Minetta Card Reading

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“CARD READING
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By MINETTA

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Numerous Diagrams and Three Coloured
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CONTENTS.

Introductory — Values | Dhe Planets the:


of Suits and Cards — Wish-_The Four Aces
Various Combinations — Counting by Sevens
_- Displaying the Cards-_The Smaller Cards—
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-—Position—__The Star The Horoscope —The
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Sea
of Fortune — The Ancient Tarot Major -

Week’s Hvents— The and Winer Arcana—


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‘Twenty-four Hours — Rules of Cartomancy.
teehee

WILLIAM RIDER & SON. LIMITED.


SSS

ie RIDER Si
Uniform with this Volume.
2/- Net each. —

oe a0 :
A Manual of Bypuotisu.
By H. Eryest Hunt, author of “ Nerve
Control.’ Crown 8vo, 136pp.

Dand-Reading; ov, che science of Chiroloay.


By an Apert. Third Edition, with

Seventeen Illustrations. Crown 8yvo,

120pp.

Astrology. 5
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Popular Phrenoiogy.
By J. Mituotr Severn. Grown Syo,
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CARD-READING
(Frontispiece.)

i,
PLATE
CARD-READING
A PRACTICAL GUIDE

By MINETTA

WITH INTRODUCTION BY “SEPHARIAL”

WITH FOUR PLATES AND NUMEROUS DIAGRAMS

THIRD IMPRESSION

LONDON
WILLIAM RIDER AND SON, LTD.
1918
First published November 1913
Reprinted November 1915
Reprinted October 1918
PREFACE

In the following pages I have tried to communicate


all that is essential to a thorough understanding and
practical test of Cartomancy. I have thought it
advisable to keep to those methods which, in my
experience, have proved the most satisfactory, and
which, at the.same time, are easy to follow. The
free use of illustrations and diagrams in connection
with the text will no doubt make everything con-
spicuously clear to all my readers. In dealing with
the Tarot, I have availed myself of material which
is perhaps better presented, and certainly more
generously treated, in other works, particularly that
by Mr. A. E. Waite, to whom my acknowledgment
due. At the same time I have been able to introduce
is
one or two features of the Tarot which are traditional
among Kubalists and not hitherto incorporated ix
any book.
That the book will be found both usefui and enter-
taining is my whole wish.
MINETTA,
LIST OF PLATES

Puate I. ° »
- » Fontispiece
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° 34
Silla, eis « >
yon), 46

AE ee * ° ” » 96

vi
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE

INTRODUCTION - - ° - . I
I. PRELIMINARIES - - . - q
Il, VALUES OF SUITS AND CARDS - - I4
III. VARIOUS COMBINATIONS - -
528
IV. DISPLAYING THE CARDS
Vv. POSITION -
-
e 2
-
s
80
aoe
VI. THE STAR OF FORTUNE “ - 3)
ae
VII. THE WEEK’S EVENTS - - - - 48
VIII. THE TWENTY-FOUR HOURS - - = N53

IX. THE PLANETS -


- - - - 56
X. THE WISH - - - - - 59
XI. THE FOUR ACES - - : - 63
XII. COUNTING BY SEVENS - - - - 68
XII THE SMALLER CARDS - - - oy
iota

XIV, THE HOROSCOPE - - - me


A,
XV. TO DETERMINE A PROJECT - - - 48
XVI. THE FULL PACK - - “ - 82
XVII. THE ANCIENT TAROT - - . - 86
XVII. THE MINOR ARCANA - - * =.)
492
XIX, CONCLUSION” - - ” - - Too

RULES OF CARTOMANCY - - SAO S,

vil
CARD-READING
INTRODUCTION
Tue idea that there can be no natural basis for the
scientific examination of Cartomancy is one that is
liable to instant dissipation at the hands of an
experienced Cartomante. For if it be a fact that
events not within the apprehension of normal faculty
are accurately predicted by this means of divination,
then we have to include the fact in the category
of things natural, since it is by the exercise of a
natural, although perhaps supernormal, faculty that
the Cartomante is enabled to vaticinate.
Now,it is undoubtedly the fact that such prediction
is possible, and it has been certified on many occasions.
The author of this manual was on one occasion
tested by Mr. Holt Schooling, the well-known statis-
ticilan, who was then collecting information and
evidence for the purpose of publication. ‘‘ Being little
versed in mathematics and comparative values, and
quite without interest in such subjects, I had not
even made acquaintance with the name of my visitor.

But when he explained his object to me, I at once


i
2 CARD-READING
consented to undergo a test of my powers. In effect
I told him much that was past and something of the
future, both aspects of hislife being totally unknown
tome. Finally, I told him four things which I affirmed
would happen within the next forty-eight hours. He
maintained an impassive attitude until the end of the
experiment, when he informed me that so far as the
past was concerned, and also in regard to his present
relations, my reading had been surprisingly accurate,
but as to the events in the future he would be able
to speak certainly when he wrote his article for
Pearson’s Magazine.” Thus far Minetta.
The report by Mr. Holt Schooling is found in the
May (1897) issue of that Journal, as follows:
“ Later Minetta proceeded to tell me four things
which would happen to me within a week or so.
Well, these four things did happen within a week
or so. A. facer, I admit. So far as each of these
near events admitted of calculation by the method
of probability, I have computed the respective chance
of each of the four events happening within a week
or so to be 50 to xr
against, 13 to 1 against, 50 to
I against, 25 to I against. These estimates of the
respective chances of the events happening within
the time stated are, I believe, rather under than over
the true degree of probability. Working out: the
odds against this quadruple event coming off, I find
them to be 946,763 tox. Rather long odds to pull
through. I do not attempt to explain this, but I
think it fair to state the facts.”
INTRODUCTION 3
The fact that Mr. Holt Schooling remained
sceptical as to the validity of the art of prognostica-
tion by this means, only shows that he is extremely
difficult to convince, or, alternatively, that he has no
faith in statistics, and that figures prove nothing
at all. Yet the fact remains that in regard to the
average man at least three-fourths of his mental
outfit has been taken over bodily on trust, and the
residue of his mind-content is an incidental over-
growth or deposit due to the circumstance of mental
habit.
Modern experimental psychology has so far en-
larged our ideas as to what is possible as regards
what is improbable, that we have little difficulty in
producing a reasonable argument in support of the
validity of prognostication by this and other means.
It consists in the demonstration of what is called
the automatic faculty acting in connection with the
subliminal consciousness, or that submerged part of
the mental continent which is related to psychic
function. What this psyche is that functions to the
prediction of events which neither reason nor calcu-
lation can compass, has not been clearly defined by.
psychologists. But it is universally admitted that
in it resides the consciousness of things in latency,
the knowledge of events that are veridical although
unremembered by the individual, or yet in the womb
of, the future. From all the evidence collected in
connection with experiments in various forms of
divination, in psychometry, crystal-gazing, carto-
4 CARD-READING
mancy, geomancy, and other forms of the exercise
of the automatic faculty, it would appear that there
is a certain submerged stratum of the mind which
is
related to whatis called the anima mundi or World-
Soul, in which are stored up not only all past events
as memory deposits, but also all future events as
things im posse. Possibly the subconscious hemi-
sphere of the mind is sunk in this universal medium,
or is in intimate connection with it, so that psychic
changes taking place in the diviner operate in it to
produce the liberation of latent impressions which
rise into the region of the attentive or external mind
as definite impressions, bubbles which well up from
the unknown depths of the soul and burst upon the
surface. The idea may appear fanciful, but I think
it more logical and more permissible to elaborate
a theory in regard to the facts of psychology than
to deny those facts in face of experience, \
Many years of experience in the art of Cartomancy
has convinced me that wherever the faculty exists it
is a more or less constant quantity, and its efficient
exercise can be relied upon to give consistently
accurate results. On the face of it there is nothing
improbable in the idea that the cards may be used
in conjunction with an intuitive faculty when once
we have decided that each card shall have a definite
meaning. We use this method of communication
between individuals, as in the case of printed books
where the letters are so many signals carrying a
definite value, their combinations making other more
INTRODUCTION 5

complex symbols which import a meaning in the


form of words which denote things, actions, states,
and qualities. By such signals we provoke thought
and convey definite impressions. If this can be done
between persons, why should not cards or other means
of signalling be used to convey intelligence from the
subconscious tnd intuitive part of us to the region
of our waking or normal consciousness, and that by
the use of the automatic faculty ?
But whatever view we may take with regard to
the causation or process of Cartomancy, the fact
remains that
it is a veridical art, and after eliminating
all those incidents which enter into the complex of
our daily lives as commonplace events, there remains
a host of unexpected and remarkable incidents which
are accurately foretold by this means, and which are
altogether too numerous and circumstantial to be
allowed in the.category of fortuitous forecasts. For
these, as facts of constant experience, psychological
science has to find a reason. That this faculty of
Cartomancy, in common with other methods of
divination, must eventually find a place in every
consistent scheme of thought is obvious to those
who have taken the trouble to verify the facts for
themselves. If it be deemed beneath the dignity of
scientific researchers to examine and decide upon
the subject of Cartomancy, then it must surely be
derogatory for them to countenance dowsing, crystal-
gazing, and other forms of psychic faculty which
have quite recently engaged their attention. The
6 CARD-READING
facts of psychology are ultimately of more import-
ance to the human race than those of either chemistry
or astronomy, which are both highly endowed sciences
and well served by the highest scientific faculty.
In the present work the simple facts are set out in
a manner which will enable anybody possessing the
faculty of intuitive synthesis to make direct and
reliable predictions. That, doubtless, is all that is
expected in a popular exposition of Cartomancy, and
I think it will be found both entertaining to the
ordinary reader and of considerable interest to those
engaged in psychic research.
SEPHARIAL,
CHAPTER

PRELIMINARIES
I
CARTOMANCY has this reputation to its credit, that,
whereas it was in existence 3,000 years before Christ,
it still persists, and is, perhaps, more in vogue to-day
than ever before, because of the recrudescence of
interest in psychic phenomena, and all that tends to
establish the fact of the exercise in certain individuals
of a supernormal faculty.
In ancient China, the Emperors, presiding over
the destinies of a vast populace, consulted the oracles
and diviners before embarking on any new enterprise.
They regulated their administration according to the
agreement or disagreement of the exterior council
and the forecasts of the interior diviners. They used
to engrave copper and silver discs with designs of
similar import to those in modern use. The Hebrews
engraved plates of gold and copper with the symbols
of the Tarot, and these were afterwards copied and
interpreted by the Kabalists, such as Simeon ben
Jochai, Rosenrath, L’Abbé Constant (Eliphas Levi),
and others. The tradition has been preserved
through the ages during forty centuries, showing at
7
8 CARD-READING
least that in the estimation of certain persons, who
had made a study of the matter, the art, of Carto-
mancy was worthy of preservation.
Beginners who wish to excel in the art of fortune-
telling, which is, of course, the popular expression of
this subject, must not be discouraged by preliminary
failures. One does not learn a foreign language in
a day or a month, nor even to read one’s own lan-
guage with facility under several months of constant
study. So why should we expect proficiency in a
universal language of symbolism without study and
practice? Nothing that is worth having at all, nor
any subject that is worth study, can be mastered
without some difficulty.
A prevalent cause of disappointment is that tyros
in the art expect all their predictions to be fulfilled
in a day, or, at most, in a few days. The law of
causation forbids any such precipitant realization of
events. Time is the womb of Nature, from which
events are born, and of the three factors—time,
place, and circumstance—the former is the most
difficult to predict. The reason is obvious. All
events that are subject to prediction stand in the
same present relations to one another in the con-
sciousness of the Seer. There is no past or future.
The events predicted are in the same category as
events that are present.
Another prevalent mistake of inexperienced persons
is one that arises out of the foregoing: It is that of
connecting all events that are indicated by the cards
PRELIMINARIES 9

with the particular set of circumstances then in


existence. In many cases they refer to an entirely
different environment. Seer and} Consultant should
read and interpret in perfect dispassion, and without
regard to any special associations with persons,
times, places, and circumstances. Just take the
facts as they present themselves, and do net seek
to fit them in with things as you now know them.
This is the only means of getting at the unbiassed
truth.
Test subjects may be found in the results of trials,
contests, etc., in which one of the interested parties
is the Consultant. I have often been tested this way,
and have never failed, but I have often been laughed
at and asked if I have read the evidence or seen the
papers. All the evidence I have wanted has been in
the cards before me.
There are many things that are not ‘in the cards”
which are nevertheless imported to the reading by a
very definite impression of the mind of the Carto-
mante at the time of making a prediction, and in
some subtle way the impression is doubtless con-
veyed by the cards, without, however, being in any
sense conspicuous. Particularly is this the case
with regard to the time element, and the best advice
I can give to the student is that such impressions
should be voiced and included as part of the inter-
pretation. They are most generally right, in some
cases surprisingly so, and they doubtless have their
origin in the intuitive faculty. The following extract
Io CARD-READING
from a letter will show that the time-sense can be
relied upon when it is vividly connected with an
:

event shown by the cards:


“ December 10, 1805.

“.
.. By-the-by, those cards of yours are wonderful.
When
you were here last time you were good enough
to tell Mr. his fortune. You said that he would
have a billet offered him, which he would do well to
accept, and that in all probability he would be on
the seas within three weeks. The very next day he
was surprised at having a billet offered him, and in
a fortnight’s time he sails off. Several things you
told me have happened. Of course, we all swear by
your prophecies.”
It would be a matter of some interest to psycho-
logists if it could be shown that the success of
predictions depended entirely on the degree of
expectancy in the mind of the Consultant, or that
events within the consciousness of the latter were
alone those which formed the subject of successful
prediction. Such, however, isnot the case. Scepti-
cism is no barrier to correct prognosis. Events
outside the range of conscious anticipation are those
which are most frequent and certainly most remark-
able. Here is a case in point :
“ LINCOLN’s INN FIELDS,
“ Fune 14, 1895.

s. . . You have made me a believer in the future


being foretold by cards. I am sorry I did not
PRELIMINARIES II
follow your advice about that speculation; I lost
heavily, as you said I should. Will you see if I am
going to be successful in the case I am defending?
I won’t tell you anything about it, but shall await
your reply with interest... .”
This gentleman was a great sceptic, but it is seen
that the verdict of the cards was entirely contrary to
his own hopes and beliefs as implied in his specula-
tion, and quite obviously they were more accurate
than his own judgment.
When the Consultant shuffles the cards prelimi-
nary to their being laid out by the Cartomante,
he should keep his mind a blank and let the auto-
matic part of his mind have full play. Let him rid
his mind of all preconceptions as to what he expects
to be told or desires to know. He should just
shuffle the cards and talk about the weather or other
superficial subject not relevant to his main purpose
of consultation. This will serve for all practical
purposes.
Those who believe in the latent powers of the
human soul may say as fervently as they can while
shuffling the cards: ‘I
believe in the power of my
own soul to divine the future. I desire to know the
truth concerning it. I engage to be guided by what-
soever it may reveal.”
THE Pack.
The complete pack of cards contains fifty-two,
divided into four suits, but for purposes of divina-
12 CARD-READING
tion the Bézique pack of thirty-two cards only is
required.
In the ancient Tarot pack there were seventy-
eight cards, consisting of four suits of fourteen cards
each and twenty-two Arcana. These latter were
only interpreted to initiates. They are said to have
been devised to represent the ten, seven, and three
grades of initiation, ending in success or failure.
The Knights of the four suits were attended each by
their Jacks, and these with the Tens, Kings, and
Queens, etc., made up the fourteen cards to each suit.
Later the Jacks and Knights were merged in one, so
that we now have only fifty-two cards in the pack.
These are divided into four suits, which are alter-
nately red and black—namely,
Diamonds, Clubs, Hearts, Spades.

They have certain correspondences which may be


found interesting and at times useful. They are as
follows:
TIME.
Spring Diamonds Morning
Summer Clubs Noon
Autumn Hearts Evening
Winter Spades Night.
AGES.
Youth Diamonds Rise
Manhood Clubs Culmination
Maturity Hearts Decline
:

Senility Spades End.


PRELIMINARIES “33
STATES.
Hope Diamonds Will
Attainment Clubs Thought
Enjoyment Hearts Feeling
Abandonment Spades Sense.

The fifty-two cards have a correspondence with


the fifty-two weeks of the year, and the four suits
with the four seasons each of thirteen weeks.
For the purpose of the present demonstration only
thirty-two cards are used, the Twos,’ Threes, Fours,
Fives, and Sixes of each suit being rejected. We
may now consider the values attaching to the four
suits and the significance of each of the cards
therein. This is the alphabet of Cartomancy, and
no reading can take place without a proficient know-
ledge of
it.
CHAPTER II
VALUES OF SUITS AND CARDS

Ir has been said that in Cartomancy


it is permissible
to attach any meaning whatsoever to any of the
cards or suits so long as you hold by that significance
consistently. To this statement there is an over-
whelming objection, which should be stated before
we go further. Certainly it is true concerning any
symbol whatsoever that it has no other significance
than that which we import to it, and the symbolism of
colours, stars, planets, flowers, stones, etc., has been
discoursed upon times without number. But always
it will be found that significance can attach toa
no

symbol unless there exists in the mind of the reader


a definite idea connected with that symbol. One
could not say with any true regard to the symbolism
of things that one was as black as snow or as pliable
as a rock.
The snow universally stands as a symbol for white-
ness, purity, and the rock for hardness and rigidity.
These are their natural qualities, and they have their
correspondences in human character. It is in their
“relations to human character that they get their
14
VALUES OF SUITS AND CARDS 15

symbolical values. Similarly the suit of Diamonds,


which is the briefed form of the sword or dagger
(glaive), cannot at any time be consistently used as
significant of anything but incisiveness, sharpness,
celerity, so far as human character is concerned.
Clubs, because they are the batons of the traditional
Cartomancy, have asseciations with power, force of
mind, authority and stability.
What is usually referred to as the Law of Cor-
respondence has not yet had full definition at the
hands of writers on the subject, for it has not been
clearly shown by what means forms and colours come
to have certain definite meanings. Probably it will
be found on close analysis that there are definite
laws of thought imposed upon us by the fact of our
being, and therefore it is impossible for us to mistake
the natural significance of things.
But the final argument lies in experiment, and if
an expert Cartomante watches anotherwho is merely
a tyro! in the laying out and interpretation of the
cards, it will soon appear that incorrect readings are
not fulfilled, that obvious combinations pointing to
definite events are passed over without notice and
yet are fulfilled, and that finally the significance of
the cards is fully borne out by the course of events,
although unperceived or wrongly interpreted by the
inexperienced reader. This clearly proves that the
subconscious mind, working through the automatic
faculty, expresses itself more fully than is generally
recognized, and that it observes a system of sym-
16 CARD-READING
bolism which has a fixed value irrespective of our
conscious efforts to understand and interpret this
symbolism. The subject is deeply psychological, .

and probably should not find a place in a book of


this nature, but I have ventured to introduce it for
the purpose in hand—that of indicating my belief in
the fixed traditional values of the cards. In this
scheme we find the following

VALUES OF SUITS.
Diamonds—Things that are hazardous and pre-
carious, dominated chiefly by surrounding cards.
Finance, speed, celerity.
Clubs—Success, position, authority, good luck,
business.
Hearts—Domestic affairs, the affections and appe-
tites, peace and plenty.
Spades—Misfortunes, distance, darkness, termina-
tion, undoing.
COMBINATIONS.
Diamonds and Hearts together augur success,
ardour, zeal.
Diamonds and Clubs show business success, large
transactions, and prosperity.
Diamonds and Spades are dangerous, accidental,
and sometimes fatal.
Clubs and hearts show sincerity, constancy, fidelity,
requited affections, a well-regulated life, and kindly-
disposed nature.
Clubs and Spades denote despondency, delays,
things remote and hard to be got at, thwartings and
losses.
VALUES OF SUITS AND CARDS 17

Spades and Hearts denote corrupt affections, im-


morality, unfortunate alliances, disappointment, re-
morse.
SIGNIFICATORS.
The Queens are used for all women of marriage-
able age according to their colouring.
The Kings are used for men of mature years,
according to their colouring.
Knaves or Jacks are used for junior males.
Infants are shownby the Five of Diamonds, which
also will indicate a pet that is not human.
Wives take the colouring of their husbands, as a
Club man consulting would take the Queen of Clubs
for his wife should he be married.
In this category—-Diamonds denote very fair red-
haired, flaxen, or white-haired persons, and also
widows of fair complexion. In certain combinations
they denote royalty, and in others servants.
Clubs indicate persons who are neither fair nor
very dark, but between colours.
Hearts denote persons of fair complexion, brown’
hair, and blue eyes.
Spades indicate such as are very dark in com-
plexion, with dark hair and brown eyes.

The characters indicated by the suits are generally


as follows, but attendant cards will greatly modify
the indications, and should be noted:
_ Spades
show deceitful and crafty persons, melan-
choly minds, despondent and misanthropic, lacking
vitality and joyousness.
Clubs denote persons of constancy, reliability, in.
2
-

18 CARD-READING
tegrity, generally intellectual, or following pursuits
that are mental.
Diamonds indicate light, superficial, buoyant,
vivacious minds, very fickle and uncertain, hardly
to be depended upon, yet often inspiring to others.
Hearts denote persons of affectionate disposition,
home-loving and genial, fond of entertaining, given
to hospitality, sympathetic, and sometimes weak and
pliable. ee
Cartomantes who are not yet expert or gifted with
clairvoyant perception should mark such cards as are
the same both ways, such as the Nines and Eights
and Tens of each suit, as their meanings are changed
when reversed.
Knaves in a general way are indicative of the
thoughts of the Kings and Queens of
the same suit.
But also they have the following significations:
Clubs, students and scholars; Diamonds, soldiers;
Hearts, lovers; Spades, traitors.
The significance of the various suits and Court
Cards should be thoroughly learned before going
further. The following significations of the other
cards of each suit can then be noted and committed
to memory.
CLUBS.
Right. Reversed.
Ace — Letters, papers, Delayed letters, unpleas-
luck, riches. ant communications.
Ten —A journey, good Going across water.
fortune.
VALUES OF SUITS AND CARDS 19

Right. Reversed.
Nine—A will or legacy. Troubled journeys, de-
lays.
Right — Affection of a Papers and documents.
Club man. A good
friend or ally.
Seven — Victory, attain- Financial worries.
ment.
-The King reversed shows that he is worried and
perplexed.
The Queen reversed denotes some set-back and
disappointment.

Hearts.
i
Right. Reversed.
Ace—A house. A love- A change of residence.
letter.
Ten — Great affection, Birth, change.
happiness. Corrects
bad cards,
Nine—Wish Card, suc- Love.
cess. Desires fulfilled.
Eight—Love and mar- Jealousy of men.
riage. New clothes.
Furniture.
Seven—Inconstancy. A Jealousy of women.
small success.
The King reversed shows
a
fickle man.
The Queen reversed denotes a revengeful woman.
The Knave is without sex, and denotes always a
lover or one beloved. ‘The closest friend of the Con-
sultant.
20 CARD-READING

SPADES.
Right. Reversed.
Ace—Business. A high Death, annoyance.
building.
Ten — Distance, across Sickness, trouble,
water. Voyages. mourning.
Nine—Failure, loss, un- Death.
doing.
Eight—Night, illness. Deceit, plots, immor-
ality.
Seven—Determination, a Accident, upset.
change.
The King reversed shows an enemy.
The Queen reversed shows plots and scandal.

DIAMONDS.
Right. Reversed.
Ace—A ring, paper A letter of finance.
money.
Ten—Money. Journey.
Nine — Sharp instru- Operation, danger.
ments, sword.
WithMHearts or With Spades, death.
Clubs, speed.
With Spades, grave A coffin.
danger.
Eight — Short journey. Spite, rebuff, insult.
Roadway. Walk.
Seven—Child or pet. Small money.
The King reversed shows a treacherous man.
The Queen reversed denotes a coquette.
=
VALUES OF SUITS AND CARDS a1

THE KNAVES

denote, in a general sense, messengers and agents


acting under the direction of others, as
Knave of Diamonds—-Postman, Government mes-
senger, courier.
Knave of Clubs—Commercial agent, errand-boy,
messenger.
Knave of Hearts—Social and domestic servants.
Knave of Spades—Legal and medical agents and
messengers.
The above may be regarded as the simple natures
of the several cards taken singly by themselves. But
great attention must be paid to cards that are upon
either side of the card under consideration, chiefly
regarding the preceding card for what is past, and
the succeeding card for what is in the future. Thus,
if the Nine of Diamondsis under consideration flanked
on the left by the Nine of Spades and on the right by
the Ten of Hearts, it would indicate a sharp danger
which has just been passed through and will termi-
nate safely; but if the whole reading is in regard to
the future, then there will be a sickness near to death
with providential succour and recovery.
Diamonds accelerate the fulfilment of events signi-
fied. Spades always delay it. Clubs have special
reference to ability and merit, and Hearts to affection
or favour.
If Clubs show papers as in the case of the Ace,
then with an attendant Diamond they signify speedy
dispatches, special messengers, telegrams. If success
22 CARD-READING
is shown in finance by good Diamonds, and Clubs
attend them, it will be due to the use of the mental
powers or natural faculties; but Diamonds with
Hearts show favours, gifts, luck, and speculation.
Thus, by combination of the meanings of the
several suits, you may readily learn to decipher all
indications; but the particular pointing of your
predictions will be a matter of practice, and in pro-
portion as the mechanical reading passes into the
automatic, the intuition will have more and more
play, and in time you will arrive at that stage where
you can hardly be said to “read” the cards—they
will speak for themselves.
CHAPTER III
VARIOUS COMBINATIONS

WHEN several cards of the same value come together


in a cast or laying-out of the cards, they have a
special significance which has repeatedly been found
correct by experience. These combinations may be
enumerated
: a

Fours.
-

Four Aces—An evil combination showing mis-


fortune and adversity. When reversed, they denote
treachery.
Four Kings—Honours; association with digni-
taries. When reversed, they denote litigation and
undertakings in law.
Four Queens—Quarrels; indiscretion; scandal.
Reversed, frivolity.
Four Knaves—Treachery; distraint; an ambush
or deception. Reversed, they denote a law-court.
Four Tens—Denote success; accomplishment of
projects. Reversed, they indicate a disagreeable
surprise.
Four Nines—A robbery; imposition; fraud. Re-
versed, they show avarice.
;
_

Four Eights—Denote projects that are successful


23
24 CARD-READING
useful undertakings. Reversed, they denote dis-
appointment failure.
and

Four Sevens—Children. Reversed, intxigues.

THREES.
Three Aces—Good news; arise in position. Re-
versed, feasting. 4
Three Kings—Successful undertaking. Reversed,
an introduction.
Three Queens—Society; convention. Reversed,
scandal; jealousy.
Three Knaves—Disputes; affronts; plans frus-
trated. Reversed, indifference.
Three Tens—A happy future. Reversed, loss.
Three Nines—Delay to projects. Reversed, greed
of gain.
Three Eights.—Marriage. Reversed, amusements
revelry. ;
Three Sevens—An upset; disturbance. Reversed,
domestic worries.

Pairs.
Two Aces—New plans. Reversed, jealousy; in-
decision.
Two Kings—Friendship. Reversed, new projects.
Two Queens—Friendly consultation. Reversed,
trouble.
Two Knaves—A_ bill; demand. Reversed,
treachery; false friends.
Two Tens—Lucky surprise. Reversed, excesses.
Two Nines—(Red) riches; (Black) disappointment.
Reversed, loss.
VARIOUS COMBINATIONS 25

Two Eights—Flirtation; plans. Reversed, an


undertaking.
-
Two Sevens—A proposal. Reversed, worries.

Several Court Cards coming together show a fes-


tivity or social gathering. Two Red Tens indicate
amarriage. Marriage cards surrounding one who
already married frequently indicate death.
is
“Of course, everything depends on the manner in
which the above Fours, Threes, etc., are combined,
and the cards te which they are related or by which
they are surrounded; but whenever they occur in a
lay, the above interpretations may be safely ascribed
;
to them.
Four Knaves and four Aces show an imprisonment
or distraint; they denote confinement within four
walls. Three Knaves will always impedite the at-
tainment of a wish or ambition. Three Sevens show
an upset, and with the Nine of Diamonds, an accident.
Should the Nine of Spades be touching also, it will
be fatal. The exact rendering of every combination
can only be accomplished by considerable study and
experience. Some of the more striking combinations
of mixed sorts may be given here for guidance:

MIxED COMBINATIONS.

King of Clubs and Ten of Hearts—-Sincere love.


Knave of Diamonds and Ten of Spades—Trouble
and unrest.
Ten of Hearts and Ace ef Diamonds—A wedding.
26 CARD-READING
Eight of Hearts and Ace of Diamonds—An engage-
ment ring.
Nine of Spades and Nine of Diamonds—A death.
Seven of Spades and Nine of Diamonds—An
accident.
Knave of Hearts and Seven of Diamonds—A love
child.
Knave of Diamonds and Seven of Hearts—Jealousy.
Ace of Spades between King and Queen—Illicit
union.
Court Card with Seven of Spades—A false.
friend.
Ace of Spades and Nine of Clubs—A theatre
Ace of Spades with Hearts—A love affair.
Ace of Spades with Diamonds—Financial diffi-
culties.
King and Queen of a suit—-A compact, engage-
ment.
Queen of Spades with its Knave—A dangerous
woman.
King of Hearts with Nine of Hearts—A happy love
affair.
Knave of Hearts with Ten of Hearts—An ardent
lover.
Ten of Diamonds and Seven of Spades—A troubled
journey.
Diamond Court Card with Nine of Clubs—Rivalry
in love.
Ten of Clubs and Ten of Spades—A voyage.
Eight of Clubs near Hearts—New work and enter-
prises.
Eight of Hearts between Court Cards—New
friends and allies.
VARIOUS COMBINATIONS 27

Ace of Spades and Nine of Hearts—Fulfilled


desires.
Ten of Spades and Eight of Hearts—Bereavement.
‘Ten of Hearts with Ace of Spades—A birth.
Eight of Hearts with Court Cards—A ball or
wedding.
Knave of Spades and Nine of Diamonds—A doctor.
Knave of Spades and Nine of Clubs—A lawyer.
Eight of Spades between Court Cards—A separa-
tion.
The Ace of Spades pertains to sensual pleasures
and the obstacles thereto. Touching a Queen with
the Eight of Spades, it denotes licence.
These significations are not difficult to memorize
if the simple meanings of the combined cards are
kept in view. Thus the Seven of Spades shows a
displacement, and with the Nine of Diamonds, which
shows speed, it denotes an upset or accident. The
Ten of Clubs shows a journey, and the Ten of Spades
shows distance, therefore the two in combination
show a voyage.
All Hearts have a domestic or social interpretation.
All Clubs show work and occupation. All Spades
denote detriment or some unfortunate qualification,
even if only delay. All Diamonds have some relation
to finance and financial considerations. Thus all the
complex significations may be derived from a study
of the simple natures of the cards in combination,
and the skilled artist grasps their meaning at sight in
the same way that a versed reader will apprehend the
meaning of a sentence or the import of a paragraph
28 CARD-READING
with instant precision, while the beginner is
struggling
with the spelling of a single word. ;

Only practice, and plenty of it, can render the


process so mechanical as to allow of the full and free
exercise of the intuitive faculty, so essential to the
perfection of any divinatory process. For this reason
it will be found extremely useful to take note of the
various combinations which occur in the laying-out
of the cards, whether for oneself or another. The
exact predictions made should then be set against
the several combinations on which they were based,
and the results should be noted as they occur. By
this method all the significations which appear in
this exposition have been obtained, and it is found
that the meanings are constant and dependable, but
that certain inflexions due to the status and the par-
ticular environment of the Consultant have to be
made. Thus it will be seen that whereas Cartomancy
is primarily an intuitive art, it may, nevertheless, be
so extended and rendered as to constitute a science.
Having thoroughly learned the values of the several
suits and the cards that compose them, together with
the significations attaching to the various combina-
tions, the reader may pass on to a study of the
methods of laying out the cards for the purpose of
divination. Various authors give different methods
of laying out the cards, and in this matter there is
plenty of room for choice. Followers of the Tarot
have their traditional methods, and from these a
variety of forms have been derived, all more or less
VARIOUS COMBINATIONS 29

symbolical. But inasmuch as the primary object of


all such displays of the cards is towards their inter-
pretation, the form is not essential. Any form that
is convenient will do, and for certain purposes par-
ticular methods appear more convenient than others,
and are therefore adopted in this place.
CHAPTER IV
DISPLAYING THE CARDS

TAKING the thirty-two cards in hand, the Cartomante


will cut them and hand them to the Consultant, who
will shuffle them at haphazard, not holding in mind
any special wish or thought, but leaving all to
chance, and so long as he desires the truth and
nothing but the truth and is fearless of what may be
his destiny, while determined to make the best of
any circumstances in which he may be placed, there
is little doubt that he will get only whatis true.
The importance of the shuffle is obvious to any-
body who will think for a moment about it. The
whole psychological process is involved in the shuffle.
For it will be seen that inasmuch as the values of
the cards are constant and their combinations also
in relation to the position and character of the Con-
sultant, no change can be effected once the cards
have been shuffled. The reading is bound to be in
accord with the disposition of the cards as they are
left at the end of the shuffle. This is where the
automatic faculty comes into play. What the con-
scious or alert mind of the Consultant does not know
but desires to ascertain, is already in the conscious-
30
DISPLAYING THE CARDS
gr
ness Of the world-soul to which his subliminal or
submerged mind is related. The unhindered ex-
pression of this submerged consciousness through
the exercise of the automatic faculty is the only
means of knowing what is normally unknown, so
far
at least as Cartomancy is concerned.

Tue Cur.
The cards having been shuffled, they should be
cut into three by the Consultant. The Cartomante
will then take each of the three divisions in hand
and observe what card is exposed. By combining
the three cards a prediction is made concerning what
is uppermostin the life or interests of the Consultant.
Let us suppose that the Consultant has brown eyes
and hair. She is represented by the Queen of Clubs.
Suppose she has cut the Ten of Hearts, Knave of
Clubs, and Ace of Diamonds. The Cartomante
knows that she will have an offer of marriage from a
sincere lover. The cut is shown in coloured Plate I,
Here the Knave shows the sincere man, since
a Club. The Ten of Hearts shows his affection and
it is

the Ace of Diamonds the ring. Hence, as already in-


dicated, the Ten of Hearts with the Ace of Diamonds
denotes a marriage. This will be the uppermost
theme of interest in the life of the Consultant at
that time.
Tue Lay.
The cards are then put together in their original
order as before they were cut, and holding them with
32 CARD-READING
their backs uppermost, the Cartomante will proceed
to lay them out in the following manner:
Lay out the cards one by one face upwards so that
the first eight form a line from left to right. Then
pass to the left and lay out another line of eight.
So proceed until all the thirty-two cards are dis-
played in four rows. Two rows by way of example
are given on Plate I. (frontispiece).
The Consultant is the Queen of Clubs. The
Significator is seen to be touched by the Knave of the
same suit and by the Wish Card, or Nine of Hearts.
This indicates that she has a sincere lover, and that
her wish will be gratified by that person becoming her
husband. In the language of the Cartomante, she has
her wish in her lap as she faces the Nine of Hearts.
Proceed now to count from the Significator to the
ninth card and then to the thirteenth. Call the
next card to this “ten,” and so continue to count
in sequence “ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen,” marking
each card on which “thirteen” falls. Now link
these cards up together in your mind, reading them
in sequence.
Thus, starting with Queen of Clubs as “one,” she
being the Consultant, you count to the ninth card,
which here is the King of Hearts (a fair man) associ-
ated with the Ace of Diamonds which
You therefore predict an offer of
is at her feet.
marriage from a fair
man. The Ace of Diamonds and the Ten of Hearts
in juxtaposition clearly indicate a marriage. Pro-
ceeding from the ninth card (King of Hearts) to the
DISPLAYING THE CARDS 33

thirteenth, we find the Knave of Hearts (Cupid), and


therefore we know that the King of Hearts denotes
her lover. Being touched by Clubs and Diamonds,
he is sincere and honest and in good circumstances,
in all respects worthy of her trust and affection.
Now take the Wish Card and count to the ninth
card, which here is the Ace of Diamonds
a
and the Ten of Hearts in touch with it shows that
(ring),

there will be an engagement. From all the circum-


stances as here represented you would be safe in pre-
dicting a happy marriage entirely to the Consultant’s
wish following an offer from a fair man who is now
in love with her. Exhaust the cards this way.
Now take the House Card, which is the Ace of
Hearts. Counting the ninth card from it, we come
to Knave of Hearts (Cupid), which shows the visit
of a lover to the house. The count to thirteen
brings us to the King of Hearts, the lover in
this case, and therefore the lover will come to see
her. Touching the Ace of Hearts are two Queens,
so that there will be talk with two other women .

over the Consultant’s engagement.


Having thus read all the cards, first from the
position of the Consultant, next from that of the
Wish Card, and, lastly, from the House Card, you
must now proceed with—
THE GATHER.
Take up the first card of the first or top row and
the last card of the fourth or bottom row, and bring
3
34 CARD-READING
them together. Read their combined meaning.
Then take the second card of the top row and the
last card but one in the bottom row, and bring them
together, reading their meaning. Proceed thus until
the whole pack is exhausted.
Note that the count may be made in any direction,

and that the ninth and thirteenth cards are always


important. The foregoing was a fortunate case, and
all in this world cannot expect to have their wishes
fulfilled so easily. I will now give an example of a
less fortunate character. The Consultant here is a
Heart man, with moderately fair complexion and
blue eyes. The cards fall as in the coloured
Plate II.
Observe that the King of Hearts is surrounded by
Knaves and Queens. Treachery and scandal are all
about him. He has need to walk warily and beware
of pitfalls.
The Eight of Spades being between two Court
Cards shows a quarrel and a separation. Three
Nines touching and the Ten of Spades touching two
Aces, his. plans are all going to pieces. The Wish
Card reversed, his hopes will be overturned. There
is little hope of success in any direction at present.
The Ace of Clubs reversed is an additional testimony
of his being quite out of luck.
Counting from the King of Hearts (the Con-
sultant), the ninth card is the Knave of Spades,
followed by the Nine of Spades. He has an in-
veterate enemy who may well prove dangerous to
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DISPLAYING THE CARDS 38

his interests. The thirteenth card is the Queen of


Hearts, and she is unfaithful to him. Cupid near
her ‘has certainly made a mistake this time, as the
little blind god has drawn her into a liaison with a
Spade man. He is dark in complexion, but not so
dark as a Spade, as he is touched by red cards.
With Clubs touching him he would’ have been
accounted sincere, but with Diamonds and Hearts
only, he cannot be regarded as anything but un-
scrupulous, a man sailing under false colours, and
the fairer his complexion the blacker his heart, for
he is denoted by a Spade. The Knave of Diamonds
shows his character.
Counting from the Wish Card (Nine of Hearts),
we find what the Consultant’s wishes are. Counting
from the House Card, we obtain knowledge of his
domestic affairs. Whatever these may be, we ob-
serve that Diamonds and Spades touching one
another do not augur financial success, and may
well indicate his present financial distress. This
man badly wants a friend, but cannot afford one.
What a strange world we live in, to be sure!
It frequently happens that in laying out the cards
for a person the first time, a great deal of the past
will appear. This should be carried through, as it
is often the key to much that will follow. The
second lay shows his present surroundings, ambi-
tions, and desires. The third is generally wholly
in the future. It is therefore advisable to lay the
cards out three times for each Consultant.
36 CARD-READING
Special notice must be taken of the cards touch-
ing the Significator, the Wish Card, and the House
Card, irrespective of their count, as they always
indicate the condition of the Consultant, his wishes
and surroundings. The Consultant should not be
too ready to identify persons indicated in the
reading. He may be very far from the right trail,
and so do himself and others an injustice, or may
entertain false hopes in regard to them. In many
cases, however, the reading will so clearly denote a
particular person that there can be no mistake.
The Cartomante should be careful with Consultants
whose Significators are touched by Knaves on either
side.
CHAPTER V

POSITION

ALTHOUGH the count may, as said, be made in any


direction from a Significator, yet a certain definite
meaning attaches to all cards that are in juxta-
position with, and therefore touching, the Signifi-
cator, whether it be the Consultant, the Wish Card,
or the House Card, or yet any Court Card which
indicates a party contributing to the destiny, as
shown by the cards.
It is therefore desirable to pause at every ninth
and thirteenth card in the reading and consider its
surroundings.
The direct positions of cards touching any Signifi-
cator are the head, the foot, the right, and the left
hand.
The oblique positions are to the right above, the
left above, the right below, and the left below.
These eight positions have a definite value.

Direct.
A card above the head of the Significator has
relation to the near future. At the foot, the present.
37
38 CARD-READING

To the right, what is desired; and to the left, what


hinders. Cards to the left are always indicative of
a hindrance or obstacle.

OBLIQUE.
To the right above is what helps the Consultant or
the person signified. To the right below, what has
already done so and what has been done towards
the realization of the wishes. To the left above,
what obstacles will arise to retard or prevent success.
To the left below, obstacles that have already arisen.
Thus it is seen that the places above have relation
to things and events not yet realized, while those
below denote events that have already had place.
The right hand denotes things and persons that are
helpful, and the left hand those that are detrimental
and obstructive.
These position values can be set out in tabular
form, as shown on page 39.
The cards immediately touching either the Signifi-
cator, or the Wish Card, or the House Card, are of
more immediate significance than others which are
distant from it. The time element is similarly
affected in the proportion of distance. Those cards
that count to nine and thirteen from the Significator,
whether of the person, the wish, or the home, are
nearer to it than those that do not so count. But
those that are nearest of all are such as actually
touch the Significator from any of the eight positions
defined above, and of these the more significant are
POSITION 39

such as are directly above, below, or to either side


of it,


Although at first it may be found extremely diffi-
cult to define the bearing of all these indications on
the general fortune, yet, as the student of Cartomancy
becomes more expert, they will be found not only
ABOVE.

What will arise The near future, What helps the


in the near future success or
failure,
to vex or disap- the wish gained
prospects, wish
or interests of the
point the person. or lost. Things Consultant or per-
expected, son signified.

Obstacles. and The Significator. Pros peo t's,


difficulties. Ri- Things desired.
LEFT. vals, enemies. Aspiration, hope, *LHOTY

Cause of delay to effort. Things to


success, come. Outlook.

Obstacles that The near past. What has. al-


have arisen to Things done. ready been done
thwart the per- Things obtained. towards improv-
son, Experience. ing the prospects
or accomplishing
the wish.

BELow.

helpful, but necessary. The best method is to first


consider the surroundings of the Consultant. Then
take the Wish Card, and consider its surroundings.
Finally, take the House Card, and deal similarly
with it.
Next, count from each of these cards, and define
the meanings of those cards that come up in the
40 CARD-READING
ninth and thirteenth positions. If any of these are
Court Cards they will indicate persons. Then con-
sider the surroundings of those persons by the
position cards about them. In this way you may
enter into the most intricate details of prediction
and characterization, which will certainly inspire
confidence, and thereby render you increasingly
useful to those who consult you.
Mnemonics are frequently based on symbolism,
and it may be helpful to notice in this place that, as
regards position, the superior is that which is in the
future, as the direct above, right above, and left
above. Things denoted by these positions, or cards
in these positions, are “in the air.” They indicate
events which are about to happen.
Those, on the contrary, which have already hap-
pened, are shown at the foot as things realized—the
stepping-stones, or dead selves, on which we “rise
to higher things.”
The left and right direct are positions indicative
of things in the present and also in opposition, and
therefore in equilibrium. The right, or dexter, is
always good and fortunate, while the left, or sinister,
is always evil or unfortunate.
Thus we have—
Right Good.
Left Bad.
Above = Future.
Middle = Present.
Below = Past.
POSITION 4i
The symbol, or glyph, of this concept is the Eight-
pointed Star, a combination of the Cross of St.
George with that of St. Andrew.
Now, although it can certainly be said whether an
event indicated is in the past, present, or future of
the destiny, it is only by the intuitive sense that the
Cartomante is able to say whether it be the near or
distant past or future.
Some say that prediction cannot extend beyond
three years. This may be true with regard to
specific events, but with regard to the general trend
of the destiny it is not so, for the whole life may be
scanned at a single display of the cards, although
the particulars of that life may not be wholly dis-
coverable.
Very few people are interested in anything but the
near future or the immediate present, and so prob-
ably it has come to be regarded as a fact that
-
predictions by cardsare limited to three years.
When, however, we consider the fact that the
whole career of Benjamin Disraeli (Lord Beacons-
field) was accurately foretold by Bulwer Lytton
through the art of geomancy, and that the destinies
of many have been foretold with particularity over
a period of not only three, but thirty years and
more by means of astrology, there seems no valid
reason to supposethat prediction by Cartomancy has
greater limitations. The fact that it is seldom
attempted does not prove that prediction cannot be
extended beyond three years. I would advise my
42 CARD-READING
readers to experiment by laying out the cards for the
general fortune of newly-born children.
We may now pass on to consider other methods
of laying out the cards, and as each method has
reference to some special feature of the fortune, it
will be of interest to know what can be done in this
direction.
CHAPTER. VI;
THE STAR OF FORTUNE

A USEFUL application of the foregoing position


diagram is to be found in what is called the “ Star
of Fortune.”
Place the Significator of the Consultant on the
table face upwards. Let the remaining thirty-one
cards be shuffled and cut in the usual manner.
Take note of the “cut,” and interpret it. A good
cut will rectify a bad lay very frequently, bringing
a happy solution of difficulties which may be indi-
cated. If the cut be bad—i.e., containing Spades
and Diamonds only—it will augment the significance
of a bad lay of the cards.
Having well shuffled and cut, as stated, take up
the cards as in the order before cutting.
Place two cards at the head, two at the feet, two
on either hand, and one each at the four corners of
the Significator, in the order shown in the diagram
on page 44.
Place the thirteenth card on top of the Significator.
Now read the cards by means of the position key
given in the preceding chapter.
43
44. CARD-READING
If the Nine of Hearts comes out in the thirteen
and is not touched by the Nine of Spades, it is a
good augury, and shows the accomplishment of the
wishes of the Consultant.
If the Nine of Spades and Nine of Hearts touch

the Significator, he will abandon his plans, change


his projects, and possibly fail in his pursuits.
Three Nines—the Nine of Clubs, Hearts, and
Diamonds—denote delay. If the Nine of Spades
replaces one of these, it means total failure of present
plans and disappointment to the wishes.
©

THE STAR OF FORTUNE 45

Three Knaves denote an affront or a refusal, but


not necessarily failure.
Four Aces appearing in the Star, there will be a
total collapse of present prospects.
Four Knaves and Four Aces appearing show dis-
traint or imprisonment—confinement within four
walls, a hospital, asylum, prison, etc.
When the
Significator is crowned by good cards—
Hearts and Clubs—it is a sign of the accomplish-
-

ment of the ambitions and desires of the Consultant;


but when Spades and Diamonds are at the head of
the Significator, it is not encouraging.
It should be noted that, except when money
concerned, Diamonds are precarious and doubtful,
is
and take their nature from the cards they touch,
being good with Hearts and Clubs, and bad with
Spades.
When bad cards lie
at the feet of the Significator,
the worst of the troubles are over—that is, if good
_

cards crown the Significator. The prospects, there-


fore, may be judged at once by the nature of the
cards at the head and right hand of the Significator
but the obstacles to progress are shown by the cards ;
en the left hand, and the past by what is at the
feet.
In the example (Plate III.) the Queen of Hearts
is the Consultant. She is a married lady.
Crowning the Significator is the Eight of Spades,
surmounted by the King of Diamonds. ‘This denotes
a coming quarrel with her husband.
46 CARD-READING
On her left are the Seven of Diamonds and Ten
of Spades. She has been troubled with the sickness
of a child.
At her feet are the Nine of Diamonds and Knave
of Spades. The physician has already been called in.
On the right is the Ten of Hearts and Ten of
Clubs. These denote a beneficial journey, a change
to the country, and the recovery of her child.
On top of the Queen of Hearts (the Signifi-
cator) is the Wish Card (Nine of Hearts). Her
troubles will therefore be of short duration, and she
may go on her way rejoicing. ;

This method of laying the cards is extremely


useful in ascertaining the issue of any project, busi-
ness, social or political; or the particulars of any
matter, its prospects, obstacles, and advantages.
This may be done whether the Consultant is present
or not, and any appropriate card can be placed as
Significator in place of a Court Card, as Seven of
Diamonds concerning a child or pet, Ace of Spades
in reference to a business, Ace of Clubs in regard to
books and papers, Ace of Diamonds in regard ‘to
money. Place this card in the centre and the
thirteen cards round it, as already illustrated. The
house or any premises can be denoted by the Ace of
Hearts, a journey by the Ten of Clubs, and so on,
according to the primary significance of the cards
in relation to the nature of the inquiry.
Here let me say, as a matter of long experience,
that it is not necessary for the person making the
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THE STAR OF FORTUNE
ae
inquiry to shuffle the cards. If the Cartomante is
sufficiently sympathetic and fully grasps the nature
and importance of the inquiry, she may equally well
shuffle the cards for a distant Consultant, and the
divination will be in all respects as effectual as if he
were present.
CHAPTER VII
THE WEEK’S EVENTS

WHEN the general fortune has been defined and


particular points of enquiry elucidated by means of
the Star of Fortune given in the preceding chapter,
the Cartomante may further proceed to discover if
any of the events foretold are due to happen during
the ensuing week or so.
Place the Significator in the centre and dispose
around it, in a semi-circle, seven cards taken hap-
hazard from anywhere in the pack, as shown in the
diagram on page 49.
Now cover each card, in any order the Consultant
may choose, with another card drawn by him from
~

the remaining twenty-four of the pack.


Let all the drawn cards be placed face downwards
on the table as they are drawn, and eventually there
will be seven pairs of cards around the Significator.
Read the pairs in order; as, for example:
zt. Ace of Clubs, Eight of Spades.—Unpleasant

news.
2. Ace of Diamonds, Eight of Hearts.—A letter of
‘invitation.
48
THE WEEK’S EVENTS 49

3.Nine of Clubs, Eight of Diamonds.—A short


journey on pleasure.
4. Ten of Clubs, Ten of Diamonds.—A stroke of
good luck.
5. King and Queen of Diamonds.—A visit
from a
married couple.
6. Knave of Hearts, Ten of Hearts.—A lover to
the house.
7. Eight of Spades, Seven of Diamonds.—A small
loss, or sickness of a pet.

nee Sig.

The interpretation of the cards should always be


in terms of the status and sex of the Consultant.
A well-known astrologer has said: ‘‘The planets
act on us in terms of ourselves.” It is equally true
‘that the cards find their interpretation in terms of
ourselves. Thus, under Example 6 in the above
Events of the Week, it would be invidious to predict
_

the visit of a lover to one who was obviously not


open to receive such a visitor, but a very dear friend
might well satisfy the prognostic by putting in an
4
50 CARD-READING

appearance within the week. Also, in the case of a


married woman as Consultant, if she be a mother,
the indications of Number 7 might refer to a child
_of hers. Common sense, which has sometimes been
dignified by the name of the Sixth Sense, will dictate
the proper reading; and where the Consultant is
entirely unknown, the intuition of the Cartomante
must supply the correct interpretation. An alter-
native reading of any pair of cards is permissible in
such case, and would probably not be objected to by
any but the captious critic.

ANOTHER METHOD.
Shuffle the thirty-two cards; cut into three, take
the cards up in the order they are cut.
Deal them out into eight packs of four each,
putting one to each of such packs at a time, as if
dealing a hand to each of eight persons in rotation.
Now take the packs in their order

The
:
first pack is for yourself.
The second for your house.
The third for your friends.
The fourth for your wish.
The fifth what you expect.
The sixth what you do not expect.
The seventh for the night.
The eighth for what is sure to come true.
The packs are now taken one at a time and inter-
preted according to their combined meanings in
THE WEEK’S EVENTS BI

to
relation to the significance attaching their position.
Thus, when picking up the first four on the left, you
say for yourself:
Ace of Hearts.
Nine of Diamonds.
King of Clubs.
Ten of Hearts. ‘

This would denote the ardent affection of a Club


man, who would come to
the house with some speed.
Here the Ten of Hearts touching the King of
Clubs would show an affectionate man of medium
colouring, and rather fair than dark. The Ace
of Hearts shows the house and the Nine of
Diamonds the ardour which lends wings to the feet
_of a lover. But, of course, if the Consultant were
of the male sex then it would be interpreted as a
speedy or hasty visit of a true friend of the Club
colouring.
Then, taking in hand the iota pack of four
cards, you will For
‘“‘
say, your House,” and proceed
to interpret the cards according to their combined
meaning in relation to the house or residence of the
Consultant.
-
The whole of the eight packs are thus gone through
and interpreted, and the events thus foreshadowed
are usually experienced during the course of the
week, The beginner will find the previous method
simpler, no doubt, owing to the difficulty of reading
-four cards in combination. But with practice the
reader will be able to grasp the significance of a
52 CARD-READING
whole display of cards at a glance, and the interpre-
tation of four only will become almost as facile as
reading words of four letters. Practice makes perfect
in Cartomancy
process of
as
time
in all other studies and arts. In
new and subtle inflexions will be dis-
covered. The Cartomante will discover what card
stands for a horse, a motor-car, oran aeroplane. There
was a time when the Nine of Diamonds, “the curse
of Scotland,” as it is called, stood only for the sword.
To-day it may equally denote the scalpel of the
surgeon or the pen of the critic. Both are sharp things
and not pleasant when directed towards ourselves.
When most it is to be feared, however, it stands for
the venomous tongue of the backbiter and slanderer.
There is no combination of cards more indicative of
real harm than the Queen of Spades and the Nine of
Diamonds. You will need all the good cards in the
pack to surround you, if you are to escape its sinister
influence.
CHAPTER VIII
THE TWENTY-FOUR HOURS

Tue Cartomante may further refine upon the time


element by predicting events that will happen during
the ensuing twenty-four hours. While it is true that
many of these events do not actually transpire within
forty-eight hours from the time of prediction, it
nevertheless be found that they were in process of
will

happening within the prescribed time. A letter, for


instance, may already have been written and sent to
the Consultant, but will not be delivered for a couple
of days. Such letter would be indicated in the
twenty-four hours if at all important. At the same
time it should be pointed out that in samely, mono-
tonous lives, events of trivial importance will often
come up in this reading, while at the same time a
fatality, a tragedy, accident, or other event of start-
ling significance will find place side by side with such
trifles. The Cartomante, however, should adhere
strictly to the meanings of the cards in combination
and voice any prediction that is justified by the
cards, irrespective of the probable course of events
in the life of the Consultant.
53
54 CARD-READING

METHOD.
Draw from the pack at hazard nine cards, and
place them as drawn in a semi-circle, face down-
wards, on the table. Then draw nine other cards at
hazard, and cover each of those already drawn in
any order you choose. Should another person be
consulting the cards, that person must draw and
place the cards. The Cartomante will then read
them as follows :
Beginning with the pair on the left, the significance
of each of the positions is
this:
o Who
is near to me?
Who
Who
is dear to me?
betrays me?
What follows me?
What gives me trouble ?
SIAR
.

. What gets me over it?

. What surprises me?


Concerning my wish.
g. At the house.
The first pair to the left will therefore have refer-
ence to one who is near to the Consultant.
Example: King of Diamonds and Nine of Spades.—
Trouble to a fair man who is
nearly related—husband,
brother, father, etc.
The second pair following in rotation has reference
to one who is dear to the Consultant.
Example: Ten of Spades and Seven of Diamonds.
—A favourite pet or child will be taken ill.
The third position has reference to what betrays
THE TWENTY-FOUR. HOURS 55

one, and the pair of cards in this place will define


it.
the nature of
Example: Knave of Diamonds and Ace of Clubs.—
A letter that you do not expect.
The word “ betray” is here of flexed meaning, and
|
generally may be regarded as equivalent to “upset”
or “ disconcert.”
The combined meanings of all the pairs are then
gone through, and suitable predictions made. In
practice I find this to be, perhaps, the most satis-
factory and convincing method of consulting the
cards. Events that may be in the future are clearly
shown in the different methods already illustrated,
but people are constitutionally forgetful, and that
probably because attention and memory are equivalent
functions of the mind. When events are remote they
do not strike us with the same significance as when
we are told they will happen in twenty-four hours,
Consequently they do not rest in the memory as
predicted events, and are not recalled as such even
when they transpire. Things that happen in a day
or so from the time of prediction are, however,
a
calculated to impress the mind with proper respect
for Cartomancy, and
it will, therefore, be found con-
venient to use this method when giving a test of
one’s powers. Many persons known to me make
a practice to lay out the ‘‘ Twenty-four Hours”
it
before beginning the day’s work, as thereby they are
most frequently apprised of events which would
otherwise not enter into their calculations, and are
_ often saved many unpleasant results.
CHAPTER. 1X
THE PLANETS

To satisfy the whim of those who believe in the


influence of the stars, a belief in which I can fully
share from experience of many successful and re-
markable predictions made by astrologers, I have
linked up the subject of planetary influence with that
of Cartomancy. The following may be taken in this
light as a tentative method of prediction. Suppose
a person desires to know in what profession he would
succeed,
Place the Significator in the centre and arrange
nine cards around it in a semicircle. Then cover
each of them with two other cards from he tpack.
Turn up the cards and read them. Begin at the left..
The order of the planets in rotation is as follows:
1,Neptune—Mariner, explorer, diviner.
2. Uranus—Inventor, electrician, Civil Service.
3. Saturn Mining, cultivation, estate-agent.
4. Jupiter—Law, Church, finance, banker.
5. Mars—Soldier, artificer, steel and iron worker,
manufacturer.
56
THE PLANETS 57

6. Sun— Manager, controller, official.


7. Venus—Artist, musician, poet.
8. Mercury— Writer, lecturer, agent.
9g. Moon—Caterer, traveller, retailer.
10. Earth—Significator.
The cards which fall on your Significator will
‘indicate the means by which you will gain most,
taken in connection with the cards of the same suit
appearing in other positions.
Thus, if the Ten of Hearts and King of Clubs fall
on the Significator, and no other Clubs are out, but
the King of Hearts is found on Mars, then the King
of Hearts, taken with the Ten of same suit on the
Significator will show that Mars will contribute the
greatest success.
But it will generally be seen that the cards on the
Significator will sufficiently indicate the degree of
success imparted by the planets. That planet which
holds the best cards will import the best future, but
it will not come to the Consultant unless he has a
card of the same suit on his Significator.
Thus it will be seen that, in order for the Con-
sultant to be benefited by following any vocation,
his Significator must be found covered by a card of
the same suit as one of those covering the planet
ruling such vocation.
Example: It is found that the Ten of Hearts and
Ten of Diamonds are on the card of Jupiter. This
predicts great success as a lawyer or divine. Turning
58 CARD-READING
to the Significator, we find, unfortunately, that neither
a Diamond nor a Heart is covering it. Hence he
cannot avail himself of the benefits stored up in
Jupiter. In such case we look for the next best
combination and find the Ace of Clubs and Ten of
Clubs on the planet Mars, and on the Significator
are found the King of Clubs and Seven of Spades.
He should, therefore, follow the vocation of soldier,
surgeon, or worker in steel and iron, according to
his bent or status.
CHAPTER X
THE WISH

_
Wisu fervently while shuffling the cards, keeping in
mind a single project or desire.
Cut the cards once, and notice the card that is
cut.
Draw from the pack twenty-one cards, wishing all
the time.
Deal the cards out into three equal packs in
rotation.
Choose which pack you will have to represent
yourself. Next that which is to represent your wish.
The remaining pack will denote your consolation.
Lay out the cards in each pack separately, and
interpret them in relation to yourself, your wish, and
your consolation.
Gather up the three sets of cards in the same
order, and lay them out continuously in the form of
a horseshoe.
Count every seventh card from the Significator,
counting it as one, and so on until you return to
ee it. Read the combined meanings of the several
“*
seventh ” cards as they come up in the count.
59
60 CARD-READING
If the Significator is drawn from the pack it is
a sign of a positive attitude of mind, which tends to
success. If it is not drawn, then look for the Wish
Card (Nine of Hearts). In default of this, look to
the House Card (Ace of Hearts), and count from
that. Should the Wish Card be absent, it is a
bad augury, and shows some difficulty in attaining
the thing desired. In the event of all three cards—
Significator, Wish Card, and House Card—being
absent, the desire will not be attained. But what
hinders may be known by counting from the first
card to every seventh from it.
Should the Nine of Spades appear next to the
Wish Card, the Consultant will abandon his project
or desire. If the Nine of Spades appears without
the Wish Card, the project will be thwarted.
If the Nine of Hearts counts to your Significator,
and is within the first thirteen cards drawn, then
you will gain your wish for a certainty. It is also
good if the Wish Card comes in the Consolation
pack, as it denotes some compensation, even if the
actual wish should fail of fulfilment.
The Nine of Spades always delays, and frequently
thwarts, the wish, and if it touches either the Signifi-
cator, the Wish Card, or the House Card, it will
cause failure of the project. A count by sevens from
the Nine of Spades will indicate the source of disap-
pointment or cause of failure.
THE WISH 61

ANOTHER METHOD.
Place the Significator on the table. Shuffle the
cards while wishing. Draw five cards and place
them as drawn in the order as follows:
The first at the head, the second at the feet, the
third on the right, the fourth on the left, and the
fifth on the Significator.
If the Nine of Hearts is one of the cards, you will
obtain your wish. If the Nine of Spades is there,
you will meet with disappointment.
The obstacle is on the left of the Significator, the
assistant on the right, if at all. Present hopes are at
the head, present condition at the foot, and the result
is in the lap of the Significator.
This method is commended for its simplicity, and
will be found useful when a short decision is re-
quired, without regard to details.

THE FIFTEEN.
Shuffle the cards, after placing the Significator
on the table. Take three cards from the top of
pack, and place them at the head; three at the feet,
three at the right, three at the left, and three on the
Significator. Those at the head are for luck in the
present, those at the feet for the past; on the right
for the future; those on the left for the obstacle;
‘and those on the Significator for what is crossing his
path.
62 CARD-READING
Read the cards in combinations of three in relation
to the several positions.
It is a good augury if the Nine of Hearts or Ace
of Clubs, not reversed, crowns your Significator.
You will get your wish if good cards are at the head,
or right, or on top of the Significator. All is spoiled,
however, if the Nine of Spades holds any of these
positions.
“oh

CHAPTER XI
THE FOUR ACES
Take the four aces from the pack of thirty-two cards.
Place them at the four angles, thus:

Ace
Diam |

Ace Key Ace


\Spades Card Clubs

Ace
Hearts

. Diamonds will represent action, business.


WD
. Hearts, love, domestic and social affairs.
. Clubs, success, power.
Ah . Spades, affliction, obstacles.
63
64 CARD-READING
Deal the first twenty cards face downwards from
the remaining twenty-eight into packs of five cards
each, so that they cover the four Aces in rotation,
the first card falling on the Diamond Ace, the next
on the Heart Ace, the third on the Club Ace, and
the fourth on the Spade Ace. So continue until the
twenty cards have been dealt.
The Consultant may, however, choose his packs
of five cards each in any order he likes, and place
them on any of the four Aces, so there be one on
each Ace. This method allows of greater play of
fortune, as expressed in the element of chance, than
can be secured by the shuffle only, and for this
reason it may be regarded as preferable.
In placing the packof five upon each Ace the Con-
sultant should be told by the Cartomante what each
Ace stands for, so that there may be deliberate choice
on the part of the Consultant.
The twenty-first card in the pack should then be
turned up and placed in the midst of the four Aces.
This card denotes the finality of the divination, and
will determine the ultimate issue of any resolution or
reading of the cards which appears to be tinged with
an element of doubt. Should it be a good card,
such as a Heart or Club, or a Diamond
if the chief
question be one of money, then the result will be
finally good. The Wish Card, falling in the centre,
shows the attainment of the wish, and the speedy
resolution of all doubts and difficulties. Also, if the
Consultant’s own Significator should be the twenty-
THE FOUR ACES 6s
first card, it denotes that the Consultant will be able
to dominate the situation, and hold his own; that
the issue of things depends mainly upon himself.
What those things are, what difficulties, obstacles,
success, etc., may be known by reading the five
cards in each pack in relation to the Ace they cover,
as—
Diamonds for money.
Hearis for domestic and social affairs.
Clubs for business, position, influence.
Spades for loss, trouble, sickness.

The cards should be read in threes, thus: 1, 2, 3


together; 3, 4, 5 together. The third card in each
pack is a link, and must be read in both of the two
combinations of three cards each.

THE DESTINY.
Place the Significator of the Consultant on the
table. Let him shuffle the cards, and cut as usual.
Read the cut. Place two cards face downwards on
the Significator, one at the head, one at the foot,
one on the left, and one on the right of it. Place
one also aside near the card at its foot. Repeat this
operation until the pack is exhausted. You will
then find five cards at the head, ten on the Signifi-
cator, and four in each of the other packs.
The cards at the head of Significator show what
will immediately happen. Those on the right show
what will soon happen. ‘Those on the left stand for
5
66 CARD-READING
what is overcome, thrown away, or abandoned.
Those at the feet denote present obstacles and plans
now in the mind.
Should the Wish Card come in any of these
packs unattended by Spades, it shows the accom-
plishment of the projects, the attainment of the
desires, success.

3
2 cards
here on fop of
Significator.

5
ih

Sigh 146

Now, having read the four packs in relation to


their position as regards the Significator, you will
take the cards which are on top of the Significator
and divide them into two packs of five each, dealing
to
one to the left and one the right of the Significator,
successively. ‘Those on the left will show what is
crossing his path, events about to happen that will
affect his destiny. Those on the right will indicate
THE FOUR ACES 67

what his domestic life will be, the description,


disposition, and fortune of his partner. Thus the
cards on the left are for himself, those on the right
for his partner.
Finally, there are four cards set aside near the
foot of the Significator. These are the cards of
fatality, and indicate the inevitable, that which
cannot be avoided, the final issue of things.
Nore.—Four cards should be read in three pairs,
rand 2, 2 and 3,3 and 4. Five cards should be read
in,two threes, I, 2, 3, and 3, 4, 5.
CHAPTER XII
COUNTING BY SEVENS

SHUFFLE and cut the thirty-two cards. Interpret


the cut. Recompose the pack. Take the pack in
hand, backs upwards, and deal them one after
another, throwing aside each seventh card, face
upwards. The pack is then taken up and the
operation repeated, after shuffling the remainder of
the pack again. Your last card in the first deal was
number four, so the first of the second deal must be
counted five. Continue thus until twelve cards have
been drawn, and placed in order as drawn from left
to right.
You will then interpret them thus: Count to the
seventh card, beginning at the left. Note this card.
Call the next card one, and so count to each seventh
card. So proceed until the first card recurs again.
Read each seventh card in connection with that
which preceded it, and that which follows it in the
series of sevens. Every card is modified by the
cards touching it on the right and left. Do not
forget to include these modifications of the general
meaning of each seventh card.
68
COUNTING BY SEVENS 69

Suppose the following cards are drawn by a


woman ;
King of Hearts.
Ace of Diamonds.
Ace of Clubs.
Queen of Clubs.
Nine of Hearts.
Seven of Spades.
Eight of Diamonds.
Jack of Spades.
Ten of Spades.
Seven of Diamonds.
Nine of Clubs.
Jack of Diamonds.

They will count by sevens into the following


order, and can be extracted as they are indicated by
the count, and placed in this order side by side.
Eight of Diamonds, Ace of Diamonds, Ten of
Spades, Queen of Clubs, Nine of Clubs, Seven of
Spades, King of Hearts, Jack of Spades, Ace of
Clubs, Seven of Diamonds, Nine of Hearts, Jack of
Diamonds.
The Cartomante will then read the cards straight-
aris forwardly as they stand. There is a roadway
ae

journey about some financial matter connected with


Se a voyage and a woman of moderately dark com-
plexion; some festivity and rejoicing; a change
is
i
connected with a Heart man who rather subtle
and should be dealt with cautiously ; some news not
altogether pleasant about a child or pet; but follow-
70 CARD-READING
ing it is a very gratifying letter, and the attainment
of your wish by post.
If the Consultant were the Queen of Clubs it is
obvious that she would obtain her wish and would
have considerable good luck, as in the twelve cards
drawn out she stands between the Ace of Clubs and
the Wish Card.
'

The preceding methods can be relied upon if


properly followed. I have found them consistently
successful in telling the fortunes of my friends and
acquaintances. I need hardly impress upon my
readers the fact that everything depends upon the
manner in. which the fortune is told. A_ sinister
event has but a relative value in the life. It need
not be exaggerated. There is always some silver
lining to a cloud, and a prediction of good fortune,
wherever honestly possible, will act as a powerful
tonic and do muchto all
convert evil into good. At
events it is better that a man should do his best and
fail, than abandon all effort because of a sinister
prognostication. The man will be the better for
though his fortune many remain unimproved.
it, -
CHAPTER XIII
THE SMALLER CARDS

In case the reader may wish to use the full pack of


fifty-two cards, the meanings of the lesser cards are
here given :
DraMonNDs.
Right. Reversed.
Six—Hope. Trouble with servants.
Five—Gold, riches, The law, proceedings.
Four—Society. Happiness.
Three—Trade. Separation.
Two—Fortune. Surprise.

HEARTS.
Right. Reversed.
Six—The Past. Future.
Five—Marriage. Arrival.
Four—Messenger. Discontent.
Three—Success. Dispatches.
Two—Love. Opposition.
CLUBS.
Right. Reversed.
Six—Presents, gifts. Ambition.
Five—A lover. Profligacy.
7 oa
72 CARD-READING
Right. Reversed.
Four—Pleasure. Delays.
Three—Economy. Position.
Two—Children. Letters.
SPADES.
Right. Reversed.
Six—A voyage. A surprise.
Five—Mourning. A loss.
Four—Solitude. A proposal.
Three—A quarrel. Confusion.
Two—A friend. An Enemy.
COMBINATIONS.
Right. Reversed.
Four Sixes—Good Council. Division.
Four Fives—Caution. Unfaithfulness.
Four Fours—Restraint. Cleverness.
Four Threes—Strategy. Disappointment.
Four Twos—News. Indifference,
Three Sixes—Generosity. Doubt.
Three Fives—Power. Wealth.
Three Fours-—Catastrophe. Suspicion.
Three Threes—Success. Imposture.
Three Twos—Treachery. Alarm.
Two Sixes—Gain. Joy.
Two Fives—Anxiety. Speed.
Two Fours—Extravagance. Speculation.
Two Threes—Victory. Loss, obstacles.
Two Twos—A small wish. Self-control.
Although most certainly all the principal events of
life may be correctly divined by means of
the thirty-
two cards, yet the reader is sure to come across other
THE SMALLER CARDS 73

books in which some methods are given which


‘employ the whole pack.
I have therefore collated
the values of the smaller cards, and here present
them for what they are worth. They are variously
given by different authorities, and hence must remain
a matter of empirical test and experience. Inasmuch
as I never use them myself, I cannot say whether
they are reliable or not. But in my opinion they
cannot hold any great significance, because they hold
no traditional value in the Tarot or any other system
of enumeration and symbolism. Probably they
are only connected with the trivial events of daily
life, and because all the important events can be
predicted without recourse to them, I should think
they might be ignored.
>
CHAPTER XIV
THE HOROSCOPE

As a further adaptation of the principles of Carto-


mancy to the subject of horoscopy, the following
scheme is adapted from a work by the well-known
astrologer, “ Sepharial,”* whose knowledge of both
Cartomancy and astrology has suggested a combina-
tion of the two subjects.
In this scheme there are Twelve Houses or
Divisions
of the Heavens, which carry the following meanings:
First House—The Consultant.
Second ,, His finance.
Third. 3, Letters, short journeys, relations.
Fourth ,, Home, mother.
Fifth
Sixth
i
Children, amours.
Health, servants, comforts.
33

Seventh ,, Partner, wife.


Eighth ,, Death, wills, legacies.
Ninth: |, Voyage.
‘Tenthio..;, Position, influence.
Eleventh
Twelfth
,,
,,
Friends, associates, allies.
Obstacles, restraints.
* “A Manual of Occultism.” Price 6s. net. William Rider
and Son, Ltd., 8, Paternoster Row, London, E.C.
74
THE HOROSCOPE 75
‘Diamonds are properly placed in the First House,
Clubs in the Tenth, Hearts in the Seventh, and
Spades in the Fourth.
Shuffle the thirty-two cards. Deal one to each
House, the thirteenth to the First House again,
fourteenth to the Tenth House, the fifteenth to the

= &7

OI LD
18 1 {3
(a7 15 + 24

SOE SG
Seventh House, the sixteenth to the Fourth House,
and the seventeenth in the centre.
The seventeenth card is the Key Card, and domin-
ates the whole scheme. It is significant of the
person or subject that will finally control the destiny
of the subject in question.
The eighteenth card is then placed on the First

76 CARD-READING
House, the nineteenth on the Second House, and
so on.
Eventually there will be three cards left over.
Lay them out on the table above the horoscope.
That on the right is the witness in favour; that on
the left is the witness against; the middle card is the
judge. If the judge is of the same suit as either
witness, the verdict will go to that side, being in
favour of or against the Consultant, as the case
may be.
Looking over the horoscope, it will be seen that
there are two cards to each House. These must be
read together as affecting the affairs of the Con-
sultant that are governed by that House in which
the cards are found.
The four cards holding the corners of the horo-
scope in the inner circle—namely, the thirteenth,
fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth cards—are to be
read in connection with the cards they touch. If
they are of the same suit as that which is proper to
the angle they occupy—viz., Diamonds for the First
House, Clubs for the Tenth, Hearts for the Seventh,
and Spades for the Fourth—then they are said to
strengthen the fortune. But good cards only are
capable of doing good—z.e., Hearts and Clubs, or
Diamonds touched by Hearts or Clubs. Spades are
uniformly evil, and Diamonds are very evil when
touched by Spades.
Read the horoscope round, and then take any
special question the Consultant may wish to know
THE HOROSCOPE "7
about—as health, voyages, position, change of home,
finance, etc.
For this look to the cards occupying the House
which governs that question, and if there be any
doubt, refer to the Witnesses and Judge. The Judge
will coincide with the Consultant or either Witness
or the Key Card, by being of the same suit. The
testimony being in favour of the Consultant, he will
get his wish concerning the question, but otherwise
he will not.
The Aces are good when falling in the First, Tenth,
Seventh, or Fourth Houses, providing they are in
their right quarters, as indicated above; and Kings
are rendered powerful for good when occupying
these places.
The scheme is particularly useful as applicable to
all sorts of questions, and admits of easy resolution
by reading in pairs for each House, final reference
being made to the Judge and Key Card.
CHAPTER XV
TO DETERMINE A PROJECT

THERE are various methods used by Cartomantes


to determine whether a person will gain some
particular wished-for thing or not. In all of these
the most significant cards are the Significator of the
Consultant—ze., a Court Card of the right sex and
colour, and the Wish Card. In every known system
of Cartomancy the Nine of Hearts figures as the
symbol of express good fortune, in contradistinction
to the Nine of Spades, which is the symbol of disap-
pointment. In order that a sure augury favourable
to the Consultant may be obtained it is necessary
that the Nine of Hearts should be present and that
the Nine of Spades does not appear. Any Spade
touching the Wish Card tends to obstruct the issue
and delay the attainment of the wish, but the Nine
of Spades touching it shows that the Consultant will
abandon his quest, change his wish,.or else meet
with disappointment. In all such cases it is well to
effect a compromise and find a possible means of
consolation.
One method, that employs the Wish Card and
8
a
TO DETERMINE A PROJECT 79

that of the Consultant, also employs the four Aces,


which are always regarded as singularly fortunate °


when falling in a restricted radius. When, therefore,
the four Aces, the Wish, and the Significator are all
drawn within a carton of nine, the result is highly
favourable, and the wish will be obtained if the Nine
of Spades is not present. The following is the
method employed by me to include the Aces, the
Wish Card, and the Significator
:
Shuffle the cards thoroughly, with the desired
object in mind. Turn the cards face downwards in
the left hand, and with the right take up the three
top cards in a fan, so that they may be inspected
together. If the Wish Card, the Significator, or an
Ace is among them, place the three cards in a row
face upwards. If, however, none of these cards
appear, the three must be thrown aside.
Now take the next three cards from the top of the
pack, and deal similarly with them, so proceeding
throughout, until all the Aces, the Wish Card, and
the Significator have appeared. Every three cards
that embrace any of these six significant cards must
be put together in line.
In effect you will have several lines of three cards
each. They will contain the four Aces, the Wish
Card, and the Significator. If they do not, then you
have misdealt, and the process must be gone through
again ab initio. If, however, you find all the required
cards in your carton, and there be no more than
nine cards in all, you will get your wish without
80 CARD-READING
delay, and with great facility. But if there be
two or more cards drawn, they must be gathered
together, shuffled, and so dealt with again, so that
all the Aces, ‘the Wish Card, and the Significator
are drawn in the first nine, or three rows of three each.
If you effect this in three deals you will surely
gain your wish, but should it require a fourth or fifth
deal to effect the drawing, then you will have but
slender hope of attainment. Nothing is more satis-
factory than when all the desired cards come out in
the first nine cards of the firstsdeal. Thereaifter the
wish is attained with increasing difficulty, but yet
you will get it if the drawing is effected in three
deals and no more.
It will further enhance the value of the reading if
after each deal you take the cards composing the
carton, coupling the first of the top row and the last
of the bottom row, and so proceeding until all had
been read in pairs.
But observe that even in a carton of nine at the
first deal, should you obtain the four Aces, the Wish
Card, and the Significator, and one of the other
three cards be the Nine of Spades, the whole wish
is frustrated, and will never be realized.

ANOTHER METHOD,
Take out the four Aces and place them at the
points of a cross, the Ace of Diamonds to the left,
the Ace of Clubs at the head, the Ace of Hearts to
the right, and the Ace of Spades at the foot,
TO DETERMINE A PROJECT 81

Now shuffle the rest of the pack, wishing fervently


whatsoever you may greatly desire.
Deal one card at the head of the cross, one at the foot,
one to the left, and one tothe right hand. Socontinue
until you have seven cards on each of the four Aces.
Turn up each pack and observe on which of them
your Significator may be, and also on which the
Wish Card is found. If they come in the same pack
you will get your wish, but if they are in separate
packs regard must be given to that which contains
the Wish Card.
Thus, if the latter be found at the foot, you have
already obtained your wish. If at the head, you will
speedily obtain your wish, for the Ace of Clubs
denotes victory, power, and achievement. If to the
left, on the Ace of Diamonds, you may obtain your
wish with some difficulty, and money will be required
for the purpose. If to the right, you will gain your
wish after some waiting. But if at the foot, you will
bury your wish as a dead thing, and there you will
find the Spade for the burying of your dead hopes.
They are the sacrifice at the foot of the cross.
Should the Nine of Spades fall in the same pack as
the Wish Card, or in that of the Significator, you will
certainly be thwarted in your projects, and meet with
disappointment.
These methods being rightly carried out, you may
with great security pronounce a verdict upon the
issue of any project the Consultant may have in mind
and upon which he has earnestly set his desires.
6
CHAPTER XVI
THE FULL PACK

THIS exposition of Cartomancy would probably be


deemed incomplete if it were concluded without a
display of the full pack. Hitherto we have used only
the Bézique pack of thirty-two cards; but, as already
stated in a previous chapter, some people prefer to
use the complete pack, and the significations of the
lesser cards have accordingly been given. The
method of laying out the cards with the full pack
in hand has not, however, been given. This may
now be done:
Shuffle the cards, and take note ef that which
represents the Consultant, but do not withdraw it.
Cut the cards when shuffled into three packs.
Read the three cards thus exposed, taking them in
combination, as signifying a near event of some
|

importance.
Bring the cards together into a single pack in the
same order as before cutting, and, placing them face
downwards in the left hand, effect the following deal
with the right.
Place the first card to the left of the table, and
82
THE FULL PACK 83

follow in succession to the right until thirteen cards


have been dealt in a row, face upwards.
Begin again on the left, one space below, and deal
line
a second of thirteen cards.
So preceed until you have four rows of cards, con-
taining thirteen in each row.

THe READING.
Count from the first card, which call ‘‘ one,” te
the fifth card, then to the ninth, and then to the
thirteenth. This will exhaust the first row. Read
cards one and five, five and nine, nine and thirteen
together.
Deal similarly with the second, third, and fourth
rows, making three separate readings frem each row.
Note that the first row is pertinent to the Con-
sultant, his projects and thoughts.
The second row has relation to his finance,
property, and general interests.
The third row relates to his associates, friends,
relatives, and those with whom he corresponds.
The fourth and bottom row shows the finality of
things, how things will result, the end of projects, etc.
Should any question arise from the reading, it
may be resolved by counting from the Significator
to the fifth, ninth, and thirteenth cards, reading from
left to right as the cards fall; and this holds good in
regard to all questions pertaining to the person of
the Consultant or his thoughts and projects. But
should the question concern his business, property,
84 CARD-READING
or finance generally, the reading must be made from
the Wish Card—i.e., the Nine of Hearts. Changes,
removals, journeys, and affairs involving rearrange-
ment of existing conditions should be read from the
House Card—the Ace of Hearts.
These various readings being duly effected, the
cards are now to be taken up and read in pairs by—
COUPLING.
The first card of the first row and the last of the
fourth row are taken up together, one with the left
hand, the other with the right, brought together, and
read. Then the second card in the first row and the
twelfth in the fourth row are taken together in the
same way and read. Thus with the fifty-two cards
we shall have the following combinations: 1 and 52,
2and 51, 3 and 50, 4 and 49, etc, giving twenty-six
different events. This method of coupling has |

reference to the course of events in a manner sub-


sidiary to the main reading already effected. Fre-
quently it will be found that the events are con-
firmatory of the main destiny, and sometimes
accessory. They should not be given a primary
importance.
Thus with the main reading of the tivage and the
twenty-six couplings there will be thirty-eight distinct
predictions, sufficient ground indeed for any critical
estimate of the faculty of the Cartomante or the
validity of Cartomancy as a means of divination, and
certainly enough to satisfy the demands of the most
THE FULL PACK 85

exacting querent. Here, therefore, we may take


leave of our Consultant and of the subject of card-
reading generally.
But there remains to be considered one aspect of
Cartomancy, and that the most ancient, to which
reference has been made in preceding pages—I mean
the Tarot. A brief exposition of the Tarot cards
may aptly complete this work, and the following
chapter will probably fill the reader’s requirements
in this direction. Should it be deemed inadequate,
however, there are already several elaborate works
on the subject, the chief being those of Papus (M.
Encausse), Eliphas Levi (L’Abbé Constant), S. L.
MacGregor Mathers (Comte de Glenstrae), and
Arthur E. Waite, to which the readeris referred.
CHAPTER XVII
THE ANCIENT TAROT
As I have previously mentioned the Tarot cards, it
will perhaps be opportune if in this place I make
some short study of them. The pack to which I
shall refer the reader, and which I shall use in the
following exposition, is that containing the new
designs executed by Miss Pamela Colman Smith.*
They vary somewhat in detail from the oldest forms,
but are true to the traditional descriptions in all
essential points.
The Tarot pack consists of seventy-eight cards,
divided into—
22 Major Keys,
56 Minor Keys.

The cards are called “Keys,” or “Arcana,” in-


discriminately.
The Major Keys are divided into sets of ten, seven,
and three, corresponding with the steps of initiation
_
into the Mysteries, and these three stages of ten,
* William Rider and Son, Ltd., Cathedral House, Paternoster
Row, London, E.C. Price 6s.
86
THE ANCIENT TAROT 87

seven, and three steps respectively culminate in two


others, one to the right, the other to the left, and are
called ‘‘the Crown of the Magi” and “ Folly”
respectively. Thus there are in all twenty-two
Major Arcana, and these are represented to have
been engraved on golden tablets by Hermes the
Thrice Great as the veritable system of true
initiation.
The fifty-six Minor Arcana are divided into four
suits, like the ordinary pack of playing-cards, to
. which they correspond; but in addition to the Knave
of each suit there is also in the Tarot pack a Knight
of each suit, thus making four suits of fourteen cards
each, or fifty-six in all.
We may consider first of all—

THE Major ARCANA.

There are many reasons, chiefly graphic ones, for


referring the origin ef the Major Arcana to the land
of Egypt. But philological reasons also exist, and
for these the reader is referred to “ The Pictorial
Key to the Tarot”’ (pp. 45, 46), by A. E. Waite.*
The various meanings attached to the cards will
depend entirely on the view-point of the exponent
and the purpose to which one is disposed to apply
them; and as in this place I am merely regarding
them as a means of divination I shall content myself
* William Rider and Son, Ltd., Cathedral House, Paternoster
Row, London, E.C. Price 5s. net.
88 CARD-READING
with a recital of their conventional values. ‘Those
who wish to study their inner meanings and the
mystical or hermetic interpretations will find the
whole matter lucidly set forth in the work already
cited.
The values of the twenty-two Major cards are as
follows
:
1. The Magician.—Stands for the power of the
will and imagination. It signifies the conquest and
use of circumstance by innate faculty. Success by
effort.
2. The High Priestess.—Stands for initiation. She
carries the symbols of Sun and Moon, of Spirit and
Matter, celestial and terrestrial forces. On left
her
hand
is the pillar of the Gateway called “‘Jachin,” on
her right that called “ Boaz.” It signifies understand-
ing and mastery, the power of creation, of mental
conception. It is an indication of successful plans,
new enterprises, projects, and schemes.
3. The Empress.—The goddess Isis-Urania is repre-
sented as seated on a throne, holding in her right
hand the symbol of earthly power—the globe. It
signifies perfection of action, fruitfulness, and pleni-
tude. It is an exceedingly fortunate card.
4. The Emperor.—He carries the crux ansata—the
symbol of authority—and is seated on the Cubic
Stone. It signifies accomplishment, realization, and
is accounted a fortunate card, especially in material
things.
5. The Hierophant.—He holds the triple cross, and
THE ANCIENT TAROT 89

wears a mitre. It signifies a benefit bestowed, assis-


tance to one’s projects, intervention, good counsel.
6. The Lovers.— Sometimes called ‘‘The Two
Paths.” This card shows youth in man and maid
set between temptation and aspiration, between vice
and virtue. It signifies union, combination of forces,
alliances and partnerships, contracts, agreements.
7. The Chariot.—The Charioteer is represented in
a chariot drawn by two Sphinxes, one black and the
other white. He carries on his armour two symbols,
showing the moon increscent and decrescent. He
wears a crown of three pentagrams. It signifies
completion, victory, strength, triumph. It is a
symbolof success.
8. Justice.—She is seated on a throne with the
balance and sword in her hands, and has the right
priestly ornaments on her vesture. It signifies re-
sponsibility, results of past action, change, undoing,
and retribution.
g. The Hermit.—Veiled Prudence is shown with
staff and lamp, carefully treading the uncertain path.
It signifies mystery, secrecy, discretion, protection,
and sagacity.
10. The Wheel of Fortune-—Compounded of the
four elements or states of matter, the four letters of
the Holy Name, and the four fixed signs of the
Zodiac—the Bull, Lion, Eagle, and Man—and sur-
mounted by a Sphinx holding a sword, this card
signifies totality of things, perfection, good fortune,
success, and abundance.
|

go CARD-READING
11. The Muzzled Lion.—A woman closes the mouth
of a lion by the force of her grace. It signifies power,
dignity, authority, bravery.
12. The Victim.—A man suspended by one foot
from a cross-tree, his head being surrounded by a
solar disc. It signifies misrepresentation, undoing,
scandal, injustice, sacrifice, endurance. It is the
symbol of tribulation followed by victory and a
great reward.
13. Death—A skeleton rider upon a white steed,
carrying a scythe. On all sides of him are fallen
victims. It signifies change, undoing, loss, reversal
of fortune, sometimes death. It is an unfortunate
card.
14. Temperance.—An angel is shown pouring water
of life from one urn or ewer to another. It signifies
probity, economy, social intercourse, friendship,
combination of forces, circulation, good news.
15. Typhon.—Baphomet is seated on a cube, to
which are chained a she-devil and a satan. Under-
neath are the fires of hell. It signifies deception,
trouble, loss of virtue, lying, sedition, and temptation.
The card is presented as a warning.
16. The Blasted Towerv.—The edifice is seen in
flames, and from its capitel a crown is seen to be
falling, and also two men, one of whom is crowned.
A lightning flash completes the picture of destruction.
It signifies catastrophe, accidents, reversal of position,
loss and total undoing, defeat, chastisement.
17. The Star of the Magi.—A blazing star sur-
THE ANCIENT TAROT oi
rounded by seven lesser stars in a clear vault,
beneath which a virgin is pouring fire and water
upon the earth from two urns. It denotes peace,
attainment, clearness of vision, intelligence, con-
quest by love and devotion, reward of well-doing,
promotion, happiness.
18. The Moon.—From a radiant moon a shower
of blood-red dew is falling to the earth. Beneath it
are figures of a dog, a wolf, and acrab. It signifies
the dissipation of psychic force, insanity, sickness,
treachery, deception, uncertainty, error, and false
friends.
1g. The Sun.—A naked child on a white charger
unfurls a scarlet banner, while above him shines a
brilliant sun. It denotes achievement, subjugation
of material to intellectual interests, power, victory,
understanding, success by the use of the faculties,
good fortune, a rising destiny.
20. The Judgment.—An angel blowing a trumpet
to which is attached the banner of the Red Cross,
while from below there rise up man, woman, and
child from their graves. It signifies the effort to
overcome difficulties, the desire for success, aspira-
tion, duty, response to conscience, exaltation, new
enterprises, and a change in the sphere of life and
work.
ai. The World.—A woman swathed in a scarf,
holding a distaff or wand in either hand. The four
symbols of the universe are set at the four corners
of the card, while the womanis encircled by a wreath
92 CARD-READING
of green leaves. It signifies truth, honesty, virtue,
advancement, elevation, honours, and success. It is
the crown of the Magi, and the wreath is of laurel
leaf, symbolic of perfect achievement.
22. Folly:—A blind man in fool’s dress, carrying
a bundle and holding a flower in one hand, followed
by a fawning dog. His bundle contains errors and
vanities; the flower is that of dalliance. His eyes
are blinded by prejudice and ignorance, while his
feet lead him to the verge of a precipice. It signifies
illusion, folly, false judgment, limitation, restriction,
and catastrophe.
CHAPTER XVIII
THE MINOR ARCANA

THE cards in these suits are of the same value as in


the ordinary pack; but they are variously called
Wands or Clubs, Cups or Hearts, Swords or Spades,
and Deniers or Diamonds.
The Knights of these suits, not being included in
the ordinary pack of fifty-two cards, may be separately
described
:
Knight of Wands.—A dark young man who is
friendly ; change of projects ; a journey ; separation.
Knight of Cups.—A fair friend; a lover; a mes-
senger or visitor ; a proposal; an invitation.
Knight of Swords.—A bad message ; anger, destruc-
tion, ruin, strife.
Knight of Pentacles—An officer; service, deputa-
tion, agency.
The Significators in the Tarot are thus selected:
For males, a King signifies a married man, or one
of mature years, from thirty-five years and upwards;
a Knight represents those under thirty-five.
For females, the Queen denotes such as are married
or of thirty years and upwards ; while a Page (Knave)
denotes those who are under that age and single.
93
94 CARD-READING
The Significator must be of the same complexion
or colouring as the Consultant, as already described
in the earlier part of this book. Thus Swords are
very dark; Wands moderately dark ; Cups moderately
fair Deniers very fair.
;

We may now consider a method of divining by


the Tarot cards.
METHOD.
Extract the Significator and place it face upwards
on the table.
Having shuffled the pack of seventy-eight cards,
hold them face downwards in
the left hand, and deal
with the right as follows:
THE MINOR ARCANA 95
Note that the fourth card falls on the Significator,
and is to be read in connection with the twelfth
card, as signifying such events as will be surely
realized.
The cards 1, 2, 3 denote projects, and g, 10, 11
the results of such projects. Cards 2 and g denote
obstacles, hindrances, and impediments. Cards 3
and zo show favouring circumstances. Card ir is
read in connection with card 1, as showing the final
issue of the project or matter about which consulta-
tion is made.
Now deal with the cards 5, 6, 7, 8, and read 5 as
events of the near future, 6 the immediate past,
7 the enemy, 8 the friend. Finally read 4 and 12
together for the events of immediate happening, or
that which is crossing the path. The twelfth card
is the arbiter or final decision, and shows whether
present events are favouring or opposing the pro-
jects.
Let us take an example and suppose that the
cards have been shuffled and are dealt as shown in
the diagram on ‘Tarot cards (Plate IV.).
The Queen of Wands is the Significator (a lady of
medium dark colouring being the Consultant).
The twelve top cards fall in the following order
and are dealt as explained above: 6 Wands, 7 Wands,
Ace of Cups, Page of Swords, 9 Pentacles, 10 Pen-
tacles, the Lovers (VI), the World (XXI), 2 Swords,
Hierophant (V), the Ace of Swords, and the
Magician.
96 CARD-READING
The Roman numbers in brackets refer to the
Major Arcana.
The first three cards are 6 Wands, 7 Wands, Ace
of Cups, and they relate to the projects of the Con-
sultant. Here we have thoughts of a gift, some
expectations (6 Wands); financial projects which
are difficult (7 Wands being on the obstacle side);
Ace of Cups, something concerning a house or
establishment is fortunate. The projects, therefore,
are hindered on account of financial affairs, the lady
hopes for assistance in this direction, and there is
probably a project connected with a house. I
therefore say: You have ideas of buying or taking a
house or setting up some establishment. Lack of
money stands in the way, but you are hoping to get
assistance in this direction.
I now miss card number 4, which lies on the
Significator, and proceed to consider cards 5, 6, 7, 8.
These are: 9 Pentacles (speedy money), 10 Pentacles
(success), the Lovers (Arcanum VI), denoting
obstacles or enemies in connection with the affec-
tions, the World (Arcanum XX]I), indicating honours
and accomplishment near at hand. I therefore
affirm that the lady will experience some trouble in
regard to her affections, she will receive some speedy
news concerning money, has just met with some
success, and will eventually find her projects to be
altogether successful, attainment and honours being
in store for her.
I now read cards 9, 10, 11, which are 2 Swords on
a >
tH

ie 112 ica
of a

PLATE IV (To face P. 96.)


THE MINOR ARCANA 97

the obstacle side, indicating a defective friend; the


Hierophant, which shows ‘‘ benefit bestowed, assis-
tance to one’s projects, intervention, good counsel”;
and the Ace of Swords (read in connection with
card 1): the wish will be conferred. Hence I say
that she will experience some disappointment through
the defection of a friend on whom she relied for
material aid, but will get all she requires, and good
counsel thrown in with it, from a real friend, and
will see ber project through.
Finally, I read card 12 with card 4—namely, the
‘Magician and the Page of Swords. These show
success due to the skill and determination of the
Consultant. In effect, therefore, the augury is
quite good, but effort will be required. The Page
of Swords on the Significator denotes a visit from
the physician.
In this way all combinations of cards can be read
with considerable precision and clearness, and I have
found it a useful application of the Tarot cards, and
dar easier to grasp than many of the more complex
methods in use. The reader will, however, find some
that are equally effective in “‘ The Key to the Tarot”
already mentioned.
The scheme here presented shows the superior
triangle of Ideas, the world of Causes; the lower
triangle of Realization, the world of Effects; and the
intermediate world of Cognition, represented by five
cards, the number of the human, the Man-child, or
the Man upon the Cross, related to both the superior
7
98 CARD-READING
and inferior worlds by consciousness. The original
design stands thus:

It will be seen that the diagram employs the


symbol of the Sun or Spiritual Eye as synthetic of
the World of Ideas, otherwise called “the World
of Principles.” The symbol of the Earth is used to
represent the synthesis of the three-dimensional
World of Reality, otherwise known as “the World
of Effects.” The symbol of the Five Spheres, the
four united in the one, is used to express the World
THE MINOR ARCANA 99

of Causes, otherwise called ‘‘the Intermediary” or


World of Cognition. The outside sphere having for
its orbit a radius of the Sphere of Cognition, imping-
ing upon both the Sun and the Earth, is called ‘ the
Sphere of Peregrinations,” or the World of Changes,
and appears to refer to the destiny as determined
by the circumferential influence of the heavens. It
may, however, equally denote the soul itself in pro-
cess of evolution by descent into matter and re-ascent
into spirit, denoted by the Earth and Sun respectively.
But I leave such speculations to my readers, and con-
-
clude my work in the hope and belief that it will be
found serviceable.
CHAPTER: XIX
CONCLUSION

Berore# finishing this book, I should like to make an


appeal on behalf of those who, from one cause or
another, are in the position of having to follow
Cartomancy asa profession. Not having any personal
interest in the matter, I am able to look at their
case with dispassion. There are many persons in
straitened circumstances who have the gift of clair-
voyance, the gift of psychometry, of divination in
one form or another, and who by the exercise of
their peculiar gifts are able to help others who are
in trouble, sickness, or distress by timely advice of a
nature that is supernormal in its origin.
If anybody will take the trouble to read the
Vagrants Act, he will see at once that it was not
designed for the suppression of psychic faculties in
persons of orderly and peaceable nature. It was
enacted for the suppression of itinerant beggars,
malefactors, decoys, abductors, agents of the white
slave traffic, and persons of ill fame, who, in one
way or another, live by fraud and deception of
others.
100
CONCLUSION ror
But here we have some poor woman who, know-
ing she has a gift for divination, resorts to its use as
a means to keep from begging. It is open to any
evilly-disposed person to bring an accusation against
her and to have her fined or imprisoned, and in
either case disgraced by the use of her highest gifts.
Some move should be made to dissociate the pro-
fessional use of these faculties from the outrageous
felonies enumerated in the Act. The latter should
be revised, or preferably repealed, so that those who
honestly use their faculties at the request of others,
and are at the same time reputable citizens in all
other respects, should not fall under the ban of
common felons and vagabonds.
There are, of course, charlatans; but quacks and
impostors exist in all walks of life. Nothing that is
good in this world can escape adulteration by un-
scrupulous persons. Lawyers and doctors receive
for
fees for giving advice, and we pay their opinions,
which as often as not are proved to be faulty. Why,
then, should not clairvoyants take fees in return for
the information they give us? Bad clairvoyants,
like bad lawyers and doctors, are soon discovered
but a good representative of any profession never ;
dies from neglect. The people are educated enough
to know true from false, and they should claim the
right to exercise their own judgment in the matter.
If a man has earned the right to spend money on
his own amusement and instruction, he should be
_
able, while not trespassing on the rights of others,
102 CARD-READING
to spend it as he will. The attempt to use an
obsolete Act of Parliament to make it illegal to
make personal test of these psychic powers is an
interference with the liberty of the subject for which
there is no other excuse than that if he is a free-
born Englishman he must be subject to English law.
None but an Englishman would submit to such in-
quisition and tyranny. And yet logically, and, I
think, also forensically, if it be illegal to tell fortunes
it is illegal to have fortunes told. Nevertheless, we
find that it is by means of masquerading decoys that
those who practise these things are trapped. They
go to a clairvoyant and lie about themselves. Then
they go to those who employ them and lie about the
clairvoyant. And by such means the public avenues
of psychic research and experiment are choked
effectually. .

If it be thought that the exercise of clairvoyance


is an easy way of picking up a living it is a great
mistake. The practice is a very arduous one and
sets a very great strain on the nervous system.
Nevertheless, I know of several cases where clair-
voyants have unravelled what has baffled clever men
of law, and others where the nature of disease has
been correctly diagnosed when ithas puzzled eminent
medical men. Yet I retain my faith in the ability or
usefulness of both lawyers and doctors. All I ask is
a fair field and a place in the world for others who
have other faculties that are less known but in many
ways equally useful. If a man who earns thirty
RULES OF CARTOMANCY 103

shillings a week is at liberty to spend twenty in


drink and then go home, bully his wife, scare his
children, and smash up the furniture without in-
curring any legal penalty, surely one who earns
many times as much can spend a few shillings on a
clairvoyant demonstration without doing either the
subject or himself much harm. Yet our anomalous
law holds the clairvoyant to be criminal, and the
experimentalist an innocent victim!

RULES OF CARTOMANCY.
It is not advisable to consult the cards upon
matters of a trivial nature.
The faculty of divination should only be used
when all ordinary means of judgment have been
exhausted without success.
Things that are outside the normal power of the
mind to discover are fit subjects for inquiry by
means of Cartomancy.
The cards should never be forced so as to produce
a favourable result. If you want the truth you must
be honest with yourself.
It is not fair to oneself or to the Cartomante to
assume a position or status that is not true.
The study of Cartomancy requires patience, con-
centration, imaginative faculty, sympathy, cheerful-
ness, self-effacement, and accuracy. If you cannot
guarantee these qualities, do not rely on your cards.
104 CARD-READING ©

There is no virtue or magic in the cards them-


selves. They get their sole value through the person
who uses them. A person who is constitutionally
deceptive cannot expect to get the truth by this or
_ any other means.
When the cards do not read easily there is some-
thing amiss either with the Consultant or Carto-
mante. It will be wise to defer the divination.
Caution should be observed in telling the cards to
hysterical, weak-minded, or diseased persons.
Should a person cut his own death, or should it
appear in the laying-out of the cards, do not predict
death, but modify your statement and append a
caution, as the cards may indicate.
Always be ready to convince sceptics. They are
usually very honest people, and the cards can be
relied upon to tell the truth about them and their
affairs. It is the insincere person whose cards are
difficult to read.
Traditional methods should be held to, especially
if they do not complicate vhe divination or obscure
the truth. Therefore, always cut the cards with the
left hand.
After reading the cards, should the Consultant
affirm that you are wrong, ask him to call again in
a month and repeat the statement. Wh t is wrong
to-day may be quite right a week hence. People are
often prejudiced by their own desires, and an adverse
judgment is apt to meet with disbelief.
Psactice makes perfect.

PRINTED AT THE COMPLETE PRESS WEST NORWOOD LONDON


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