning
changes based on the cards next to it, changing from a welcoming
place to a location we wish we hadn't visited. Upright this card is
slightly positive, whilst reverse it is most certainly not (as it represents
failure) and in a one-card reading, it gives a negative response.
Upright: In its upright position, this card has several meanings. The first
is quite literal, it represents the home, the hearth, the house (the
physical building) and a residential property. Usually it represents the
querent's home, but when it represents somebody else's home that
34
person/people can be found represented in the cards either side of the
House.The second meaning is broader; the House represents the
family, including one's extended family, and anything that can influence
the dynamics of the family. It represents everyday life and one's routine.
It heralds good and harmonious relationships, reconciliation after a
quarrel or separation, comfortable surroundings, or having someone
(or something) to lean on and turn to in times of trouble. It is an alcove,
a nest which offers protection from the difficulties of the outside world
(hence the closed doors and windows, which allow no negative outside
influences to come in). No matter how hard or dangerous life can
become, this card foretells that the querent will be protected and come
out unscathed, (when protection is not given by a family member or
close friend, but by assets. This is an "earned" protection and/or also
one based on capital).
The third meaning of this card derives from the type of house depicted
in the image; it is a palace, not an average house. In this instance the
House predicts stability, protection, wealth, physical and emotional
wellbeing. In a health reading it represents the skeletal system, good
health or regained health after an illness.
In financial matters this card represents the family budget, but can
also represent an established business, and inheritance, important
financial decisions that yield good results, a business based on solid
foundations, prosperous business dealings, money coming in, and even
a home-based or family business. Followed or preceded by the Money
card, it represents a bank or building society. (With the Merriness card
it represents a restaurant or night club ... but more on card
combinations in the Diploma course).
35
The House can also represent the querent's most intimate feelings,
his/her fears, hopes, desires, the contents of his/her subconscious mind
and the hidden side of one's personality that is rarely shown in public.
This card can also foretell the imminent solution of a problem or
reveal the hidden cause of a problematic situation. It heralds a
promising future. Usually the events predicted by this card are very
quick to manifest, usually within the week or even as quickly as 48
hours.
Reverse: In this instance the House becomes foreboding, depicting a

stifling environment that quashes the querent's freedom and self-
expression. The House is no longer a nurturing environment, but a
hostile place, devoid of love and protection. Reverse it depicts snares
and deceit within the family, a place or situation that blocks avenues of
growth and expansion, feelings that one's hands are tied. It heralds a
separation, a source of constant worry, feeling unloved, an
unsupportive family (or family member), solitude, dissatisfaction with
life and one's achievements. It can also predict divorce or serious
arguments within the family. Literally, it represents a building in need of
serious renovation, structural problems in the home. If you are
considering the purchase of a property, this card warns of something
not quite right about the building that has not been disclosed. It also
represents an unwe!coming public building, such as a hospital, prison,
mental health clinic, police station, but also places of solitude like
monasteries and convents or a courtroom (in this instance the closed
windows and doors represent concealment and isolation).
36
In financial matters this card warns of shady business transactions,
hidden clauses, bad investments and poor family budgeting. It can also
foretell that an important purchase is not going to go through or that if
it does it will create problems. In health readings, this card points to
hereditary diseases, domestic accidents, failing to recover from an
illness, a relapse, chronic diseases, the need to go to hospital, problems
with the skeletal system (such as osteoporosis, for example) and a
psychiatric facility of some kind (before they were shut, my
grandmother used to say that this card represented lunatic asylums).

reproductions of this card are: "Intimacy, Consolation". Other useful
keywords are solidity, stability, protection, affluence, the home, the
family, but also solitude, dissatisfaction, arguments, feeling unloved and
unappreciated, bad business advice or transactions.
37
Three of Hearts
FAIRVIEW (Belvedere)
Card Description: A well-dressed

woman is leaning on a chair on a
balcony of a villa (In the 1944
Parini-Varoni deck the telescope is
not reversed, but it is so in all
other decks- see figure 4). The
reason for the telescope to be the
wrong way around is easily
understood once we understand the meaning of this card.
The Essence of the Card One of the most neutral (and easy to
interpret) of all the cards in the deck when in upright position. Its
meaning is negative when reverse.
Upright: This card heralds the arrival of something, (i.e. news, an

opportunity) or of someone, in a very short period of time. The
telescope in the depiction is the wrong way around to describe,
metaphorically, that the woman is not merely observing something
from afar, but that something is coming towards her. The meaning is
neutral, whatever or whoever is going to arrive will be indicated by the
cards that follow this card, which can be positive or negative. On its
own, in a reading about love, it signifies the return of a partner or of a
38
loved one. On a much broader level, this card indicates that something
hasn't fully taken shape, usually that the future has not yet been
defined. There is still time to change events, if this card has come up in
a one-card reading. In a spread however, it simply indicates the
unavoidable arrival of something or someone, in the area enquired
about. Emotionally, it may indicate anxiety, trepidation or impatience,
all motions associated with the uncertainty of waiting for something or
someone to arrive. It also warns not to pry into other people's lives and
to mind your own business, inviting you to look within instead for
introspection and self-analysis of your behaviour (again, the symbolism
of the telescope the wrong way around). On a positive note, it indicates
the arrival of good surprises. This is also a card connected to long
distances, faraway places and locations abroad. In a health reading it
indicates the arrival of test results, or problems with the eyes (not
necessarily eyesight).
Reverse: In this instance the card has two main meanings. The first
one mirrors that of its upright position, and it indicates something or
someone that won't arrive on time, or long periods of delay and of
waiting (if positive cards follow). When negative cards follow it indicates
that something will not manifest, the arrival of bad news, of gossip and
threats, and that it is useless to keep waiting for something or someone
that will not arrive. This card invites us to accept situations that we
cannot change and move on with our lives because whatever it is, it is
not going to happen. In worst-case scenarios, it indicates that all hope
is lost, and it gives the person a harsh reality check.
39
The second meaning points to lack of introspection by the person it
refers to (namely the one represented by the card that follows this one,
which can also be the querent!) and a person who is spiritually
impoverished, In this instance the reverse Fairview card is a warning;
the person indicated (when it does not refer to the querent
himself/herselfl is someone not to be trusted, It marks the arrival of a
very negative person, usually overbearing, without scruples,
argumentative, vicious, and even physically violent (and/or someone
whose inner life is in shambles), In any event it points to the arrival of
someone or something that will upset one's daily life due to lack of
emotional intelligence. It can also indicate a person addicted to a vice
of some kind, usually sexual excesses, perversions or an extremely
hedonistic and selfish person, in a perennial search for self-gratification
at the expense of another, In a health reading, it indicates eyesight
problems, dizziness or vertigo.
Keywords: The official keywords

written under the 1970's
reproductions of this card are: "News
or person on arrival". It can also
mean something/someone that
doesn't arrive, negative news, negative
people, the end of hoping for
something.
Lottery Numbers: 76, 34
Figure 4- The Fairview card in the Parini-\/aroni deck, the telescope is the right
wdyaround
40
Four of Hearts
LOVE (Amore)
Card Description: A blindfolded

cupid, on a cloud, is about to
release his arrow in the direction
of a fortified village in the distance.
The Essence of the Card: A very

positive·. card indicating love,
affection, infatuation, love at first
sight and passion. The symbolism
of this card is self-evident; love is blind, and when it strikes, it is able
to break down the protective walls that were built around the heart
(the fortified village).
Upright: This card foretells the beginning of a new romantic

relationship, new friendships, a marriage, an engagement or a new
birth, harmonious family dynamics, the rekindling of an old flame or,
more simply, it indicates that the relationship that two people share is
based on a foundation of mutual affection. It predicts happiness,
achievement and it gives hope for a better future. In financial matters it
is a positive card, and it signifies that one's work is dear to one's heart
(watch out. .. it can also signifY that one is "in love" with his/her job or
their role more than with their partner!)
41
In any consultation (about any topic, that is), this card can also act as
an "intensifier" of the message presented by the other cards,
highlighting one's personal involvement and that one's feelings and/or
affections will be involved in or touched by the overall message in the
spread (including something likely to sting you to the quick).
In a health reading it indicates the reproductive system, eye problems

(and very rarely even in a figurative sense, such as an unknown
disease or condition).
Reverse: The classic (and neutral) meaning of this card when reversed
is homosexuality. Other meanings are arguments, unrequited love, a
relationship with ulterior motives, love that turns to hatred, infidelity,
disloyalty and secret affairs (both in love and business). The main
challenge for the querent, when this card describes him/her personally,
is their inability to see things as they are, for judgement is "clouded" by
strong emotions (from the Cupid standing on a cloud)
It also indicates a likely separation or falling out of love with something

or someone. This card also represents the personal involvement of
one's feelings, but in a negative and disempowering way.
When describing a person, this card points to the presence of sexual

aberrations, sexual addiction or a perverted and unhealthy sex life
(regardless of sexual orientation). In a health reading, this card points
to the presence of sexually transmitted diseases (this is its first
meaning), impotence and/or sterility, eye problems, even blindness and
a serious disease yet undiagnosed (this is rarer, but the meaning os
derived by the blindfolded cupid.).
42
Keywords: There are no official keywords written under the 1970's
reproductions of this card, because its title is self-evident, "Love", Other
keywords are infatuation, romance, but also affairs, false love, and
intrigue,
Five ofHearts
HAPPINESS OF THE HEART
(Allegrezza al Cuore)
Card Description: A woman is

dancing happily with two men in
a country setting, The sky is clear
and it is a beautiful day, Her hair
is adorned with long pins that
look like a crown, which was the
typical hairdo of brides in
Northern Italy (see Historical
Remarks after the Lottery
Numbers), The man showing his face and leaning towards the
woman (who looks at him with fondness) is the groom, the other man
appears to be a brother or someone related to the woman,
celebrating their engagement. This connection is seen allegorically in
the colour of the woman's skirt (red, representing blood-ties) and the
colour of the second gentleman's shoes, ribbon stochngs and jacket,
which implies that the two are related (they also share another colour
43
together, the green top for the woman and green trousers for the
man).
The Essence of the Card: This is a positive card, indicating happiness,

support, engagement and celebration.
Upright: This card represents the arrival of good news, fulfilment

recognition, of happy times free of worry, of celebration, and of support
by someone close (in a very short period of time). It also indicates
marriage, achievement, passionate love, engagement and a positive
family event (i.e. a christening, a graduation party, a birth). If personal
relationships were troubled, it heralds reconciliation. It represents
requited love and/or a period of emotional stability (and often passion)
with another. It indicates the presence of loyalty, and the ability to make
a commitment (in more than one area, so also in business). It foretells
the answer to a prayer, a fulfilled hope and a period of happiness
ahead. It guarantees success and realisation. In business it represents a
good investment, achievement, good contracts and financial stability.
In a health reading it represents good health, a robust constitution, a

strong immune system, and/or recovery after an illness.
Reverse: In this instance the meaning of this card reverses itself

completely. If before it represented happiness and stability, now it
points to a period of insecurity, stress, instability and worry ahead (with
the likely arrival of someone or something that will cause these
circumstances to manifest). It points to betrayals, affairs,
44
disappointment, cheating, uncertain personal relationships, frustration
on all levels, unfulfilled wishes and illusory hope. It usually points to the
collapse of a project that seemed to have started on solid ground.
More specifically it indicates quarrels and dissensions within the family,

and to the presence of people who cannot be trusted (especially within
one's family or close friends or colleagues). Feelings of having the rug
pulled out from underneath you are also a possible outcome when this
card is reverse, for a person in whom we trusted has shown his/her
true colours.
In a health reading it points to infectious diseases, hereditary diseases,

contagion, teeth problems, a weak immune system and airborne
disease.

reproductions of this card are: "Consolations, Engagement". It also
indicates happiness, fulfilment, loyalty. When reversed it indicates
betrayal, disappointment.
Historical Remarks: The woman's hairdo in this card is the key to its
interpretation, for seeing her dance with two men might imply infidelity
instead of marriage and a committed relationship, unless you are
acquainted with the Italian tradition at the time the cards were created
and can deduce otherwise. So I believe that a brief historical note is in
order. In the XIX century, in the region of Lombardy (also called the
45
area of Brianza, found in l'\orthern Italy, north of Milan) women of the
lower classes adorned their hair in a particular way for their wedding
day. This hairdo consisted of several long, flat pins made of silver,
donated to the bride by her groom, arranged in a fan shape to
resemble a peacock tail (see picture 5). The number of silver pins
varied according to the age of the bride, (tradition called for the pins to
be always in odd numbers) for a maximum of 45/ 57 pins and around
600 grams of silver.
This particular hairdo was called "sperada" and it was believed to have
started as early as the 1100's (originally the pins were made of bones),
although no written records were found of its use until the XIX century,
when a manuscript by Alessandro Manzoni was published, titled 'The
Betrothed", which described this hairdo being popular with brides also
in the 1600's, the time frame in which his novel took place. The
"sperada" remained popular with Lombardy brides well into the late
XIX century, at the same time as the Vera Sibilla deck was created.
Fig 5- The Sperada hairdo in XIX century Italian brides
46
Six of Hearts
MONEY (Denari)
Card Description: A commanding
safe, of the kind found in a bank Its

appearance alone gives the
impression of solidity, opulence but
also secrecy, as its door is only
partially open. There are bags of
money inside but also many old
books and documents (even an old
rolled parchment).
The Essence of the Card: This is a positive card, however close

attention should be paid to its interpretation, for it can warn of
danger (i.e. if the Money card follows or precedes the card of the
Thief, it indicates theft of money, regardless of its upright position).
Upright: Money, inheritance, abundance, a good business investment,

monetary gain, success, gambling winnings, opulence and wealth are
all possibilities for the future. In its neutral meaning this card can
Simply represent a family heirloom, property, assets, and capital. Oddly
enough, the money card is found in the suit of Hearts and not that of
Diamonds, which represents material affairs. This is because money is
seen as being deeply connected to one's feelings and emotions. It is
not a coincidence that many arguments between families involve
47
money. (This scenario could be represented by the reverse
Perseverance card and the Money card).
This card also represents an advantageous union, whether in love or

business. In love especially, it indicates an ulterior motive of financial
interest behind the reason for getting married or having married (or
being with) somebody, so it can very well indicate a loveless
marriage/relationship. It can give the indication that one of the partners
is a "gold-digger', with insincere feelings and in the relationship for a
clear secondary gain. When surrounded by positive cards however, it
merely representing having married a rich person (especially for
women)
The other main meaning of this card can be derived from the
presence of old books and documents. This card represents the past.
When found before a significator card, it indicates a person (or
situation) already known, or something from the past coming back into
the present (this can be either good or bad). It also represents antiques,
and history. It also indicates sound advice based on true life
experience.
In a health reading it indicates a depleted immune system unless

positive cards are next to this one. In that case it represents regained
good health, or an improvement in the condition, no health problems,
and the end of mental disorders such as anxiety and depression.
Reverse: This card is neutral. Its meaning changes based on the

meaning of other cards, as it responds to the predominant message of
the spread. VV'hen surrounded by negative cards, the Six of Hearts has
48
the peculiarity of acting as a "highlighter", indicating that such situations
are destined to drag out over the course of time, thus precluding the
possibility of a quick resolution.
When reverse (and only when surrounded by negative cards), this card
foretells lack of money, unpredictability, difficulties, debt, poverty,
gambling debts, bankruptcy, money troubles, insufficient funds and bad
financial investments. It indicates a reversal of good fortune. Prosperity
will go, leaving in its place abnegation and making every penny count.
It also indicates an unhealthy attachment to material possession.. This
card heralds a bad period for a business, the inability to invest and
expand for lack of resources, including the refusal of a mortgage or
loan from a bank (more simply this card indtcates money that will not
be obtained, so if the querent is a creditor, he/she will not get their
money back). In love it indicates a period of crisis for a relationship,
with a very likely separation ahead (as well as serious financial
motivations behind the relationship's problems). This card lengthens
the period of manifestation in the reading, indicating a long time of
austerity.
Another meaning, completely neutral, is found in the opposite

representation of its upright meaning. This card represents the future,
something new and unknown. If placed before cards that represent
people, it indicates a person not yet known who is going to enter the
life of the querent. When surrounded by positive cards, it represents
that the good events predicted will take place in the future, but not in
the short term. In a health reading it indicates depression or a new
disease.
49
reproductions of this card are: "Advantageous marriage". It also means
an advantageous union of some kind, an allegiance, wealth, the past.
But, in its reverse position, it represents the future, unforeseen events,
money troubles and difficulties.
Lottety Numbers: 49, 30
Seven ofHearts
THE SCHOlAR
(Letterato/ Artista)
Card Description: A renaissance man

seated on a chair, dressed in
sumptuous clothing. His hand is
resting on a book, which appears to
have just been used and written in.
(There is an ink pot and a quill on
the table') This man is familiar with
working at an intellectual level, more than manually. Many books are
stacked untidily on the library bookshelves, representing a thirst for
knowledge and for learning new and different topics. He seems to be
waiting for someone to come in or something to happen, and he has
prepared himself for it thanks to his intellectual abilities, study and
knowledge.
50
The Essence of the Card: This is a significator card. Its essence is
positive. It represents a learned man, a talented man or an older man.
In the 1970's version of the Vera Sibilla deck, the Scholar card is
called "the Artist". This name is not correct in my opinion, for two main
reasons. Firstly, it is not the original title of the card. Secondly, if we
consider that the official keywords assigned to this card are "Judge"
and "Scientist", we see how the original XIX century title of "the
Scholar", instead of the "Artist", fits the character represented by this
card.
Upright: A learned man, a talented man, someone who has to do with

the law, such as a juror, a judge, a lawyer. More broadly, this card
represents a man between 40 and 55 (it can very well be the querent if
he fits this profile), or an older sibling/relative, a lover, a partner,
someone who is single or divorced.
Figuratively, it represents intelligence, intellect and inner strength,

together with a great mental capacity for learning and studying. It
represents culture and refinement, as well as a high LQ.
The second meaning of this card is creativity, and it can indicate an

artist of any kind, which is how the "new" name for this card has been
derived (from a secondary meaning, not the principal one).
This card heralds recognition in one's field, unexpected surprises,

good news, projects that yield good results, a promising career, extra
income, good relationships (or a reconciliation) and the help of a
trusted man.
51
In a health reading it indicates a great long memory, the brain, good
health and the hands.
Reverse: When this card represents a person, it indicates someone not

to be trusted because this person has an ulterior motive. It depicts a
cold-blooded person without scruples, who will do anything to get what
he wants. This person can plot an elaborate revenge down to its tiniest
detail, and wait years (or a long time) until the time is right to act. It
represents an extremely selfish and calculating person.
Broadly speaking, this card indicates lack of inspiration, sterility in

more than one area of life and feeling that one has chosen the wrong
profession or field of study. Financially it points to a business that has
reached an impasse, and that serious decisions as to its future need to
be made carefully.
On a personal level it denotes lack of self-esteem, dejection and the

wrong use of one's mind, which can vary from not being organised
enough, to putting one's intelligence to evil ends, (in this instance,
especially when followed by other negative cards, it could point to a
dangerous psychopath). The message here is to be wary of this person.
On a lighter note, this card also indicates someone who is not able to
think straight as a result of not being able to cope with outside
circumstances.
This card also warns of a promise that will not be kept and trouble in
the relationship (usually one partner has fallen out of love with the
other, is seeing someone else or os taking advantage of the other in a
calculating way).
52
In a health reading it can indicate learning disabilities, (or low I.Q.),
mental disorders, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dementia, sexual impotence and
defects involving the brain.

reproductions of this card are: "Judge, Scientist". I would also add
intelligence, culture, refinement, connection to the law and science,
creativity and art. But it also
indicates a calculating person,
pessimism, depreSSion, and
,
the wrong use of ones
intellect.
Ag. 6- The Scholar card in the

A1asenghini deck is titled "Artist"
C4rfjsta)
53
Eight ofHearts
HOPE (Speranza)
Card Description: A woman,

dressed in ancient Roman attire, is
seated on a rock by the sea. She is
holding a heavy anchor with very
little effort. On the rock in front of
her is depicted a winged Lion, with
an open book (St. Mark's Gospel) in
its paw. This representation is
otherwise known as the Lion of St.
Mark, symbolic of the city of Venice and representing the dominance
of the Venetians over the sea and rivers (see historical remarks). This
card is purely allegorical, as it does not represent an everyday
situation.
The Essence of the Card: This is a positive card, Hope being one of
the three theological virtues according to St. Paul, and the light at the
end of the tunnel that gives strength in difficult situations. "Hope is the
last to die", hope and faith are connected to this card.
Upright: This card depicts situations that are evolving in a positive way.
It gives hope. A prayer will be answered and hopes will be fulfilled
notwithstanding the apparent chaos, desperation and turmoil of the
present situation. It heralds a period of serenity and tranquillity, good
54
times ahead, and the resolution of a problem that has long tormented
the querent. "Suffering is about to end, so hang-in there!" is the advice I
often heard from my grandmother in connection with this card
(translation permitting).
Spiritually, this card is connected to trusting the Universe, faith in God

and, due to the reference to St. Mark's gospel, also to sacred scriptures
(especially when next to the letter card), and the inner knowing that
things will be all right in the end. It invites to meditation, introspection
and the expansion of one's spiritual life. It indicates spiritual protection
from the Divine, and the impenetrable shield that is granted by one's
karma in the face of unwarranted adversity. It points to psychic abilities,
the astral plane, the spirit world, dreams and .the subconscious. It is the
card of the water element, and anything connected to it. When this card
is found next to the card of Persistence, it indicates that with enough
feeling, visualisation and self-discipline, one will be able to manifest
one's desires. The second meaning of this card is in connection to one
of the keywords found at the bottom of the card, and that word is "trip",
excursion, frequent travel and journeys for pleasure. It is connected
with water and also predicts a trip or holiday by the sea, lake, river or
aquatic environment.
In business it represents an investment, the intention of buying (or

having just bought) stock or shares, or a business transaction that the
querent is "hoping" would succeed. It does however represent a certain
amount of emotional attachment to this investment/transaction.
Whether it succeeds or not, can only be foretold by other cards.
Please note: This card can sometimes be interpreted like its reverse
counterpart when it is found amongst other cards of a negative import
55
(but never at the end of the spread). In this case only the cartomancer's
intuition will be able to discern whether the querent's hopes will be
fulfilled or otherwise. In a health reading this card is connected to the
stomach, kidneys, the female reproductive system and the breasts.
Reverse: The significance of the Hope card in its reverse position

literally reverses itself In love, if before it gave hope, now it indicates
frivolity, false loves, crushes with no further developments and
infatuation, the so called "summer loves" that die out once the first
feelings of passion have worn off It indicates a relationship that will not
survive once the novelty has dissipated and everyday life sets in. (It can
also indicate the end of a relationship, and of the connection between
friends, family members and lovers.) This card heralds a period of
dejection, gloom, depression and unfulfilled hope. It points to
daydreams that will not manifest (Jiving with one's head in the clouds
and wasting precious time), empty love affairs, delusions, delays and
disillusionment with the situation enquired about. Regardless of the
area enquired about, it heralds a negative outcome.
In business it represents a bad investment, or a negative outcome,

which gives little "hope" of future success. It also represents an
investment/job with no hope of success or career advancement.
The reverse eight of Hearts can also indicate negative spiritual

influences, demons and evil spirits. Near the letter card it also indicates
black magic grimoires (or any esoteric/occult literature with evil intent)
as this card is associated with sacred texts when upright, when reverse
the "sacred" text are no longer sacred for the greater good, and the
spiritual influences become adverse and/or downright evil.
56
This card can herald a shipwreck or trouble when at sea (or in a boat),
although it is not one of its principal meanings (please see the
historical remark." to find out why it is connected with trouble at sea). In
a health reading this card indicates mild to moderate depression. It is
also connected to the lymphatic system and the endocrine system.
FIg 7- Flag of the

Republic of Venice
Keywords: The offlcial keywords written under the 1970's

reproductions of this card are: "Easy loves, Trips", but also fulfilled
hopes, the sea, the water element, the end of a difficult period. In its
reverse position it means disillusionment, false hope, lack of
commitment in love and business. Lottery Numbers: 77, 8
Historical remarks: The flag of the Republic of Venice. The insignia

reads: PAX TiBI MARCE EVAlVGELlSTA MEUS ("Peace to you,
Mark my Evangelist"), which were the words that an angel said to 5t.
Mark, who found rest in Venice after being shipwrecked.
57
Nine of Hearts
LOYALlY (Fedelta)
Card Description: A dog, probably a

Greyhound crossbreed, (man's best
friend) is guarding a tent by the beach,
where his master sleeps (and
therefore is at his most vulnerable). A
hat is by his feet and an old tree can
be seen in the background. It is a
beautiful day and the sun shines
brightly in this serene Mediterranean
setting.
The Essence of the Card A very positive card. Loyalty, like hope, can
be considered akin to a theological virtue. In Catholicism, loyalty is
interpreted as one-pointed devotion to one master and one master
only. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus states: "/'va one can seNe two
masters. Either he will hone and love the other; or he will be devoted
to one and despise the other'~ The essence of the card reflects this
interpretation very well.
Upright: Faithfulness and devotion to one person or an ideal. Respect

for tradition, and social and moral customs. It points to self-confidence
and inner certainty that something will come to pass as desired.
58
Patriotism, unswerving loyalty and commitment to a relationship,
business or cause are also represented by this card.
The card of Loyalty describes a friendship and/or a relationship based

on trust and on very solid foundations, able to withstand the test of
time. In love this card heralds success, the return of a lover, and a
lasting relationship based on genuine feelings. (If the querent's question
is centred around their partner's fidelity, this card's answer is a
resounding yes!)
When found near a significator card, it defines the person with the
traits of loyalty, dependability and someone we can trust and lean on
in a moment of need. It also indicates a true friend, someone who is
able to give us sustenance and protection, -and watch over us (in a
broader interpretation, especially when found near cards representing
the spirit world, this card can also represent someone in Spirit, a spirit
guide who watches over us). This card can also represent a guardian.
This card heralds a period of success, happiness and recognition,

business and projects that will have positive results. During a crisis this
card points to the presence of someone we can rely on, who will help
us pull through. It indicates good instincts and hunches.
In a health reading this card heralds a recovery, and/or robust health.
Reverse: Again, the overall message of the upside-down Loyalty card is

the opposite to its upright meaning. It points to disloyalty, infidelity, a
deselier, and someone not to be trusted that will (or is just about to)
betray the que rent's trust. On love (or within the family) it indicates that
there are external influences, usually a person who has the intention of
59
undermining the couple's relationship. It indicates the presence of
someone with an axe to grind, who wants to undermine the querent.
This card gives a warning that someone in whom we placed our trust
and affection has other agendas and will let us down badly, with
possible betrayal and even treachery (especially when followed by one
of the two Enemy cards).
The card also points to difficulties, struggles, gossip and/or slander,

lack of support and lack of real friends (or real love from one's partner,
who is very likely to have found someone else). In personal
relationships it indicates a real danger of separation or divorce.
At work it indicates problems with colleagues (and warns us not to

trust them). It can also point to shady business transactions and
proposals not to be trusted or taken at face value.
In a health reading, this card points to poor health, a long recovery, a

predisposition to infectious diseases, parasites and also diseases
transmitted by animals.

reproductions of this card are: "Success in love". We can also add
trust, success in all areas, a true friend. And, for its reverse meaning, a
cheating partner, someone not to be trusted, disloyalty, betrayal.
Lottety Numbers: 88, 37
60
Ten of Hearts
PERSEVERANCE
(La Costanza)
Card Description: Another allegorical

depiction, in this card we see a
woman dressed in Roman attire, with
a halo on her head, to symbolise the
holiness of what she represents, She
reminds us that ''Rome wasn't built in
a day", but only with perseverance
and constant commitment. She is
standing with confidence and
optimism, not on ruins as may be thought at first, but on a building
site, where a glorious Roman city will be built. It is sunrise, and it
represents the beginning of a long process that will ultimately lead to
success .. "but only with perseverance!
The Essence of the Card: Another cardinal virtue is that of fortitude, or

perseverance in the face of adversity, This card is definitely positive,
Upright: This card represents an earned success, Nothing will be

handed out freely, but the querent will have to earn their success
through their own efforts, Difficulties will be overcome only by an active
participation and involvement in changing one's destiny,
61
This card invites one to muster one's strength and keep going, for in
so doing success will be achieved, whether in love, business or in
personal relationships. It guarantees a positive outcome for one's
efforts, and in this regard it also gives hope. It can also indicate the
ultimate attainment of wealth after hard work, if that was the question
asked in the consultation.
In love it heralds success and a life full of support, harmony and

affection from those we love. It can indicate a large family.
This card has however a neutral meaning. In a neutral interpretation, it

intensifies the other cards in the spread, for better or for worse,
indicating a long time-frame of resolution. If surrounded by negative
cards however, it gives little hope of success due to adverse forces
working against the querent. Usually this card refers to situations that
have been going on for a long time, situations that have not changed or
been resolved. It indicates long period of waiting or delay. This is
especially the case when this card is one of the first cards in the
spread, and it is followed by neutral or negative cards.
This card describes a person who is able to persevere in the face of

adversity to achieve his/her end results. This person is patient, has
reached a degree of inner peace and confidence, and has great self-
discipline and self-control.
It also indicates one's hometown (represented by the construction site

of a city as depicted in the card), one's home country, one's local
surroundings and that future occurrences, indicated by other cards in
the spread, will take place in one's town of residence. In a health
reading it indicates good health, It also indicates growth, a slow but
sure recovery and the skeletal system.
62
Reverse: In this instance, the card points to all those circumstances in
which lack of perseverance cause defeat, depression and repeated
blows to one's self esteem.
In its upright position this card indicates a calm and focussed person,
but now it indicates someone who is prey to turbulent emotions, lack
of self-control and discipline, inner contradictions and serious
emotional distress (and the feeling of being tom as to what to do). It
usually points to serious arguments, vendettas and when near a
significator card, to someone who gets easily infuriated and loses
control when angry (beware of this person, especially when this card is
next to the reverse Fairview card!). It also defines the typical "screw-up",
someone who quits and drops out of everything he/she undertakes,
bringing nothing to completion (the profile of the underachiever).
Generally, it points to setbacks and defeat in any area, and to secure

circumstances that become unstable and unpredictable. Financially
this is a card of ill omen, as it foretells heavy losses and lack of sound
judgement in business matters.
In love it foretells of a love affair, a break-up, infidelity or someone who

is not serious (but wants the other to believe he/she is). It also points to
shallowness of feelings and of personality, someone with little or no
spiritual life.
This is another card that traditionally has been connected with

accidents whilst on a means of transport. In a health reading it points
to growth problems, a relapse, a chronic disease, hormone problems
and issues around anger management.
63
reproductions of this card are: "Achievement, a sizeable dowry". It also
means a happy love life, hope of success and ultimate attainment. But
also it can point to quarrels, loss of money and dissensions ahead.
Jack ofHearts
THE LOVER (L' Amante)
Card Description: The young man

plays the guitar beneath his lover's
bedroom window, giving her a
serenade. His gaze is fixed on her
door, in the hope that she will come
down to meet him.
The Essence of the Card: A neutral

card. This is a signiflcator card.
Upright: This card represents a man, the partner, a loved one, the lover,
(or a gay partner), a family member or a man, usually single. This man
can be from his late twenties up to his mid-forties. Usually this man is
of a fair complexion but this can be easily overridden by the personal
circumstances of the querent If the querent is an unmarried man, this
card can very well represent him.
64
There are secondary meanings to this card, but they are weak
compared to the import of other cards, and can be easily overridden
by stronger cards in the reading. On its own, this card is mildly positive.
It foretells success in love and in business. There is a sense of longing
associated with this card, and of having to wait. This is often seen in
the practical manifestation of this card, which indicates situations that
are in a developmental phase of (usually positive).
This card can also foretell a welcome surprise, positive news, a

passionate love affair, and the fulfilment of a dream. This card places
great emphasis on feelings, and that the querent is living through a
particularly sensitive and emotional period.
In a health reading, this card refers to the nervous system and/or the
hands.
Reverse: In this position the Lover card represents the same people as
in its upright position, but it gives them a negative connotation, warning
the querent not to trust them. An intrigue or betrayal may be being
plotted by the person represented by this card. In love, it is a sign of
infidelity and a warning that the partner is not who we think he is and
that he is not being transparent.
This card represents false love, ulterior motives (in any area of life) and
someone who is only close to the querent because he has an agenda.
"Insincerity" sums up this card in one word. When this card represents
a person, it indicates a man of low passions, someone \\Tho is addicted
to sensual gratification and is a slave to his baser impulses.
65
If this card represents the querent, it indicates turbulent feelings and
urges, infidelity and unhappiness. It can also indicate unrequited love
for a man.
Another nuance of meaning that this card can have is that of unbridled
passion, lust and sexual desire, from someone who is going through a
period of renewed ardour and frequent sexual activity, down to the
more serious and pathological manifestation of satyriasis and other
sexual dysfunctions. This person is addicted to (or only interested in)
sex, and has no real feelings of love for their partner.
In a health reading, it refers to the lungs, throat and voice, and various
genitourinary conditions. Perhaps its most important function is that
this card warns of venereal diseases transmitted by a man (when
placed next to the Death card and/or the reverse Love card, the
diseases may very well be HIV or Hepatitis).

reproductions of this card are: "Blond youth, loving". Other keywords
are surprise, infatuation, positive news but also insincerity, unbridled
passion.
Lottery Numbers: 7,43
66
Queen of Hearts
THE LOVER (L' Amante)
Card Description: A dark-haired,

well-dressed woman is seated on
a rock under the shadow of a tree
in a country setting. She is looking
with fondness at a keepsake,
which contains a picture of her
lover.
The Essence of the Card: This is the female counterpart of the

previous card. It is neutral in essence.
Upright: A woman in her late twenties to mid forties, usually unmarried.

She is dark-haired, but not always so. She can represent the querent
herself, or a lover, a member of the family, a sister, a dear friend, a
mother (when she is unmarried), etc. or someone dear to one's heart.
Usually this is the only meaning of this card (just like the previous one)
for the other cards describe the character traits and intentions of this
woman. A secondary meaning of this card is that it indicates the
presence of a woman we can count on. This woman is good to, and
good for, the querent. If not already present, this card heralds the
arrival of such a woman in the querent's life. On its own, this card
67
predicts positive developments, positive news, a wish fulfilled and
indicates that the querenfs life will be particularly sensitive and
respond in an emotional way to outside circumstances. In a health
reading it represents the scalp, skin, head and body hair.
Reverse: Again, in this position the card loses its positive connotations.
It can represent any woman close to the querent, but paints her in a
negative light. Usually it still represents an unmarried woman.
The reverse version of this card describes a woman to beware of,

someone with an agenda marked by the traits of falseness and self-
interest. This person can usually disguise herself very well under the
guise of friendliness or even as a femme fatale, for gratification of the
senses is another trait present in this woman (this is the female
counterpart of the reverse Jack of Hearts), Her intentions are to
undermine the querent in some way (now, or at some time in the near
future), and she is to be considered as a rival. If not already unfriendly,
this is someone who will do a complete turnaround and become
hostile, dangerous, spiteftil or downright wicked and is likely to cause
much grief and aggravation to the querent's life. In business she will
prove to be slanderous and back out of contracts.
In love this woman is unfaithful and/or addicted to self-gratification.
If the querent herself is represented by this card, she is either very

depressed, in trouble, or plotting something untoward which will affect
someone else (the same goes for the previous card, the Lover, her
male counterpart). It can also indicate unrequited love for a woman.
68
The only neutral meaning of this card is that it indicates a career
woman (i.e. next to the card of the Scholar, she can be a lawyer or a
judge) or a woman who lives to climb the social ladder in her
profession. In a health reading it can indicate emotional swings and
psychological instability, but its first and most important meaning is
that of Fenereai diseases transmitted by a woman. (It can also indicate
possible nymphomania, frigidity or other female sexual issues).
Keywords: There are no keY\vords written under the 1970's

reproductions of this card, which can be summarised as unmarried
woman, positive developments but also dangerous woman, career
woman, an unfaithful and self-centred woman:
Lottery Numbers: 20,78
Note: In the Masenghini deck (see fig 8) this card is titled "Amatrice",
an obsolete word, even ~)y XIX century standards, meaning "female
lover". I believe this words has been chosen deliberately in order to
differentiate the card title from that of the Jack of Hearts. In Italian, as
it is the case in English, the word Lover
(amante) is the same gender whether
male or female (in Italian it is the article
"i!" and "la" before the word "amante"
that denotes the sex of this person).
Figure 8- The Queen of Hearts, tided

"Amatrice" in the A1asenghini deck
69
King of Hearts
THE GREAT GENlLEMAN
(Gran Signore)

man in renaissance attire is
waiting for something or
someone. He is self-confident
and serene, his tranquillity stems
from inner self-assurance. The
sword at his side is symbolic of
protection.
The Essence of the Card: A very

positive card. It can even
represent God and divine protection.
Upright: This card predicts the arrival of a benefactor, someone who

will protect and offer help to the querent at a critical time. This card
also represents someone who has the querent's welfare at heart.
The man described by this card is generous, and is there to help and
offer sound guidance. This card represents a wise man, a man of
refined taste, a philanthropist and/or patron of the arts. This man is a
true gentleman, and more often than not, he is wealthy (or able to
provide financial help).
70
In a broader interpretation, it points to the presence of good company
of people who are supportive and encouraging. It can also represent a
good environment that promotes growth and the full unfoldment of
one's potential.
In love, this man is faithful and has genuine feelings and intentions. He
is truly a "King of Hearts", for he has a great heart and a noble and
generous spirit.
In business it indicates a trustworthy person and/or business contract.
Perhaps the more interesting manifestation of this card is seen when it

represents divine protection. This is the card of the "psychic shield", of
an invisible protector watching over the querent. This card points to
the presence of a safeguard against negative astral influences. If the
consultation centres around the querent's fear of having been a victim
of black magic and/or psychic attack, this card's presence foretells of
auric protection from on High. Even in the midst of despair, the
querent will be protected and come out unscathed.
In its neutral meaning, this card represents a married man (or

someone in a committed relationship, usually in his late forties or
older). However, in some instances, it can just represent a married man
regardless of age. It can also stand for an older member of the family,
like an uncle or father (but never a woman). The other roles that this
man can acquire are of being the boss, a wealthy businessman, a
teacher, a mentor, a learned man or a man with a title. In a health
reading it indicates a miraculous recovery and/or all forms of
alternative healing, including spiritual healing.
71
Reverse: A highly negative card, able to alter the meaning of positive
cards next to it. The man represented by this card is prey to his vices,
and in love it represents an unfaithful man (typically this card
represents the husband),
This card can describe a man who is hungry for power, someone who
misuses his position of authority and trust. This is someone who
cannot provide an adequate level of care to those who depend on him,
He is inherently a coward, even when prone to anger and violence,
someone swayed and dominated by his lower passions,
Needles to say, this is a man to beware of, someone extremely toxic

who works against the querent's interests, whether knowingly or
unknowingly (in the latter instance this card represents a negative man
who is unable to contribute to anybody's life in a positive way),
The man described in this card lacks self-control and only seeks self-
gratification, He has ulterior motives, Sometimes this card can indicate
someone with a physical deformity, but always someone with a
"spiritual" deformity, so to speak, someone with little or no sense of
morality,
This man can appear in the querent's life as someone who offers help
in a time of critical need.,. but unlike its upright counterpart, this card
tells you to beware!
This is someone who appears to want to help, but accepting his help
will only suck the querent into a whirlpool of negativity and (more or
less) veiled blackmaiL Rarer, but still possible, this man can be a black
magician or someone with the ability to cast the evil eye on the hapless
recipient of his selfish devotions,
72
In a health reading it can indicate liver problems and the accumulation
of fat or cysts in the organs, and other physical deformity or scars.

reproductions of this card are: "Rich Protector, generosity". A mature
man, a man of refined taste, the husband, help from a man. Divine
help, divine protection. But also selfishness, abuse of power, self-
centredness, a big ego, power trips.
Historical remarks: The Italian equivalent for the word gentleman is

"signore". This word derives from the Latin vulgate "seniorem"
(Classical Latin senex, meaning old). This meaning is reflected in the
interpretation of this card, which refers to a mature man. In Italian, the
word "signore" (but the same goes for the English word "gentleman")
can imply superiority in rank and status inasmuch as it refers to a rich
man, owner of land and property. This definition, albeit now slightly
out-dated (but not in the XIX century, at the time the Vera Sibilla cards
were created!) has its roots in feudal times, when the "Signore" was the
lord of the manor, a man of noble origins who held a position of
authority over the land he owned and its workers. The word "Signore"
also refers to a man of refined taste. Another meaning of this word, in
Italian, is found in connection with Catholicism. "I\ostro Signore" is the
term used to refer to God (i.e. "Our Lord" in English). It is interesting to
note that all these nuances of meaning are reflected in the
interpretation of this card.
73
e have now reached the section that explains the suit of
Clubs. This is one of the dominant suits, and it is able to alter any card
for the better. Its influence is extremely positive. It is not by coincidence
that two of the strongest cards in the deck are found in this suit. These
cards can reverse the meaning of any negative card, including the two
worst cards in the deck, belonging to the suit of Spades. Generally, a
predominance of cards from this suit in a spread indicates that the
events predicted will take place in the summer. Generally, people
represented by this suit have brown, auburn to red hair, except for the
Queen, who is usually blonde.
74
Ace afClubs
HYMENAIOS (Imeneo)
Historical Remarks: Many will

find the title of this card quite
puzzling, not knowing what it
means. Do not despair, you are
not alone! I have decided to write
the historical remarks before the
card description, simply because
not knowing what the title means
could negatively impact your understanding of the card.
Hymenaios was the minor Greek god of marriage. His name is also
spelled as Hymeneaus or Imeneo. He was the son of Aphrodite and
Dionysus, and was depicted holding a flaming torch (see figure 8).
This is not the first time that we see Greek/Roman mythology
depicted in the Vera Sibilla
deck, we have already
encountered Cupid to
represent love in the four of
Hearts.
Figure 8- Hymenaios and Cupid
75
Hymenaios presided over the marriage ceremony, especially over the
hymns that were sung during the wedding. I am aware that I could have
translated this card simply as "nuptials" but that would not have been a
faithful translation from the Italian. Although nowadays the title of this
card is not readily understood, not even by Italians, it is important to
remember that the Vera Sibilla deck was designed for the affluent
society of XIX century Italy, a cultured society that was conversant with
Greek and Roman mythology and would have readily understood the
meaning of this card.
Card Description: A man's hand is about to put a wedding band on a

woman's hand. This marriage act is performed over Hymenaios' fire,
symbolising union and carnal passion, that is burning on a green
Roman altar (see figure 9).
Figure 9- The 'dra'; or Roman Altar
The Essence of the Card: This is a very

positive card. It indicates a union, and the
beginning of something that is going to last.
It is a dominant card.
Upright: In love, this card is extremely positive. It indicates commitment,

a marriage proposal, a wedding, an engagement or a serious
partnership. It indicates a formal union of two people. If negative cards
surround it, it can also indicate a partner who is already married or
76
committed to another. Keep in mind that this card is found in the sui!
of Clubs, not of Hearts, so the love it refers to is always marked by a
formal declaration or by a love that is "thicker than water", namely
blood ties.
This is the sex card par excellence. This meaning is derived from the
implications that the god Hymenaios has, with the word hymen and
sex in popular etymology. When near the Child card, the Ace of Clubs
indicates the conception of a child. It usually indicates a male son,
unless the influence of other cards show otherwise.
In a general interpretation it indicates anything that has been agreed

between two or more people, and that involves the formal interaction
of two or more people.
It represents a contract, an agreement, a pact or a promise, and also a

society, a group, an association, a foundation based on common
interests.
In financial matters it indicates money, material possessions, successful

financial transactions and the successful stipulation of contracts and/or
a business deal. This card often shows up as a positive response when
the querent asks if he/she will be hired. It indicates prosperity in
business and in financial matters. This is the card that represents
precious metals.
As this card represents a wedding, the beginning of a marriage,

metaphorically it also represents the beginning of something (the
nature of which will he revealed by the cards that follow in the spread).
It can indicate progress on all fronts, or a situation that will finally yield
results.
77
Another meaning, albeit not so popular (it requires great experience to
be able to detect this nuance) is the connection of this card to music,
as the god Hymenaios preside over wedding songs.
In a health reading it represents robust health, inoculations, and a

strong immune system.
Reverse: This card retains many of the same basic connotations as the
upright one, however its meaning becomes neutral, and changes
depending on the cards near it. Its basic connotation shifts to material
possessions.
Near a card that represents a person, it indicates the opposite of its

upright meaning; it indicates that the person is divorced, separated or
has recently broken up from a serious relationship.
Only when surrounded by negative cards instead of heralding success

and long-lasting unions, this card foretells of breakups, backing out of
a contract, errors in judgement or the expiration of a contract.
Perhaps it is easier to remember this card (when near negative cards)

as "a union that won't happen", and deduce the meaning based on the
context of the reading.
This is a very negative card in financial matters (when near other

negative cards, that is), as it represents loss of money or property,
unemployment, bankruptcy, failure, financial collapse, problems with
the law, or a contract/business partnership to be wary of. It is especially
sinister near the eight of Spades, where it can indicate suicide due to
serious financial loss.
78
When near positive cards however, being neutral, the reverse ace 01
Clubs becomes a strong indicator of financial gain, profitable
investments and even inheritance.. This card in fact acquires a
meaning of material success instead of emotional fulfilment (as
opposed to its upright counterpart).
In love, it indicates sex and carnal passion as opposed to commitment

(it does not preclude it, but it does not indicate it either, as its upright
counterpart would).
In health it represents a miscarriage, an abortion, and all illnesses of a

sexual nature, including difficulty in having children or a difficult
pregnancy. It also indicates that an infectious disease has been caught
by someone close to the querent, possibly the ·partner.
Keywords: The official keywords for this card are "Good business
dealings, Advantage". It also means unions, contracts, sex, marriage
and breakups, financial loss in its reverse position.
79
Two afClubs
HAUGHTINESS
(La Superbia)
Card Description: A blue peacock

(pavus cristatus) displays its
feathers either to attack or to
impress its female. He is standing
near a little brook and he is
surrounded by lush vegetation.
Behind him is a tall wall over
which can be seen two cypress
trees.
Historical remarks: In Catholicism, Italy's main religion, the peacock is

a symbol of immortality, resurrection and of Jesus. In the Middle Ages,
St. Augustine, in his book, the City of God, believed that peacock meat
had antiseptic qualities and did not rot. In popular Christian culture it
symbolises rejuvenation and God's all knowingness, due to the eye-like
patterns on its feathers that represent the Eye of God. In medieval
times knights used to swear oaths on this symbol.
The Essence of the Card: Due to the historical remarks, it can be

easily deduced that this is the most positive card in the deck Its
connection to God makes this card "invincible". It is, in fact, the
strongest card in the deck and has the power to nullifY the negative
80
import of other cards .... but only when upright! The historical remarks
for this card have been included in the description for ease of
explanation.
Upright: As previously stated, this card represents divine protection, a

protection so strong that it is able to shield the querent from any and
all misfortune. No matter how many people may be affected by
negativity, the querent will remain untouched and prosper. This card
represents a powerful divine blessing.
The two of Clubs represents a solemn oath, or a vow (usually other

than marriage, as represented by the Ace of Clubs, Hymenaios) and
honourable esoteric pursuits, such as white magic.
In business it represents prosperity, good fortune, fame, recognition,

success, career or social advancement. In love it represents a conquest,
happiness a lasting union. This card can indicate celebrity and a
person known by his/her reputation, being in the public eye. This is a
card that can also represent beauty and good looks.
It marks a period of good luck and the success of the matter enquired
about. It represents joy, happiness, and positive new encounters with
people. It represents the fulfilment of a dream, and a prayer that will be
answered. Regardless of how many negative cards may show up in the
same spread, this card has the power to annul them and bring good
luck despite setbacks.
This card also has a mild connection to vanity, the love of luxury,
spending money on one's appearance. It may mark a person who is
overly concerned with his/her looks and social status or a person who
81
is a bit stand-offish. This is however a nuance of meaning that is rarely
found in the upright interpretation of this card.
In a health reading it represents a miraculous recovery, plastic surgery,

and/or strong health.
Reverse: Here this card has a completely opposite meaning to that of

its upright counterpart. The peacock is seen as a symbol of vanity and
ostentation, of superiority over others, pride, litigiousness, lack of
humility, being unforgiving and prejudiced. It represents an extremely
arrogant person, blinded by pride and hungry for power. This is a
shallow person, focussed on outward appearances and social climbing,
a person that will do anything to get what they want. It represents a liar.
It can also represent a tendency to get angry, and someone who loves
to be flattered and be the centre of attention.
In love it heralds dissensions and arguments, usually due to different

values. It can also represent lies and falsity. Only rarely does this card
represent a person who has been "dethroned", a person humbled by
circumstances, and that has been made aware of their wrong
behaviour. Reconciliations may be obtained with an unreserved
apology. This is, however, a secondary meaning that rarely comes up
in the ordinary interpretation of this card.
In business it heralds a period of inactivity at best, and at worst a

downright failure due to mismanagement of one's resources,
overspending, usually due to having overvalued a situation. It can
indicate living beyond one's means. It can just mean loss of money
82
followed by a period of desperation and solitude. One neutral meaning
is that of representing retirement.
Generally, this card in its reverse position represents negativity, and if

upright it represented God, when reverse it represents Satan. This
alone should provide you with an idea of how negative this card can
be when reverse, as it is connected to the dark arts, black magic,
psychic attack, hexes and curses and/or a person with a very negative
aura. It can represent a black magician, an occult enemy or a black
witch. If the querent fears that he/she has been the recipient of the evil
eye or a curse, the presence of this card in its reverse position
indicates that this is true.
This meaning is derived from the alchemical role of the peacock in

one of the stages of the Magnus Opus, the alchemical process of
creation of the Philosopher's stone. The first stage, called Nigredo, is
the stage of putrefaction, blackness and the dark night of the soul,
represented by a peacock's tail, also known as Cauda Pavonis (see
Figure 10).
In a health reading it represents

problems with the eyes and throat,
environmental allergies and a
mental outlook that is hindering
recovery.
Figure 10- Cauda Pavonis, i\'jgredo
83
Keywords: The official keywords are "Pride and Vanity" which are also
true for the reverse position together with arguments, negativity, hostility
and black magic. The upright meanings however see this card as the
strongest in the deck, and show divine protection, good luck, success
and fame. Lottery Numbers: 69 and 18
Three of Clubs
TRAVEL Maggio)

man is travelling away from a city
on a white horse. His expression
is peaceful and relaxed, and he is
unarmed. It looks as if he has
been travelling for some time,
however he is not too far away
from his point of departure, which
can still be seen on the horizon.
The Essence of the Card: A "flexible card", its meaning is defined by

the cards next to it. In essence it is a positive card, being part of the
suit of Clubs. Particular attention needs to be paid to the cards facing
the horse and the traveller's gaze, for they represent future conditions.
Upright: This card represents what its title says: Travel (whether good
or bad will be revealed by other cards). It represents all sorts of
84
movement, trips and journeys, a relocation and all conditions that ar,:
not set in stone. It represents a city, foreign places and a means of
transport, such as a car, a boat or a motorbike.
In business it represents prosperous commerce, business travels and

import-export activities or a lucky idea/innovation that will bring
prosperity. It can also herald change of social status or position.
It signals great energy in all areas, and it indicates innovation, physical

movement, sport and exercise. It indicates the arrival of something or
someone that has been "sent" especially for us, to help us. When near
a person( significator) card, it indicates travel to see that person.
The second meaning of this card is that of change and transformation.

Whether he card is positive or negative will be indicated by the cards
that face towards the traveller's gaze. Metaphorically this card can
herald a spiritual process of transformation and awakening, a change
of outlook, of opinion, and/or belief system. This change is always
likely to be a very positive one (unless other cards contradict this).
In matters of love this card heralds a positive change in the dynamics

of the relationship, but if it is next to very negative cards it can indicate
a change of heart.
In a health reading it indicates the spine, hips, legs and arms.
Reverse: This card takes on a variety of meanings. It usually foretells of

an unforeseen event of a positive nature that will soon change the
querent's life for the better. It represents something that will take the
querent by surprise. This is the card that can indicate very lucky
situations and opportunities that seemingly arise "by chance" or by
85
coincidence, but that have been divinely planned a long time before. It
is another card that can indicate a helping hand from the divine, and a
positive evolution in a situation that has been stagnant for a long time.
It generally refers to the improvement of a situation, to new

circumstances that will give renewed hope of success for the querent,
whether in business or love. It can also represent a change of social
status. When it relates specifically to travel, this card indicates a delay,
something that will happen later, a trip that is postponed, someone
who does not arrive or, next to very negative cards, it indicates an
accident. (Similar indications are found with the upright counterpart
when near very negative cards). This card can also indicate a complete
metamorphosis and a situation that has radically changed in a positive
way (but this meaning can be altered near negative cards, in which
case it acts as a warning). In any event the querent will find a very
different state of affairs from the ones expected. This card can also
indicate a situation that has stopped (or will stop) repeating itself, (i.e.
the breaking of a cycle of addiction) or the lesson of a repeated
mistake that has been learned, and a door that will close so that a new
and better one can be opened. In a health reading it indicates a
recovery, an illness that has stopped spreading, the end of an illness.
Keywords: The Official keywords are "Change of position". Its others

meanings are travel, movement, foreign lands and cities, means of
transport, transformation.
Lottety Numbers: 54 and 23
86
Four of Clubs
THE FRIEND (L' Arnica)

woman is looking in the direction
of her guest.. She is pulling a
chair out and positioning it in
front of a fireplace, beckoning her
guest to sit on the comfortable
place that she has prepared for
them. It is as if she is saying, "It's
all right, come on in and make
yourself at home."
There is a vase of flowers and a sculpture in the background. The

woman is standing on a carpet, next to the chair where the guest is
going to sit. This carpet represents a place of warmth and comfort (and
so does the fireplace), as the carpet is not covering the entire floor.
The Essence of the Card: A very positive card. It has both an

allegorical meaning and a neutral, concrete meaning, representing
people.
Upright: The neutral meaning of this card is that it represents a woman

(of any age group), most likely a friend, but it can also be a relative, a
partner, a daughter, a sister, a colleague or just an acquaintance. This
87
person is neither good nor bad, and will be defined by the cards
nearby. Usually, but not always, it represents a dark-haired woman.
The other, and preponderant, meaning of this card is friendship, loyalty

and support. It represents someone in whom we can trust, someone
who is there to listen, to give good advice and comfort, and will make
us feel at ease.
It also represents a friend's house or the house of a relative.
In business it represents good advice received by someone, and/or a

period of prosperity and financial security. Also it points to good
relationships with one's colleagues as well as cooperation and team
spirit. It may also represent a common project.
In love it heralds loyalty and feelings of security. If surrounded by

negative cards, it may represent unrequited love, inasmuch as the
loved one sees the other as a friend and not a lover.
This card also indicates a peaceful time with a friend, harmonious

relationships, social connections, a celebration, and learning by being
part of a group with a common interest. It may also represent a friendly
psychologist or a nun, however these are secondary meanings.
In a health reading it advises to get a second opinion, or to seek

professional advice.
Reverse: The reverse meaning of this card is still very positive, and
besides having the same meaning as the upright card, it indicates that
the help received will be a material one, namely financial or by means
of a personal recommendation.
88
This card also foretells that a person will introduce us to someone
who can change the situation around in a positive way, or that we will
meet someone who will enable us to fulfil a dream/project/endevaour
by giving us a concrete helping hand.
It indicates networking and building positive contacts, especially in

financial matters, where it also indicates prosperity, an investment that
will bear good fruit or an improvement in one's financial
circumstances.
In love, it heralds harmonious relationships, reconciliation or a blissful

union.
In a health reading it indicates fecundity, good health or a total

recovery from an illness. This card, near the Priest or the Doctor cards,
also indicates that a friend, or someone close, will recommend a
specialist doctor to the querent.
Keywords: The official keywords are "Friends' House - Harmony". It

also represents support, recommendation, friendship, feeling part of a
group.
89
Five of Clubs
FORTUNE
(Fortuna)
Card Description: A naked

woman holding a cornucopia of
flowers and fruit, is poised on a
cart wheel in the middle of the
sky. She is standing between two
clouds and has a red scarf
flowing round her. She is the
personification of Fortuna, the
goddess of luck
The Essence of the Card: This is the strongest card in the deck
(together with the two of Clubs). It has the power to annul any negative
card in the spread, as it indicates that the "gods" favour the person. It
is fast-acting.
Upright: This card brings good luck in all its forms. This good fortune
will simply happen for the querent, without them having to do anything
for it or go looking for it. It will be as if good luck will be just handed
out to them. Sometimes this can be seen to be almost undeserved. But
nothing happens by chance. This card in fact does not represent
chance. She is not blindfolded. This card represents "karmic luck",
90
good luck that is the result of divine Providence, regardless of how a
situation may look from the outside (more often than not, it looks like
"blind luck" but it is not!), Any spread becomes positive, due to the
power this card has to annul any or all negative cards, even the more
sinister ones that may appear in a spread.
This card represents fulfilment, success, recognition and prosperity, a

prayer will be answered, a relationship will prosper and finances will
abound, It represents triumph, meeting the love of one's life, happiness
and victory,
Reverse: Unlike the two of Clubs, this card when reverse does not lose
its positive meaning, however it is less blatant. When reverse this card
represents a delayed success, seemingly hopeless situations that will
eventually work out, good luck that has to be earned, and a slow
situation that will ultimately have a good outcome if the querent is able
to seize the opportunity to make it work In any area, this card implies
that the querent has to do something to obtain his/her good fortune,
and that it is not just going to manifest out of the blue as indicated in
this card's upright position, It points to the possibility that if the querent
is not sharp enough to spot an opportunity when it presents itself and
jump at the chance, he/she may miss a very positive and life-changing
opportunity, "Good karma" is still indicated, but it comes with a test
attached to spot the good fortune, thus making it a deserved success,
It also represents a positive tum of events that will take place later on
(not in the immediate future) or a small stroke of luck This card can
also indicate the end of a phase and the beginning of a new one,
91
Unlike its upright position, this card is not able to cancel out the
meanings of the negative cards in the spread. In a health reading it
indicates good health but with the possibility of catching a minor illness
(such as a cold, for example) and/or a slow recovery.
Keywords: The official keywords are, if upright: "Success, triumph". For

the reverse, the meanings are delayed success and a small stroke of
luck
Six of Clubs
COMFORTING
SURPmSE
(Consolante Sorpresa)
Card Description: A fisherman is

pulling a net out of the water, in
which he has caught a bag of
coins instead of fish (back in the
late 1800's when this deck was
created, a newspaper used to
cost 2 cents, so the amount
contained in the bag would have
equated to about a million today).
He has a fishing rod in his hand, which represents that he has been
attempting to fish by more than one method. His expression is
serene and he is not bothered by having to pull in such a heavy net,
as his eyes are fixed on his prize. It is a beautiful day and the
countryside is lush and welcoming.
92
The Essence of the Card: This is a very positive card. Its meaning
however can change when reverse, or when cards nearby represent a
blockage of some kind. When found in a spread, it accelerates the
time-frame in which an event is going to manifest. It gives a sense of
immediacy to what is foretold by the spread.
Upright: This card represents an unexpected gain, a positive turn of

events. This card implies a situation in progress, a positive change of
circumstance from the present condition, which usually comes out of
the blue. It also represents a person that will thrive thanks to being in
the right environment. It is the card of fulfilled dreams, harmonious
relationships, a stroke of luck and of passive ·income. In this respect it
indicates a successful investment, a fruitful get-rich-quick scheme, an
inheritance, a scholarship and even luck when gambling. Any of these
achievements will be successful due to a "lucky streak", as this card
does not imply having to spend a lot of time to obtain results. They
come as if they are "fished out of the water", when one is expecting to
catch something else much less valuable. More often than not, it does
imply that the querent needs to jump at a chance that will be presented
to them in the near future. This card represents the arrival of good
news. The Six of Clubs has a neutral meaning, and that is of
representing the present moment, things that are happening now.
In a health reading it represents a quick recovery, the positive outcome

of medical analysis (meaning good health) and failing to catch
(symbolism connected to the fishing net) an infectious disease that has
affected others.
93
Reverse: When surrounded by positive cards, this card indicates that
success will come but it will entail considerable effort from the querent
to make it work It may simply indicate a disappointment or a delay of
some kind that eventually is going to manifest as a blessing in disguise.
It represents "unripe" times to take action, and somebody's hopes and
dreams. Business offers, when this card is reverse, often hide dangers,
and help comes with an ulterior motive. Instead of fishing out gold, this
is the card of catching red herrings. When the querent has received a
helping hand, or a lucrative business offer and this card shows up, it is
a sign to be extremely wary of the person making the offer as it is very
likely that it will prove disastrous later on. This is a card that marks a
person who wants to succeed. When this card is surrounded by
negative cards, its meaning is altered considerably. It heralds broken
relationships due to growing out of love with the other, financial loss
and missed opportunities that could have changed a person's life for
the better. It denotes the arrival of bad news. It represents feelings of
anger, disappointment and feeling hard done by. It can also represent
overspending. When near a significator card (a person card) it denotes
someone who has failed to assess a situation properly at the time and
he/she is now suffering the consequences of this miscalculation. It is a
card that can represent recklessness. In a health reading it represents
the tendency to catch and/or spread an infectious disease.
Keywords: The official keywords are "Success of an undertaking".

Other meanings are: a stroke of luck, an unexpected gain and success.
But it also warns of overindulgence, the parting ways and missed
opportunities.
Lottery Numbers: 57 and II
94
Seven of Clubs
GREAT CONSOlATION
(Gran Consloazione
Card Description: A man has just

started dozing off in a precarious
position after a walk in the
countryside. He dreams of riches
(a bag of money), fame (a laurel
wreath) and success in love (a
ring), in the shadow of a tree that
appears to be leaning over him to
protect him. The tree is a symbol
of prosperity and stability, being
firmly rooted in the ground. It is sunny and it is a peaceful day.
The Essence of the Card: A wonderful card for positive results. It is

very strong when upright and its meaning cannot easily be altered.
Upright: This card represents success and affirmation in all areas. It is

a clear signal that one is able to tum one's dreams into reality.
Together with the Hope card, it can signify a prophetic dream and that
the answer will come in a dream or in a period of rest.
95
This is the card of recognition, of fame, of gaining a good reputation
and prosperity. It is the light at the end of the tunnel, a blessing that
comes as a result of having taken the right actions in the past
In love it heralds a period of success, of harmonious relationships,

reconciliation, an engagement or a wedding. It also represents a period
of optimism and a positive outlook on life.
Financially it represents money, various assets and property (this can

also be a significator card for such things). It also heralds a period of
wealth and prosperity thanks to hard work and not blind luck It can
also stand for one's work environment, in which case the card is
neither good nor bad, and will be explained by cards nearby.
In health it indicates a recovery thanks to a period of rest and good

mental health.
Reverse: This is not a very good card when reverse, as its good
influence is lost and replaced with failure, useless daydreams, crushed
ambition, worries, and hopes that will not turn into reality. This card
denotes a situation of extreme uncertainty, which causes inner tension
and anxiety for the querent This is the card that represents fear and
inner turmoil. It also represents a person with a serious character flaw
or someone who is not at peace with themselves.
When turned upside down, the first objects to be seen in the cloud, as
it is facing down towards the ground, are the two laurel wreaths,
representing fame and recognition. This is not coincidental, for this
card in its reverse position indicates slander, gossip, personal attacks,
96
threats and/or a ruined reputation after having spent much time in
building a good name. It also represents dishonour.
In love it heralds a divorce, an engagement or wedding that will be

called-off and a separation due to conflicting goals in life, as well as
unrequited love or the inability to compromise.
In financial matters it indicates a situation that is blocked, that gives no

concrete results. At worst it heralds heavy financial losses and/or a
negative work environment, full of gossip and back-stabbing. It also
indicates someone who is not following the career of their dream and
is stuck doing a job they do not particularly like and that gives them no
career advancement. This card can also represent a situation with no
prospects. There is only one circumstance in \vhich this card can have
a positive outcome, and that is when it brings a positive, unexpected
event that will change the querent's life. This is when the cards of
Fortune and/or Haughtiness are found in the spread, but at no other
time. In a health reading it represents insomnia, panic attacks, mental
health disorders and an unhealthy daily routine that will be the cause
of a future illness
Keywords: The official keywords are "Satisfaction - Honour". These

are correct and I would add fulfilled dreams, ambition and fame. When
reverse it indicates hopelessness, daydreams, illusory ambitions, gossip
and maliciousness towards the querent.
97
Eight of Clubs
THE REUNION
(La Riunione)
Card Description: In a serene

country setting a rich couple is
spending the afternoon together.
The man is holding the woman's
hand with care, and has his arm
wrapped around her shoulder. He
is listening attentively to what she
is saying as she appears to be
discussing something dear to their
hearts. They both look as if they care very much about each other.
The Essence of the Card: A positive card that gives a sense of

movement and positive development to the reading. It is not a
dominant card as such, although it is so in matters of love. The time-
frame indicated by this card is brief
Upright: This is the card par excellence that represents a reconciliation

after an argument, a truce, or meeting the other halRvay, in any type of
relationship. In love, it indicates making up after a disagreement, a
loved one who comes back, and a period of harmony and fulfilment.
98
This card predicts a positive ending to a relationship wher(
disagreement had caused a separation. In long-distance relationships it
means that the partner will now be doser, if not being around on a
consistent basis.
This card comes as a breath of fresh air after a period of instability,

giving renewed hope, harmony and better circumstances. It is the card
that represents a solution and feeling welcome in an environment.
This card also has two neutral meanings. One is simply that of an
appointment, a reunion or a date, without any positive or negative
connotation to it.
The other neutral meaning is that of indicating a rural area, the

countryside, woodland, agriculture, farming, etc. Near the House card it
can very well indicate a house in the country, away from the hustle and
bustle of the city.
In financial matters it represents a good solution to a problematic

situation. This is the card of a successful outcome in a lawsuit.
Problems with the law will be averted.
In a health reading it indicates good health thanks to a caring person

(who has the querent's welfare at heart) or thanks to a good doctor. A
recovery.
Reverse: If upright it represents harmony, when reverse this card can

herald disagreements, bitter arguments and separations (in any
relationship). It indicates failure to compromise, stubbornness, having
difficulty seeing beyond the end of one's nose (one's own point of
view!), and even pride and litigiousness. More often than not, this card
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indicates that the problem arises with the querent, and that it is not
necessarily the other person's fault.
This card also represents someone who is not firm enough and lets
others walk allover them. It also represents an "enabler", someone
who, by not being firm enough, does nothing to prevent bad behaviour
in another to be repeated time and time again.
This card also represents a dark period of depression, demotivation

and lack of self-esteem/confidence in the ability to succeed. Usually the
cards near the Reunion indicate the area that is causing so many
problems for the querent (look also at the card suit; Diamonds indicate
material possessions/affairs, Hearts represent love, etc.). It is important
to remember that this is a card of Clubs, its hardships are transitory
and can be easily overcome if the querent decides to "snap out of it"
and do something about their situation.
Near very positive cards, such as the Fortune card, the reunion simply
indicates that the querent is worrying too much and that the situation is
not as bad as they make it out to be.
Near other cards this card taints their meaning, making a situation
worse and unstable. This is the card that represents feelings of guilt
and of inner instability due to the pangs of remorse. It represents
indecision, mood swings and lack of interest in improving one's
situation. It also indicates a situation that is likely to spiral out of
control. This card also indicates that the querent has come to a
crossroads in life and needs to make an important decision that is
causing them to waver in their resolution.
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In legal matters it also indicates a judgement made against the querenl
or complications with the law ahead, such as the arrival of a court
summons (not necessarily of grave import).
This card also represents a meeting that does not tum out as expected
or one that ends up in a disagreement or argument of some kind. If
however the querent did expect to find distension and disagreement at
a meeting, they may be pleasantly surprised.
This card when reverse indicates feeling unwelcome in an

environment and lack of' acceptance of the querent by others (i.e. the
in-laws, for example).
In a health reading it indicates depression, insomnia, apathy,

listlessness, a relapse, indigestion and constipation.
Keywords: The official keywords are "Successful resolution of a

dispute". But other meanings are reconCiliation, harmony and
cooperation. W'hen reverse it points to: disagreements, inner turmoil
and instability
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Nine of Clubs
HAPPINESS
(L' Allegria)
Card Description: A group of

friends are celebrating a happy
event with a toast outside a
country pub (in Italy this would
be an "osteria", a rustic, country
restaurant). The sign "wine"
(vino) is displayed above the
door. They are quite loud, laughing and cheering, and one of them is
standing up with a bottle of wine in one hand and a glass in the
other, facing someone else (who is probably seated in the table in
front). Their happiness is genuine, it is not ostentatious or
pretentious, and they appear to be able to appreciate the simple
things in life.
The Essence of the Card: A positive card but its meaning changes
completely when reverse.
Upright: This is the card that represents a party, a happy event, a

celebration, a holiday, a birth, a graduation, a wedding, etc. In short, it
represents any occasion that gives cause for celebration and
happiness with other people.
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In love, it is certainly a good omen, signalling happy times ahead anc!
of having overcome a difficult time. More specifically it indicates going
out for a meal, a fancy date, a holiday together.
Its neutral meaning, especially near the House card, represents a

nightclub, a restaurant, a pub or any other place where people gather
to be merry and enjoy themselves.
This card also represents one's "drinking buddies" or a group of

friends who see each other socially (it does not necessarily imply a
deep friendship). It may also indicate a fair-weather friend. More
attention needs to be paid if this friend seems to have the potential to
become a lover, in which case he/she can be motivated by self-interest
instead of genuine love.
Generally it describes creative endeavours connected to dancing,

music and the entertainment industry.
This card also indicates self-confidence and lack of fear. In financial

matters it stands for happiness thanks to an achievement and financial
success. It heralds a period of good luck and it is extremely auspicious
when gambling.
In a health reading it indicates the teeth, throat, mouth and ears.
Reverse: The meaning of the upright card is drastically altered. If

upright this card brought happiness, now it is the harbinger of sorrow,
despair, depression, reversal of good fortune, and of tiIDes of personal
struggle in the area enquired about. If it is of any consolation, the
setbacks indicated by this card, as it does not belong to the suit of
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Spades (the worst suit), are of a minor gravity and not destined to last
for long.
This is the card that represents all kind of addictions (due to the clear
reference to wine). When near really negative cards it indicates drug
addiction, gambling addictions and alcoholism, but the cards next to it
will specify the type of addiction present in the person enquired about
It also represents lack of self-control and self-mastery.
Another nuance that this card can have is that of phoniness, false
happiness displayed for someone else's achievement, a false friendship
with ultimate disloyalty. It can indicate a person who seems happy for
the querent but who secretly resents their good fortune (this can also
apply to the querent's feelings for someone else's good luck). It can
also indicate scorn, mockery, crassness, satire and bullying (especially
at school or in the workplace). In love it can pOint to verbal abuse, and
when next to specific cards also to physical abuse.
It also represents someone with a big ego, an overbearing character.

This card predicts the tendencY' to make foolish decisions and to "go
off the deep end"
In a health reading it represents an addictive personality, the kidneys,

the gallbladder and the liver.
Keywords: The official keywords are: "Boldness - revelry", but other

meanings are happiness, company, a party, good luck When reverse it
indicates sorrow, addiction and setbacks.
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Ten of Clubs
CAREFREENESS
(La Leggerezza)
Card Description: A brightly-

coloured butterfly has just
alighted on a red flower. Its wings
are not completely closed,
indicating that she will soon fly
away to other flowers. Behind it is
the sea, the sand and marine
vegetation. It is a bright and
cloudless day.
The Essence of the Card: A neutral card that has the peculiarity of
lessening the meaning of the cards near it, for better or for worse. This
card also shortens the time-frame of any event predicted by other
cards. Its characteristic is that of brevity. It is very positive when reverse.
Upright: This card devalues the import of other cards. It indicates that
the event predicted will not be as Significant as it would have been had
this card not appeared in the spread. It lessens, or even "belittles", other
cards. !\ext to positive cards, it may indicate a small gain, a brief
period of happiness or an inconsequential illness (i.e. catching a cold).
But next to negative cards it is positive, it indicates a small setback, an
105
inconsequential delay, or that something will soften the blow and not
impact the querent as much.
In financial matters this card indicates short-lived investments that are

ultimately destined to plummet. It also indicates spending money like
water, and a "chronic" inability to accumulate savings. This card also
indicates activities that will go bust due to a miscalculation or lack of
proper planning. Near positive cards it indicates a slight improvement.
In love it indicates inconsistency, lack of commitment, sleeping around
and an affair. When this card is found near a significator card, it
defines this person as being moody, frivolous, inconsistent and
someone who cannot keep a promise or a secret.
Another very important meaning of this card is in relation to

recklessness, impulsiveness and careless mistakes that will cause the
querent much grief in the future, possibly in the form of lawsuits for
negligence, recklessness or dangerous driving
It can also represent a plane or helicopter.
In a health reading ii is connected with the lungs, the respiratory

system but also the stomach and intestine (it reminds me of the
English expression "butterflies in one's stomach"} due to its connection
with a caterpillar, which resembles the intestine.
Reverse: The reverse meaning is significantly altered from its upright

position, indicating someone who has realised the consequences of
their actions and is working towards improving their behaviour. It
indicates someone who can be relied upon. Generally, it indicates
thoroughness and attention to detail (the opposite of recklessness).
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This card (only when reverse) should be interpreted as a very good
omen, as a stroke of luck that needs to be seized as soon as possible,
It will come in the form of a fleeting opportunity that can be easily
overlooked (like the flight of a butterfly),
This is the card connected to speculation, risky investments and

gambling, however its connotation is neutral in these matters,
The second meaning that I have found applicable to this card is in

connection with the air element, which is distinctly present in this card
due to the depiction of the butterfly. In this respect it is akin to the air
element in astrology; but more specifically it refers to electronics,
technology, scientiflc development, emails, websites, social media, the
internet and anything belonging to the virtual ~vorld and the worldwide
web, As this reality did not exist when these cards were created, I have
found that this meaning can be easily assigned to this card and obtain
very good predictions, In love it also means that someone will be met
online,
In a health reading it is connected with learning disabilities, short

attention span, ADD, ADHD and bipolar disorder, and sometimes
points to addiction to television and/or video games,
Keywords: The official keywords are "Imprudence and recklessness",

But the other meanings are frivolity, superficial interest in something
and a lack of commitment. \Nhen reverse it indicates opportunity,
thoroughness, the internet and virtual realities,
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Jack of Clubs
THE FOOTMAN
(Domestico)
Card Description: A young man,

dressed in a blue livery has just
stepped into a luxurious room. He
has just taken his hat off and is
about to bow, one foot placed in
front of the other and making a
bowing gesture with his right hand.
He is only wearing one white
glove, on the left hand.
The Essence of the Card: A neutral card. It is a significator card. The

time-frame indicted by this card usually shows that this person
operates in the present moment. Therefore he is already known to the
querent.
Upright: This card represents a younger man, already known to the

querent unless indicated otherwise. This man can be a friend, a
boyfriend, a brother, a cousin, a colleague a son, etc, usually dark-
haired and no older than 30 years of age. Its connotation is neutral in
itself and further details about his personality will be given by the cards
that characterise the Footman.
108
When positive cards are found with the Footman, this young man is
humble, reliable and virtuous. He is someone who genuinely wants to
help. Allegorically it can represent circumstances that will unfold to
help the querent, or simply the concept of "help" (the Footman
represents servitude, which in a practical sense represents a helper or
help of some kind).
Other meanings that this card can have centre around domestic
matters, and other cards near it can indicate what kind of event or
circumstances will affect the home.
On its own, in a one-card reading, the Footman acts as a warning of

some kind. usually of theft by someone close).
When surrounded by negative cards, the Footman highlights a

character flaw in the person it represents, either that of being prone to
flattery and servility or a lack of self-esteem, which is the motivation
behind this person's willingness to help. He (or it can even be a she, as
this card now represents a character trait) helps out of an inner sense
of worthlessness, feeling that he/she does not deserve any better. It
defines a lily-livered, spineless or very weak person who can be easily
influenced and manipulated by ruthless people.
In financial matters this card represents manual labour, hard work,

unskilled labour, a low-paying job, or a position of subordination. (In
this case it can be a good career but the person is subordinate to
another.) Usually it represents a person at the bottom of the social
ladder. In investments it represents a bad investment that will yield few
or no dividends.
109
In a health reading it can indicate puberty and its problems, but also
self-harm, self-destructive behaviour, depression, impotence and
frigidity.
Reverse: This card indicates a young man of the same age group as
that shown by the upright position of this card, but it paints him in a
very negative light. This is someone who has given a lot of heartache
to the querent (if it is not the querent himselfl), and he can be a
misbehaved son, an unfaithful boyfriend, etc. It may well represent a
young man with an addiction of some kind.
More often than not it represents a rascal, someone involved with

juvenile crime, a young man that will insinuate himself into the
querent's life in order to stab him/her in the back at a later stage. What
is most unsettling about this young man, is that he may not even know
that he is going to betray the querent at some stage (Jet's not forget that
if the querent himself is a young man, this card may predict his future
behaviour).
This card represents someone who cheats, in love and at work, and
someone whose loyalty can be easily bought. Self-interest,
ruthlessness, wastefulness and self-aggrandizement are all part of this
young man's agenda, with an underlying streak of cowardice and
malice. The main characteristic of this man is that of being ingratiating,
of wanting to gain one's trust and confidence, in order to betray the
querent and use the knowledge gained in confidence to his advantage.
More often than not, this man is not someone we know directly, but
has been introduced to us by someone else. Generally, this card can
also represent lack of help.
110
It is a very negative card in love as it represents a man whose motives
are not genuine and is only there to take advantage of his partner.
In financial matters it represents very dangerous advice (or a business

proposal) given maliciously to deceive and cause financial loss.
This card can also be the harbinger of a reality-check, predicting that

the person represented by this card will experience a very humbling
occurrence, due to his incorrect behaviour, that will cause him great
embarrassment. This is also a card that represents lack of help and
support, and lack of good advice (this meaning is derived by the
Footman, seen as servitude, helping around the house).
On a darker note, this person is the male equivalent of the reverse

Young Lady (please see description of the rev~rse position of this card,
the paragraph starting with "next to negative cards") inasmuch as he
can also be a psychic vampire, someone able to cast the evil eye or a
trained black magician.
This card may have the neutral connotation of depicting a gay man.
In a health reading it points to skin and hair problems, addictions, and

bone problems.
Keywords: The official keywords are "Dark-haired young man -

smarmy". This is true of the reverse card, which also means servility,
ulterior motives and deceit. When upright it means humility, a warning,
a humble position in society.
111
Queen of Clubs
Young Lady
(Giovine Fanciulla)
Card Description: A beautiful

young girl, on the threshold of
womanhood, is standing on a
terrace looking at someone or
something in the distance. Her
attitude is reserved, and with a
hand she wraps herself with her
red shawl. With the other hand,
however, she is pointing to her left. It is a bright day and in the
background tall potted plants are in bloom or about to blossom,
representing maturity about to bloom.
The Essence of the Card: The four queens (and the two of Spades) in
the Vera Sibilla deck represent women of different age groups, the
youngest being the Queen of Clubs, represented by this card. It is
essentially a neutral card and a significator card.
Upright: This card represents a young woman, younger than 30 (or an

unmarried woman, especially when you have run out of cards in a
spread). This woman can be the querent, a daughter, a friend, a a
112
sister, a colleague, a relative, etc. already known to the querent unless
indicated otherwise. Usually it has no character connotation in itself
When the Young IA:ldy does depict the character of this young woman,
she is gentle, innocent, sincere, trustworthy, kind, caring and usually
quiet and unassuming. She represents the joy of living, the first love,
and all those rash decisions made during adolescence, dominated
more by emotions than rationality. This card also represents beauty
and charm.
When this card describes a personal characteristic, it represents

heightened sensitivity, and may indicate psychic ability (or a budding
psychic ability that needs to be developed) in the person it describes. It
can also mean a person with an absorbent· aura (as opposed to a
radiating aura) whose propensity is to be extremely affected by the
environment around them, for better or worse. As the cards do not give
advice, and merely point to the problem, when such scenario
presented themselves my grandmother always advised that person to
strengthen their aura against negativity (she didn't use the word "aura"
but that was baSically the message) which invariably proved to be very
sound advice.
This card can sometimes show up in a reading for no apparent

reason, and seemingly cause confusion as to who this woman is. When
this is so, this card's function is not that of representing a woman at all,
but it is that of "pointing" to a problem, a danger, an underlying
problem that is of specific relevance to the querent. In this case watch
out for all the cards on the left hand side of the Young Lady (she is
pointing to her left), as these are the cards that hold the key to
unravelling the problem. My grandmother used to tell me that the lady
113
in this card is saying, "Look at the cards behind me, that is where the
danger is coming from". (Sometimes when there are no cards to the
left, but a row of cards at the bottom, look at the cards her other finger
is pointing at.) My experience has taught me that it is always best to
heed this young lady's warnings.
In financial matters it points to inexperience and rash mistakes. It also

represents internship, someone who has just started working, or the
trial period in a job or contract. In love it represents a crush, the first
love, someone who is besotted, and a completely irrational romantic
attachment. It can also point to anxiety in love and to a particular
degree of uncertainty and instability.
This card can be associated to three attributes; one is "fragile" (which

can also refer to fragile objects or in a metaphorical sense), the other is
"vulnerable" and then "impressionable".
In a health reading it points to a seasonal illness, usually of little

consequence unless other cards say otherwise. l\ext to the Child's card
it may indicate a baby girl and with the nine of Spades a teen
pregnancy.
Reverse: This card still represents a woman in the same age group as
the one indicated by the upright card, however this young lady is
troubled in some way. This card represents a woman who is prey to
inner turmoil. More often than not she is anxious, suffers mood swings
and/or is depressed. She is neither consistent in her behaviour nor in
her decisions, causing instability and precariousness in the situation
when her role is a metaphorical one.
114
This card describes someone who lacks inner peace and the ability to
control one's thoughts and emotions, being constantly at the mercy of
the next mood swing. More often than not, especially when this card
shows up as the significator card for the querent, it is found at the
beginning of the spread, and it indicates a woman who is surrounded
by a difficult situation and she is not making it any better, not usually
deliberately, but by not knowing how to solve her problems
resourcefully. This is because the card describes a woman who cannot
think straight. Generally, this card also represents worry, inner tension,
lack of resourcefulness and anxiety. It represents one of the seven
deadly sins, that of sloth (as well as listlessness) when near a speCific
card (which will be explained in the Diploma course).
When this card represents a mature woman, it highlights childish

behaviour, frivolity and immaturity, (a bad sign in love and in business)
or someone who want to appear younger than her years and dresses
in clothes that are not appropriate for her age group. It can also refer
to a woman who is terrified of growing old and refuses to accept
reality.
In matters of love, it indicates a woman, who feels unfulfilled, neglected

and unloved, and should be taken as a serious warning for male
querents regarding how their partner feels in the relationship.
Generally, this card represents a woman who needs to be loved and

nurtured. It is someone who feels abandoned, weak, apathetic and now
has lost the ability to fight for herself. This can be a woman who is
going through a hard time with little support from others. More often
than not it represents a woman who is ill.
115
When reverse, this Young Lady points to her right instead of her left
(and to the cards in the row above, if there are any), so special
attention should be paid to those cards, as they will usually reveal the
underlying problem in the situation.
l\'ext to negative cards this can point to someone who is a "psychic

vampire" and absorbs other people's energy, leaving them tired and
depleted. More often than not, (because of the flowers in the
background of this card) the reverse Young Lady describes a person
who not only absorbs energy, but also radiates negativity, just as some
plants emit a foul odour, so does this person emit negativity. In Italy
such people have been called "jettatore/jettatrice", and are attributed
with the ability to cast the evil eye on those they come in contact with.
This is exactly what this card represents, pointing to the person,
whether man or woman, who is responsible.
In financial matters the card does not change its meaning, except for
heightening the person's inexperience, indicating a situation that is not
yet ready, or that it is not the right time to invest.
In a health reading it indicates mental disorders, (usually depression

and apathy, but not only these conditions) the gravity of which will be
revealed by other cards in the spread.
Keywords: The official keywords are "Affliction, Volubility", these are

true for the reverse position of this card, to which I would add, metal
disorders, apathy, inexperience. When upright: sincerity, sensitivity,
innocence, fragile, vulnerable, impressionable.
116
King of Clubs
DOCTOR
(Dottore)
Card Description: A doctor feels
his patient's pulse during a home

visit. He has left his hat on a table,
as a sign of politeness, He seems
thoughtful and completely focussed
on his medical examination,
The Essence of the Card: An

essentially neutral card that offers several nuances of meaning,
Upright: Its first meaning is neutral; this card describes a man in a

position of authority, It can very well represent a doctor (a general
practitioner, not a specialist doctor, unless there are specific cards that
explain his specialist area), but also a lawyer, judge, civil servant, or any
man of professional standing, This man is neither good nor bad, he is
simply in a position of authority over others (especially over the
querent and his/her life) and the cards near him define his character,
This card usually represents "specialist help" that will be required (or
will be offered) in order to get out of a sticky situation, Usually the
cards either side of the Doctor define what kind of help is needed (i.e,
legal help, medical help, financial help etc.) This card defines a
117
situation that cannot be resolved without the (often professional) help
of another who knows what they are doing. In this, it implies past
mistakes that need to be rectified, however this is not always the case.
This card can also point to an underlying health problem that is

afflicting the querent, or foretell that health will be a central topic in the
querent's future. In particular, it indicates that the querent's mental and
physical strength will playa very important role in the way events will
unfold. It does not necessarily imply ill-health, although more often than
not it indicates a period of stress or overwork that will be mentally and
physically taxing on the querent.
The third meaning of this card is allegorical. It represents something (a

type of behaviour, a situation, a bad habit, a grudge, a broken heart, a
trauma, etc.) that needs "healing", or "fixing" because it is at the root of
the querent's problems and/or of the crisis they are undergoing at the
present moment. This is a card that highlights the urgency to
reconsider and change a flaw within the querent (or the person
indicated by this card) so that he/she can attract a better future. If
positive cards follow, the Sibilla indicates that the person will put
enough effort into their self-improvement and will resolve the problem
successfully. It often means that help will be offered by someone who
can make a difference in the querent's life, but not before the querent
shows a genuine willingness to help themselves. The saying, "God
helps those who help themselves" sums up this scenario quite well.
In love it can indicate a woman who wants to "fix" her partner, thus
highlighting her driving motivation in the relationship. (The reverse is
also true, albeit less frequent, with a male significator card and his
female partner.)
118
Usually this card merely represents someone with a university degree
or, with specific cards, to the university degree itself.
In financial matters it indicates success, fulfilment and, in particular,

career advancement and a period of intense work As a person it
represents an investor, a doctor, a scientist, a judge, lawyer. This is a
card that can also represent scientific research and science in general.
In a health reading it indicates one's general practitioner, frequent

doctor's appointments or the need to see a doctor for medical analysis.
It can also point to someone so ill that they need or are in intensive
care (from the image of the doctor feeling the patient's pulse).
Reverse: In a reading, the reverse Doctor card is the equivalent of a

red flag. It represents someone not to be trusted. This person is in a
position of authority or influence and has the power to alter the
querent's life for the worse. It also represents a seedy situation, of vice
and depravity.
This card can point to incorrect professional advice from a lawyer,

doctor or any person of professional standing that is offering his
services to the querent.
This person can easily abuse the position of trust invested in him,
switch sides and use information gained in confidence against the
querent.
This card acts as a serious waming that someone who is receiting

bad professional ad1ice. At best, this bad advice can also originate
from a trusted person, such as a friend or relative, who does not mean
119
to mislead, but does so nonetheless by wanting to impose his views
and control over the situation (such as an overbearing father).
This card can also indicate that the help received will not be sufficient
to get them out of a situation.
Broadly speaking, the reverse Doctor card represents an arrogant,

bigoted and prejudiced man with the power to influence other people's
lives. It can also define a man who appears to be righteous but who
secretly leads a double life, prey to vice, corruption and/or debauchery.
This card is an indication of someone who offers help with an agenda.

At worst, this person can be the head of an organised crime gang, a
swindler, a loan shark, a con man or a bad "friend" who is leading the
querent down the wrong path. This untrustworthy man is found within
the querent's circle of acquaintances. He needs to be identified
immediately before he can cause further damage.
This person is someone who will make the querent stray from their life
purpose and take them further and further away from achieving their
goals in life, leading them down the path of failure and perdition.
In worst case scenarios, this card can indicate someone who has been
broken by a traumatic event and is beyond saving, someone who is
"damaged goods".
Financially, it points to someone not to be trusted. It also indicates

having chosen the wrong strategy to achieve something, someone who
is after one's job, bad advice, lack of preparation, a bad investment, a
contract to beware of, a loan shark, or a con man.
In love this card points to insincere feelings, perversions, betrayal and

lies. It indicates an abusive partner who will have a negative influence
120
over the querent's life, leading them down the wrong path, and/or
isolating them from friends and family in order to gain total control and
ascendancy over them. This man will tum out to be completely
different from the way he appeared to be on first contact. Only when
surrounded by very positive cards does the reverse Doctor card
indicate that this negative person has lost their hold over the querent,
and that a difficult period is about to end.
When followed by negative cards, the Doctor card is a warning of

difficult times ahead and it indicates unwillingness, on the querent's
part, to listen to sound advice (they are very likely listening to the
wrong advice instead). This card indicates that the querent is not trying
hard enough to overcome a serious character flaw that is the cause of
much of their present, and future, misery. It points to a lack of
willpower or to a disinterest to improving oneself. In a health reading it
indicates a misdiagnosis, medication that is causing illness rather than
healing, side-effects of medication or treatment, medical malpractice
and the urgency to seek a second opinion and to a bad/incompetent
doctor.
Keywords: The official keywords are "Jurist - Arrogance". Professional

advice, help, self-mastery. But also deceit, a bad person, bad advice,
poor health.
121
rave and somber, the suit of Spades augments the
negative import of all other cards in the Sibilla deck This is one of the
dominant suits, and it is able to alter any card for the worse. It is in fact
the worst suit in the deck, indicating all those events that we wish were
not part of human experience. Sorrow, loss, disappointment, black
magic, fear, death, enemies, struggle and poverty are all represented by
cards in this suit. If in the Suit of Clubs we could hear the sound of
wedding bells (Ace of Clubs), and that of joyful laughter (Nine of Clubs),
the Suit of Spades brings with itself anything from the sound of
weeping to the sombre toll of the death knell. Cards from this Suit cast
a pall of darkness over the entire spread and can be very unsettling.
But not all hope is lost. Perhaps the most interesting fact about this suit
is that one of the most beautiful events in life is also indicated by a
card in the suit of Spades: pregnancy and the beginning of a new life.
This suit is extremely important. The presence of cards from this suit
can alter the entire reading. Only experience and intuition will enable
the cartomancer to detect the various nuances of meaning that a card
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of this Suit can have, Strangely I do like this suit; it has warned m~
grandmothers of danger many, many times, especially during the dark

years of the two World Wars, It has also never failed me, warning me
of the true intentions of people many times over the years,
Generally, a predominance of cards from this suit in a spread indicates

that the events predicted will take place in the autumn, Mixed with
Diamonds it indicates the winter months, With the exception of the
King of Spades, who can represent a man with white/grey hair, people
indicated by this suit tend to have dark-hair,
In my experience the difference between a good cartomancer and a

mediocre one lies in the ability to interpret this suit correctly, Cards in
the suit of Spades can represent any type of hardship, from a small
disappointment to a great loss, Misreading cards in this suit will
invariably give a false prediction and cause unnecessary worry to the
querent in one instance, or insufficient notification or warning in the
other.
As an aside, my grandmother told me that during the Second World

War, a neighbour came to her to ask for a reading, The cards
predicted that this lady's husband would be on a train in the near
future, and that the Nazis would stop the train and search the
passengers, This would cause her family a great deal of personal
hardship and distress, It warned her husband of serious danger, For
fear of ridicule, she disregarded the prediction and never mentioned it
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to her husband, who was later taken to a concentration camp as a
result of being on the very train journey previously predicted. Luckily
he made it home in the end when the war was over, but I include this
story here to impress upon you the seriousness of any warning given
by cards in the Sibilla, especially cards from the Suit of Spades.
It is also equally as important to communicate such warnings with

sufficient clarity to express the need for caution without causing undue
fear, negative anticipation, worry or concern. I find it helpful to say
something like "the cards strongly advise against.. .. "
Better to be safe than sorry. But now let's begin our journey through
the Suit of Spades!
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Ace of Spades
SORROW (Dispiacere)
Card Description: A woman is

sobbing her heart out, covering
her face with a handkerchief to
hide her pain and her tears. The
source of her sorrow is
unexpected, and it comes from
the contents of a letter, which lies,
still open but discarded, on the
table before her. There is no one
around to comfort her.
The Essence of the Card: A negative card. Every time I look at this
card I can hear a woman's sobs echo in a cold and sombre room.
Upright: This card indicates bad news. This card does not describe the
event causing the bad news, because it underlines the negative
emotional impact that something or someone will have on the querent.
During the World Wars, when this card showed up in a reading, my

grandmother used to say to me that she interpreted it as giving little or
no hope or prospect of her friends' sons coming back from the front
alive, (the severity of the news depending upon which cards followed
125
this one in the spread). Unfortunately this scenario can also be true
today, for someone in the same situation.
Broadly, it foretells of a period of difficulty and sorrow, the failure of a

project, humiliation, vicious gossip and/or anger in the area being
enquired about. It can also herald violence, attacks, and arguments that
become physical. This is especially so when this card is near the ten of
Spades, and in the latter case with the additional card of the reverse
Ten of Hearts.
l\ear the six of Hearts and a significator card, it describes a querent

whose life has been marked by hardship, a heavy loss or bereavement,
or an event from the past that has scarred him/her (more card
combinations will be given in Volume 2 to my students, dedicated
solely to combinations and spreads).
In love, it heralds misunderstanding, disappointment and separation,

and possible domestic violence. In family matters it foretells of a falling
out, bitter disputes, feuds and vel)' sad news. This is the card that
represents violence and brutality.
In financial matters it may indicate a dismissal, bankruptcy, a bad

investment and/or bullying at work It legal matters it indicates serious
problems with the law and unfair judgements.
The two main areas of impact are found in the representation of this
card: the first is the opened letter, which heralds unexpected bad news
(from any source); the second is the woman's reaction to the letter.
This indicates an event that will shake the querent to the core and will
negatively affect them emotionally on a vel)' deep level.
126
Broadly speaking, this card can also indicate a period of "inner
turbulence", of painful inner change and/or bad karma that is
demanding repayment (this depends on the gravity of the cards that
follow). If the cards are positive, the Sorrow card can indicate a period
of spiritual growth and transformation that will cause some degree of
discomfort to the querent. This is however a secondary interpretation.
Special attention should be paid to the cards that are next to this one
in a reading; if they are signirrcator cards for people other than the
querent, the Sorrow card will invariably refer to them.
In a health reading it refers to any affliction to the face and head, and
psychological problems such as depression, apathy and suicidal
tendencies. It also refers to infectious diseases.
Reverse: Oddly enough, this card is slightly positive when reverse. The
reverse Sorrow card lessens the blow of the sorrow that is about to
come the querent's way. It also refers to a period of great energy,
renewed activity and strength in overcoming difficulties. Be careful
when interpreting this card, the negative connotations, especially those
of violence and aggression, are not lost when negative cards surround
the reverse ace of Spades. The positive connotations of this card are
very weak and can be easily annulled when cards that indicate
negativity are present in the spread.
This card also indicates hard work It indicates that the querent will
have to work tirelessly to achieve their goals, which will not just be
handed to them on a plate. They need to create their own good
fortune. In this endeavour, long hours at work are indicated. It can be
127
summarised by the expression "blood, sweat and tears". Depending on
the cards that follow, the card can indicate an inconsequential
disappointment that will soon be replaced by great joy. It does, in fact,
"lessen the blow" as foretold by other negative cards in the spread.
In love, it indicates a passionate relationship, a crush, and someone (or

a couple) with a very active sex life. It indicates someone with sex
appeal or a sexual attraction to someone and/or a couple on the same
wavelength as the querent. Generally it indicates a time of "harvest",
when hard efforts will bear fruit and it is now the time to reap the
benefits. It heralds a period of fertility on all fronts. It is especially
propitious in financial matters, where it indicates a good investment,
expansion and career advancement, the end of troubles.
As a neutral meaning, this card indicates "more of', a repetition, a

reoccurrence. It indicates that the querent will face "more of' the same
situation, people and opportunities, (or lack of them). Whether this is
for good or bad will be indicated by the cards that follow. Near the
reverse Thought card or Hope card, it can indicate a recurring dream.
The other neutral meaning that this card can have is based on its
position in the spread. If preceded by negative cards, the Ace of
Spades puts an end to all difficulties, heralding a period of joy and
good fortune ahead, (indicating being able to overcome all obstacles).
On the other hand if it is preceded by positive cards, the ace of
Spades heralds a reversal of good fortune, and behaves pretty much
like its upright counterpart, predicting sorrow and a period of anguish
and struggle.
In a health reading it indicates fecundity and pregnancy and it relates

to the head (from the woman burying her head in the handkerchiefl
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Keywords: The Official keywords are "Sorrow over bad news". It also
means disappointment, tears, depression, failure, loss, humiliation,
violence and disagreements. When reverse its meanings become:
energy, overcoming difficulties, minor sorrows and fertility.
Two of Spades
THE OLD lADY
(La Vecchia Signora)
Card Description: An elderly

lady is leisurely sat on an
armchair. Her expression is
peaceful and she is well-
dressed. She is sitting near a
table with a great big vase of
flowers on it, representing
honours and other forms of
beauty, namely wisdom that is
acquired with age. The room is very tidy and richly decorated,
representing wealth accumulated over time. It suggests that the old
lady resides in a stately home and that she is wealthy.
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The Essence of the Card: A neutral card with positive undertones
when upright. It is definitely the most positive card in the suit of
Spades.
Upright: The first meaning of this card is neutral; it simply represents a

woman aged 60 and over, but more often than not it represents a
grandmother, an auntie, an elderly mother or an old female relative,
often a widow, (but not necessarily so) if confirmed by the cards near
the two of Spades. This person is neither good nor bad, but her
character will be defined by the cards near her.
The second meaning sees the person represented by this card, a wise
woman, someone who is able to give good advice based on her life
experience and/or affection for the querent. Usually she is, if not
wealthy, financially secure (unless other cards indicate otherwise) and
can give the querent a helping hand.
Generally speaking this card represents life experience, good advice,

tradition, conservative views and a harmonious family environment. It
represents a person who is able to give very sound advice and has a
good perspective on the situation.
This card can also represent someone who has accepted a situation
and has learned to cope with it well. It does suggest resilience, wisdom
and inner strength.
This card represents the end of a phase, a waning of some kind,

situations that are about to terminate and/or decline and something (or
someone) that is losing its hold on the querent.
130
Due to its association with visiting an older relative, this card can
indicate short journeys, visiting or receiving a visit from someone, day
trips, running errands and small excursions.
As with the Travel card, the two of Spades also represents change.
However the Old Lady card foretells of a slow change, of a structural
change or a situation that will solve itself over time. It also indicates
that time will heal whatever adversity is indicated by other cards.
In financial matters it indicates an established business, a family

business, old projects that flourish, wealth accumulated over time, a
rich family or a traditional product made in the old fashioned way. But
it also represents work with old people or an antique dealer, the end of
a business relationship. With the Death card in it indicates retirement.
It also refers to antique objects or family heirlooms, especially when

near the "Present of Precious Stones" card.
In love, it indicates someone who is attached to their family, to

traditional views and to the love of one's extended family, especially a
female relative (or someone who is comparable to a relative). It can
also indicate a deep love, not based on shallow motives or physical
appearance, but based on common interests and a true soul
connection. It indicates a lover from a past life and/or a soul mate.
This card can also represent someone who is wiser than his/her years.
It also indicates nostalgia, attachment to the past and to the way things
used to be.
In a health reading it represents ageing conditions, geriatric problems,

kidney stones, arthritis and osteoporosis. But it can also represent
longevity, a slow recovery and resilience.
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Reverse: When reverse this card loses its positive connotation. When it
represents a person, it describes an older woman who is mean, hard-
hearted, stingy and selfish. She is a shrew, a crone, a woman who has
lost the ability to see things clearly, adjust and adapt. She has
"crystallised" and is trapped in the past, with every action she takes
aimed at fulfilling her own selfish ends. She is prejudiced, lacks
forgiveness and acceptance, and wants to control everything and
everybody. Her advice is unsound, and motivated by ulterior motives
or by a complete lack of perspective.
Sometimes she can be literally a witch or an elderly woman who

practices the dark arts. In any event she is a negative person who has
lost the ability to love and nurture. She is like the Parable of the barren
fig tree in a metaphorical way.
More broadly, it represents a stale and stagnant situation, which offers

neither satisfaction nor growth for the querent. It represents an
involution rather than an evolution. This is because it represents
someone who is regressing rather than evolving and learning. In graver
instances it indicates someone who has failed on their life path, their
"raison d'etre", their purpose for incarnating. This is especially true
when near the Sorrow card, which represents failure. This however is
a grave prediction, and more often than not it simply represents
mistakes from the past that have not been learned.
Ideologically it represents fundamentalism, hypocrisy, pettiness, avarice,

very conservative views, prejudice, and intolerance towards others,
especially towards new situations. It represents an inability to accept
change and a lack of security.
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This card also represents the past in the form of mistakes, occurrences
or people that come out of the woodwork, reappearing to influence the
present moment (or the future). It can indicate any kind of obstacle,
especially those from the past.
In love, it represents a separation and a dying love. It also indicates a

chaotic family environment, without structure or family traditions. It
may even indicate an orphan with no roots or someone who lacks a
sense of roots and of belonging to a group. With a partner it indicates
setbacks in relationships, usually caused by a crystallisation and
reversion into past patterns of behaviour, and of failing to adopt new
strategies to salvage the relationship. It also indicates past mistakes in
the relationship that are difficult to forget.
In business it indicates an inability to provide a suitable product or

service, or an investment that used to be good but that now has lost its
value. This card indicates an obsolete way of doing things, which
needs to be revisited to keep up with the times. It does highlight,
however, an inability to change, something that has "fossilised" into a
situation that will slowly die out and stop bearing fruit.
When upright this card represented a visit or bringing people closer;

when reverse this card pulls people apart. It can herald a separation
from someone we used to see often, or even a separation from one's
family or one's country (from moving abroad to giving up one's
citizenship). It can indicate a delayed or cancelled journey.
As a character trait it indicates immaturity and weakness. Others may

see the que rent as a "non-person", a push-over, someone lacking
authority personality and the inner strength to say "no". It usually
indicates the necessity to separate oneself from a bad crowd, or a
133
group of people that are causing the querent to regress instead of
progressing in life. This card in fact can also represent a group of
people who behave very incoherently.
This card also indicates that someone is losing their perspective on a

situation and they don't know what the right thing is to do anymore. It
indicates serious character differences between people. Near a
significator card it heralds a separation or a falling out with that person
represented by the significator.
Generally it indicates something that has run its course and will soon
reach a natural conclusion. This can refer to a marriage, a relationship,
a business, a society, an ideology, a project, etc. Depending on what it
is, this can also be positive, of course.
In a health reading it indicates sterility, a chronic or lingering illness, the

need to run more tests, ageing problems, blockages and constipation.
Keywords: The Official keywords are: "Travel - Visit", but other

meanings are stability, tradition, an older woman, good advice. When
reverse the meanings are: bad advice, avarice and a lack of
perspective, immaturity, prejudice, miserliness, and a situation that is
slowly dying out.
134
Three of Spades
THE WIDOWER (II Vedovo)
Card Description: A man, elegantly

dressed, is mourning in silence in
front of his wife's grave. He is in a
cemetery enclosed by three large
walls. You cannot see over the
walls, which implies,
metaphorically, the inability to see
,
beyond ones own pain. This
picture evokes feelings of grief,
resignation and of utter impotence in the wake of fate. This card
describes a much graver situation than the one depicted in the five of
Diamonds. With the three of Spades we find a person's grave, whilst
in the Melancholy card, the grave depicted is that of a domestic
animal.
The Essence of the Card: A very negative card with one neutral
meaning. Its effects are long-lasting, due to the elegantly dressed man,
meaning silent resignation. This is someone who has overcome the
immediate shock of bereavement and has had the time to pull himself
together to visit the cemetery regularly (He was able to dress with
135
dignity again - instead of letting himself go, as you would expect when
first experiencing the depression of bereavement), This all implies time,
Upright: Let's tackle the neutral meaning first. This card represents a
man over 60 (the male counterpart of the Old Lady card), He is not
necessarily a widower, but he can also be single or unmarried, His
temperament will be described by the cards near this one in the
spread, so he is neither good nor ill-intentioned,
The first traditional meaning of this card is that of representing

sadness, remorse and regret. It is a card that represents intense
loneliness and isolation, It predicts lack of support, lack of affection
and even an inability to open one's heart to love again for a
considerable time"
This card describes someone who has suffered intensely, someone

who has been defeated by the hardships of life and has lost all the joy
of living, It can very well represent a widower or a widow, or someone
who has been left by the love of their life, Only with a specific card
combination does it herald the death of a loved one (we will see this in
the Diploma course) but on its own, it does not predict a physical
death, merely the definite end to something,
This card indicates difficulty in interacting with other people and it

warns of difficult times ahead, It can indicate dislike, hatred and
resentment between people, The que rent will be left out in the cold,
and no one will be there to help them. They will feel utterly alone and
helpless, as if someone has pulled the rug out from underneath their
feet. Someone they used to rely on for support will not be there
anymore (a bereavement), or someone will withdraw their help,
136
This card can also be interpreted metaphorically, indicating a void or a
loss of some kind. For example, near the Love card it indicates a lost
love. It can also represent someone who is undergoing a period of
intense loneliness, isolation and solitude. It can also indicate a hermit
or a monk, especially if followed by the ten of Spades, the Priest
(Check card number). When indicating a place, this card describes a
monastery, a retreat, a prison or a cemetery.
In love, it heralds a separation, arguments, incompatibility, rancour,

resentment towards another person, a relationship devoid of true love,
and growing apart. In financial matters it indicates financial collapse or
the unsuccessful ending of a project that meant a lot to the querent.
This usually entails making life-changing decisions and break away
from something or someone. Metaphorically, this card indicates
estrangement, deprivation, absence, a lack of some kind, and moving
away from a situation or a person.
In financial matters it represents financial loss, dismissal, lack of money

and an unwanted business trip or relocation. Generally, as an
additional layer of meaning, it indicates a great distance, so it can also
refer to foreign countries or to the word "abroad".
Rarely, it indicates meditation and introspection, and when followed by

positive cards it can indicate that the querent has the inner spiritual
resources to pull through on their own. However these are such a
slight nuances of meaning that only experience can identifY. This card
usually indicates deep regret, guilt and remorse that are slowing
gnawing away at the soul.
In a health reading it represents sterility, autism, down's syndrome, low

blood pressure, vitamin deficiency, serious depreSSion, bipolar disorder
137
and an illness that gets worse or becomes chronic. If the querent is in
good health, it foretells of a coming illness that can be serious and/or
life threatening, especially if specific cards follow.
Reverse: This card's negativity becomes magnified when reverse,

When this card was upright it indicated a loss, when reverse it
indicates a sudden and painful loss, and possibly widowhood. There is
also a greater chance that this card indicates someone's imminent
death when reverse (it has got to be in connection to specific cards that
will not be given in this book).
When reverse, this card highlights mental disorders and a person who
behaves irrationally. It indicates violence, It also describes an immoral
and misguided person.
This card indicates serious substance abuse and addictions, mental

problems such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and any kind of
psychosis, especially when followed by the nine of Diamonds.
It also warns of a person who has lost all sense of direction and that
their misguided behaviour will lead them into serious trouble. This can
be financial trouble (bankruptcy or poverty) if the reading is centred on
money, however it usually indicates falling prey to the wrong crowd of
people, with the serious possibility of being abused, controlled,
manipulated or even murdered (for this last option a speciflc series of
cards needs to come up in a precise order), because it represents
someone who is beside themselves with rage and can easily lose
control of their actions. In this case the reverse three of Spades gives a
very strong warning.
138
In love, this card indicates pathological behaviour in one of the
partners, fetishes, morbid fIxations, domestic violence, alcoholism or a
sudden separation and even bereavement (if certain cards follow).
This card also has all the negative meanings of its upright counterpart,
just magnifIed intensely.
Usually when it represents a situation, other cards that describe this

will follow, for example if the Letter follows the Widower plus another
specifIc card, it can indicate receiving news of someone's death.
This card also indicates the presence of a hex, psychic attack and/or
the use of black magic, especially if it is found with the reverse two of
Clubs. In any event, if the querent suspects that they are the victim of
black magic, this card confIrms it.
The reverse Widower card also has a neutral meaning, and that is
connected to funeral rites. More broadly, this card, when reverse,
indicates a funereal rite from any religion or a rite of any kind, (hence
its association with magical rites, which can be good or bad depending
on the cards that follow this one).
In a health reading it indicates serious mental disordt::rs and

addictions.
Keywords: The Official keywords are "Solitude, regrets", but it can also
refer to distance, loss, introspection, lack of support, loneliness, tears
and poverty. When reverse it means: mental aberrations, violence, a
ritual and irrationality.
139
Four of Spades
THE SICK MAN (Ammalato)
Card Description: An ailing man is

lying on his bed, tired and
debilitated due to a long illness. He
is alone, and seemingly
unconscious. He is comforted only
by those in spirit, who never leave
his side. The picture of the holy
family hanging above the bed
represents those in spirit, or
guardian angels. Next to the bed is
a small table on which is a bottle
of medication and a glass, showing his desire to heal and get better.
Above the bed are two holy water fonts, representing spirituality and
faith in God in times of adversity. All these are symbols that
represent the hope, even if it is only faint, of a recovery, and a desire
to take some time out and be left alone.
The Essence of the Card: A neutral card with negative connotations

especially when upright.
Upright: The focus of this card puts health and wellbeing in the
foreground. This is the card that represents an illness, past or future, or
140
someone who is already ill. It is connected to hospital appointments
and periods of feeling unwell, both physically and mentally. Near the
seven of Spades and the ten of Clubs it can indicate surgery. The
predominant meaning of this card is that of prolonged illness, recovery
from an illness and visits to the hospital or to the doctor's surgery.
In a broader sense, it foretells periods in which the querent will be

forced to interrupt their daily routine and visit places they would rather
not go to. It heralds a period of hardship and difficulty, resulting in
subsequent dejection, demotivation, apathy and depression. This card
represents a block, a pause in the smooth flowing of daily life. Just as
sickness is seen as interrupting health, so is this card interpreted as a
sort of interruption, stagnation and a temporary block which causes
nuisance and inner unrest.
On this last point, especially when followed by positive cards, this card
highlights a need to take a break from a very stressful situation, to
regain one's health and inner strength on many levels. There may be a
strong desire to go on holiday, or even, to a more spiritual level, to
spend more time in meditation, prayer and in following one's spiritual
pursuits in order to nourish the soul after a "spiritually taxing" period of
stress and hardship.
Metaphorically, it represents any situation that is "sick". This can be an

unhealthy relationship, a personal flaw that needs healing, or a
situation that is rife with pain, personal affront and/or corruption. It can
also indicate a pathological relationship with another, or something
that has been spoiled. It has also the connotation of "tainted and
unclean".
141
Professionally, this card indicates the medical profession, nursing and
(rarely) doctors. It can also indicate a patient. Financially it indicates a
period of stagnation and of little or no income. It indicates the need for
state welfare or sickness benefit.
This card also indicates the need to do some soul searching and
deepen one's connection with Spirit. This meaning is derived from the
strong references to the spirit world in the depiction of this card. There
is a need to change something in one's spiritual life that is causing a
block, or inner dissatisfaction. This card can also indicate someone
who is forever searching for the deeper spiritual meaning of life.
This card acts like a warning. It can indicate a "ticking bomb", the calm
before the storm, or a situation that seems still and okay but that is
eventually going to erupt and backfire, causing great damage. It also
warns the querent of people or situations that lull them into a false
sense of security. It indicates people who are making the querent "il1."
In a health reading it is important to remember that it always refers to

a period of illness, the severity of which will be described by the cards
near the four of Spades.' It also indicates a debilitated immune system
and the propensity to catch colds and fall ill with various diseases. It
always points to someone who is physically and mentally depleted. On
its own it can also represent migraines, drowsiness and lack of
concentration. Beware of accidents and of falling asleep at the wheel if
the seven of Spades and the three of Clubs show up at the same time.
Reverse: This card brings a situation to a complete halt. It is like a

"cosmic stop sign" in the life path. Something will be interrupted, for
142
better or for worse and the timeframe of its effects is more prolonged
than when this card is found in the upright position. Usually this is not
the querent's fault, but due to other causes. This card indicates
stagnation and no new developments (which can also be a good thing,
if the developments were negative!).
It is important to understand the main difference between this card

(both upright and reverse) and the Widower card. In the latter case
something ends, in the former something stops, not necessarily ending
permanently. In the case of the Widower card, the querent will
experience periods of forced solitude and isolation. In the case of the
Sick Man, it is the querent himself/herself who wants to be left alone to
take some time out for themselves. The withdrawal is voluntary; hence
this card is less dramatic than the former card.
The four of Spades indicates someone who lacks the spiritual

resources to pull through. It also describes someone who has no faith
or is an atheist. It points to someone who is poor in spirit, a prey to
vice and their lower passions.
In love, it indicates someone who is holding back and not showing

their true emotions. It also indicates a pause in a relationship. In other
relationships it means coldness, disinterest or a "sick" relationship.
In a financial reading this card is very positive, indicating savings and

someone who is able to manage their money and their spending
budget. It refers to someone who knows when to invest and when to
hold back As the card indicates savings, it can also indicate an estate
or an inheritance. It can however, indicate someone who is stingy and
a miser, especially if found near the Money card and the reverse Old
Lady card (these cards accentuate attachment to material possessions
143
and avarice), Near negative cards it indicates poverty and financial
hardship,
Only when surrounded by positive cards, the reverse four of Spades

indicates the end of a stagnant situation and the return to one's daily
routine,
In a health reading it indicates a relapse with a possible worsening of

the condition and depression,
Keywords: The Official keywords are "Moral dejection", but can also
mean: long delays, the need for solitude and illness, In reverse, it
means: coldness, severe depression, stagnation and relapse in the
course of an illness,
144
FIVe of Spades
DEATH (Morte)
Card Description: An
ominous-looking coffin is
placed between two straw
chairs. A skull is painted on
this coffin, which makes it all
the more sinister. A tall pillar
candle, which looks uncannily
like a smoking gun (indicating
violence), burns vehemently
and is resting precariously
against a very flammable straw
chair. Everything in the picture conveys an image of precariousness,
of imminent danger and ghastliness. The room is empty and bare,
offering no sign of life, except for the burning flame and the smoke
which reminds us that life goes on after all but only after the old has
been discarded. The role of the candle flame in this picture is
associated to the purging action of fire, seen as the destroyer of
forms that have run their course.
'Behold, I have created the blacksmith that blows the coals in the fire,
and that brings forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the
destroyer to destroy':
Isaiah 54: 16
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The Essence of the Card: Although the Death card is a neutral card, it
has very negative undertones. Its influence is that of a dominant card,
for it alters other cards in the reading. Unlike what many may believe,
the Death card is not the worst card in the deck Its meaning changes
drastically based on the cards next to it.
Upright: When upright this card acts like a pair of cosmic scissors. It
cuts the flow of a situation and brings it to an irreversible end. Usually
this is a drastic clean cut from which one cannot go back Needless to
say, this cut can be a positive one, for example, the end of an addiction
or the end of an abusive relationship.
This card also represents the end of the life cycle in the area enquired
about. It represents something that has reached its end and that is now
ready to die out (or break down, if the reading is about a car or an
appliance!)
It is important to remember that this card indicates abrupt and final

change. Death is the most drastic form of change, from the material
state to the spiritual one, and so the concept of death has been chosen
to represents all those situations that will be ended abruptly and for
good.
The Death card behaves in a particular way. Its function is that of

deprivation. It negates whatever the other cards are saying. In this
respect, if other cards foretell danger, this card can negate a bad
situation, (averting danger) or, by the same token, if other cards foretell
of a happy marriage and this card is amongst them, it negates a happy
union. It is like a minus sign. In itself the Death card is not bad, but it
146
can be bad near positive cards. Its voice is louder than any other card
except that only the two and the flve of Clubs (Haughtiness and
Fortune) have the power to annul this extremely dominant card
On its own this card heralds a painful, and often unwanted, change.
Unlike other "death" cards in other decks, the Death card in the Vela
Sibilla does not imply rebirth, it merely indicates an ending to
something (or someone) and even physical death. If there is a rebirth it
will be indicated by the other cards in the spread.
In personal relationships it indicates a separation, a breakup, extreme

incompatibility or that someone has done something which can never
be taken back and the relationship can never go back to the way it
used to be.
It also represents someone who has metaphOrically "crossed the

Rubicon" and will never be able to go back, in whatever way this
applies to the particular person in question. This card brands the
person or the situation with the mark of irreversibility.
This card also heralds the "mighty fall" of presumptions, threats,

betrayal and/or public humiliation. Next to cards that indicate Violence,
it heightens their gravity (the candle that resembles a smoking gun, is
hinting that the person in the coffin died a violent death).
Generally the Death card indicates a closure with something or

someone, and it represents anything that is destined to die and be
finished with. In this instance it can also indicate liberation and
freedom from an oppressing condition, but the change indicated by the
Death card is always likely to come with a certain amount of
discomfort and pain, (hence the negative attributions for this card).
147
Other meanings that this card can have are those related to bittemess
and regret for not having said or done things before it is too late. It can
also indicate someone who has been irremediably scarred by an event,
or who waves something about themselves like a flag.
In legal matters this card precludes any grounds for appeal, or it

indicates a case that will reach (or has reached) the highest court
and/or will have a final resolution.
This card foretells of a drastic change in one's financial status. Other

cards will indicate what kind of change this is. However, more often
than not this card negates money or the opportunity for a career in the
field enquired about. This card also indicates swindles and dishonesty.
It is true that this card can also herald physical death, but never on its
own and always when found in a specific card combination of several
cards, which I will only teach to my students. I\eedles to say, that when
the Sibilla gives this exact card combination a warning like this should
not be disregarded under any circumstances.
When reinforced by negative cards it indicates negativity in the aura as

a result of being the recipient of very negative forces sent by others in
the form of thoughts or the evil eye (but not necessarily by a direct
magical ritual).
In a health reading it indicates a life-threatening illness, or the end of

such, if the two or five of Clubs follow this card. This card refers to all
serious illnesses caused by smoking. It also refers to all forms of
unconscious self-harm, such as smoking, obesity, abnegation or
overindulgence. This is the card connected to natural death and to
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poisons and toxic substances (from the skull on the coffin, symbol of
poison),
Reverse: The meaning varies based on the cards near it and the area
enquired about, however its main significance is that of emotional
upset, disappOintment and sadness, experienced mainly on an
emotional level.
I'\ear positive cards it defines a person with great powers of endurance

at times of adversity, It indicates that the querent will keep fighting to
succeed against all odds, no matter what may befall them. It does
indicate difficult times ahead, but it also indicates that the querent will
have the inner resources to pull through, and that the difficulties will be
felt more at a mental and emotional level, than at a physical leveL
Usually this card indicates inner frustration, powerlessness and
dissatisfaction with being unable to change things as quickly as one
would like, (or change them at all, in certain cases),
When describing a situation, this card, when reverse, indicates an

extremely unbalanced situation and/or one of extreme uncertainty.
Near negative cards it can also indicate three types of people; I,
someone who has done or suffered a great wrong and injustice that
has literally "tumed their life around" (like the card, which is seen
upside down), causing something they previously had to die inside of
them or 2, someone who has turned their life around for the better and
has overcome their previous challenges successfully (when it is
followed by positive cards like the two and five of Clubs), 3, Someone
who is completely devoid of any spiritual life, the kind described by
Madame Blavatsky as "the walking dead", People described by this
149
card can also be those who are heavily addicted to illegal drugs, and
those who live in apathy and deep depression. More often than not it is
the negative scenarios that this card describes.
This card, when surrounded by really negative cards (and usually when
the specific question has been asked), warns that the querent has been
the recipient of a curse, and it points to the presence of great negativity
in the aura of that person.
This can indicate an evil person, or even someone who practices black
magic themselves, however other cards will confirm or disprove this by
revealing whether the querent (or the person indicated by the card) has
just been the victim of black magic and not the perpetrator of such (the
instincts of the cartomancer alone must be used to decipher the
difference). Usually this card indicates something graver and more
sinister than negative thought-forms having been directed to the person
by an untrained mind. \Nhen near cards that indicate protection, such
as the Great Gentleman, the two or five of Clubs, it indicates divine
protection from negative forces. This is, however, not the principal
meaning of this card, fGr it indicates a toxic person, and/or all those
activities that cause spiritual regression.
Near positive cards the reverse five of Spades indicates a life-changing

event, a miracle that is able to bring healing to a wretched situation,
and/ or person who had fallen prey to the forces of evil now being
thrown a lifeline to escape. This card indicates an extreme form of
change in the life of the querent, not necessarily painful (with the ace of
Clubs card and the corresponding significator card it can also indicate
a sex change!), but an event that will tum things around completely.
Usually this card welcomes the new after the old has ended, and does
150
offer some hope for the future (symbolised by the candle flanle, now in
the foreground of the upside down picture) but only when followed by
positive cards, otherwise the flame still means destruction.
In love, it indicates a break or a pause for reflection on the future of a

relationship, or that of a very imbalanced relationship between the two
partners. It indicates that one of the partners is extremely toxic to the
other.
Financially it indicates that something will not turn out as expected,

with a timef'rame of a little under a year (when it will be made
manifest). In legal matters it does give hope for an appeal and for the
cause to be resolved in the querent's favour.
In a health reading, when someone is already ill, it indicates a complete

(and almost miraculous) recovery. Otherwise it indicates extreme
mental and emotional stress, chronic fatigue syndrome and possibly a
nervous breakdown.
Keywords: The Official keywords are "Change, imbalance", but the

other meanings are closure, sudden and painful change. The reverse
meanings are: the ability to withstand pain, inner strength, endurance
against all odds and unbalanced relationships.
Lottery Numbers: 46 and, of course..... 13! (I presume that whoever has

assigned the lottery numbers for this card in the 1940's has drawn
inspiration from the XIII arcanum of the Tarot)
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Six of Spades
SIGHS (Sospiri)
Card Description: A woman, sat

on a rock by the sea, looks out to
sea at some undefined point in
the distance. A ship has already
set sail and is now sailing farther
and farther away. The woman is
holding a handkerchief, which
she could have used to wave
goodbye to someone on the ship,
or with which she could have
dried her tears. An arrow in the sky is curiously pointing to the right.
This arrow is fundamental in the interpretation of the card.
The Essence of the Card: A negative card with neutral connotations.
Upright: When upright this card is cause for great anxiety and
preoccupation. The Sigh card is one of anxiety and tears. This anxiety
is apparently caused by circumstances the querent is aware of, whilst
the problem lies elsewhere (the arrow points in the other direction. The
arrow is portrayed in the sky, symbolising the availability of God's help
in identifYing the cause of her anxieties). This card indicates the
presence of a discordant energy - the crooked arrow- (whether it be a
152
situation, a person or the querent's inner seW that is causing them a
state of inner unrest.
This is the card of' desperate desires, of unrequited love, of troubled

relationships, caused by people who do not know how to love
unselfishly.
This is the card that represents waiting and long delays that are the
cause of' extreme inner tension. There is uncertainty around the
querent's fate, or it may be the fate of a person or situation dear to the
querent's heart. This uncertainty is not caused by a past event, but is
due to something being projected into the future.
This is a card that describes, in essence, fear of the future, due to

precarious present conditions.
This indicates someone who desperately wants to hope for a better

tomorrow, and unrealistic hope is the only thing that he/she has got left
to sustain them. Unlike the ten of Hearts, this kind of hope offers no
real comfort and is often an excuse to not see things as they really are.
More broadly, it can also indicate someone who has shed a lot of tears
over something (indicated by other cards). It casts a pall of anxiety and
precariousness over the area enquired about.
This card does not necessarily preclude success, but it indicates the
need for hard work to make it happen. It does indicate a missed
opportunity (or one that has been perceived as such), indicated by the
ship that has now sailed, leaving the woman behind.
In love, it indicates unrequited love, an unrealistic attachment to an

ideal of how things should be (or have been), a turbulent relationship
(or it can herald turbulence) or a long-distance relationship.
153
Financially, it points to investments that need more time to bear fruit,
offers to be wary of, lack of initiative or missed opportunities.
This card points to feelings of inner turmoil, caused by confusion and

the inability to hear the inner guidance of the soul. Particular
importance needs to be paid to the arrow, which indicates that the
answer has been sought in the wrong direction. In other, more rare,
cases, this card indicates someone with a very dark soul, a misguided
person (the crooked arrow again) who has lost all sense of touch with
their life purpose and has strayed away from it. When surrounded by
positive cards it indicates someone who has just started to "steer their
boat" (their life path) in the right direction after a long period of having
veered off their true path and purpose.
A neutral meaning is that of referring to large modes of transport (due

to the ship in the background) such as trains, boats, buses, trucks and
planes, etc. Also connected to the ship is the idea of long journeys,
often abroad, as well as long distances.
In a health reading it indicates anxiety, heart palpitations, panic attacks,

persecution manias, mental disorders, hypochondria and paranoia.
Reverse: When reverse, and near positive cards, this card indicates the
end of a dark period of anxiety and uncertainty, but not after having
experienced several changes in fortune and mood swings. It is the end
of a period of yearning, of struggling to find answers. Finally the
querent will obtain clarification as to their future, and obtain a long
sought for resolution. It is a Sigh of relief.
154
This card often indicates the ability to be strong and overcome
whatever difficulties life presents. It indicates someone who has great
spiritual resources and a deep intuition (even psychic ability) and
someone who has become wiser thanks to first-hand experience.
Financially, this card indicates the end of a turbulent period and warns
not to put any more energy into something lhat should have, by now,
borne fruit. This is the card connected to writing and creativity, and it
indicates books, manuscripts and their publication in one form or
another, as well as pointing to professions related to the arts,
journalism, writing, public relations and communication.
Generally it indicates that someone will come clean, and the querent
will receive an honest explanation as to why things were done and
said. This card also indicates a confession of some kind, a clarification,
the revelation of a secret that should not have been kept from the
querent's knowledge, and it also refers to the unburdening of one's
soul, releasing something that has oppressed the person and caused
many sleepless nights. This card also refers to pangs of conscience
and remorse, the kind that will prompt someone to talk, especially if
the reverse ace of Diamonds follows this card.
The six of Spades also indicates the end of a desire, whatever that
may be. It can be the end of a passionate relationship, the end of an
attachment, someone who no longer loves the querent (or vice versa),
the end of a leisure activity or of something that used to give the
querent pleasure and that now no longer interests them or satisfies
them. It can also indicate the end of craving for something (a positive
sign when someone wants to know if they will ever manage to lose
155
weight!). l\ear appropriate cards, it can indicate great self-discipline
and self-mastery.
When surrounded by very negative cards the six of Spades warns of

people with no conscience, ruthless people who want to ruin the
querent's reputation. It usually heralds defamation, lawsuits, lies and
malicious conduct from someone who has nourished feelings of envy
for the querent (they are the discordant energy represented in this card
by the arrow). Such people are, for all intents and purposes, sent as a
karmic test to see if the querent will or will not stray (crooked arrow)
from their true purpose (the woman's stare, fIxated unswelVingiy at a
point in the distance). From a higher perspective this card warns of a
temptation to revert back to the old ways will be presented, to see if the
lesson has been learned, and it warns of inconsistent results.
Broadly, without any specifIc connotation, this card indicates uncertain

events, ups and downs in the area enquired about. It indicates the need
for the querent to step outside of themselves and listen to reason, as
there is something that is clouding their judgement.
In a health reading it indicates the urinary system, the blood, urine and
the lungs. lvlentally it highlights problems with concentration.
Keywords: The Official keywords are ''Waiting, hope, turmoil", but other
meanings are: uncertainty, worry, anxiety, false hope and lack of
perspective as to the real cause of a problem. When reverse the
meanings are: resolution, the end of worry and the end of a desire.
156
Seven of Spades
(Disgrazia)
Card Description: A tower is

burning up from the inside.
The fire is already in an
advanced stage and has ruined
the building and trapped
whoever has been left inside.
All the escape exits are
unusable; a lintel has fallen and
is blocking the main exit, from
which a great tongue of fire is
rising up and blocking any escape from the balcony. Fire is also
raging inside and it is coming out of the window, which is already
barred and therefore cannot offer an avenue of escape. The fire
looks as if it is going to spread outside too, as there is another beam
in the background that is burning in the grass. What is worse in this
ominous picture is that there is no sign of help from the outside and
no possibility to escape from the inside.
Here is where the confusion of those who want to mix Sibille and
Tarot arises. Unlike the image of the XIV Arcanum, the Tower (see
picture 11), where two men are falling out of a lightning-struck tower, in
the Sibilla, the people are burning alive inside this building, unable to
escape. The fire is also man made (arson), and is not the result of an
act of God, like the lightning bolt depicted in the XVI Arcanum.
157
The Essence of the Card: A very negative and dominant card. It is the
worst card in the deck Any attempt to make this card a positive one
will result in an incorrect prediction (save for its one and only neutral
meaning).
Upright: This card foretells of a period of great turbulence that is about

to enter the querent's life. This card heralds the arrival of traumatic
events, for which the querent is apparently blameless, and which are
caused by outside events and people This is however only superficial,
as the querent would have been, even if unknowingly, involved in the
materialisation of such occurrences in their lives. This is, however, a
more philosophical approach to right and wrong, and what this card
wants to convey is that the querent usualJy ( but not always!) does not
deserve what will happen to them (or what has happened, depending
on the position of this card in the spread).
This card however, more often than not, implies that the querent has
failed to learn from past mistakes, or that a mistake from the past has
come to exact payment in the present. The querent will feel as if they
are the hapless victim of circumstance, and they will feel completely
powerless. This card indicates a drastic and radical change for the
worse, something that will never return to the way it used to be.
This is the card that indicates accidents, even violent ones, with
dangerous or even fatal outcomes. Particular care and attention needs
to be paid if cards that indicate means of transport come up near this
card, as it invariable means a car accident, a plane crash, a shipwreck,
a horse-riding accident, etc. It can also indicate explosions and any
158
accident connected to the fire element. It also indicates grave accidents
and natural disasters of any kind.
In personal relationships this card heralds a painful and sudden

separation, violence, the loss of a friend/family member, bereavement
and the traumatic and unexpected loss of a loved one.
This is a card that represents fire and anything that explodes, whether
physically (like a fire cracker, a gas leak or a bomb) or metaphorically,
such as a situation that blows up in one's face. It is always connected
to an element of abruptness and intensity.
In flnancial matters it heralds a sudden and unexpected dismissal,

repossessions, foreclosure, embezzlement, bankruptcy and problems
with the taxman. Its neutral meaning is that of representing the national
authority that deals with taxes. This is a card the represents
destruction. This card also indicates really grave mistakes that will be
paid for dearly.
The only two cards that are able to mitigate and annul the impact of
this card are two of Clubs (Haughtiness) and the five of Clubs
(Fortune), and only when they are upright.
Another neutral meaning that this card can have is that of representing
someone who, for a liVing, exercises a dangerous profession: such as a
fireman, a bomb disposal expert, a secret service agent, a stuntman
and the like. This is not a common interpretation, and to get it wrong
can make the entire prediction false, often failing to warn the querent
of imminent danger, which is what this card really wants to say when it
shows up in a spread.
159
There is, however a neutral meaning that should not be discounted;
this is when the seven of Spades is surrounded by positive cards
(especially when found at the beginning of a string of cards), and when
it appears to be the only negative card in the spread. When this is the
case, its meaning is neutral, and it simply indicates that the happy
events will happen suddenly and unexpectedly. It just means "out of the
blue" and it indicates a stroke of luck if the Fortune card is in the
spread.
Personally, I have found that if the cards that indicate the past refer to
a more remote past, such as a past life, this card will indicate someone
who has been bumed on a pyre or died a violent death. (The Sibilla
cards do not usually indicate past lives in a spread about the past
unless it is specifically asked of them to reveal the querent's
reincarnational past).
In a health reading it is indicative of a stroke, high blood pressure,

serious allergies, hives, inflammatory diseases, meningitis, sunburn, a
disease or contagion that spreads like wildfire, heart attack, shingles,
herpes (any disease that has been popularly referred to as "Ignis sacer",
also known as St. Anthony's fire, and it is highly pertinent to this card's
symbolism), bums and of illnesses caused by accidents. This is a card
that indicates any invasive surgery and all diseases provoked by
smoking (any kind of substance) and any diseases that cause a burning
sensation.
Reverse: When reverse this card becomes much worse. Its meaning is
derived from the situation of helplessness of the people left inside the
burning tower. When reverse this card indicates slavery. It indicates a
160
condition of physical and/or mental subjugation to another human
being or substance that is making the person a helpless victim of their
torturer. This card does depict the darkest side of human experience,
war, conflict, abuse, murder, violence, kidnap pings, dictatorship and
complete and utter ruination. It does however, unlike its upright
counterpart, imply negative karmic ties that have generated these
events (it does not tell on its own whether the present victim has been
a repeated victim or a perpetrator in the past, - a separate question
needs to be asked if an answer is required).
This card indicates all those conditions where personal freedom is lost.
Someone has become the prisoner of a cruel master (this can also be
a vice and/or an addiction) and is unable to escape. What this image
conveys is one of utter destruction. There is only one card in the deck
that is able to offer a hope of escaping unscathed, and that is the two
of Clubs alone, (not even the Fortune card) as it implies divine
intervention, help and resurrection (part of the symbolism of the
peacock in Christianity). In such instances, we can easily see that the
person will be helped and protected by a Higher Power, and that they
have not been the perpetrator of bad karma in the past, they are now
the hapless recipient due to unlearned life lessons.
Special attention should be given to cards that reinforce the condition

of helplessness, such as the nine of Spades, the Prison, as this can
indicate forced labour, forced prostitution, torture (mental or physical, if
cards that indicate physical violence confirm this) or someone who is
being kept a prisoner against their will (and it is not always in a
legitimate prison, but locked away somewhere where they cannot be
found).
161
The cartomancer's intuition will reveal whether the person is the victim
(a resounding yes if the nine of Spades is also in the spread) or
perpetrator of such atrocities. l\;eedless to say, it is best not to reveal
what the cards have told you regarding the inner nature of such a
person, or you can be in danger too for knowing too much. The cards
speak to you to give you a warning about the querent. It does not
mean that you have to tell them what you know about them. This is the
advice my grandmother gave me on how to handle these situations,
having experienced them first-hand. She told me that once the cards
revealed to her that the querent was part of the mafia, and the second
time that the querent was spying against the resistance movement
(although they looked completely respectable).
This card describes a person within whose soul evil and darkness
have taken complete hold. It is as a serious warning. (Incidentally,
before the war, the reverse seven of Spades did come up in a reading
my grandmother did to describe Hitler). This card does not necessarily
imply that this person is as powerful as a national dictator, but that
he/she holds complete control over another. It does indicate situations
of servitude, dependency and captivity.
This card usually indicates a sociopath (especially when other cards

that indicate mental health show up in the same spread) and someone
with a criminal mind to stay well away from. This card describes
someone evil as well as the nature of serious threats and blackmail
coming from someone determined to cany them out
In love, is extremely negative and indicates violence, with the possibility

(especially if the Death card shows up too with other cards) of
committing murder, rape or a crime of passion. This card also reveals
162
the inner nature of the lover, someone who is a tyrant, cruel and
extremely selfish. It also indicates an extremely destructive relationship
that will lead both partners to self-destruct (or the destruction of one
over the other). It is the mark of a parasitic relationship of any kind,
whether personal or professional.
In financial matters it indicates utter collapse and ruination with no

hope of recovery. It indicates poverty and great personal sacrifices. It
also warns of treachery and the collapse of a good reputation that has
taken a long time and much hard work to gain.
This card also represents all the negative meanings found in its upright
interpretation but greatly magnified. It has no neutral or positive
connotations whatsoever.
Needless to say, this card indicates the presence of a hex (often a

death curse) and black magic in the person's aura, used to destroy
their life and/or to subjugate them to their oppressor. It refers to all
those "commanding curses" in black magic, used to gain domination
over another human being. It can also refer to being possessed by the
devil and/or being the perpetrator of such curses. If the reverse two of
Clubs is also in the spread, possession is always the case, as that is the
card that represents Satan. In this instance the combination of these
two cards indicates that evil forces/spirits have taken control of the
situation and of the person and are waging war and destruction in the
person's life. It indicates the more or less momentary triumph of evu
within that person's existence.
In a health reading it indicates the worsening of a disease, a history of

multiple abortions, dangerous surgery, hives, anaphylactic shock,
severe allergic reaction, the removal of an organ, brain damage,
163
irreparable damage, dangerous accidents. Unless other cards
contradict this, it gives no hope of recovery or of ever going back to
normal.
Keywords: The Official keywords are "Fire, accident, disaster" and

other meanings are: destruction, loss, violence and abruptness. 'Nhen
reverse the meanings are: serious threats, loss of reputation, collapse,
slavery, servitude and evil.
FIgure 11- Arcanum .x11, The

Struck Tower (La Torre) as
depicted in the Ancient Italian Tarot.
164
Eight of Spades
CONSUMED WITH JEALOUSY

man is pointing a gun at his head,
with the intention of committing
suicide. He is leaning on a rock
for support whilst trying to
summon up the "courage" to
commit this heinous act. His
expression is deeply troubled
showing that he has fallen prey to
feelings of desperation and deep
anguish. At his feet there is a
broken bottle, indicating that the man, who is verging on insanity, has
turned to drink, in an attempt to "drown his sorrows". In the
Masenghini deck the bottle is more clearly depicted, and the card
has just been entitled "Jealousy" (see figure 12). Behind the man are
tall buildings and a river. Water is a symbol of hope. It represents the
flowing of life, and that life goes on regardless of how desperate we
may be feeling at a certain moment.
The Essence of the Card: It is a negative card, but its gravity varies
depending on the cards that follow it in the spread.
165
Upright: This card represents depression, dejection, apathy, anguish
and a lack of enthusiasm for the future. It heralds the beginning of dark
times. When delineating somebodys outlook on life, this card describes
someone who has given up, and does not want to fight anymore. It
represents someone who feels that they have nothing to live for.
I\ext to certain cards it can indicate suicidal tendencies or even the

actual act of committing attempted suicide. It clearly describes a
person who lacks the spiritual resources to pull through difficult times
and hardships that, no matter how negative they may seem, are going
to end at some point. This card indicates not seeing beyond the
present moment, or even being stuck in the past, unable to resolve
some problem without finding the necessary inner resources to pull
through. It is a card that indicates all forms of self-harm, feelings of
guilt, shame and deep regret. It heralds tears and deep worry and
many hours spent crying. This is also a card that points to substance
abuse (hence the bottle by the man's feet).
However, this symbolises the "advanced stage" of this card. In the

beginning, the eight of Spades warns of' a toxic environment, and of
toxic people around the querent. The person involved may even feel
that they are surrounded by seemingly nice people, and that nothing in
their environment is toxic. However, this invariably turns out to be false,
revealing that those "nice" people were deeply envious, and they were
scheming behind the querent's back to cause them ruin. The card
definitely does indicate treachery, slander, gossip and envy. It is another
card that warns of danger, a danger coming from the querent's circle of
acquaintances.
166
In love, it indicates extreme jealousy, envy, and possessiveness, as well
as a selflsh love centred round self-gratification or social climbing.
"Love", if it can still be called love, comes with a heavy price to pay. In
any kind of relationship it indicates lack of trust and loss of self-
respect.
Financially it indicates heavy losses that can very well lead the querent
to suicide. It indicates heavy debt, insolvency and overspending, as well
as trouble with the law and a cutthroat work environment. Legally it
indicates a judgement made against the querent and criminal
proceedings.
This card wams the querent that they may be about to trust someone
who will ultimately lead them to their ruin (shown by the man finding
his support on a cold rock in order to commit suicide). This card
heralds scandals, slander, gossip and backs tabbing.
The card warns of negative thought-forms, and of general negativity

(such as the evil eye) being directed towards the querent.
In a health reading it indicates self-inflicted diseases due to bad habits,

deep depression and paranoia. It is connected to the legs,
(metaphorically representing the ability to sustain oneself in times of
hardship).
Reverse: This card has the same meanings when reverse but its
influence is much worse.
On a personal level, this card also manifests when someone is so

"consumed with jealousy" that they cannot see the "wood from the
trees", and cannot see things for what they really are anymore. It
167
indicates a deep yearning for the unattainable, with ultimate destructive
tendencies that will cause a very dangerous type of inner turmoil, the
kind that will cause the querent (or the person indicated by the card) to
lose control of their actions and emotions, pushing them to do
something extremely irrational and senseless. This card describes a
person who is, or has the possibility of becoming, a loose cannon.
When reverse, apart from indicating jealousy and envy, this card
describes someone who is completely and utterly selfish, and is willing
to crush others to get what they want. It indicates a complete disregard
for the feelings of others, an overbearing personality who is never
satisfied with what God has given them. This person wants to be pitied
in order to attract other people's sympathy, and they are the type that
always wants to be the biggest victim, and appear to have a large chip
on their shoulder. They are rarely victimised by others, in the true
sense of the word, but like to feel as if they have been.
Oddly enough, it can also mark someone who is extremely proud,

someone with a big ego, who is quick to take offence and slow to
forgive. This arrogant person always wants to appear to be the centre
of attention and often nourishes feelings of competitiveness, acrimony
envy and bitterness towards others.
This card indicates excess in all forms and a tendency to make grave
mistakes by acting impulsively. It warns of serious accidents that can
be fatal (once the man makes the mistake of shooting himself in the
head, there is no going back).
The card is like a red flag, warning of jealousy and envy amongst a
group of people, whether they be colleagues, friends, relatives or
acq uain tan ces.
168
This is another card that warns of negativity in the aura of the person
involved, but the negativity has already taken a firm hold. It also
indicates revengeful curses.
Only near cards that indicate a cessation does this card indicate the
end of' a difficult time, or that the person has mended their ways.
In a health reading it indicates fever, convulsions, allergies, indigestion,

addictions, an accident, the legs, a tendency to catch venereal diseases,
as well as mental disorders, especially depression and bipolar
disorder.
Keywords: The Official keywords are ''Tears, ~oss of money", but other
meanings are: jealousy, envy, gossip, treachery and overspending.
When reverse the card means: a loss of control, excesses of all kinds,
self-harm, deep depression and probable bankruptcy.
Figure 12- This card is simply tided "Jealous;!'

in the Masenghini deck
169
Nine of Spades
pmSON (Prigione)
Card Description: A man,

chained to a prison wall, looks
down at his feet in resignation.
He is seated on a stone bench.
He is alone and the room is
cold and dismal. An empty vase
can be seen in the background,
the only object in the room, which indicates that in order to receive
one must first make room by emptying oneself of all that is
unnecessary.
The Essence of the Card: This is a peculiar card. It is usually very

negative, but not irrevocably so, as there is a foreseeable end to the
prison tenn. However there is one meaning it can be extremely
positive! This event has a timeframe of around nine months - the birth
of a baby.
Upright: This is the card that represents anything that chains the
querent to a situation, a person or an idea. It can be literal: such as an
addiction, a dependency, an abusive relationship, physical subjugation
170
to another, incarceration, or figurative: such as being prey to one's fears
and emotions.
This card highlights a condition of helplessness, of being powerless to

change events. Whether this powerlessness is actually real, or just a
figment of the imagination, will usually be foretold by other cards in the
spread.
Another important meaning of this card is that it represents victims.

Figuratively, it shows a great stumbling block together with impotence
in the face of one's destiny.
The card also indicates a situation of deprivation, of isolation and of

lack of support. Its primary meaning is that of a loss of a friend, but this
can also be applied to the loss of a mate or a spouse (not necessarily
through bereavement).
Needless to say, this card indicates that the querent has been the
victim of black magic. The chains can represent anything from
"magical enslavement" to attracting negativity.
The card also acts as a warning. This time the Sibilla warns of a
potential loss of one's freedom, and of situations of subordination and
subjugation to another. If the seven of Spades is indeed near this card
the consequences of this loss of freedom and autonomy will be
especially tragic and drastic for its victim.
It indicates serious legal problems, trouble with the police and

incarceration. This is a card that indicates a punishment to be
expiated, a difficult commitment that has to be seen through to the very
end, humiliation, debts, the presence of enemies and of an adverse
destiny.
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It indicates serious legal problems, trouble with the police and, of
course, incarceration. The type of punishment indicated here, may be
something for which complete atonement and reparation is required,
and will take the form of humiliation and an adverse destiny for the
querent.
As a place, it represents a prison or any place we find unpleasant, such

as a hospital, but it can also represent a place of isolation like a
convent or monastery. This card can also represent a toxic family
environment, or someone who feels imprisoned within their family
circumstances or trapped in a relationship.
Figuratively, it indicates isolation, solitude and spiritual emptiness, the

inability to analyse one's behaviour or to see where mistakes have
been made. This card heralds a change in one's daily routine causing
one to be confined in a place (physical or mental) that feels extremely
uncomfortable, accompanied by unshakable feelings of guilt and
shame.
Financially this is the card that indicates poverty and misery on all
levels (not just finanCially, but also as "spiritual miserliness"), a lack of
financial means, even slave labour (or work that is underpaid), the
inability to find a better job (feeling stuck in one's work), tax evasion
and debts.
In love it represents someone who is closed-hearted and does not

know how to truly love. It also represents someone who is single due to
a heavy character flaw or a physical handicap. In a relationship, it
heralds separation and/or divorce.
172
This card indicates, if close to specific cards, the reaping of bad karma
and usually that the person does not understand their punishment (i.e.
the consequences of their actions). It calls for a period of meditation
and objective analysis of one's behaviour.
It indicates a situation that does not change for the better, a blockage
from which one cannot free themselves, and/or someone who is
stonewalling the querent.
The deeper meaning of this card is that the querent will have to
develop the tools to free themselves from this condition of slavery and
subjugation. As can be seen in the depiction of the nine of Spades,
there is an unbarred window in the background (a window of
opportunity), then there are three steps (the steps that have to be taken
to solve the situation, necessary actions), a banister (which offers
support after the first efforts have been made), a vase (indicating
receiving wisdom and the lesson learned) and eventually a way out
which cannot yet be seen in this card (because other cards need to
indicate this)..
The second, and seemingly peculiar meaning of this card is that of. ..
pregnancy! This at first can seem completely beyond the scope of this
card, but a thorough analysis will prove otherwise. Needless to say, this
card can herald a pregnancy, and if near the Child card, the meaning
is strengthened and confirmed. And here is the reason why:
This card has a connection to pregnancy because the baby can be

seen as being "encaged" (imprisoned) within its mother's womb but, like
a prison sentence, the baby will get out once it has reached maturity
(figuratively, the prisoner gets out of their predicament when they are
mature enough to take responsibility for their own actions). There is a
173
vase in the cell. Its connection is to water, which indicates the amniotic
fluid that surrounds the baby during the nine months it is in the womb.
The prisoner resembles a baby in the foetal position, and the chain
looks like the umbilical cord.
In a health reading it indicates fertility and pregnancy in women, but of

impotence in men, and possible frigidity in both sexes. It also indicates
all those diseases that block the organism, such as constipation and
fluid retention.
Reverse: This is a positive card when reverse provided it is near other

positive cards. It indicates the end of a period of suffering, the end of
something that kept the querent enslaved. It is the end of a prison
sentence, literally or figuratively, as it heralds freedom, liberation and
something that will be unblocked. Be careful when interpreting this
card: the reverse nine of Spades in this case simply indicates the
removal of a blockage, it does not necessarily mean that happiness will
be found as a result (other cards need to support this interpretation),
merely that an obstruction has been removed.
The querent has overcome some negative behaviour or a character

flaw and is no longer enslaved by it. This card signals the end of an
addiction, and in this instance is promising. As previously said, it does
not necessarily mean that staying sober or clean will be easy!
In love (or in any kind of unhealthy relationship) it indicates the end of

an abusive and tyrannical bond that has kept a person enslaved by
another.
174
This is the card that indicates that a punishment has been fully
expiated, that karma has been repaid, and it represents someone who
feels guilt and remorse. This is the card that, when not describing these
feelings in the querent, it indicates that an enemy feels truly sorry for
the pain they have caused, and it indicates genuine remorse. It also
foretells a need for solitude, meditation and inner reflection, with no
negative connotations to it.
Only when near negative cards does this card have the same
connotations of lack of freedom of its upright counterpart (there are
exceptions to this but they can be detected with specific card
combinations) and it can indicate enslavement, loss of freedom and
imprisonment. Its meanings do not change from its upright counterpart.
When describing the character of a person it indicates someone who is

a loner, a weirdo or someone who is extremely introverted and quiet.
This card also indicates delays or apparent setbacks that will prove to
be a blessing in disguise. Legal and financial troubles will go away and
the querent will be able to find a better job. Financially it still indicates
the possibility of being conned or mislead, and that of not being out of
the woods yet. If the querent questions a person's trust and loyalty, this
card confirms their doubts and acts as a warning against the person
under suspicion. There is a possibility to be betrayed or swindled.
Magically this card indicates that a curse has been broken, and that its
effects are waning, or that whoever cast it did not do it properly so the
hex did not work I am aware that for anyone foolish enough to
perform black magic, this card indicates a curse that backfires (it will
always backfire in the end, but this card indicates that it will backfire
within nine months).
175
In a health reading it indicates confusion around sexual identity and
someone who has had a sex change. It also indicates infertility,
abortions or miscarriages. Followed by positive cards it indicates the
end of an illness.
Keywords: The Official keywords are "Loss of friends, pregnancy" But it

also means: enslavement, humiliation, poverty, obstruction, bad karma,
punishment, isolation and broken relationships. When reverse the
meanings are: removal of a blockage, freedom, sexual confusion, the
possibility of being betrayed and/or conned.
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Ten o/Spades
SOLDIER (Militare)
Card Description: A young

soldier advances boldly towards
a fortified city with a bayonet in
his hands. He has a rucksack on
his shoulders, representing nights
spent in the wilderness
(represented by the uphill road
he is travelling on the coast by
the sea) and of having lived in
frugal conditions. He is
detennined to get to his
destination as soon as possible, regardless of the obstacles
encountered along the way.
The Essence of the Card: A neutral card that can be positive or

negative, depending on the cards near to it. It is a very difficult card to
interpret due to the various nuances of meaning it can take. Its
timeframe is a little over one year.
Upright: The first meaning of this card is neutral. It represents a young

man, no older than thirty-five. It also represents any person wearing a
uniform (this can be a woman, when a card depicting a woman shows
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up near it). However, unless other cards contradict this, this card
represents a man. He can be a soldier, a prison warden, a policeman,
a bodyguard, but he can also be a nurse (but not a doctor or a
barrister, as there are particular cards for these professions), a sailor, a
pilot, a fireman and a flight attendant.
This card represents an energetic young man with clear goals in life.
He is a determined to get what he wants. He can be loyal on the one
hand, but a fierce adversary on the other (when provoked).
The second person represented by this card is someone in a position

of authority, whose disposition is despotiC, authoritarian and only
interested in self-advancement.
Generally, this card represents authority, organisation and power. It

also represents physical strength and prowess. Emotionally, at its best,
it indicates that inner strength will help the querent pull through. It also
represents a conquest, a win after much sweat and toil, when followed
by positive cards. Near cards that indicate protection, it predicts that
the querent will have someone who will fight for them and who will
protect them.
The neutral meaning of this card is that of representing hostile

environments. It also represents the outdoors, and any environment in
which it is difficult to survive. This also encompasses mountains,
deserts ... or even Antarctica! This is a card associated with extreme
sports, hunting and with someone who lives frugally.
In love, it represents someone who has trust issues, who is always

afraid that their partner is cheating on them, and consequently makes
their partner's life difficult, spying on their every move. Often, it also
178
means a partner who is unfaithful. In a relationship, it suggests
selfishness and/or abuse. It also indicates carnal attraction.
In financial matters it heralds struggle and legal troubles of some kind

in which the state will become involved.
The negative meanings of this card are associated with the neutral
meaning of strength. This card indicates struggle, opposition,
ruthlessness, war and conflict (the soldier in the card is waking uphill).
It indicates that the querent will meet with a lot of struggle before their
goals can be achieved. It also means that someone will give the
querent a lot of grief, and oppose their efforts to succeed. Much inner
strength and determination are needed to succeed and win the war
with this fierce opponent.
This card acts as a warning of possible violence, usurpation, brutality,

abuse of power, and of being taken advantage of by unscrupulous
people.
In a health reading it indicates a strong immune system and good

health, and that the immune system is strong enough to fight the
disease (should the person be already ill). As a body part it represents
the liver (which is connected to the Italian expression "avere fegato",
which means to have courage, as its symbolism is pertinent to this
card).
Reverse: This is a card, par excellence, that indicates secrets. This

card points to anything that is done in secrecy, is clandestine and is
kept away from public knowledge. It also indicates that something will
go unnoticed, as if it is i·invisible".
179
I\ear to significator cards (such as the Lover or the Young Lady, for
example), it indicates that the person referred to by the card is not yet
known to the querent.
Generally, this card refers to anything unknown, but also, by

association, to the occult (or hidden).
It also refers to blackmail, threats, obstacles, missed opportunities,

struggles, adversity and to hollow victories.
In financial matters it indicates unfair tactics and activities calculated to

undermine one's business. It indicates trade secrets, patents, disloyal
colleagues, lazy employees and powerful competitors. Special attention
should be paid if the card of the Thief is found near this card, as it
indicates theft in the workplace and the divulgence of information that
will harm one's business.
In love, it is a sign of unfaithfulness and of ulterior motives, and is also

a sign of hostility between members of the same family.
This card describes a person who is spineless, a coward and someone

with "little man syndrome". It refers to weakness in all its forms and to
streaks of vindictiveness and pettiness.
It also indicates something that takes place at night (or after sunset)
and points to wandering aimlessly - physically (like gypsy travellers) or
emotionally - or to someone who is misguided.
Very pertinent is the link between this card and the profession of
espionage, private detectives and the secret services (but it also covers
organised crime and anything connected to the "underworld").
In a health reading it indicates undiagnosed diseases, or diseases that

are difficult to diagnose properly. It also warns of an illness that the
180
querent is not aware of having, a compromised immune system and/ol
a misdiagnosed condition.
Keywords: The Official keywords are "Physical strength, secrets", but its
other meanings are: struggle, opposition, someone who wears a
uniform and to difficult natural environments. Reverse meanings are:
secrecy, clandestine matters, all things dark and hidden, The Occult,
and physical and moral weakness.
181
Jack of Spades
THE ENEMY (II Nemico)
Card Description: A suspicious-

looking man is crossing the street,
looking back over his shoulder. He
is obviously being very careful not
to be recognised, as he is covering
himself with a long dark cloak He
is looking back to see if anyone is
following him or has noticed him.
He may also have seen someone
behind him, who has his complete
attention, because he has something to hide, possibly a weapon under
his cloak His expression is menacing and he holds a live snake in his
left hand. He is waiting for the right moment to strike his victim. Most
likely he is not going to do it himself, but he is going to use another to
accomplish his revenge (he will, figuratively, let the snake - another
living being - bite his victim)
The Essence of the Card A negative card that acts as a warning.
Upright: If this card can be summarised in one sentence, its primary

meaning is that of representing known enemies. This is someone who
the querent already does not like, and he/she suspects that this person
182
is plotting against them. This card comes up to confinn their
suspicions. The Enemy is usually a man, unless other cards confinn
otherwise (albeit rarely, this card in 99% of cases indicates a man).
This Enemy has an open dislike for the querent. He is someone whose
ambition, desires and ego clashes with that of the querent, and he is
waiting for them to be at their most vulnerable before striking.
Be careful! This enemy can also be someone seemingly very nice, but
somehow does not inspire trust, and gives the querent a bad feeling
every time she/he is in the man's company (the snake in the Enemy's
hand). This card warns that one should trust one's gut feeling about
this person or situation and to keep him or it at arm's length. The
cards that follow will explain the kind of havoc this person or situation
wishes to cause in the querent's life. More broadly, this card represents
someone who cannot mind their own business and who will cause
serious nuisance to downright harm to the querent because they will
start prying and meddling. It can also indicate someone who cannot
see reason even if truth is presented to them, someone who with their
obstinacy causes endless grief to the querent.
In love, it indicates a rival, someone who openly does not want the
couple to be together. It can be a mean-spirited lover (not the official
partner) or a vindictive ex-husband. This person can be a true "snake".
One of the partners may become the sworn enemy to the other, and
love will turn to hatred, for everyone to see, often involving gossip
amongst one's circle of friends. Financially, this card indicates snares,
tricks, the danger of signing documents we do not fully understand, and
businessman who should not be trusted. It also refers to known
competitors and to embezzlement, as well as marking the person it
183
refers to with a good dose of inexperience, usually indicating that they
do not have a clue as to what they are doing, regardless of their
immovable opinions and rigid outlook that is the cause of many
problems for others.
Professionally this person is someone who always "works against you",

as the official keywords state. His agenda is always personal and he
nourishes rancour against the querent. He can be a colleague, a
paparazzo, a private investigator, a bailiff, or someone within one's
circle of acquaintances who feels that they have a score to settle.
Generally, it indicates cunningness, often low cunning, someone who

watches silently and plots against you, jumping to conclusions as to
why things are the way they are, without being in the slightest bit
interested in the truth. This person's warped perception only fuels his
vindictiveness. He is not interested in observing any fact that may
disprove his biased view of the querent. This is someone who has
made his life goal that of causing grief in the que rent's life.
On a broader level, this card is the harbinger of unpleasant events,

such as scandal, gossip, pettiness, threats, blackmail, and something or
someone who will become dangerous. Like a snake, this card indicates
someone with a "forked tongue", a spreader of lies, maliciousness and
gossip.
Needless to say, if the querent suspected psychic attack, this card

confirms it, although it does not indicate, unless other cards disprove
this, that the adversary has hired a black magician to curse the querent.
It merely means that a lot of negativity is being projected towards the
querent by this person, who wants to see them suffer. This type of
enemy is not someone wl;o will tum to the dark arts to fuel his
184
revenge. Often he does not even acknowledge the existence of God,
being materially-minded. (But be careful though, other card
combinations will be given in the course which may disprove this, and
indicate a male black magician. But on its own, negativity is all that is
indicated.)
In a health reading it indicates that the medication or treatment being

taken is actually causing harm instead of curing the patient. It may also
indicate someone who takes illegal drugs, or a nasty virus that is a
"declared enemy" to the immune system.
Reverse: This is a difficult card to interpret when reverse, especially at

the beginning of your journey with the Vera Sibilla. It can have several
shades of meaning.
The first one is positive. It indicates that the plans of an enemy will go
awry and they will not be able to exact their revenge. It also indicates
the discovery of an enemy, a rival that goes away and a period of truce.
These meanings are mainly found when this card is near positive
cards, However it is also possible that this card can have mixed
meanings of good and bad, foretelling that the quereni will have to
experience hardship from an enemy before this enemy will lose the
battle. When near negative cards the reverse eleven of Spades
becomes much worse than when upright; it indicates an awful situation
fraught with danger and possible violence (something that is not
implied in the upright interpretation of the card). It indicates an
unredeeming character. This is someone, or a group of people, that
are a nest of vipers (snakes) (the figurative meaning derived from the
snake on the card).
185
Cards nearby that indicate ending (plus other negative cards), herald
the arrival of new enemies (usually in the near future), and that the
querent will continue to be the target of hostility and treachery. What
characterises this enemy is cowardice, spinelessness and inner
weakness that manifests as personal attacks against the querent (often
using others to "pull the trigger", lacking the backbone to do it himseln.
This card can also indicate self-harm, and that the querent is their own
worst enemy. This is, however, a secondary interpretation, (derived
from the health interpretation of this card) and should not be given as
the primary meaning unless your intuition strongly tells you otherwise,
for the eleven of Spades, both upright and reverse, traditionally
represents a threat from outside of oneself. This card in fact acts as a
serious warning against making mistakes, as they can have serious
consequences in the future. It also warns the querent that if they are
playing both sides against the middle they will pay dearly for it.
Magically it indicates that evil forces are being sent back to their
originator, and where near cards indicate protection, it shows that an
occult attack has been sent back to its sender through the agency of
powerful angelic forces who are protecting the querent.
In a health reading it indicates substance abuse and self-harm.
Keywords: The Official keywords are "Enemy, works against you".

Other meanings are: a known enemy, a dangerous situation and
treachery. When reverse the meanings are: a fierce opponent and the
elimination of an enemy.
186
Queen of Spades
THE ENEMY IRIVAL
(La Nemica)
Card Description: This card

depicts a woman standing on a
dirty street. She is wrapped in a
thick cloak to disguise herself
She is· holding a poniard (a
small dagger), used to stab to the
heart the object of her hatred.
The woman's features are beautiful, but her face is contorted in a
malicious grimace. She has just taken off a red mask, used to cover
up her true intentions. She is standing near a basement, and has
taken all the necessary precautions not to be identified as the author
of her crime.
The Essence of the Card A very negative and dominant card,

especially when reverse. This card is worse than the preceding card,
the eleven of Spades. I have also translated this card as "the Rival"
instead of just the Enemy (which would have been closer to the Italian)
Simply because in English there are no masculine or feminine word
endings. In Italian, it is clear that the title of this card indicates a woman
(nemica, a woman, as opposed to nemico, a man). I have therefore
187
translated it also as "rival" to make to easier for you, the reader, to
distinguish the two.
Upright: As the previous card represented known enemies, this card

represents unknown enemies. Its strength is much worse by far than its
male counterpart found in the eleven of Spades. The woman in the
depiction holds a weapon, a poniard, and has no qualms about using
it. She is a backstabber. This card in fact depicts someone who has
already attacked. In real life, it can also indicate someone who is about
to attack
This card represents someone in whom we trust but who secretly

wants to betray us. It is someone who wears a mask of helpfulness and
nicety, so that the querent can lower their defences and let her in on
their secrets and/or their trust She will then use her knowledge to
inflict great pain on the querent. This is a fundamental difference to the
previous card, which indicated a declared enemy and someone the
querent already suspects or dislikes. This person is a woman, unless
other cards contradict this and specifY another gender for this enemy.
Generally it indicates ferocious gossip and slander and unfriendliness

from someone who has made it their life's goal to destroy the querent's
reputation, and will stop at nothing until they have succeeded. This
card, in fact, can also indicate a witch or an occult practitioner that has
cast a hex on the querent (especially if other cards in the suit of
Spades show up with this one). On its own, it is a sign of psychic attack
and of negativity.
188
In love, this card represents betrayal, and someone who wants the
couple to break up, usually so that they can steal the partner. It can
also represent an obnoxious ex-wife/girlfriend with an axe to grind.
This card represents someone with serious emotional baggage and

with grave negativity in her aura (possible even of possession if other
cards confirm this). This woman is greedy, wicked and extremely
ruthless.
Generally, this card represents false advice, given with the malicious
intention of leading the querent down the wrong path, so that this
person can benefit in return. This person's attitude can be summarised
by the Latin motto "mars tua vita mea" (which loosely translates as "you
must die so that I may live").
It also indicates dissolution, vice, misogynist attitudes, danger from

unknown sources, all forms of perversion and anything that goes
against the greater good. It is a card that gives a serious warning to the
querent that danger is lurking in an environment that is already part of
their daily life, such as, leisure activities, friends or family. This danger
is in the form of someone who nurtures a great hatred towards them
that is difficult to unmask
Near cards that represent the digital world will show danger from
online trolls and online bullying.
Financially it warns of great danger and of treachery. She (or even he)
can be an evil colleague, a loan shark, and may represent a contract
with sneaky hidden clauses. It represents someone who wants to obtain
money by deception, fraud and money laundering.
189
In a health reading it indicates a malignant disease, someone who is
unknowingly the host for such a disease which may lie dormant and
silent.
Reverse: \\!hen reverse the negative connotations of this card are

gravely magnified. It has all the meanings of its upright counterpart, just
more evil, displaying more obstinacy and relentlessness in its desire to
cause grievous bodily harm.
This card represents a mentally unhinged woman with possible

criminal tendencies. She is ruthless and vindictive; she will not stop
unless the object of her vicious hatred is destroyed (this can also be a
man, but in 99% of cases it is a woman).
This card now indicates imminent danger. The querent has already let
someone become too intimate and close to them and the enemy is
about to strike.
Be careful when the twelve of Spades shows up in a reading, it can

very well indicate the querent themselves! In such cases use your
discretion in what you say to the querent. In any event, this is a serious
warning from Spirit that this person has veered off their true life-path
and has fallen prey to the forces of darkness.
The reverse Queen of Spades indicates the definite presence of black

magic, and that the enemy has chosen a valid occult operator to carry
out the attack (not a charlatan, but a trained black magician who is
really able to hex). In most cases this card refers to the occult operator
themselves. This does not change the fact that the threat is real. This is
190
one of the worst cards in the deck if the querent suspects they have
been cursed because it gives a resounding affirmative response.
Financially it indicates poverty and serious struggles with money.
In a broader sense it indicates a tragic event, a revengeful plot,

murderous rage, someone who has maliciously infiltrated themselves
into the querent's life and woven a tight web of negativity, poisoning
good relationships and closing doors of opportunity for the querent
due to malicious gossip. It also heralds violent arguments, blackmail,
coldblooded revenge, vendettas, feuds, envy, gossip and machinations
to destroy the querent, insidious lies, traps, slander that appears to be
real, and sharp cunning.
Only when the two or five of' Clubs are found in the spread (better if
both) as well as other positive cards (those that indicate protection),
does it indicate that this evil person will be unmasked and their plots
uncovered.
In a health reading it is a serious warning that the

medication/treatment being received is going to cause great bodily
damage. Its side-effects are long-lasting and can even be permanent in
some cases.
Keywords: The Official keywords are "Gossip, tragedy", but other

meanings are: wickedness, a hidden enemy, treachery, two-facedness.
When reverse the meanings are: imminent danger, black magic, a
fierce enemy, harmful drugs/treatment and revengeful.
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King of Spades
THE PRIEST
(Sacerdote)
Card Description: This is the

card of justice, both temporal
and divine. A priest is standing
in the garden behind his
church. He is covering himself
as protection from something to
the right, and is pointing to the
querent's left. The environment
is almost barren, devoid of
anything superfluous. Only truth really matters, and we all know that
the naked truth is not embellished nor sweetened with unnecessary
details.
The Essence of the Card: A neutral card, its meaning changing

Significantly based on the cards near it in the spread. This is a difficult
card to interpret for the beginner due to the various nuances of
meaning associated with this card. This card is also a significator card.
The timeframe given by this card is the winter season.
Upright: This card indicates a man (unless other cards indicate that it
is a woman) who is a professional person. He can be a jurist, a
192
scientist, a professor, a specialist doctor (but never a GP) and
ultimately a priest, but the latter meaning is not the main meaning of
this card.
The King of Spades is connected to justice, the legal system, the local
authority, insurance, the state and the law. Nearby negative cards
indicate trouble with the law or the establishment, but in the upright
position this card heralds the positive resolution to a legal matter,
compensation and an end to legal troubles. l\ext to the Two of Hearts
it can indicate the edifice of a court or a tribunal.
This card indicates that someone will take legal action.
This is the card of divine justice, which will be administered to those

who have previously hurt the querent. If it is the querent who has hurt
somebody, this card warns that they will get their just comeuppance.
Generally it indicates exactness, self-discipline, common sense,

wisdom, maturity, equity, justice and obstacles that are finally
overcome.
This card represents an adversary. The nature of this adversary is very

different from the eleven and twelve of Spades. There is nothing
personal in the nature of his antagonism, for it is part of his profession.
This can be a prosecuting lawyer (who is a good litigator), a judge, a
magistrate, someone who is an advocate (or a witness) for the other
party.
In love it indicates a relationship that has lost its passion but is firmly
rooted in loyalty to the other partner. It also indicates an old
relationship or an old friendship. This card also indicates emotional
193
detachment and someone who is in control of their emotions. It can
however, indicate coldness and detachment in love.
This card can be a significator card describing a man who is fifty or

older, meticulous, strict, sometimes proud, aloof and not particularly
affectionate, but who has the que rent's welfare at heart (more often
than not this person is the que rent's father or grandfather, or a loyal
husband that fits this description).
This card indicates a spiritual authority, a guru, a spiritual leader

and/or a priest It can also represent someone with a strict moral code
and someone who lives by their principles. It represents someone with
a strong moral conscience who takes it upon himself to teach by
example. It can also indicate a religious rite (but this is not the principal
meaning of this card). I\earby cards that indicate the Spirit world, it
can also refer to a supreme Divine authority. This is the card of karma,
whether good or bad depending entirely on the previous conduct of
the person in question.
Financially it represents red tape to be resolved before money is

received and/or career advancement, and legal matters. Professionally
it also indicates experience and professionalism.
Particular attention needs to be paid to the cards the Priest is pointing

to (to the left), they hold the key to an underlying issue. Sometimes it is
the cards that the Priest is shielding himself from (to the right) that are
at the root of the problem, but this interpretation doesn't always apply
in every case. Let you intuition tell you if this card is behaving in this
way in the spread you have chosen.
194
This card can refer to a white magician, a healer, or someone who
uses their occult knowledge for the greater good (this can also be a
woman, a "High Priestess" when a female signincator is near this card).
On a more general level, this card indicates strong divine protection
(particularly when other positive cards are in the spread).
In a health reading it represents a specialist doctor (also a dentist) and

specialist treatment.
Reverse: This card represents acrimonious lawsuits, injustice in all its

forms, legal battles and serious problems with the law or the state. If it
is near to the Prison card there can be a serious danger of
incarceration, of obtaining a criminal record or of being sued and
having to pay compensation/damages. Usually (but not always!) it
indicates that the punishment is deserved.
It indicates someone who has the entire system/establishment/law

against them.
This card indicates someone who has no morals, and/or no respect

for authority of tradition. It also represents anarchy, disorder and
chaos, both spiritual and temporal.
This person can also be someone who leads a double life under the
fa<;:ade of respectability. It also indicates a corrupt official or an
obstinate adversary. It also represents an opposing lawyer who is
better than the querent's lawyer, or a man in a position of authority
who is ruthless and very persistent.
This card indicates a serious obstacle and the likelihood of suffering a

great wrong.
195
Financially, it represents taxes and anyone in a position of authority,
denoting that they are at the root cause of the problem. It also points to
loans and mortgages that are denied, or the risk of foreclosure.
In love, it can represent a partner who has fallen out of love, a

calculating partner, coldness in the relationship, growing apart, a bitter
divorce/breakup or a prenuptial agreement.
This is another card that can embody an occult practitioner of black

magic (never a white magician, as represented by the upright
counterpart of this card) and it implies that this person knows what
they are doing, as they have been doing it for a long time.
In a health reading it indicates a referral to a specialist, and/or the

need to seek a second opinion from a more experienced doctor.
Keywords: The Official keywords are "Jurist, scientist, adversary". Other

meanings are: the legal system, a protector, a lawyer, morality, a
religious authority. Reverse meanings are: immorality, fierce legal
battles, problems with the authorities.
196
aving explained the dominant suits, we have now arrived
at the last subordinate suit. This is not the end of our journey together,
for the real strength of the Sibilla deck lies in the card combinations,
which 1 will teach you should you be interested in expanding the
knowledge you have gained so far.
The present section will explain the suit of Diamonds. This is one of
the subordinate suits. The dominant suits of Clubs and Spades are
able to alter the meaning of the suit of Diamonds considerably. This
suit's theme is that of material possessions and everyday life events.
The suit of Diamonds is a mixed suit, comprising good cards and bad
cards.
Generally, a predominance of cards from this suit (and also when

Diamonds are mixed with the suit of Spades) indicates that the events
predicted will take place in the winter.
197
Ace of Diamonds
11-IE ROOM (Stanza)
Card Description: This is an
empty room in a stately home.

It is a room that has been lived
in, judging by the state of the
furnishing, the half-drawn
curtains and the quills and
inkpots on the table ready to
be used. Two chairs are
shown, one in front of the
other, having just been used by two people who have talked face-to-
face about an important matter; important enough that it had to be
written down. Then, they have reached a decision and left the room,
to impart the news to others. This symbolism, seemingly confusing,
will become apparent once the true meaning of this card is
explained.
The Essence of the Card: A neutral card with positive undertones.
Upright: This card has three main meanings. The first meaning is
connected to opening one's heart to another and telling them a secret.
(This meaning is derived from the two people who have been facing
198
one another in conversation.) This is the card of confessions, of
secrets, of classified information, of privacy and of trusting someone
with a secret, and/or with very sensitive information.
When the reading is about friendships, this is the card that describes
two people who know each other very well, and it indicates a best
friend (or someone who knows a secret about the other).
The second meaning represents intimacy and sex, and together with
the card of the reverse Soldier, it indicates a clandestine encounter.
The Room is seen as an alcove, in this respect, a place where intimacy
is shared, in a physical way.
Generally, this card describes a very important meeting of a sensitive

nature, any meeting that the querent is emotionally invested in (such as
a job interview, a consultation, a visit to the doctor's, or even an affair
etc.)
This card's oldest meaning is in connection to one's social life,

company, acquaintances and friends. It can indicate a socialite.
The Ace of Diamonds is also interpreted as a different kind of room.

In this instance this card represents an office, a study, a surgery (a
doctor's or that of a politician meeting with voters) or of a professional
person such as a solicitor, barrister, notary or architect, etc.
This card is very dynamic. It indicates situations that are rapidly

evolving and that will soon bring a different set of events. In this regard,
the Room foretells of upcoming news, developments and possible
visitors. If the querent has been waiting for a response and/or for news
(or a package) to arrive, this card heralds its arrival.
199
In love this card foretells passionate encounters, fulfilling relationships
and love conquests. It also represents secrets shared with one's partner
or lover., and bonding emotionally with another .In a family
environment it indicates strong family ties and/or family events.
In financial matters it indicates patents, trade secrets, espionage, the

secret formula of a product and, more generally, work meetings. This
card is very positive, and heralds prosperity and good investments,
usually due to inside knowledge or specialist advice. It also indicates
job interviews, office jobs, self-employment (seen as "working from
home") or an interview for a magazine/newspaper/radio, etc.
This card also describes the renovation of a building, especially when

placed near the House card. This card is very likely to represent the
querent's main residence, especially if they own more than one home.
As this card is connected to secrecy, it is also connected to esoteric
knowledge and/or occult fraternities/societies. In a health reading it
represents one's medical records and/or a speedy recovery, thanks to
a supportive environment.
Reverse: In this position the card acts as a warning, especially if the

querent has skeletons in the closet. It describes situations in which a
secret is given away, or points to an unexpected discovery of a secret
(by any means). The querent may discover an uncomfortable or
shocking secret about someone or something, or a shocking secret
may be revealed about the querent. This is the card that represents an
uncomfortable truth which will be revealed, a truth that is always
unpleasant. If someone has an unsavoury past when this card comes
up, it heralds that their secrets will be uncovered; someone will spill the
200
beans or refuse to keep a secret by coming clean. This card can also
show that the querent will be forced to confess a very uncomfortable
secret. Therefore this card heralds scandals, gossip, shock and
arguments, and relationships which are not strong enough and are
very likely to be compromised. In love it heralds a possible
separation or the discovery of a clandestine relationship, illegitimate
children or that one partner is keeping secrets from the other. This
card also describes family secrets and someone who plays both ends
against the middle. (Regardless of family ties, this is someone who
manipulates situations with false secrets). Financially, but only near
negative cards, it indicates loss of money, loss of property, and poor
budgeting. It also indicates false documents or documents with silent
clauses. On its own however, this card has the opposite meaning, and
it indicates lucrative business thanks to insider knowledge, and/or an
investment that pays good dividends. It also heralds the delay of good
news or the arrival of bad news, and it describes a person whose inner
nature is full of conflict, secrets and unresolved issues. This card also
describes a thorny situation, full of deceit, miscommunication and/or
mismanagement. In a health reading it heralds the diagnosis of a
difficult disease or the discovery of a disease in someone else. Special
attention should be paid to this card as it indicates undisclosed
venereal diseases as far as one's partner is concerned.
Keywords: The Official keywords are "Upcoming news", but it can also
mean: intimacy, secrets, an office, society, a meeting. Reverse
meanings are: the revealing of uncomfortable secrets, betrayals, hidden
or false documents and future bad news. Lottery Numbers: 16, 59
201
Two of Diamonds
THE LEITER (La Lettera)
Card Description: A woman's hand

holds a letter with three fingers of
her right hand. The power of this
image lies in its simplicity. The
focus is on the letter, not on the
sender or the receiver, which is not
disclosed by the hand holding the
letter. The letter is addressed to
someone who lives in the city of Como (it can be barely read at the
bottom of the envelope). As Como is in Italy (and the deck is Italian),
this indicates that the news will not necessarily come from abroad,
unless other cards indicate the concept of long distances.
In the 1880's deck and the Parini-Varoni deck, the letter was simply
handwritten (as seen in the picture of the card).
The depiction of this card has subsequently been altered to include the
deck manufacturers' name and their logo, such as in the Masenghini
deck (see figure 13) but also the Morreale deck, thus losing this detail of
interpretation.
The Essence of the Card: This is the most neutral card in the deck.
Any other card alters the meaning of this card. Its time frame is very
202
speedy (usually about a week or two), and it has the additional quirk of
being able to speed up the timeframe of other cards in the spread.
Upright: This is the card which heralds the arrival of all forms of news,
from a letter, an email, a phone call, a text message, a fax, a piece of
news heard on television or the radio, to the arrival of a parcel or a
letter needing to be signed for. It is not known whether the news is
good or bad from this card alone, as the card merely indicates the
imminent arrival of news.
This card has another meaning that of representing anything made of

paper. Consequently it represents books, official documents, bank
statements, contracts etc. This card also represents all those
professions where communication and news are in the forefront, such
as a journalist, a writer, a lawyer, a newsagent, a library worker, a
bookkeeper, a bookseller, a postman or someone who works at the
post office, etc. It can also represent the news (on television).
In love, near cards that indicate romance, it indicates a love letter, and
near the reverse ten of Clubs it indicates a long distance relationship
started over the internet. (Check ten of Clubs). In a health reading this
card indicates the results of medical analysis and tests, x-rays,
prescriptions, or even news from or consultation with one's doctor, etc.
Reverse: The meaning of the reverse two of Diamonds does not

change from that of its upright position. More often than not, there is
no difference whatsoever. However, when surrounded by negative
cards, the reverse two of Diamonds may have the following nuances,
203
(your intuition is important and it will tell you if this card has any
negative connotation). The reverse two of Diamonds describes a delay
in the arrival of news, or news that is delivered anonymously.
It can indicate a missing parcel, a letter lost in the post, lost documents
or the loss of anything made of paper that may have been misplaced. It
can also indicate bills to pay, expensive phone calls/bills, parking or
speeding tickets, a court summons, a notification of court proceedings
or any unpleasant official document. In a health reading it indicates a
mistake in the results of medical tests or the delay in receiving these
results. It does not indicate bad news unless other cards confirm this.
Keywords: The Official keywords are "Letter: or l\'ews by radio,

telephone" and other meanings are: documents, books, the news,
professions related to communication. Reverse meanings are: delay of
news, missing parcels, letters and documents and unpleasant official
documents.
Figure 13- The Letter card in the

Masenghini deck
204
Three ofDiamonds
GIFT OF PRECIOUS STONES
(Presente di Pietre Preziose)
Card Description: A wooden

jewellery box is left unattended
on a small table. It was given as a
present to someone rich and
powerfuL It has been left
unlocked and wide open, after its
contents have been inspected.
We can see that it is filled with
expensive jewellery and precious stones. There is a gold chain and a
ruby pendant hanging out of the box, which looks as if it is about to
fallon to the floor. The room is richly decorated, with the table and
the jewellery box as the focus of the scene.

negative when upright or reverse. This is a peculiar card; in the original
1880's deck, and in many other decks (including the Parini-Varoni
deck of 1944), this card corresponds to the three of Diamonds. Only in
the 1977 Masenghini deck (and the Morreale deck, if I Elm not
mistaken, see fig 14) does this card appear as the eight of Diamonds (I
205
am not sure why). Being a purist, I have decided to follow the original
nomenclature for the sake of accuracy.
Upright: This card has several layers of meaning, some of which are
entirely neutral. The first (neutral) meaning of this card is that of
representing a gift, a homage or present.
The second neutral meaning is that of representing an opportunity, a

proposal, an offer of some kind, whether this is good or bad will be
specified by the cards near to it in the spread.
Apart from the first neutral meaning, this is a positive card when
upright. It indicates prosperity, opportunities and career advancements,
usually thanks to a recommendation or the patronage of an influential
person..
It also indicates the high end of the market, designer clothes/furniture,

jewellery and anything that is expensive, refined or even superfluous.
I\ear significator cards it indicates that the person described by the
cards is wealthy. It also represents family wealth, inheritance, fame,
celebrity, blue blood and nobility of birth - but, as a secondary
meaning, it can also indicate someone with a "noble" soul. More often
than not this nobility, fame or wealth are physical realities. Of course
these are all neutral meanings (except that of nobility of spirit). Comfort
and wealth do not always equate to goodness of heart and motives.
The three of Dianl.onds represents luxury goods, antiques and objects

of considerable value. On this last point, we see this card has another
neutral meaning, that of representing any object. 50 if the querent asks
if their stolen notebook will be found, for example, this is the card that
206
would represent that item, even though the notebook is not a precious
object.
This is a card to be particularly careful of when it appears near to the

reverse two of Clubs or the Four of Diamonds, as it indicates adulation
and corruption, with the possibility of monetary bribes or expensive
gifts with ulterior motives.
This card represents "precious" advice that will be given to the querent,
as well as a gift of considerable value (unless other cards say
otherwise). It also foretells that the querent will have the freedom to act
as he/she wishes in this matter.
The Gift of Precious Stones also represents one's "gifts", talents and
abilities, or the protection and patronage given by someone with the
means to help. It also represents influential people, and the attitude of
superiority and aloofness.
In love, it indicates an engagement ring if accompanied by the five of

Hearts, and a wedding band if followed by the ace of Clubs. On its own
it indicates a couple that shares common goals and are able to
compromise, work together and live harmoniously under the same
roof It also indicates commonality of interests and ideas between two
people.
In financial matters it is extremely positive it heralds a prosperous

business, career advancement, advantageous business proposals, and
subsequent wealth. It also indicates having the means to expand and
fulfil one's desires.
207
In a health reading it indicates the lymphatic system, good health and a
speedy recovery. Only if the querent is already undergoing treatment,
does this card indicate expensive medical treatment, possibly not
covered by their health insurance or the national health service.
Reverse: This is a very peculiar card to interpret when reverse, as its

meaning can be completely different based on the area enquired
about. Its most generic meaning is that of problems that disappear,
seemingly insoluble situations that finally find a resolution. It indicates
that everything is going to be okay in the end. It is a positive card.
In financial matters this card is positive, and indicates obstacles that

are overcome, the receipt of money or financial help at a critical
moment.
Only when surrounded by very negative cards of a specific kind does

this card clarifY the type of obstacles indicated by the other cards in the
spread, which are always concerned with money and power, or the
lack of it. Usually it indicates that some obstacles will be solved, but
many others will still remain to block the way. Unless the two or five of
Clubs are in the spread, this card alone does not indicate the
resolution of all the obstacles near very negative cards, as it is not
powerful enough to cancel out their meaning entirely.
This is not a very good card for love matters when near negative
cards, as it indicates two people who have different ambitions, and a
couple who have grown apart. It also indicates superficiality and
attachment to money and status rather than to true love. To someone
who does not fit this description, the three of Diamonds indicates that
208
there is a tendency to fall in love with the wrong person, and/or with
selfish and abusive partners.
This card also represents cheap gifts, or something with little value.
Beware of' advice received when this card is reverse, as it indicates
"cheap advice" and commonplace remarks that are given without a
true understanding of the problem. If cards that indicate antagonism
are also near this card, then you can safely assume that this bad
advice has been (or will be) given with malicious intent.
This card also indicates someone with completely different interests

and values from those of the querent.
In the reverse position, and near very negative cards, this card
indicates wasted talent, a wasted education, or worse, using one's talent
for evil purposes. It often indicates an underachiever and/or someone
who is wasting their life. It can also indicate a shady influential person.
These are all secondary nuances that rarely replace the main
meanings as previously described.
In short, the three of Diamonds indicates the end of a difficult period,

threats that lose their original power, and the end of a period of
dependence on something or someone.
In a health reading it indicates the successful resolution of medical

treatment and a recovery. It is also connected to kidney/gallstones and
any form of crystallisation in the body.
Keywords: The Official keywords are "Advice - Obstacles". These

keywords apply to different sides of this card, the first one when
upright, the second when reverse. Other upright meanings are:
209
opportunity, luxury, wealth, nobility, precious gifts and talents. Reverse
meanings are: financial prosperity, cheap advice, end of difflculties and
wasted talent.
Figure 14- The Gift of Precious

Stones in the Maseng/Jini deck
This card has been renamed by
the publisher "Homage of Precious
Things'; and bears the number 8
instead of the traditional number 3.
210
Four ofDiamonds
FALSENESS (Falsita)
Card Description: A great big cat

is seated on a chair, blocking the
entrance to the pantry. This cat
is loved as a member of the
family and has been obviously
overfed by his caring owners, but
his true .:. and selfish- intentions
are those of blocking access to
his owners' food. A curious
representation, this card is the
antithesis of the nine of Hearts, or Loyalty, represented by a dog. It
divides the "cat people" from the "dog people" reading the Sibilla
cards - but it shouldn't (it does so only to those who have not fully
appreciated the meaning of this card).
The cat is seen here with its Middle Ages connotation as being
connected to witchcraft and evil. In popular belief, the cat is seen as
independent, self-centred, interested in the home rather than its owner,
ready to scratch without warning, and unable to guard its owner -
hence its connection with phoniness, false love and selfishness shown
by the four of Hearts. Of course, cat owners know that domesticated
cats can also be very affectionate! But it is the popular allegorical
meaning represented by this card that should be used when
211
interpreting it, not the actual behaviour of domestic cats. Animal lovers
(like mysem are kindly asked not to project their feelings about their
cats into this card, but to see the cat in this picture for what "it" is, not
as a pet, but as the personification of a sinister character trait into an
animal form. The feline in the four of Diamonds is not a cat that many
of us would want in our homes, from the fierce expression in his eyes
he looks almost possessed (a reference to black magic that should not
be dismissed when analysing this card). To stress the fact that the
feline in the four of Diamonds is not a cat at all, I must warn you that
traditionally this card is never used as a significator card for readings
about our domestic cats.
The Essence of the Card: A negative card. Near to significator cards, it

invariably "brands" the person as being false and deceitful.
Upright: This is the card of lies, of false adulation, of compliments

given with an ulterior motive. It is an extremely negative card especially
when near cards that represent people, as it uncovers their true
intentions toward the querent, which are never what they outwardly
seem to be. This is a card that represents someone, often very close,
and possibly a long-standing acquaintance (or family member), who is
two-faced and is plotting against the querent. It is a card that
represents murky and thorny situations, woven with a tight web of lies
and deceit (and often the querent is not aware of the true state of
affairs, as these people are skilled and know how to deceive him/her).
This is the card that represents someone who is taking advantage of
the querent's trust and good faith in them.
212
Having said this, the four of Hearts does have one principal neutral
meaning, but it is so subtle that it can lead the novice astray when
giving an interpretation of the person's character, as in almost all cases
it represents someone with false intentions. The neutral meaning
however is found when this card represents an adopted child, an
adopted sibling, adoptive parents or even stepchildren and step
siblings. It indicates no blood ties (or partial blood ties) with the people
involved. This is however such a feeble nuance of meaning that to give
it as the main interpretation would invariably give an inaccurate
prediction.
Other ancillary meanings, and these should only be used rarely in an

interpretation, is the connection of this card to a specific room in the
house, i.e. the kitchen or the pantry. Unless the querent's question
involves a specific location, this meaning can easily be disregarded.
This card indicates that something is done, or received, in an illegal

way. It also refers to contraband, fake goods and illegal merchandise.,
or someone who meddles in other people's affairs with dangerous
consequences ("curiosity killed the cat").
This is another card that indicates negativity. It is particularly bad when

near to cards which describe a group of people, as it indicates that the
querent is living in a nest of snakes (vipers), full of people with ulterior
motives, who are near to the querent just to use him/her for their own
selfish ends. It implies envy, self-interest, deceitfulness, flattery, servility
and empty compliments.
Rarely, when this card represents the querent, it indicates mistaken

conclusions, that the querent may also have misjudged someone and
that they have not seen the situation for what it is. It does of course
213
also indicate false motives towards someone, Generally this is the card
that indicates a mistake,
In love, it indicates infidelity, lies and a partner with ulterior motives, It

precludes the possibility of true love, unless it foretells of the presence
of a devious third person whose aim is to break up the couple,
Financially this card warns of false opportunities, fake money, deceitful

colleagues, ponzi investment schemes, fraud, contraband and swindles,
It heralds a period fraught with gossip, slander and deceit
It always warns that the situation is hiding a trap, that there is danger
lurking in the background, It is a card that indicates cunning,
This is another card that indicates psychic attack, and the so-called
evil eye, Being a card of Diamonds and not a card of Spades, the
strength of this negativity is weak to moderate, and it does not
necessarily imply the use of black magic, but always there is the
presence of negative thought-forms,
In health it is connected to the heart (falseness is seen as a quality of

the heart) and to the circulatory system.
Reverse: Surprisingly, this is a positive card when reverse, It indicates

that the machinations of a false person will be uncovered, and
someone's true colours will be revealed, This card foretells of plots
and schemes against the querent that go awry, or that a period of
difficulty will end, especially when it is found at the end of a string of
negative cards (if it is found in the middle of the spread it does not
preclude this eventuality, for it always indicates the end of adversity
and the downfall of an enemy),
214
Financially it indicates prosperity, assets and property. It represents a
stable source of income, ar.d if looking to invest in property, this is a
very good card to come across.
Often it denotes a person who is attached to money and who is slow,

or unwilling, to help others in a financial way.
In love, it heralds the discovery of a secret and the true motives of a

person who affects the relationship in a negative way, (sometimes this
can also be the partner or the querent themselves. So be careful to
always give a positive interpretation of this card, if it is the querent that
is being deceitful).
This card indicates that the querent has been able to chase away their
adversaries and/or negative forces in a successful way. It denotes
strength to fight against negativity and a curious and intelligent mind (in
a good way).
In a health reading it indicates hypochondria, misdiagnosed diseases,

and being pregnant with a baby girl.
Keywords: The Official keywords are "deceitful compliment", but the

other meanings are: two-faced ness, self-interest, lies, treachery, gossip
and swindles. vJh.en reverse the meanings are: the end of hardship, the
discovery of enemies, prosperity and the end of negativity.
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FIVe ofDiamonds
MElANCHOLY (Malinconia)
Card Description: A woman,

wearied with weeping and sadness,
has momentarily rested her head
on her hand. She is mourning in
front of a small grave, possibly that
of a pet animal, in the middle of
lush countryside. The environment
is the key to the interpretation of this card, as it heralds hope for a
better future.
The Essence of the Card: A negative card but not as grave as its
counterpart in the suit of Spades - the Widower. The difference lies in
the environment: whilst this card is surrounded by nature, the scene in
the three of Spades unfolds in a bleak cemetery. The two tombs are
indicative of the difference in gravity between the two cards: the grave
in the five of Diamonds belongs to an animal (which has kept the
woman company); the grave in the three of Spades belongs to a
human being, the lifelong companion of' the man who moms at her
grave. Fundamentally, when at the beginning of a spread, the five of
Diamonds indicates something already lost, whilst the Widower
216
foretells of a loss, putting a damper on future events, its gravity only
being surpassed by the reverse eight of Spades and the
aforementioned three of Spades.
Upright: From the description in the "Essence of the card" it can be

seen that this card indicates a passing disappointment, a black cloud
of sadness that will eventually disSipate. It indicates momentary defeat
and lack of success, but that these conditions are not going to affect
the querent in a traumatic and long-lasting way.
This card describes a person who was once happy and now, that
something has changed and they live in a state of guilt, sadness and
nostalgia, pining for what they once had. Often this card describes
someone who did not know how happy they were until they lost the
source of their happiness.
It usually indicates an attachment to the past and/or living in the past. It

can indicate haunting memories, nostalgia, regret and tears (over
something specific) and a period of dejection that will ultimately pass.
Be careful though; look at the cards to the left of this card, as they
represent situations from the past that are still affecting the querent,
whereas cards to the right of this card indicate that sadness will be
caused by the future events described by those cards.
The difference between the past represented by the five of Diamonds

and that of the Six of Hearts lies in the fact that the latter has a neutral
connotation, the former is always attached to nostalgia for the old days
of yore.
217
This card also indicates having lost someone, or something, dear to
one's heart, not because of their death or loss (not necessarily, unless
other cards contradict this), but because of distance or separation.
In love it heralds pangs of conscience over mistakes made in a

relationship. It also describes nostalgia, (and sadness) lamenting over
the good times in a relationship that is now over.
Generally it indicates sadness, lack of fulfilment and lack of direction. It

heralds feelings of loneliness, a period of crisis (also of spiritual crisis)
and of general lack of motivation. It indicates someone who is in dire
need of guidance, of feeling loved and support.ed.
Financially it indicates an unfulfilling job, temporary unemployment

and worrying about money.
In a health reading it indicates a depleted immune system, SAD.,

intense stress and tiredness.
Reverse: The reverse five of Diamonds has the same meanings as the
upright card but they are of a slightly longer duration. Near to negative
cards their meanings are likewise magnified and may indicate a
definite loss, setbacks and more often than not this card acts as a
warning; there will be someone or something from that past that will
come out of the woodwork and, usually with alluring false motives, will
cause the querent's downfall. \N'hat the Sibilla wants to say is "don't
trust someone/something from the past".
In love, it indicates many hours spent crying over a relationship and a

deeply broken heart. This is the card that heralds arguments and
falling outs in any relationship.
218
Financially, this is the card that represents debts and lawsuits. It also
indicates poverty when it is surrounded by really negative cards.
This card also indicates that someone did not know how lucky they
were until they lost the object of their happiness and affections. It is
now too late to do anything about it, a nuance of meaning that the
upright counterpart of this card does not have.
Near negative cards it reinforces their negative import and their

duration in time.
In a health reading it indicates temporary illness, depression and/or

possible sexual problems.
Keywords: The Official keywords are "Lost Happiness" but other

meanings are: tears, sadness, melancholy, dejection, depression,
attachment to the past. When Reverse the meanings are: worry, debts,
money troubles and definite loss.
219
Six of Diamonds
THOUGHT (II Pensiero)
Card Description: A man, deep in

thought, is deliberating on what to
write about before putting his quill
to paper. His attire is indicative of
his social status, and his attitude is
one of great intelligence.
The Essence of the Card: A

positive card but its meaning can
easily change into a negative one.
Upright: This card is a key that reveals the thoughts and intentions of
the person it refers to. 'This person can, of course, be the querent
themselves, in which case it reveals their innermost thoughts and true
intentions. If not the querent, then it relates to someone close to them.
As a result, this card also has a second function, that of revealing the
true inner nature of the person.
Simply, this card denotes the act of thinking about something.

(Whether the person denoted by this card has good or bad intentions
will be revealed by the cards to the left of the six of Diamonds,)
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This card not only refers to important decisions and possible
misgivings and second thoughts, but also to projects and ideas.
(Whether these will be realised is revealed by other cards in the
spread.) It is the card of creativity, learning and study, including
philanthropic pursuits. The card also indicates genius and intelligence
which is used for the greater good, and therefore devoid of malice and
cunning (unless severely contradicted by other cards!). This is the card
which shows the presence of great skill and ability in whatever one
does.
This is the card that refers to meditation, inner journeys, great dreams
that can be achieved, and spiritual growth. It is a card that foretells a
period of pause, or the need to wait for a situation to develop, but it
also indicates that much time will be spent in serious consideration
before the necessary steps can be taken.
In love, unless other cards indicate otherwise, this card shows affinity,
but more often than not, it points to the true intentions of the querent
towards their partner or vice versa. Near negative cards however it can
indicate that the partner is having cold feet about a commitment.
Financially the card indicates flashes of genius, but also warns that
hard work will be needed to bring it to fruition. It also denotes
someone who is attached to a project, even if it brings little fmancial
reward, more for what it stands for than for the money it makes. It can
also indicate periods of internship, apprenticeship or the following of
any profeSSion in which intelligence and sharpness are the key to its
success. This is the card that represents the "cerebral" world of the
intellect.
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When it describes a person, this card indicates a philanthropist, a man
of great intelligence. Generally it indicates magnanimity and love of
culture and study.
In a health reading it indicates indecision over the validity of one's

treatment, a possible referral to a specialist and the need for a second
opinion by a more senior doctor.
Reverse: When reverse this card confirms that somebody's intentions

are not at all good. It indicates someone who is plotting to cause harm
or to deceive, (so be careful, this person can also be the querent
themselves!) It is the card of intelligence put to evil ends, to cunning
and to malice.
It also describes serious doubts, indecision or a person with a

contorted mind. This card also describes someone suffering from great
inner turmoil who cannot think straight, and possibly even has a history
of pathological illness, with persecution manias.
Esoterically, this card d~scribes someone imprisoned by a cloud of

negative thought-forms, usually of their own making, unless other cards
indicate the presence of psychic attack.
This card also indicates a wrong attitude, a wrong way of thinking or of

being misguided. This is the card that represents coming to the wrong
conclusion about something or someone. The six of Diamonds also
indicates a mistake in an evaluation or calculations.
Financially it points to dissatisfaction, blocks to the arrival of

abundance, grave mistakes and unemployment.
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When upright this is the card of genius. However, when reverse it
becomes the card of complete obtuseness with consequent
stubbornness and unwillingness to change.
This is the card of illusory dreams, false hopes, paranoia and

conspiracy theories. It is the card of delusions, illusions and folly
generated by a disorganised mind.
In love, it is the card that represents unrealistic expectations, unfulfilled

passion unrequited love, or worse, it indicates bad intentions towards
the querent or vice versa. It usually means that the querent, or the
partner, wants to be unfaithful or is scheming to hurt the other.
Notwithstanding, this card does have one neutral meaning and that is
when the six of Diamonds represents the subconscious mind, and
anything that operates below the level of ordinary waking
consciousness (especially so if near the eight of Hearts). In this respect
it can also indicate the occult, paranormal activity or the fields of
psychology/psychiatry.
In a health reading it indicates learning disabilities (to the point of

imbecility), mental disorders or grave medical errors.
Keywords: The Official keywords are "Concept, brilliance", but its other
meanings are: the key to one's intentions, projects, study, philanthropy,
culture and genius. Reverse meanings are: bad intentions, the
subconscious, mistakes, wrong attitudes, mental disorders and
stupidity.
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Seven of Diamonds
THE CHILD (Bambino)
Card Description: A little child is

fast asleep in a decorated poster
bed, He has a smile on his lips,
and is having a pleasant dream.
The room is richly decorated, as
this child has been born into a rich and privileged family. The
environment is serene and welcoming,
The Essence of the Card: A neutral card with positive nuances,
Upright: A simple card to interpret when it represents a person, the

seven of Diamonds identifies a baby or a child, This child is a boy,
unless the twelve of Clubs follows this card, in which case it indicates a
baby girl. Naturally this card does not give any indication as to the
character and behaviour of the child in question, which will be given by
other cards in the spread, We will go into this in greater depth in the
Diploma course, but for example, this card near the four of Diamonds
indicates an illegitimate child; if you add the reverse ace of Diamonds
224
to this combination it indicates an unpleasant discovery (for the man,
that is) that a child he considered to be his son is not really his child at
all.
As the seven of Diamonds is connected to a baby who is possibly our

beloved child/grandchild, then this card's Significance is broadened to
represent its second meaning, that of a significator card. In this case
the Child card can include any creature that we love like a child, such
as our pets, large or small, furry or feathered. If the consultation
revolves around the health issues of the querent's dog; cat, provided
they consider it to be a member of the family, this card would
represent their pet (however, if the dog/cat is not considered to be a
family member, then the nine of Hearts/ Four of Diamonds would
represent it. The same goes for any domestic animal that is not loved
like a child. For example, the four of Diamonds would represent feral
cats -never domestic-, and the three of Clubs would represent wild
horses).
This card is connected to all those professions that have dealings with
children, such as child-minders and teachers, but it can also include
obstetricians and, only when it appears with the Doctor card in a
spread, it can refer to a paediatrician.
Allegorically, this is a card that indicates the new. It refers to new

beginnings, anything that has just started, situations that have not fully
taken shape, something that is about to enter our lives, projects that
have not yet born fruit. From this latter meaning we find the third main
meaning of this card, that of innocence and candour. In legal matters it
indicates a "not guilty" plea.
225
Only when surrounded by negative cards, the seven of Diamonds
indicate gullibility, lack of experience and a simple-minded person.
This card indicates the love of simplicity and appreciation for the little
things in life.
Financially it heralds the beginning of a new business venture and

money from new sources. It also indicates a new job or new
opportunities.
Metaphorically, this card represents the future, just as the five of

Diamonds represented the past (we have seen that past and future are
also represented by the six of Hearts, upright and reverse).
In a health reading it heralds pregnancy, in particular that of a baby

boy. It also indicates fertility, breastfeeding and all the complications
associated with maternity and/or childhood illnesses.
Reverse: This card represents something that is not yet ready to be

born, a situation that is still immature. This meaning can, of course, be
broadened to include adults. When reverse this card lengthens the
timeframe indicated by other cards in the spread. It is also linked to the
idea of delay, slowness, long stretches of time, and all situations that
are still up in the air and have not taken a concrete form. Near
negative cards it also indicates a bad start, something (or someone)
with unstable foundations or with a bad start in life.
This card is symbolic of someone who is naive, inexperienced, too

trusting and gullible. When this card describes painful circumstances, it
does so by saying that it is a pain that stings one to the quick, and has
deeply affected the querent.
226
In financial matters it is connected with investments that will take a
long time before they begin to pay dividends. It is also connected to
anxiety over unclear situations where money is at stake.
When this card represents a child, it is likely that his/her behaviour is

most undesirable and/or that this child is a great source of worry for
the querent.
In love, it represents a relationship that was blighted from the

beginning. It also represents a relationship that will not make it past the
early stages of infatuation.
This card also describes someone with a Peter Pan syndrome, and
someone who is not able to take responsibility for the outcome of their
actions. It also indicates great uncertainty, hang-ups, doubt and
indecision that will have to be paid for dearly.
In health readings it foretells miscarriages or abortions. It also indicates

diseases that are caught in time and nipped in the bud, and also
infertility or impotence. It also indicates catching a typical childhood
disease (i.e. chicken pox or the measles).
Keywords: The Official keywords are "Candour, Simplicity", but its

other meanings are: the new, a beginning, a birth, a pregnancy, a child,
a pet, innocence. Reverse meanings are: gullibility, slowness, bad
beginnings and indecision.
Lottery Numbers: 47 and, of course, 1 (the number of beginnings).
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Eight ofDiamonds
THE HOUSEMAID
(Donna di Servizio)

working-class woman is about
to walk up the stairs. She is
neatly dressed, and holds a
clean handkerchief in her
hand. Her expression is gentle
and caring. She is looking over
her shoulder and holds a
bunch of flowers in her hand. On her other arm she carries a wicker
basket full of groceries.
The Essence of the Card: A positive card when upright This card has
been changed into the three of Diamonds in the 1977 Masenghini
deck, however in the original deck and in many others thereafter this
card is found as the eight of Diamonds (see picture 15). This is a better
connotation, in my opinion, as in numerology the number eight is
connected to money, which is very representative of this card.
228
Upright: The first neutral meaning of this card is that of representing a
colleague, a woman one has a business relationship with (but not of
any other form of relationship). This is a neutral meaning.
When this card has positive meanings, it represents a woman who is

helpful, kind and really wants to help you. This is not a woman with
whom the querent has a romantic relationship or is related to (as
indicated by the Lover card or the Married Woman card). Broadly
speaking it indicates receiving help and support and the beginning of
new conditions (in the latter instance this card becomes neutral, as the
type of conditions will be described by the cards that follow it).
Financially it indicates a houseWife, working from home, employed

work (though never self-employment or leadership positions at work)
or a helpful colleague. It also indicates a steady income, renewed
contracts, approved loans or mortgages. This card also indicates
spending money or any situation in which there is movement/exchange
of money.
When representing personal characteristics, this card refers to a

person who is hard working, honest and caring. This card can also
indicate a person who is charming, well-bred, polite and refined. With
negative cards it indicates someone with low self-esteem who is easily
taken advantage of by others because she is always caring and willing
to help.
In love, and only when the spread is used to investigate a couple's

dynamics (as this card never represents a lover), the eight of Diamonds
indicates a harmonious relationship where the partners help one
another, and to receiving an engagement ring (historically, this card
referred to the dowry). I\ear to negative cards, however, it indicates
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dependence on the partner, or a co-dependent relationship. It can also
suggest a couple (or one of the partners) wanting to split up, but is
unable to due to issues with money.
Another meaning, derived by the illustration on this card, is given by

the white handkerchief, representing a "white flag" of peace or truce
after a period of quarrels and disagreements. The white handkerchief
also gives another meaning, for the girl has used it to wave goodbye to
someone. The second, and neutral, meaning given to this card is that
of distance, of things that take place outside the querent's home town
(or even abroad). As "abroad" is also connected to the unknown, this
card represents someone we have yet to meet (the reverse ten of
Spades also indicates this).
Another meaning, derived by the depiction of the staircase, is that of

climbing the social ladder. It is a card that indicates career, progress,
something changing for the better, and efforts to improve one's
position. This is a very dynamic card that "pushes" other cards towards
the development of new possibilities.
From the image we can also see a third meaning found in the flowers
that the girl is holding in her left hand. In this instance, the card refers
to a gift of great value.
Another meaning of this card is found in the historical role of the lady's
maids in XIX century Italy. Only the rich could afford lady's maids (not
much has changed since then, as it is generally only the rich who can
afford this), therefore this card represents wealth, precious objects, a
rich family, luxury, blue blood and nobility (the latter indicates not only
of status but also nobility of spirit). Near the three of Diamonds it
indicates an estate, great capital wealth and someone who is a
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millionaire. In a health reading it indicates an overall improvement in
health and of a condition, along with the necessity to exercise. It also
denotes the legs and feet as well as environmental allergies.
Reverse: This card loses its positive connotations, denoting a woman

who is petty, slanderous and who loves to gossip. This woman is
usually a colleague, who is very opportunistic and is only interested in
receiving favours or a promotion at any cost.
This card also represents a person, of any sex, who is a skilled liar,
someone who has no concept of truth and loyalty. This person (for it
can also be a man near male significator cards) has no spiritual values
whosoever, and no moral code to live by. In this regard, it also
represents immorality, crassness, gaudiness, lack of true refinement, as
well as any seedy and dissolute situation.
The card also indicates a lack of worth and real substance. Therefore
it diminishes the inherent value of the message indicated by the other
cards in the spread. In this regard, near to the three of Diamonds, it
indicates a small present, or a present of little value. It also denotes
something (or someone) that is worthless due to their lack of moral
fibre. Near the Conversation card it indicates waffie and empty words.
In love, it indicates licentiousness, lies, betrayal and vindictiveness. It is

the mark of a very negative partner, a chronic liar and a cheat. This is
the card of disagreements, arguments, or falling outs amongst
members of the same family, however such arguments are not usually
of really grave import. As the handkerchief represented a 'white flag'
when upright, when reverse this white flag is symbolically taken down;
231
the period of truce comes to an end resulting in adversity and quarrels
beginning anew, fuelled by renewed rancour and vindictiveness. This
card is especially dangerous in financial matters, as it foretells of
investments that will yield no dividends, money that is not received, no
matter how promising they may look It also indicates something that is
too good to be true and nasty colleagues, bullying at work or a very
tense work environment, full of lies and backstabbing. This card also
indicates someone who is stuck in a low paying job or someone who
is not able to move up the promotion ladder and will always earn a
low wage. This card also denotes manual/unskilled labour and
situations/birth conditions that preclude social mobility.
Keywords: The Official keywords are "Gift, Precious Stones", but other
meanings are: helpfulness, refinement, luxury, an honest colleague and
employed work Reverse meanings are: gossip, slander, immoral
person, tackiness and something of little or no value.
Figure 15- The Housemaid in the

Masenghini deck, numbered as the
Three of Diamonds
Nine ofDiamonds
THE LUNATICS (I Delirantil
Card Description: Three

uncouth and obnoxious young
men are walking down a street,
pointing, shouting and singing.
They are intoxicated and are
not making any sense. One of
them cannot even walk properly
without being supported by the
others. Their antisocial
behaviour has all the possibilities of becoming violent, as their
delirious gaze seems fixated on someone in the distance.
The Essence of the Card: A very negative card that changes the
meaning of other cards. This is a dominant card that taints any card
that comes near it (except the upright two and five of Clubs).
Upright: This card describes a person who is irrational, and one who
gives sway to their emotions and moods. This person has lost all
rational perspective and is mentally confused, although, most of the
time, does not even realise it. This is a person who at best has
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unrealistic ambitions and ideals, and at worst is pathological, This card
also describes someone who believes in false ideas and/or doctrines
that will ultimately cause their downfalL It is a card that indicates
someone is being swayed by other equally deluded people (the
concept of plurality as represented by this card is shown by the three
young lads), This card's illustration is clearly inspired by the words of
Jesus in Luke 6:39 "And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind
lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the ditch?'
This card indicates someone who has veered off their life purpose,
who has chosen to follow the road to perdition, This meaning can be
expanded into the card's secondary meaning: that of representing a
group of people (or more than one group of people) who negatively
affect the querent due to peer pressure, This card is in fact associated
with the concept of keeping bad company, taking bad advice, hanging
around with bad "friends", and with people who, by persuasion, push
the querent into illegal situations or defeat.
The nine of Diamonds is usually associated with large gatherings of

people where trouble is to be expected, These can be rallies, protests,
rave parties, etc, \Nhen near to very negative cards in a spread, acts of
terrorism causing mass panic are not to be discounted, as well as civil
war giving rise to the gravest of outcomes (these of course are not
commonplace meanings, and are given because my grandmother was
able to confirm their accuracy),
It is a card that indicates hallucinations, contradiction, illusions of

grandeur and self-exaltation due to a warped conception of oneself
This is the card that represents someone with a massive ego, and/or
someone who cannot see the forest for the trees, \Nhat is more
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unsettling about this card is that this egotist usually has the power to
sway others to follow their ideology, and subsequently to ruin the lives
of others who want to help them.
Generally it describes setbacks, delays, accidents, recklessness,

disorganisation, opposition, mutually exclusive beliefs, precarious
conditions and transitory states, It is a card that heralds complications
of all kinds and the worsening of the situation enquired about, as well
as arguments and confusion. It heralds problems and trouble on all
fronts, grave arguments and falling-outs with clients, partners and
family members (depending on the area enquired about). It also warns
of foolish decisions and dangerous situations caused by somebody's
lack of control.
This card also indicates someone who lacks self-discipline and

persistence, but more often it describes someone whose life is already
in shambles, or is falling apart due to serious character flaws. Near to
the reverse Fairview card, it indicates someone who is dangerously
violent and who lacks the self-control to restrain themselves. It is the
card that represents thugs and hooligans. The combination of three
nines in the suits: the nine of Spades, the nine of Clubs (reverse) and
the nine of Diamonds describes someone who is a severe drug addict
or an alcoholic. Should the reverse nine of Hearts also be present, this
combination would indicate someone close to us who is lying about
their drug habit. (But more will be given in Volume II, which will be
dedicated to card combinations and spreads, and in the diploma
course,)
This card indicates illegal or confusing situations that are at the

extreme limits of legality. This card also refers to illegal drug use, and
235
antisocial behaviour. It also indicates a person with a devious mind, or
someone who has completely gone off' the deep end, when the card is
found near to cards which reinforce its negativity.
In a health reading, this is the card, par excellence, that indicates

serious mental problems and even lunacy. Near to the seven of
Spades it warns of great danger from someone who is criminally
insane. This card also heralds worrying news about one's health, and
indicates infections to the respiratory system and/or urinary tract.
Historically, this card was associated with the prevalent disease of
tuberculosis, now unfortunately on the rise again. Needless to say, the
organs traditionally associated with this card are those that "come in
pairs (due to the concept of plurality in this card), such as the lungs,
first and foremost, then the kidneys, the the ovaries and testicles. These
however are all secondary meanings, as more often than not this card
makes reference to the lungs, due to the fact that the people in the
card are shouting at the top of their lungs ("a pieni polmoni'" in Italian).
Reverse: Definitely less' grave in its import, this card when reverse
represents a temporary period of confusion and lack of certainty as to
how to proceed ..
When it describes someone, this card is saying that this person is

going through (or will go through) a period of misguidance and of
temporary "madness", for lack of a better word, before a proper
perspective is regained.
This card also represents a poor judgement call, but never a situation
in which poor judgement is constantly being exercised. It usually
236
indicates a one-off blunder (the severity of which will be indicated by
other cards in the spread). It is important to understand the slight
nuances of meaning between the blunder indicated by this card, and
that indicated by the ten of Clubs. In the reverse nine of Diamonds this
blunder is caused by a momentary loss of clarity and perspective. The
person may have deliberated on what to do and even done all their
calculations (especially in financial matters), but they still could not see
the forest for the trees, and made an out-of-character mistake. On the
other hand, the blunder described by the ten of Clubs is a mistake
committed out of recklessness, frivolity and/or lack of attention.
Financially it can indicate oversights or even carefully calculated

choices that end up being mistakes.
This card represents someone who momentarily loses control and

does something out of character. It is someone who has temporarily
"lost their mind".
In a reading about a teenage son or daughter, for example, when this

card is near to the card of the Priest, it indicates a temporary phase of
rebellion against authority.
In love, it indicates a crush which has no possibility of developing into

a serious romance, a bad choice of partner, or a careless mistake that
will cost the querent dearly. (It is very negative when the card indicates
becoming pregnant by accident, and when it is near to the cards of the
Prison, Carefreeness and the Child it indicates that this pregnancy is
not only accidental but also unwanted, so it foretells of a possible
abortion or the baby's abandonment.)
237
The "madness" is momentary, sometimes even instantaneous; however
this card does not say that the consequences of this temporary loss of
control will be inconsequential. They can lead to accidental strokes of
luck, when positive cards follow in the spread or to terrible mistakes
when negative cards are found nearby.
A secondary meaning is that of the steady worsening of a situation.

This card can also foretell of receiving a reality check that will put
someone's ego back in its place.
Particular attention should be paid to this card in a health reading, as it

indicates a grave medical error due to an oversight, and the possible
risk of contagion. It is always connected to organs that come in pairs.
Keywords: The Official keywords are "Adversity, Agitation", but the

other meanings are: madness, contradictions, lack of control,
arguments, obstacles, stonewalling and delays. When reverse the
meanings are: momentary recklessness, blunder and temporary
misguidance.
238
Ten of Diamonds
THE THIEF (II Ladro)
Card Description: A bare-

footed thief is climbing through
a window into someone's
house. He is not wearing any
shoes so that his intrusion will
go unnoticed by those who
dwell in this stately home. His
intentions are those of stealing
money and valuable possessions, and to leave again as quickly a~
possible, without physically hurting the people who live in this house
(unless he is confronted by them, in which case he can become
violent. This is because the thief is holding a brick in his hand, which
he has probably used to break the window to gain entry). He has just
broken into the room containing a large green safe to his right, the
same safe as the one oepicted in the six of Hearts, Money.
The Essence of the Card A negative card that brands any card near to
it with the stigma of theft, untrustworthiness or loss.
239
Upright: A very intuitive card to interpret, the Thief indicates a person
who steals something (or someone!) from their rightful owner. This thief
can actually physically steal something from someone, or it can be that
someone, usually a dependant, is a great financial strain on the
querent.
On a broader level, this card can indicate contracts with hidden

clauses that lock people into having to pay for something they do not
really want, or contracts that offer little or no way of terminating them.
More often than not this card is connected to the loss of something
physical, and obtaining money by deception.
This is a card that heralds negative change, a sudden tum of events for
the worse. These events are caused by the presence of ill-intentioned
people near to the querent, unless cards that indicate unknown people
are present, in which case someone we know will not be the author of
the theft. This is a card that also indicates loss of any kind.
I'\ear to significator cards it indicates someone who wants to acquire

something that does not belong to them, someone with ulterior motives
and a calculating mind. When the card indicates particular situations,
the Thief card indicates a condition of mental, emotional, physical or
financial drain. It is a very taxing situation for the querent on many
levels. It can of course indicate burglaries and thefts of all kinds,
whether on-going or as a one-off occurrence.
On an emotional level, this card refers to betrayal and treachery. At a

spiritual level, the ten of Diamonds indicates all those practices that
steal something from the soul. It is connected with the idea of spiritual
deprivation. It refers to demeaning situations, immoral practices or
being forced to do something under duress (mental or physical). It also
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indicates someone who has lost their faith due to the occurrence of an
unpleasant event, or the actions of an unpleasant person that has
caused their loss.
Financially, this card is terrible, for it heralds a theft, the loss of money,
loan sharks, extortions, money laundering, business offers that will be
revoked, illegal activities or obtaining somethings by deception. It
indicates ponzi schemes and all kinds of swindles. This is the card that
represents someone born into abject poverty (this meaning is derived
from the bare feet of the thieD.
l\ear to negative cards, this card describes a person, someone who

sucks the energy out of people, a true psychic vampire, and/or
someone who "robs" other people of their good qualities and/or their
self-esteem. This is a very negative person whose presence is the
cause of other people's spiritual regression into a state of animalism.
This is someone who only brings out the worst in people, who "robs"
people of the awareness of who they really are. This is especially
worrying when this card indicates the "shadow" side of the querent,
describing their darkest impulses and desires, which are always aimed
at harming somebody else. (When this card appears it always involves
the concept of harm to somebody else.) In love, this card indicates
someone who is unfaithful and/or someone who wants to steal the
querent's partner (or to steal the querent themselves from their
partner). It also indicates a lack of affinity between people, whether in a
love relationship or not, and it is a card of contracts and clashes of
personality.
The meaning of this card is reinforced in its impact when it is near to

the four of Diamonds, and the eleven and twelve of Spades, which also
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indicate that the "thief' is part of the querent's circle of acquaintances
(or close family). The latter two cards even reveal whether this thief is a
man or a woman. In a health reading this card indicates all those
substances that, when ingested, cause the loss of vitamins and minerals
from the body, and therefore a loss of health. Anatomically it refers to
the intestines and stomach.
Reverse: This card has no redeeming qualities when reverse, in fact, it

becomes worse. Apart from having the same meaning of theft and loss,
its influence is magnified, and the theft, loss, betrayal or confidence
tricks have an even greater effect or impact, whose aftermath is
particularly difficult to overcome. This is a card that heralds a painful
event, situations that get worse and worse, an accident, treachery, a
great misfortune and even a loss of freedom.
This is a card that has a peculiar interpretation, for its secondary

meaning is that of heralding the downfall of someone who is close to
the querent. Besides a con man and a thief, when delineating the
thoughts and intentions of a person, this card describes someone who
perceives that they have been robbed by life of something/someone
important to them. This is someone who feels hard done by, someone
who is strongly affected by a state of inner emptiness and inner unrest,
someone with a score to settle (they are never just a victim, but they
have also become the perpetrator).
When near to cards that represent buildings, the Thief card indicates
daunting places, buildings or locations that make us feel very uneasy
when we set foot in them and make us want to leave as soon as
possible. This card can refer to places where someone has been
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murdered or committed suicide, especially near the eight of Spades.
Near to cards that indicate the spirit world, or negativity emanating
from such a place, the Thief card represents a haunted building.
Broadly speaking, this card can represent ominous buildings or places

that we are unwilling to go to, such as hospitals or prisons, thus
indicating the possibility of isolation and reclusion. The peculiar
meaning of this card lies in the detail of the thief climbing through the
window of a tall building to gain entry, for this card also represents
heights and very tall and old buildings, such as churches and castles,
but also modern skyscrapers and multiple story buildings.
Financially this is the card connected with gambling, reckless

investments and loss. It is also connected to unforeseen bills and
expenditures, and to those gamblers that win a lot and then lose
everything. It indicates someone who is completely irresponsible in the
way they manage their money. It also indicates personal loans given to
people who have no intention of repaying them. In a health reading it is
connected to something that depletes the organism (usually medical
treatment), a debilitating illness, and also to unforeseen medical
expenses.
Keywords: The Official keywords are "Change, EnmitY', but the other
meanings are: theft, loss, spiritual oppression, threats from a third party
to the stability of a union. Reverse meanings are: accidents, grave
occurrences and the downfall of someone close.
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Jack of Diamonds
MESSENGER (.Messaggiero)

postman has just left a town
with an important letter. He
has a brass wind instrument
tied at his side, which he will
use to herald his arrival and
shout out the news imparted
to him by the inhabitants of
the village he has just left
behind.
The Essence of the Card A very neutral card
Upright: This is a very neutral card, similar, but not equal, to that of the
Letter. It indicates the arrival of news, information and communication,
but the difference between this card and the two of Diamonds is that
this card can represent a letter/package that has to be signed for, a
hand-delivered letter, a communication sent by special delivery. There
are instances in which the message is similar to that of the two of
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Diamonds, however this card implies that the news will not be generic,
like the evening news on the television, but of much greater import, and
be given by someone who can alter the querent's personal life.
This card also has another meaning when representing people; it

describes a messenger, a mediator, someone who finds themselves
between two parties, a go-between, a negotiator, a diplomat, a
representative, a middle man, but it can also be a postman, an
interpreter, a journalist, an ambassador and an intermediary of any
kind.
When describing the thoughts and inner nature of a person, this card
indicates someone who has no roots, a free spirit, a wanderer or even
someone with a nomadic lifestyle (i.e. near to negative cards). This card
usually represents a young, dark-haired man. This is, however, a
secondary meaning that should not be used as a primary one to
interpret this card.
The eleven of Diamonds is linked to the action of sending or receiving

something, or the arrival of someone. It refers to something that will
soon be part of the querent's life, and is connected to the idea of
speed, rapid change and velocity.
This card is connected to the idea of movement, of rapidly changing

situations and it is associated with the idea of the near future. It is also
linked to the idea of short journeys with specific aims.
I write here a meaning that I have found applies only in special cases,
when the cards speak of divine intervention. Only in such cases, the
eleven of Diamonds represents an angel, a powerful spiritual force for
the greater good. It represents someone, in spirit, who has helped, and,
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for all intents and purposes, acted as an intermediary between us and
God, The word angel, after all, means messenger!
In a health reading it heralds the arrival of tests results,
Reverse: This card, depending on the severity of the cards near to it, at
best indicates delay in the arrival of communication, It also indicates a
tracked package/letter that takes longer to arrive, or is stuck in
customs, the arrival of delays and setbacks, and the inability to resolve
a problem, the gravity of which is given by other cards in the spread,
This is a card that can very well herald the arrival of bad news, a
negative tum of events, general delays, setbacks, unfounded rumours
and disappointments, This is a card that appears if we are waiting for
something/someone to solve a problem, and will bring news of their
failure,
The reverse card can also define the same type of people as the
upright card, but giving them the connotation of being untrustworthy,
again, the severity of which will be further aggravated or enlivened by
other cards in the spread,
This card can also represent short journeys full of setbacks, or a

disappointing journey, and it can also predict an unexpected journey
undertaken with a certain degree of urgency,
On a darker note, for I have seen the behaviour of this card acting like
the opposite of the upright meaning, in connection with divine
intervention, In this instance the intermediary carrying the spiritual
force is a "dark angel", a negative spiritual entity which has been
invoked or evoked to cause harm to someone, This card, when in
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combination with a specific sequence of cards which indicate curses,
adds the extra dimension of a powerful spiritual force to the news
conveyed, that can even be satanic in its evil and wicked intent.
In a health reading it indicates delays in getting treatment or mistakes

in medical analysis. It also heralds the need for a medical examination.
Keywords: There are no official keywords for this card as the title says
it all; it mainly represents a Messenger, an Intermediary, or an
Ambassador, and can also mean: news, information, communication,
and short journeys. When reverse it means: delays, setbacks,
unexpected journeys, problematic journeys and untrustworthy
intermediaries.
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Queen of Diamonds
MARRIED WOMAN
(Donna Maritata)
Card Description: A caring

mother is listening to the
requests of her two children. The
older child, her daughter, seems
to be praying. She is asking for
something and so is the little boy.
The mother is loving and kind,
and cares very much for her
children. Although she is not rich, she provides a clean, tidy
environment for her children, so they can grow up with an
appreciation of the lit.tle things in life, represented by the vase of
flowers on the table behind her.

negative, whether it is found upright or reverse.
Upright: This is a significator card, which does not necessarily refer to

any particular age group. This card indicates a married woman, or a
woman in a serious partnership. Oddly enough, this card does not
248
necessarily indicate a woman with children. This card often refers to a
female querent or to the mother if, of course, they are married or
officially committed to a partner. The meaning is neutral. Other cards
in the spread will describe the character and intentions of this woman.
When this card indicates age, it refers to a woman in her mid thirties
or older.
\<Vhen the twelve of Diamonds describes the inner nature of a person,

it represents an honest woman, someone who is caring, loyal,
dependable, kind and who has the querent's welfare at heart. She gives
good advice and can keep secrets (this card can also be the card
representing the querent, in which case she will have these character
traits). In short, this card describes a good woman with a generous
heart.
This card can also describe a highly practical woman, with specific
skills and abilities (which will be indicated by other cards in the
spread). This card also implies a love of animals, children and nature,
and tells of mothering/nurturing qualities.
Financially it indicates prosperity, stability and how trustworthy is an

offer or a business partnership.
When this card, albeit rarely, represents a situation, it describes a

nurturing and harmonious environment that enables the querent to
grow and flourish. This card can also represent a woman who
guarantees support, protection and stability to the querent, as well as
representing family values and/or a close family.
In love, for men, it indicates their spouse their partner in a committed

relationship; or for women, it represents them. The card usually marks
249
the partner (or que rent) as being faithful, loyal and genuinely in love
with the other,
In a health reading it is connected to fertility, typically women's

afflictions, and/or recovery of good health, For men, when near to
negative cards, it can indicate that they will be suffering from a disease
that is generally contracted by women (i,e, osteoporosis, etc.)
Reverse: ~'hen reverse the meanings of this card are completely

overturned, save for two great exceptions, that require experience in
being able to identify and interpret it correctly.
The neutral meaning of the reverse Queen (twelve) of Diamonds

represents a woman who is divorced, widowed or separated, The
second, neutral, but rarer, meaning is that of a good woman who is in
trouble, This woman can be someone who is in trouble due to her
own problems, or someone who will get into trouble as a result of
helping another (usually the querent), However, the card could also
point to the querent, if female, getting into trouble in some way, This is
however not a common meaning, and it is given only for the sake of
accuracy, To use this meaning as the primary one could be a great
mistake,
These are the only impersonal meanings of this card, which has only
negative connotations thereafter,
This card describes a calculating, malicious and wicked woman, She

is scheming, remorseless, opportunistic and untrustworthy, and more
often than not she is also a bad mother (or has no mothering instincts
whatsoever), She is the sort of person who thrives on gossip, lies and
250
playing both ends against the middle, without feeling the slightest bit
guilty about it.
This card represents, falseness, persistent vindictiveness, and a woman

who is malicious and cunning. This is a woman who has caused, or
will cause many problems and put many obstacles in the path of the
querent due to envy or jealousy. Needless to say, when this card
represents a woman with these characteristics, the neutral
interpretations disappear. She can also be married or in a committed
relationshi p.
In business it represents a colleague or businesswoman not to be

trusted. She is defined by a ruthless approach and a big ego, and can
quickly change sides to suit her own convenience. This card refers to
hesitancy due to instability and the unwillingness of the querent to
make financial decisions because the risks are greater than the
benefits.
This woman can also be a person who puts the fear of God into the
querent, like a stern older woman who has a position of authority over
other people.
In love, this is not a good sign. It represents bitter ex-partners that have
the aforementioned characteristics. Due to the presence of two children
in the card, the twelve of Diamonds describes an ex-partner who uses
the children as leverage against her ex-husband/partner. In a family
environment this woman can be a relative (even the mother or the
querent herselfll who is malicious, envious and plotting her next act of
vengeance.
251
When this card describes a situation, it indicates conditions of hostility,
perfidy, backstabbing and actions taken with the sole purpose of
damaging the querent. The neutral meaning, referring to situations, is
that of utter confusion, fear, doubts about the trustworthiness of other
people, and uncertainty about one's future.
Magically, this is a card that indicates the presence of psychic attack

originating from a woman who has all the negative characteristics
described for the reverse position of this card. The twelve of Diamonds
in fact describes a woman who has no qualms about using
magic/esoteric knowledge to hurt other people. This is not someone
who is spiritually "empty", who believes in nothing, but it is someone
who has a deeply-rooted belief that black magic can indeed be used to
hurt other people successfully and with no adverse consequences for
herself Unlike the twelve of Spades, this card does not necessarily
imply that this woman is the sorceress herself, merely someone who
hired another to misuse magic in this way (however the other scenario
can also be true). In a health reading it indicates aggressive diseases, a
relapse, a disease that becomes chronic or a period of time spent in
hospital (especially with reference to a woman, if the querent is a man;
or to a woman close to a female querent, if other cards indicate this).
Keywords: The Official keywords are "Perfidy, Jealousy", which are

true for the reverse interpretation of this card. I would add
vindictiveness, co1d-heartedness, selfishness and remorselessness.
Upright meanings are: a loving woman, a caring woman, protection
from a woman, good advice, loyalty and trustworthiness.
252
King ofDiamonds
THE MERCHANT (Mercante)
Card Description: A merchant is

waiting for someone to arrive. He
has a frown on his face, his arms
are crossed and he seems very
annoyed with the person who is
running late. He is very
meticulous and lateness irks him.
His merchandise is on either side
of him, tidily packed, ready to be
loaded on to a means of
transport, a cart or a ferry. It is clear now that he is waiting for one of
his collaborators to go on a business trip, probably to the local
market.
The Essence of the Card: i\ neutral card.
Upright: The financial interpretation of this card comes to the forefront

with the Merchant card. In its neutral, and main, interpretation this card
means "work", one's job, a job offer. It is without any connotation in
itself, as to the outcome, as other cards in the spread will clarifY
whether it is good or bad. All other meanings are secondary. These
253
can represent a businessman, one's boss, an equally powerful
colleague (for those who already have important job positions). When it
describes the inner nature of a person, this card speaks of a man who
is meticulous, pragmatic, has good business sense, is a good salesman
and very often he is also rich, not from having inherited his wealth, but
from having been successful in business. This man is smart but his
perspicuity is more shrewdness than academic intelligence (such as the
intelligence indicated by the cards of the Great Gentleman or the
Scholar). His charisma lies in his persona more than his appearance,
as more often than not he is not conventionally handsome, but exudes
an aura of magnetism, leadership and charisma.
Professionally this man is the querent's boss or an entrepreneur, a

salesman, a shopkeeper, a sales representative, an accountant, a
banker, someone very skilled at selling their product. This person can
also be someone who is good with figures such as a mathematician, a
physicist, a professor of scientific subjects and/or a scientist but only
when nearby cards represent academic learning. This man is usually
honest, trustworthy and has a lot of common sense (unless other cards
contradict this). In financial matters it indicates prosperous commerce,
meeting influential people, and advantageous business/job offers.
Nevertheless, if negative cards follow the positive connotations,
prosperity will quickly fade away. In love, it indicates a cold and
calculating partner. It can also indicate that the partner is in the
relationship for financial gain. There is an exchange of some kind,
sometimes not even financial, in which one partner benefits (or even
both) from the union. Near the nine of Spades and the ace of Clubs it
can also indicate an arranged marriage. In love, it is never positive as it
254
always indicates selftshness and ulterior motives. In this the thirteen of
Diamonds is similar to the reverse seven of Hearts inasmuch as it
indicates a cold and calculating man. It is different from the coldness of
a partner identified by the thirteen of Spades, where that man is
detached, unemotional but nonetheless faithful and dependable,
without the calculating, self-serving streak present in the men
represented by the thirteen of Diamonds (and the reverse seven of
Hearts). In a health reading it relates to medication, pills and tablets, as
well as out of pocket expenses. This card represents a pharmaceutical
representative, a pharmacist or even a pharmaceutical company. As a
medical condition it represent baldness, thinning and/or greying hair,
and any complication with the hair, scalp, arms and hands
Reverse: This is not a very good card when reverse as it represents a

swindler, a con man, a mobster, a loan shark, a tyrannical boss, a
businessman not to be trusted. Near to the two of Spades and the
three of Hearts it indicates a sleazy second hand car salesman.
It also indicates someone who is completely unreasonable and at best,

someone who lacks the common sense to make good business
decisions, causing his business heavy losses and unnecessary
expenditure. This card also indicates a fierce competitor who uses
sleazy tactics to steal other people's clients. This card also warns of
contracts to be signed, as they often hide undesirable clauses or cause
unforeseen complications. This card can also indicate a terrible work
environment, setbacks at work, something that will tum one's career
upside down, an unfulftlling job and complications in one's career
and/or in choosing a profession. The man represented by this card is
255
corrupt and has no moral conscience. He exploits instead of helping,
and gets richer and richer on the back of other people's hard work He
is a cruel taskmaster with no compassion or remorse in his heart. This
card is also connected to contraband, illegal businesses, forced labour
and exploitation.
In love, the meaning of this card does not change from its upright
position however a certain element of danger is added to this
character, for he can be cruel, ruthless and brutal. Near to cards that
indicate slavery, unwillingness and bondage, such as the reverse seven
of Spades, plus the nine of Spades and the reverse four of Hearts, this
card indicates a pimp, a criminal, a man who grooms innocent women
and/or men and forces his victims into prostitution.
This is a card that indicates someone who is misguided in their ideas

or in their assessment of a situation (especially a financial one). In a
health reading this card indicates medical analysis/treatment that is not
needed, but they are carried out so that the patient can pay for them. It
describes a corrupt doctor. Special attention should be paid to this
card near to cards that represent teeth, as it indicates unnecessary (or
overpriced) dental work advised only to make more money by an
unscrupulous dentist.
Keywords: The Official keywords are "Perfidious Person", this is true

when reverse, and also a con man, a swindler, illegal business ventures
and a troublesome work environment. Upright meanings are: a good
businessman, one's boss, work, business proposals, common sense
and a practical man. Lottery Numbers: 79 and 12
256
otwithstanding the final pages of my introduction to La
Vera Sibilla, I want you to know that this is not necessarily the end of
our journey together, for this is just the beginning. To truly understand
what the cards want to say to you, and in the context in which a faithful
and accurate interpretation of them is to be known, you will need to
develop a more in-depth comprehension of the card combination and
spreads, as well as having a great deal of practice to gain even the
most basic experience necessary to read accurately and appropriately
for others.
Throughout this book I have given some glimpses of this, but to fully
appreciate the story that unfolds as the cards make themselves known
to us, there is an unequivocal need for proper training in the art of
Italian Cartomancy. The vast variety of meanings to each card makes
this essential, and it becomes all the more important when one
considers the ability of La Vera Sibilla to predict challenging
circumstances and events, and in particular matters relating to health,
misfortune and even death. This should never be underestimated nor
taken lightly. Being referred to in Italy as 'the chatty cards (Ie
chiaccherine), reading La Vera Sibilla requires a great deal of
discernment, and it would be quite inappropriate for me to provide the
257
keys to such unfettered information without first practicing such
necessary discernment about my students.
The Internet is truly amazing in so many ways, and I have personally

benefitted from many chance connections with some truly wonderful
people over the last few months. Those new acquaintances have
shown great interest in La Vera Sibilla and many of them have given
me unending support and encouragement my quest to complete this
book I shall forever be grateful for their kindness, and I shall not forget
that small band of brothers and sisters who have willingly and warmly
shared this journey with me.
Although the Internet is wonderful for information and its connection

with like minded souls, perhaps one of the more unfortunate
disadvantages of a global online community is the ease with which just
about anyone can gain access to sensitive or otherwise esoteric
knowledge and information. Whilst in most cases online such
information is often watered down, simplified and generalised, there is
an unfortunate tendenCy for the old ways to be indiscriminately
commercialised too. Such people trivialise, simplifY and provide
indiscriminate access to a "have it now "society that has neither the
desire, nor I suspect the personal skills necessary to learn properly,
honestly and comprehensively before unleashing themselves onto an
unsuspecting and unprepared world of very well-meaning but sadly
often vulnerable, impressionable people.
258
Anything that appears to solve personal problems, provide answers
and solutions to pressing everyday challenges, and to assist where
nothing else is perceived to be able to, will be attractive to others.
People would generally rather pay someone to solve their personal
problems than solve them for themselves. Indeed, some problems are
not meant to be easy to solve, they are learning opportunities. They
require us to find our own solutions and make our own decisions. The
Sibille are not a panacea for all ills, nor are they a suitable alternative
to self-thought and self-responsibility. They are a guide, a provider of
likely outcomes upon which each individual should ponder and make
up their own mind. La Vera Sibilla cards do not give advice, they
merely pose possible options and outcomes, and it is the task of the
true and competent reader to give good and sound information and
guidance upon which the subject can draw. As with all things, any
decision is only as good as the information available upon which the
decision was made.
La Vera Sibilla was never created to infirm, it exists to inform and it

does so with no regard to the one doing the informing. The true
essence of La Vera Sibilla, as with any deck of cards, will always lie in
the intent, emotional intelligence and integrity of the reader, assuming
that they have sufficient experience to read them in the first place. A
good reader will have spent considerable time reading only for
themselves, and about events and circumstances, to gain the
knowledge and experience necessary before ever reading for others. If
you do not fully comprehend this, and you are unable to hold back
your enthusiasm until you have earned the right to read for others
259
through proper practice over a sufficiently appropriate period of time,
then you should not be reading the cards for anything but personal
use, simply because of the responsibility that comes from reading for
others. La Vera Sibilla is not an intuitive cartomancy deck as such. You
cannot simply look at the images and know for certain what they mean
by some intuitive impulse, unless you are clairvoyant. That being the
case, you need to know that reading La Vera Sibilla has nothing to do
with clairvoyance as such, outside of its possible use as a reference
tool for clairvoyant images to appear. I cover this in my courses, but it
is important to realise that reading La Vera Sibilla is a skill just like
any other. It takes time, practice, more practice, getting it wrong, getting
it right and getting it wrong allover again, to develop the unconscious
competence to know what each card, combination and spread means.
Anyone can learn this skill, but as with all skills, some people put more
of their time and themselves into it than others.
Giving card readings is not something to be taken lightly. Indeed, in my

home country of Italy, it is a criminal offence to give readings that
provide health information of any kind. Whilst by law, and quite
reasonably, I must declare that card reading is for entertainment
purposes only and that it does not constitute any form of advice
whatsoever, the fact is that those who request readings often visit card
readers at important and even critical stages in their lives. Many seek
reassurances and 'advice' from the cards, frequently disregarding
warnings or disclaimers on the part of the reader; if indeed most
readers actually do provide them in one-to-one readings, which they
always should do. Regardless of what some may prefer us to believe,
260
such a responsibility to the mental and psychological wellbeing of
others by providing card readings is not something to be dabbled with
or taken lightly. Whilst I make no judgment and there is a place for all
kinds of human endeavour, activity and interest in this world, serious
esoteric study requires a range of relatively uncommon personal skills,
traits and attributes that, whilst not being better than or above any
others, are necessary for the profiCient and professional reading of
cards. They include faSCination, burning desire, enthusiasm, focus,
dedication, and above all respect for the tradition and heritage of the
chosen cards.
It is one thing to be a seeker and quite another to be a spiritual addict,

constantly moving on to the next quick fix There is a world of
difference between the dedicated and serious cartomancer and the
interested hobby card reader. I\o sensible and reasoning individual
would think that just anyone can become a master of a deck in just a
short period of time.
As with any serious human endeavour, not unlike studying for a

degree, becoming a teacher, doctor, nurse or even, and perhaps
especially, being a parent for the first time, the accomplishment of even
the most basic level of skill can take more than a few years to achieve.
The best card readers have spent years honing their skill through time
served practice and experience, becoming very proficient in their deck
of choice (which is usually one in particular, at most three).
I have worked with LC\ Vera Sibilla for more years than I care to
remember, and I am still learning, still discovering new things about my
deck and its amazingly complex nuances and individual quirks. Most
261
importantly, I am only as good as my last reading and to think
otherwise would foolhardy of me. For that reason, and out of
uncompromising respect for my own education over many years, I
believe that all card readers should be sufficiently well-versed in the
etiquette, protocols and practises of responsible card reading, which
includes a level of proper training and experience, as well as suitable
testing and assessment of their capabilities. This will not fit well with
those who view La Vera Sibilla as just another deck with which to do
the occasional reading for fun, but lowe it to those who came before
me not to reveal information about grave matters without, what today is
called, due diligence on my part.
There exist some modem Tarot decks that have been reproduced to
exclude cards like the Death card, for example. To cater for the more
sensitive and impressionable individuals in this way speaks for itself.
Thankfully, the Vera Sibilla deck has not yet been corrupted with
commercial spin-offs, devoid of true esoteric lineage and traditional
values and symbolism, and therefore it makes no allowances for such
sensitivities. It is, therefore, incumbent upon the reader to do so.
As previously explained, the Sibilla decks that have been redrawn,

have been assigned a different name out of respect for the true
original deck This is the main reason why it is called "True Sybil"
(Vera Sibilla, "vera" means "true" in Italian), for it is the only deck that
represents the original, hence true, symbolism and imagery assigned to
it at its inception.
Should artists from around the world decide to redraw the Sibilla
deck, it is my hope that they would respect the Italian tradition and not
262
call it 'Vera Sibilla" (true Sybil), for the reasons given above. (Once it is
redrawn, it is no longer "true" and to call it "true" would be quite
embarrassing to the artist redrawing the deck, in my opinion). I repeat
here what I wrote at the beginning of this book "In Italy, decks whose
symbolism has changed from the original depictions (those that have
been redrawn) have all been given different names, out of respect for
the original Sibilla tradition. " (i.e. I.e Sibilla della Zingara or Sibilla
800).
For that reason, and all of the above, I am morally compelled to

withhold this information from the public domain, preferring to carry
on the oral tradition of mouth to ear learning only to students of my
School of Italian Cartomancy.
For obvious reasons of time, support, testing, coaching and

assessment, I limit the number of students that I teach each year,
however, that need not deter you from applying if you have a true
heart, honourable motives and a genuine desire to learn La Vera
Sibilla. Experience has taught me that the best students are not to be
sought, they always appear and show that they have earned the right.
Needless to say, my 'chatty little cards' rarely miss the opportunity to
inform me of their pending approach.
263
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE V ERA SIBILLA DIPLOMA
COURSE, VISIT THE SCHOOL OF ITALIAN CARTOMANCY AT
WWW.ITALIANCARTOMANCY.COM AND
WWW.VERASIBILLA.COM
264

Italian Cartomancy - Alessandra Venturi

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Italian Cartomancy - Alessandra Venturi

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What is the history of Italian cartomancy?

What is the history of Italian cartomancy?

What are the basics of card structure in Italian cartomancy?

What are the basics of card structure in Italian cartomancy?

WRITTEN BY ALES SANDRA VENTURY FOR

,,"VI card images are the sole property of Alessandra Venturi,

The History of Italian Cartomancy................................................................................................. 13

The Basics: Card Structure .................................................... "................................... ,.......................... 19

Card Division....... ,....................................... ,... ,.......................................................... ,............................................ 24

The Dominant Suits .................................................................................... ,.................................................. 25

The Subordinate Suits ................................................................. ,... ,.. ,....................................................... 26

The Suit of Hearts ..................................................................................................... "..................................... 29

Ace of Hearts - Conversation............................................................................................................. 30

T\vo of Hearts - House .............................................................. ,...... ,........................................................34

Three of Hearts - Fairview. ......................................... ".......... "........... ,................................................. 38

Four of Hearts - Love ..................................................................................................... ,............................. 41

Five of Hearts - Happiness of the Heart.............................................................................. ..43

Six of Hearts - ,r\Iloney......................................................................... ,.............. ,' ....................................... 47

Seven of Hearts - Scho1ar...................................................................................................................... 50

Eight of Hearts - Hope ................................................................................................................................54

Nine of Hearts - Loyalty.............................................................................................................................58

Ten of Hearts - Perseverance ............................................................................................................ 61

Jack of Hearts - The Lover.. ................................................................................................................. 64

Queen of Hearts - The Lover............................................................................................................. 67

The Suit of Clubs""""""""""""."""""""""""""".".""""."""""""""""""""""""".""""""""""""""""".74

Ace of CI ubs - Hymenaios"."""""""."."."."."""""""""""""""".""""""""""".. """",,""".,,"""",,. 75

Two of Clubs - Haughtiness."""""."""""" .. """"""""""""."""""""""""""""""""".""""""""",,80

Three of Clubs - Travel.."""""""""""""""""."""""""""""""""""""".""""""" .. "."."""""""""".".84

Four of Clubs - The F riend"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""",,87

Five of Clubs - Fortune"""""""""."""""""""""""""""""""."""""""""""""""""""".""""""""""".90

Six of Clubs - Comforting Surprise"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""".92

Seven of Clubs - Great Consolation""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""".95

Eight of Clubs - The Reunion.""""""""""".""""""" .. """""""""""".""".".""""""""""""""".,,98

l\ine of Clubs - Happiness"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""".102

Ten of Clubs - Carefreeness"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" I 05

Jack of Clubs - The F ootman"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" I 08

Queen of Clubs - The Young Lady""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 112

King of Clubs - The Doctor.."""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""".117

The Suit of Spades."."""""""""""""""""""""."""""""""""""""""""." .. """"""""""""""""""'"'''' 122

Ace of Spades - Sorrow""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""".......................................... ,,"""""" 125

Six of Spades - Sighs""""" .. ".. """""""".""""""""" .. ".. ".. """""".""""""""""""""""""""'"'''''''' 152

Eight of Spades - Consumed with Jealousy.................................................................. 165

Nine of Spades - Prison........................................................................................................................ 170

Ten of Spades - Soldier.. .................................................................................................................... 177

Jack of Spades - The Enemy......................................................................................................... 182

Queen of Spades- The Enemy.................................................................................................... 187

King of Spades - The PriesL .......................................................................................................... 192

The Suit of Diamonds.............................................................................................................................. 197

Ace of Diamonds - The Room. ..................................................................................................... 198

Two of Diamonds - The Letter.. .................................................................................................... 202

Three of Diamonds - Gift of Precious Stones ............................................................. 205

Four of Diamonds - F alseness ......................................................................................................211

Five of Diamonds - Melancholy.................................................................................................... 216

Six of Diamonds - Thought... ............................................................................................................ 220

Seven of Diamonds - The' Child................................................................................................... 224

Eight of Diamonds - The Housemaid................................................................................... 228

I\ine of Diamonds - The Lunatics ............................................................................................. 233

Ten of Diamonds - The Thief.. ...................................................................................................... 239

Jack of Diamonds - The Messenger... .................................................................................... 244

Queen of Diamonds - The Married Woman................................................................. 248