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Playing card tarot: Your friend knows about your interest in tarot, so she suggests you do some readings “for fun.” But you didn’t bring a deck. “That’s all right,” your friend says, “you can do it with playing cards.” And you can. It’s perfectly possible to read tarot with playing cards.
This is my reference to the meanings and interpretations when doing fast one-card readings with playing cards.
Note: Originally published by the author at Exemplore. If you visit the page, you’ll see many Q&As at the bottom.
Reading with any kind of playing card, tarot, or oracle deck, is called cartomancy. If you want to learn the techniques of cartomancy from scratch and really get to understand the cards and their fuller messages, I suggest you start with How to Read the Tarot With Playing Cards. However, if you are looking for fast answers to yes/no questions, then this is the right place. This is a fast, down-and-dirty guide to what playing cards answer ‘yes’ to your questions and which ones say “no.” Oh, and be aware, there could also be some “maybes” in there, too!
I’ve modified the answers with a phrase that reflects the energy of the card and fits in with its traditional meaning. It might be helpful, or you can ignore it if it doesn’t fit. By the same token, you can expand on your interpretation and also look more deeply into each card by researching its tarot equivalent.
1. Formulate a Question
Here we go: Formulate your question. Remember, it must require a more or less straight yes/no/maybe answer. There’s no point asking about where your spiritual development will take you next or how you might go about attracting love this year. Only simple questions get a simple answer.
Example Playing Card Tarot Questions:
- Will I get a promotion this year?
- Am I going to fall in love?
- Should I go on that trip?
- Will my son get into college?
- Should I set up a new business?
- Am I going to pass my exam?
- Do I need to study harder?
- Is it a good idea to keep reading this article?
And so on…
2. Draw One Card Only
To get an answer to a yes/no question, you only need to draw one card. If the card you draw suggests another question to you, put the first card back in the deck (after making a note of it and its answer), then shuffle and draw another for your new question.
If you try drawing more than one card, you won’t get a clear response.
A Quick Note on the Joker:
I recommend you remove the Joker from the deck before beginning your reading. The Joker is an ambivalent card, represented by the Fool in Tarot. While most times it means to take a risk, to trust in the universe, and to go along with game, it can also mean that the choice you are making is foolish. You can decide yourself what it means and keep it in, of course, but as it’s confusing, I’d take it out.
3. Use My Suggestions Below to See If the Card Means Yes, No, or Maybe
What Each Club Card Means:
Like the suit of Wands, Clubs is the suit of inspiration and action.
- Ace of Clubs: Yes, take advantage of this burst of energy.
- Two of Clubs: No, there is more to do. Consolidate your plans.
- Three of Clubs: Yes, but be patient.
- Four of Clubs: Yes, you’ve done well so far.
- Five of Clubs: No, you need to get through this situation first.
- Six of Clubs: Yes, absolutely!
- Seven of Clubs: Maybe, but you might have to convince others.
- Eight of Clubs: Yes, go now. Do that thing!
- Nine of Clubs: Yes, but slow down, take it easy.
- Ten of Clubs: No. Hunker down; things will improve.
- Jack/Knave of Clubs: Yes, if it’s safe. No, if there’s risk involved.
- Queen of Clubs: Yes, and take all the encouragement you can get.
- King of Clubs: Yes, but make sure to stand back to see the big picture.
What Each Heart Card Means:
Like Cups, Hearts is the suit of love and emotions.
- Ace of Hearts: Yes, enjoy this delicious moment.
- Two of Hearts: Yes, embrace it.
- Three of Hearts: Yes, it’s time to have some fun.
- Four of Hearts: No, you are not in the right emotional state.
- Five of Hearts: No, your heart is too heavy.
- Six of Hearts: Yes, and it might have something to do with the past.
- Seven of Hearts: Maybe, it depends on your choice of path.
- Eight of Hearts: Yes, but slowly and reluctantly.
- Nine of Hearts: Yes, all is well.
- Ten of Hearts: Yes, now is a great time to reach for fulfillment.
- Jack/Knave of Hearts: Yes, but it won’t last.
- Queen of Hearts: Yes, but be sensitive to the needs of others.
- King of Hearts: Very likely, yet hold back a little.
What Each Spade Card Means:
Like the suit of Swords, Spades is the suit of thinking and communication.
- Ace of Spades: Yes, you know the truth.
- Two of Spades: No, you can’t see the truth yet.
- Three of Spades: No, the lines of communication are down.
- Four of Spades: Possibly, but you need time to recover first.
- Five of Spades: Yes, no, maybe. You must be upfront about your intentions.
- Six of Spades: Yes, but take it slowly. Choose the path of least resistance.
- Seven of Spades: Yes, if you truly think you should. No, if you are attempting to deceive.
- Eight of Spades: No, you just can’t. But wait . . . you can if you try hard enough.
- Nine of Spades: No, get yourself sorted first.
- Ten of Spades: No, it’s just not happening, is it?
- Jack/Knave of Spades: Yes, but you must be single-minded about your goal.
- Queen of Spades: Yes, but make sure you have the truthful version first.
- King of Spades: Very likely, but be sure to weigh up all the options analytically.
What Each Diamond Card Means:
Diamonds is the suit, like Pentacles or Disks, that corresponds with the Material World.
- Ace of Diamonds: Yes, everything is in your favor.
- Two of Diamonds: Yes, but be organized and in control.
- Three of Diamonds: Yes, especially if it’s connected to work.
- Four of Diamonds: Yes, but you have to free up some resources.
- Five of Diamonds: No, you literally cannot afford to take any risks.
- Six of Diamonds: Yes or no, depending on whether you are giving (yes) or receiving (not so much).
- Seven of Diamonds: Maybe. Are you ready to make a change?
- Eight of Diamonds: Yes, as long as you pay attention to the small print.
- Nine of Diamonds: Yes, and know that you will have to do it alone.
- Ten of Diamonds: Yes, if you have family backing, agreement, or support.
- Jack/Knave of Diamonds: Yes, but it will entail hard work.
- Queen of Diamonds: Yes, and remember to take care of the practicalities.
- King of Diamonds: Yes, you can do anything if you are determined, capable, and hard-working enough.
13 Tarot Facts You May Not Know
Remember: Tarot is for fun and entertainment. Never make an important decision based on the turn of a card.
Dear Troi, excellent, thank you, Ed
You are welcome, Ed.